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 Engineering Laboratory
      Intelligent Systems Division
    
      
  Standard Test Methods for Response Robots
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          NIST's Robotics Test Facility
                      Collaborating Facilities
                      Ground Systems
                      Aerial Systems
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                Aerial Program Overview
                                  Open Test Lanes and Scenarios
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                2023.01 ASTM E54.09 Meeting San Antonio, Texas
                                  2022.06 ASTM E54.09 Virtual Meeting
                                  2022.01 ASTM E54.09 Virtual Meeting
                                  2021.10 UTAC Conference, Guardian Centers, Perry, GA
                                  2021.06 ASTM E54.09 Virtual Meeting
                                  2021.02 ASTM E54.09 Virtual Meeting
                                  2018.06 ASTM E54.09 San Diego, CA
                                  2018.02 ASTM E54.09, Gaithersburg, MD
                                  2017.06 ASTM E54.09, Toronto, Canada
                                  2017.01 ASTM E54.09/Virginia Beach Exercise, Virginia Beach, VA
                                  Prior Events and MeetingsNIST's Robotics Test Facility

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Located on the NIST Gaithersburg campus, the Robotics Test Facility – also known as Building 207 – is a laboratory for developing standard test methods of measuring robot performance. The facility houses artifacts and equipment for measuring how well robots perform under a variety of tasks that abstract real-world challenges. The application domains supported by this facility include urban search and rescue, bomb-disposal, fire fighting, tactical military operations, and manufacturing. We have 50 test methods to evaluate  ground, aerial and aquatic systems.



 
      robot test facilityNIST researchers use performance requirements articulated by end users as the starting point for the standards development process. Metrics for capturing performance of robots in each requirement area are developed, as are methods for conducting measurements.****Apparatuses(some refer to them as "props") are designed to be abstract representations of the environment and task challenges that a particular requirement addresses. The apparatus construction typically uses commonly-available and inexpensive materials to promote replication by end users for training and robot developers for practicing and advancing capabilities. Alongside the physical artifact design, is a process to define the task(s) that a robot is to perform within the artifact and of what data should be collected. Experiments are conducted by running a wide variety of robots through the prototype test methods to understand how to best capture data and to refine the physical artifacts and methodology. Input from end users and robot developers is crucial at this stage. The data collected, along with designs and methodology, are submitted to the standards balloting process, under ASTM's Committee on Homeland Security Applications; Response Robots (E54.0**X**).



 
      This picture shows the layoout in building 207 of test methods.

 
      Layout of Building 207

 
      Other test facilities

Specifications/Capabilities

The Robotics Test Facility indoor space is 892 square meters (9.600 square feet) and offers

a 1524 square meter (5000 square foot) high bay, holding most of the test methods
	enclosed isolation bays where robot sensing and endurance can be evaluated under controlled conditions, such as cold, heat, and darkness.
	A meeting room for up to 40 people
	Extensive video and audio capture systems to help engineers view robot performance remotely and for recording testing eventsThe surrounding area is also used for setting up prototype and standard test methods, such as for evaluating mobility in sand and gravel.

Usage Information

Access Information

The test facility may be available for use by those outside NIST, but it must be operated by EL staff. Collaborative programs may be arranged on a cost reimbursable basis.





 
      Directions to Robotics Facility**Contact Information:**

Adam Jacoff - Project LeaderRobotTestMethods [at] nist.gov(RobotTestMethods[at]nist[dot]gov(link sends e-mail))Adam.Jacoff [at] nist.gov(Adam[dot]Jacoff[at]nist[dot]gov(link sends e-mail))
301-975-4235

    
    Created November 8, 2016, Updated November 29, 2023 ‹ Standard Test Methods for Response Robots
              Collaborating Facilities ›
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