SBIR/STTR Research Award
The Robotic Mule
Award amount
$2,729,940Program and phase
SBIR · Phase IIAward year
2005Award details
- Awarding agency
- Department of Defense
- Branch
- Army
- Recipient company
- BOSTON DYNAMICS
- Proposal award date
- 2005-05-19
- Contract end date
- 2007-05-19
- UEI
- CG78ATJ18YX5
- Solicitation number
- 2003.2
- Topic code
- A03-242
Research abstract
We propose to develop Legged Robot Mule, a new kind of robot that helps dismounted soldiers by carrying part of their load. Legged Robot Mule will travel on operationally relevant terrain, such as narrow mountain trails and densely wooded jungles. It will use dynamic balance to support its payload while maintaining a narrow base, enhancing its mobility. It will use computer vision to follow a human solider who acts as its guide. It will be powered by a gasoline engine that operates for several hours without refueling. Phase I of Legged Robot Mule proved the feasibility of the concept. We established the requirements for the mechanical design, locomotion control algorithms and energetics of the robot. In Phase II we will build, test and demonstrate on hardware Legged Robot Mules in the field.
Technology keywords
Not reported
Other awards by this recipient
Verified by the same UEI. These are other public SBIR/STTR award pages, not a merged company record.
- Robot for Re-Coating Tall Antenna Towers
- Robot for Re-Coating Tall Antenna Towers
- Human Social, and Culture Behavioral Modeling Game-Based Simulation
- The Robotic Mule
- Mission Planning and Training Tool for Dismounted Urban Combat
Awards with the same topic code
Verified by an exact topic code match. This is not a text-similarity match.
Research funding history
9 SBIR/STTR records share this UEI (1998–2009). Reported award amounts total $5,324,174. Reported amounts are not federal obligations.
Phases: Phase I, Phase II
Agencies: Department of Defense