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An area which is grossly underexplored in American technolgy is the employment of low cost or throw-away robots. The ability to retrieve samples manipulate materials and perform remote inspections where uncomfortable, hazardous or an inaccessible environmental conditions may limit personnel accessibility.
The following devices were designed to solve accessibility problems at a low cost. Devices as varied as a climbing robot to inspect sailboat masts and replace halyards, a mobile unit to aid bed-ridden patients in the home and nuclear surveillance/sampling units are all described. Most of the devices are built on the same platform using components chosen for specific missions. This improves delivery times and decreases costs.
** A system has been designed for the AIRBUS A 380 Super Jumbo Jet to PROVIDE MEAL SERVICE without the use of a cart. Based on a device designed for surveillance in nuclear plants, it provides meal service in aircraft without the use of aisle-blocking carts, and saves flight attendant labor. The system weighs less than 100 kg, is fail safe and requires minimal airframe modification. It adds a significant comfort and safety advantage by allowing the elimination of serving carts.
** The sampling of air and contaminants in a NUCLEAR POWER PLANT was simplified by the design and fabrication of a ceiling suspended, track-guided DC robot. The low-cost unit allows video/audio surveillance, and sampling in "HI-RAD", hot areas without exposing personnel. The camera and sampler assembly retracts into a safe area for unloading and repair. A similar unit was developed for use in nuclear containment structures, but without the withdrawl feature.
** A MOBILE ROBOT was designed and built for use in the home of a BEDRIDDEN child with severe hip and leg injuries. The device is fitted with two transmitting color cameras, a self-docking recharge feature, and the capability to "look" out windows, roam the entire home and retrieve small articles from around the home including a modified refrigerator. The unit weighs less than 30 kg, maneuvers easily around the home and may be fitted with a variety of input devices, inclufing joystick, paddles, puff stick or foot switches to match particular needs.
** A self-navigating teach-learn grass cutter/ball picker was developed for a GOLF DRIVING RANGE. A mapped path in navigation memory allows automated pickup of golf balls to save on labor. An additional sensor and alarm mounted on the device serves as a target for golfers and provides an incentive to purchase additional balls.
** The MAST MONKEY was developed to reeve new halyards on sailboats to avoid sending personnel up the mast. Two models, (one climbs the mast slide the other climbs the backstay) places a weighted leader into the mast reeve so that a new halyard may be routed. Fitting with a camera provides a tool for remote video inspection.
** Small reconfigureable REMOTELY CONTROLLED robots have been created for manipulation of small objects, sampling and surveillance for a number of industry. A common platform fitted with mission-specific hardware creates a versatile tool for industrial, scientific and even recreational uses. Robots to search for coins at the shore, remote dog walkers, security, hazardous material sampling and other devices are built on a common platform.
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