The Bot Board (BOTS)

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ASI wins EOD user interface development contract

Autonomous Solutions, Inc. Awarded Contract to Develop an Immersive User Interface with Advanced Manipulator Controls for Next Generation EOD Applications

LOGAN, Utah, June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Autonomous Solutions, Inc., (ASI),
a designer and manufacturer of unmanned vehicle systems, software, and
components for industrial and military clients, today announced it has been
awarded a two-year development contract from the Naval Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) in Indian Head, MD, to develop
an advanced 3D visualization and tactile feedback system that will improve
the ability of EOD technicians to use robotic manipulators when handling
and manipulating suspicious objects in the field. NAVEODTECHDIV is the
Joint Service activity supporting all armed services for Explosive Ordnance
Disposal (EOD).

The system will be deployable on both the next generation EOD robots
and as a retrofit package for currently deployed platforms such as the
Talon(R) and Packbot(R). The system will use 3D sensing to immerse the user
in the most realistic representation of the environment possible. This
visualization, along with advanced manipulator control capabilities, will
enable the user to quickly and intuitively address the threat. This is in
contrast with the current method of using purely two dimensional data from
cameras mounted on the robots, which results in a loss of depth perception
making object handling difficult for bomb techs and robot operators.

"I'm thrilled that we have been awarded a significant development
contract with a government organization that has had such an influential
role in saving lives in Iraq," says Mel Torrie, CEO of Autonomous
Solutions. "This provides us with the opportunity to leverage a
considerable amount of the technology we have developed in 3D and advanced
manipulator controls for our Mobius(TM) software. Mobius(TM) has been
developed in our industrial division for tasks like semi-autonomous backhoe
operation in construction and mining as well as agricultural and other
commercial markets. I'm excited that we will be able to leverage this
technology for military applications that save lives."

The ultimate goal of this program is to allow users in dangerous
situations to quickly and accurately deal with potentially hazardous items
so they can exit the area as soon as possible. Integrating these new
capabilities onto the bomb disposal robots through ASI's JAUS standard
communication interface will enable rapid fielding of these potentially
life saving capabilities.

About Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
Autonomous Solutions is a market leader in vehicle automation,
autonomous operations, and JAUS implementation. ASI designs, programs, and
manufactures unmanned vehicles for a variety of military and commercial
applications. ASI is one of the largest privately held robotics-focused
companies in the world -- employing world class computer, electrical, and
mechanical engineers and support staff.


SOURCE Autonomous Solutions, Inc.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-20-2007/0004612386&...