TROTON: Transforming Robot for Terrain and Obstacle Navigation

It is DARPA's intent to have a robust UGV that can traverse difficult and changing environments for broad military or commercial applications. To address DARPA’s vision of future military operations, our developed robotic solutions excel in on-board autonomy (navigation and perception) and possess novel mechanical architectures that will allow the UGV to adapt to a wide series of environments and obstacles. During Phase I efforts, Triton Systems is focusing on TROTON: a Transforming RObot for Terrain and Obstacle Navigation. The robot operates in three modes: Obstacle and Terrain Navigation and Sensor Deployment. TROTON features facilitate navigation, sensing and self-configuration. In Phase I, TROTON’s modes of operation are being explored separately. In the upcoming months, Triton will be conducting theoretical and experimental benchmarks tests for motive and stability control. Once these studies are completed, Triton and UPenn will use these results to finalize the design of an initial prototype and will move to an integrated experimental evaluation. In Phase II of this program, Triton and UPenn will refine TROTON’s obstacle navigation performance and its modular capabilities. Autonomy will be further explored; emphasis will be placed on automated switching between modes when in complex environments and advanced navigation techniques.  During Phase II, Triton will deliver a prototype system to demonstrate TROTON’s capabilities. In Phase III, the team will work with DARPA to transition the design to other research applications at DARPA’s discretion and explore potential commercial applications of the technology of autonomous or semiautonomous ground-based delivery vehicles, or exploratory vehicles such as those relevant in disaster situations or other areas with an environment hazardous to humans.