PERFORMANCE OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS IN A NAVAL ENVIRONMENT

AN EFFORT TO ESTABLISH A METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF SHIPBOARD ENVIRONMENT ON INDUSTRIAL STYLE ROBOTS AND ROBOTIC SYSTEMS IS DESCRIBED. THIS METHODOLOGY IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE: 1.) METHODS FOR ASSESSING THE EFFECT ON SHIPBOARD ROBOTIC SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, RELIABILITY, AND SERVICE LIFE OF SHIP MOTIONS, VIBRATIONS, WETNESS AND AVAILABLE SHIPBOARD SPACE; 2.) A BASIS FOR DEVELOPING DURING PHASE II A MORE COMPREHENSIVE METHOD FOR ASSESSING SUCH EFFECTS. THESE METHODS WILL PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR MODIFICATION OF EXISTING ROBOTIC SYSTEMS TO PERMIT THEIR EFFECTIVE USE ON NAVAL SHIPS. THE EFFORT IS DIVIDED INTO FIVE PARTS: 1.) DEVELOPMENT OF METHODS FOR ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF MOTIONS AND VIBRATIONS ON TYPICAL ROBOTIC SYSTEMS; 2.) DEVELOPMENT OR IDENTIFICATION OF SUITABLE METHODS FOR PREDICTING RELEVANT SHIP MOTIONS AND VIBRATION; 3.) ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF WETNESS ON CORROSION AND RELIABILITY; 4.) ASSESSMENT OF SPACE REQUIRED FOR EFFECTIVE OPERATION; 5.) APPLICATION OF THESE METHODS TO AN EXAMPLE APPLICATION OF INTEREST.