Unmanned Robotics Perception

Situational awareness, visual navigation, and safe operations are critical necessities for the autonomous maneuvering of unmanned ground vehicles and robots. SRI offers real-time computer vision systems that perform unmanned robotics perception, and help keep operators out of harm’s way.

Unmanned Robotics Perception for the Military

Unmanned robotics perception is poised to bring a new level of safety to the battlefield. Our visual navigation technology provides autonomous ground vehicles with accurate navigation, following, and retro-traverse capabilities.

SRI offers road awareness technologies for obstacle detection and classification, which enable an unmanned ground vehicle to safely navigate various terrains in dynamic and cluttered environments. Our real-time computer vision systems allow an autonomous ground vehicle to complete dangerous tasks while maintaining awareness of its location and the objects or people surrounding it.

Autonomous Ground Vehicles and Intelligent Transportation Systems

The versatility of SRI’s technology allows an unmanned robotics vehicle to sense, map, plan and move in 3D spaces—navigating pathways, understanding environments through detection of threats, and mapping of uncharted areas. They can also geo-locate targets or detect and find people. In the commercial sector, unmanned robotic devices and vehicles assist first responders in emergency situations—exploring potentially hazardous areas without endangering human life.

Projects

ground vehicle with complex mapping sensor system

SRI is developing technology that will enable warfighters to easily maneuver a robot, precisely map an environment, and have 3D situational awareness.

the ARM-H robotic hand

SRI and partners are developing highly dexterous low-cost robotic hands for military applications and other real-world uses.

green boxes highlighting people walking on street

SRI’s vision-based systems enable safe operations of moving unmanned ground vehicles around stationary and moving people in urban or cluttered environments.

illustration of a security camera with watching eyes

SRI’s visual intelligence system could enable a new era in unmanned robotic surveillance.

Products + Solutions

Warfighter with binoculars

Acadia® II is a real-time, low-power, integrated video processor that delivers enhanced perception and situational awareness. It supports embedded surveillance and portable processing needs for weapon-mounted sights, handheld range and target finders, unmanned air or ground platforms, and more.

Acadia ILS-6100 OEM board

The Acadia ILS-6100 video stabilizer is a printed circuit board designed for integration into camera enclosures, pan-tilt units, robots, and unmanned vehicles.

electroadhesion demonstrated with a wall-climbing robot

SRI’s breakthrough electroadhesion technology, available for license, allows electrically controlled reversible adhesion
 to most surfaces.

electroadhesive surface-climbing robot

SRI offers licenseable surface- and wall-climbing robot prototypes for surveillance, inspection, and sensor placement applications.

man remotely guiding a surgical robot

SRI’s telerobotic surgical system, M7, expands the reach of surgical intervention by enhancing the precision of minimally invasive procedures and enabling surgeons to operate from afar.

Taurus Dexterous Robot held by a researcher

SRI is developing Taurus, a potentially life-saving telemanipulation tool for military and domestic bomb squads to defuse vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs). Following field trials, Taurus enters commercial markets in 2012.

Press Releases

In 2004, Carnegie Mellon University selected SRI's pioneering “Shakey” robot for induction into the Robot Hall of Fame

SRI will demonstrate its Taurus robot, a high fidelity telemanipulation tool with a 3D HD display.

SRI In the News

Robots Credited For Helping Keep Jobs From Going Overseas

This news story focuses on how robotics is benefiting manufacturing and service industries while helping to keep jobs in the U.S. The story includes an interview with Rich Mahoney,director of SRI’s Robotics Program.