Virginia Tech and the University of Pennsylvania are working with NRL on the firefighting robot project. NRL’s firefighting robot will be a follow-on version to the existing Virginia Tech CHARLI-L1 robot, pictured here. Photo: Virginia Tech |
In
both war and peacetime scenarios, fire in the shipboard environment is
serious and frequently results in excessive damage and high repair costs
because the fire is not detected or controlled adequately. To help
further improve future shipboard firefighting capability, scientists at
the Naval Research Laboratory have formed an interdisciplinary team to
develop a humanoid robot that could fight fires on the next generation
of combatants. A humanoid-type robot was chosen because it was deemed
best suited to operate within the confines of an environment that was
deigned for human mobility and offered opportunity for other potential
warfighting applications within the Navy and Marine Corps.
The
firefighting robot, called the Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot
(SAFFiR), is being designed to move autonomously throughout the ship,
interact with people, and fight fires, handling many of the dangerous
firefighting tasks that are normally performed by humans. The humanoid
robot should be able to maneuver well in the narrow passages and
ladderways that are unique to a ship and challenging for most older,
simpler robots to navigate.
The
robot is designed with enhanced multi-modal sensor technology for
advanced navigation and a sensor suite that includes a camera, gas
sensor, and stereo IR camera to enable it to see through smoke. Its
upper body will be capable of manipulating fire suppressors and throwing
propelled extinguishing agent technology (PEAT) grenades. It is battery
powered that holds enough energy for 30 minutes of firefighting. Like a
sure-footed sailor, the robot will also be capable of walking in all
directions, balancing in sea conditions, and traversing obstacles.
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Another
key element of the SAFFiR development is to allow damage control
personnel and the robot to work cohesively as a team. Algorithms are
being developed to allow autonomous mobility and decision making by the
robot as a team member. To enable natural interaction with a human team
leader, the robot will have multimodal interfaces that will enable the
robot to track the focus of attention of the human team leader, as well
as to allow the robot to understand and respond to gestures, such as
pointing and hand signals. Where appropriate, natural language may also
be incorporated, as well as other modes of communication and
supervision.
Researchers
from Virginia Tech and University of Pennsylvania are also working with
NRL on the project. They plan to test the firefighting robot in a
realistic firefighting environment onboard the ex-USS Shadwell in late
September 2013.
Navy Technology Center for Safety & Survivability
The Navy Center for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence
