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| The Goal |
| The Robotics Research Group represents over 30 years of concentration on the design, test and operation of manipulator systems. The main technical thrust of the program focuses strongly on the following goal: |
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To produce modular systems which exhibit advanced performance at reduced costs whose architecture matches that of today's computers, allowing rapid repairs and reduced threat of obsolescence. |
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| Concentrations |
In keeping to this principle, the Group has emphasized key areas of research essential to the program. Modularity is currently the key architecture feature of the program at all levels of development (software, design, test, metrology, etc).
Generalized real-time operational software including the requirement of fault tolerance and criteria-based task performance is a major concentration of the program to ensure applicability to all future manipulator systems.
A similar effort involves the actuator module. This includes the in-depth design of all necessary components in the actuator (brakes, gear trains, motors, sensors, electronic controllers, etc.), driven by criteria based control and required operational software in a full architecture to allow for resource allocation, fault tolerance, and rapid tech modes.
Four test-beds are also being developed to evaluate all aspects of the "as-built" technology to ensure its performance and reliability. These two concentrations undertaken by the RRG can be viewed as analogous to the generalized operational software and computer chip of the personal computer. |
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