Explosion Proof Modular Robotics

HEBI Robotics, Inc. is pleased to submit this proposal titled “Explosion Proof Modular Robotics” to modify its proven modular robot development components to meet the Class I Division 1 (per the National Electric Code (NEC) ) requirements to operate around ammunition and armaments.  These certified robot building blocks will make it possible to quickly and practically create a wide variety of collaborative robot systems, including multi degree-of-freedom (DoF) arms (i.e. 6 DoF), End of Arm Tools (EOAT), and mobile robot bases that meet the Class I Division 1 requirements. The robot systems made possible by this work will keep humans safe while working alongside robots in energetic environments where flammable vapors, liquids, and dust are present. Of particular interest would be the eventual dual use applications that could be explored within the Robotics Collaborative Technology Alliance (R-CTA) in a Phase III.  The HEBI Robotics Platform for robotics development consists of modular robot hardware building blocks (actuators, chassis, connecting brackets and accessories as shown in Figure 1) and software tools that dramatically reduce the time and effort required to develop robust robot systems. Robots that would be cost prohibitive or infeasible to develop with conventional tools are made practical by the HEBI platform. HEBI’s system is used by robot developers around the world to accelerate robot development in academia, research, and industry. Robots composed of HEBI’s building blocks include arms of varying kinematic configurations, mobile robots with wheels or tracks, legged robots, and more. Because this technology makes it possible to design robots to fit the existing workspace, as opposed to modifying the workspace to accommodate the robot, the output of this project will help solve the Army’s current problem of safely upgrading their current energetic industrial base paradigm, with limited disruption to the current assembly line process and production area footprint and overall layout.