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Dear MEMS newsgroup readers:
During a recent meeting with Dick Urban (DARPA Program Manager running
the Warfighter Visualization, Head Mounted Display and Smart Modules
programs) we were discussing the application of MEMS to the
next-generation of robots . Dick has a new program called Distributed
Robotics that was solicited under BAA97-41 with a closure date in
October. One of the things that Dick was hoping for was the innovative
use of MEMS in the robotics realm to help miniaturize and integrate
robotic functionality and operation. Unfortunately, he received little
or no input from the MEMS community for this BAA and was
(understandably) disappointed. [If you re like me, when scanning the BAA
list I purposely skipped over anything robotic ]. He would really like
to drive innovation in robotics, not just miniaturize existing methods.
So I offered to post this notice to the bulletin board to make everyone
aware of his interests and to encourage you to discuss your ideas with
Dick.
He would very much like to receive input on how MEMS can be used to
achieve the overall desires of the program. While it is too late to get
involved in the BAA, discussions and white papers are always welcome.
Below is the applicable text from the BAA (97-41) for your reference. If
you have thoughts or ideas on how to get MEMS involved in his robotics
program, I would encourage you to contact Dick. His email is
eurban@darpa.mil and phone is 703-696-2206. You can find more
information on his programs at the site
http://web-ext2.darpa.mil/eto/RaDPrograms.html
Excerpted text from BAA97-41
Micro and miniature robots are the primary thrust of this solicitation
because (1) the confluence of various technologies such as
microelectronics, MEMS, smart materials, advanced packaging, energy
storage, biologically inspired systems, etc. enable micro and miniature
robots to be fabricated at relatively low unit cost, and (2) micro and
miniature robots offer a range of unique mission advantages. Because of
their small size and potentially low cost, micro and miniature robots
can be carried and deployed by individuals and small teams to augment
human capability, perform hazardous missions, or perform missions
presently unimaginable.
The development of micro and miniature robots offers a variety of
technical challenges. Chief among these are mechanisms of locomotion for
low-mass devices, integration of low-power electronic control and
payloads, energy sources and human robot control.
Because micro and miniature robots have a mass similar to small animals
and insects, conventional designs (wheeled, tracked, etc.) and
biologically inspired design (jumping, climbing, crawling, slithering,
etc.) coupled with the use of MEMS and smart materials offer potential
for novel and unique locomotion mechanisms. In addition, MEMS technology
enables the integration of mechanical and electronic functions on a
single silicon chip. .
Areas of Interest
1. Enabling robot technology
a. Locomotion mechanisms that allow movement over a variety of
surfaces and in a variety of terrain;
b. Designs and mechanisms that incorporate multiple forms of
locations to accommodate movement over a variety of surfaces and in
a variety of terrain;
c. Designs and mechanisms that can automatically reconfigure
themselves, from tens to hundreds of individual components, to
accommodate various surfaces and terrain, or to adapt to different
missions;
d. On-board electronic systems for sensing, navigation,
communication and processing;
e. Designs that combine structure and function;
f. New methods for achieving multiple use by incorporation of
individual robot capabilities/intelligence and pooled or
layered capabilities; and
g. Human interfaces and robot control functions
2. Distributed Robot System Micro and miniature robotic systems that
can operate in military relevant environments. System should be fully
functional and include means of locomotion, control mechanisms,
payloads, and energy sources to complete a specific mission. ..
Applications of existing state-of-the-art robots are not of interest.
--
*******************************************
Karen W. Markus
Director, MEMS Technology Applications Center
MCNC
3021 Cornwallis Road
PO Box 12889
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2889
(919) 248 1437
(919) 248 1434 (Note new fax number)
markus@mcnc.org
http://mems.mcnc.org
********************************************
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Dear MEMS newsgroup readers:
During a recent meeting with Dick Urban (DARPA Program Manager running
the Warfighter Visualization, Head Mounted Display and Smart Modules programs)
we were discussing the application of MEMS to the next-generation of robots .
Dick has a new program called Distributed Robotics that was solicited under
BAA97-41 with a closure date in October. One of the things that Dick was
hoping for was the innovative use of MEMS in the robotics realm to help
miniaturize and integrate robotic functionality and operation. Unfortunately,
he received little or no input from the MEMS community for this BAA and
was (understandably) disappointed. [If you re like me, when scanning
the BAA list I purposely skipped over anything robotic ]. He would
really like to drive innovation in robotics, not just miniaturize existing
methods. So I offered to post this notice to the bulletin board to make
everyone aware of his interests and to encourage you to discuss your ideas
with Dick.
He would very much like to receive input on how MEMS can be used to
achieve the overall desires of the program. While it is too late to get
involved in the BAA, discussions and white papers are always welcome.
Below is the applicable text from the BAA (97-41) for your reference.
If you have thoughts or ideas on how to get MEMS involved in his robotics
program, I would encourage you to contact Dick. His email is eurban@darpa.mil
and phone is 703-696-2206. You can find more information on his programs
at the site http://web-
ext2.darpa.mil/eto/RaDPrograms.html
Excerpted text from BAA97-41
Micro and miniature robots are the primary thrust of this solicitation
because (1) the confluence of various technologies such as microelectronics,
MEMS, smart materials, advanced packaging, energy storage, biologically
inspired systems, etc. enable micro and miniature robots to be fabricated
at relatively low unit cost, and (2) micro and miniature robots offer a
range of unique mission advantages. Because of their small size and potentially
low cost, micro and miniature robots can be carried and deployed by individuals
and small teams to augment human capability, perform hazardous missions,
or perform missions presently unimaginable.
The development of micro and miniature robots offers a variety of technical
challenges. Chief among these are mechanisms of locomotion for low-mass
devices, integration of low-power electronic control and payloads, energy
sources and human robot control.
Because micro and miniature robots have a mass similar to small animals
and insects, conventional designs (wheeled, tracked, etc.) and biologically
inspired design (jumping, climbing, crawling, slithering, etc.) coupled
with the use of MEMS and smart materials offer potential for novel and
unique locomotion mechanisms. In addition, MEMS technology enables the
integration of mechanical and electronic functions on a single silicon
chip. .
Areas of Interest
1. Enabling robot technology
a. Locomotion mechanisms that allow movement over a variety of surfaces
and in a variety of terrain;
b. Designs and mechanisms that incorporate multiple forms of locations
to accommodate movement over a variety of surfaces and in a variety of
terrain;
c. Designs and mechanisms that can automatically reconfigure themselves,
from tens to hundreds of individual components, to accommodate various
surfaces and terrain, or to adapt to different missions;
d. On-board electronic systems for sensing, navigation, communication
and processing;
e. Designs that combine structure and function;
f. New methods for achieving multiple use by incorporation of individual
robot capabilities/intelligence and pooled or layered capabilities;
and
g. Human interfaces and robot control functions
2. Distributed Robot System Micro and miniature robotic systems
that can operate in military relevant environments. System should be fully
functional and include means of locomotion, control mechanisms, payloads,
and energy sources to complete a specific mission. .. Applications
of existing state-of-the-art robots are not of interest.
--
*******************************************
Karen W. Markus
Director, MEMS Technology Applications Center
MCNC
3021 Cornwallis Road
PO Box 12889
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2889
(919) 248 1437
(919) 248 1434 (Note new fax number)
