Project Title:

Novel Proportional Proximity Sensor For Autonomous, Space Based Robots

05.01-1167
Project Title:Novel Proportional Proximity Sensor For Autonomous, Space Based Robots
Company:Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.
Watertown, MA 02172
Principal Investigator:Squillante, Michael, R.

Abstract:

Robotics is becoming an increasingly important field in research and manufacturing.
 Most robots, however, either perform repetitive preprogrammed operations or are
guided by a human operator.  This is not practical in man applications where autonomous
operation is required, and the most important improvements in future generations
of robots, especialy for space applications, will come in the areas of object recognition
and decision making.  To accomplish this, robot manipulator control will require
closed loop, sensor based systems to obtain and analyze information from the manipulator
about its neighborhood.  Progress in this area is at present limited partially by
sensor technololgy.

To address the limitations found in present proximity sensor systems, we propose
to investigate a novel approach to making a relatively simple but very precise proportional
proximity sensor which will be independent of the objects material or surface properties.
 Our approach involves the use of nuclear backscatter using small isotopic sources
and compact, lightweight sensors which can be contained within the manipulator. 
This approach is straightforward and requires relatively simple electronic circuity
and thus, if successful it could be readily implemented on the next generation of
robots.