Autonomous Robotic Calibration System

To address the Navy’s need for an automated system to assist in the gauge block calibration process, Intellisense Systems, Inc., proposes to develop a new Autonomous Robotic Calibration (ARC) system based on: (a) novel integration of a low-profile, 4D gauge block handling robot integrating industrial-grade hardware, which supports accurate gauge block placement without user intervention; (b) novel implementation of custom gripper pads with active temperature stabilization, which eliminates temperature changes of the gauge blocks during handling; and (c) novel integration of video camera and machine vision algorithms providing increased accuracy of gauge placement and automatic identification of the gauge blocks from different sets. As a result, the ARC system will provide a compact, cost-efficient robotic system that implements repeatable and reliable gauge block calibration without user supervision. In Phase I, we will demonstrate the feasibility of the ARC system by designing and developing its initial concept and general architecture, designing and fabricating a laboratory-scale prototype and demonstrating its capability to perform calibration procedures and acceptance criteria according to Navy needs and requirements. We will also develop plans to develop the ARC prototype in Phase II. In Phase II, Intellisense will build a working prototype of the ARC system, test and demonstrate its capability to meet all performance requirements, and demonstrate the prototype in the lab or live environment.