In addition, this element of the program includes tasks intended to rapidly move program-developed technology out into the commercial applications community. The intent of these tasks is ultimately to improve the national economic competitiveness of the United States and to improve the technology transfer efforts of the agency through the development of commercializable applications which draw upon space telerobotics technologies. These projects are jointly conducted by program laboratories and industrial partners to create and demonstrate full system prototype solutions to well understood terrestrial problems which can positively impact significant areas of the national economy. Vehicle Robotic Tile Processing System Robotics Engineering Consortium Agriculture is a ripe, relatively unexploited application opportunity with uncommon advantages for commercializing mobile robotics technology. Over a billion tractor miles are driven annually, repeatedly over the same ground.
Speeds are low, and precision is moderate.
The terrain is mild, and proven navigation techniques apply. The goal of this CMU task is to develop, demonstrate and productize marketworthy controllers, positioners, safeguards, and task software specialized to the needs and constraints of commercial agriculture and related industries. Component technology results will be integrated onto a commercial agricultural harvester, and demonstrations will be conducted of automatically controlled harvesting operations to market relevant standards. Robotic assists offer the promise of precision, repeatable procedures with higher positive outcomes rates and lower costs. The potential medical applications include microsurgeries of the eye, ear, nose, throat, face, hand, and brain.