ROBOTIC
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Business: The Actron 2000 GuardBot™ is a fully operational tracked mobile robot. It is a stable robotic platform capable of operating autonomously in a rugged environment. The robot navigates between known milestones in the presence of initially unknown obstacles and unknown topography. While operating in this environment, the robot senses and maps obstacles, and charts obstacle free paths. It also stores and recalls obstacles from previous maps. Routines for dynamic motor control and collision avoidance provide smooth safe navigation to the final destination.
Actron GuardBot™
The Actron 2000's robust, tank-like design employs a dual flexible-track system to conquer difficult terrains and steep slopes. Each track is equipped with its own suspension system. The robot can move at speeds as high as 10 ft/s. It can pivot about its center and make sharp, accurate turns. The Actron 2000's dimensions are 32" long, 24" wide, and 24" high. It weighs 150 lbs and is constructed in three major parts: lower chassis, upper chassis, and sensor turret. The lower chassis contains the robot's propulsion, suspension, and electrical power systems. The upper chassis houses all computer and electronic processing equipment, including user-interface devices (a keypad and two liquid crystal displays). The eight-sided sensor turret, which can be rotated 45! in each direction, is used to detect distant obstacles.

Currently, the Actron 2000 perceives its environment through forty-two chassis-mounted and eight turret-mounted ultrasonic sensors. The chassis-mounted ultrasonic sensor array, used for short- and mid-range obstacle detection, is augmented by a tactile sensor array. The turret sensor array, used for long-range sensing, can be rotated to sweep the environment and quickly gain information on obstacles located up to 32 feet away. A stereo-camera vision system is under development to complement the turret-mounted ultrasonic array. An onboard microwave bomb detecting unit is also under development.

Computations are executed by two on-board computers operating in parallel. They are an 80386DX 33 MHz motherboard and an 80486DX2 66 MHz motherboard. Each microprocessor controls a distinct input-output (I/O) card. A TMS320C30 microprocessor is used for internal signal processing. The software structure is designed for evaluation and comparison of different algorithms for mobile robot locomotion (e.g., map making, path planning, and path following).

In addition to their role in mobile-robot research, machines like the Actron 2000 can be used for inspecting and handling of materials in hazardous areas, manufacturing, construction, structural integrity tests, and counter-crime applications. The robot can be equipped with porTABLE sensing devices and actuators and programmed to sense its environment, record data, and perform specific tasks. Typically, such tasks are either too monotonous or too dangerous for humans to perform.


Actron MentorBot™

Home: The Actron MentorBot™ provides parents with and alternative to hiring a Nanny or Tutor for their chldren. It moves about on command and responds to physical and verbal inputs from the children. It is able to teach simple math, distance and physics and yield a high degree of response from the siblings. It can also detect smoke and fire and will call 911. This is a self charging, computer controlled autonomous mobile robot.

The Actron MentorBot™ can also act as a companion and attendant for elderly family members. It will keep track of the elderly person, remind them to take pills or a meal and alert you when someting is not right. It has the ability to call the authorities and report a problem or call you when your loved one has gone astray.

The Actron MentorBot™ has two powered wheels and two swivel casters. It is slim enough to fit througn a 24in doorway, but wide enough to stay upright on rough flooring. It gets it's power from a pair of gellcell batteries, and it's knowledge from an arsenal of cutting edge sensors. It comes with a "base station" charger, a training module and a number of spare parts.

Industry/Military

The benefits of robotic patrol and rescue are well documented:
1. Humans are removed from direct exposure to potential danger;
2. Robots perform most security and surveillance better than humans;
3. Robots don't tire during hours of patrol, search and rescue;
In addition, the robotic site-security application has certain advantages relative to more ambitious battlefield scenarios.

Patrol and Rescue: The Actron BearTM is a fully operational tracked mobile robot. Each track is equipped with its own suspension system. The robot can move at speeds as high as 30 ft/s (20 mph), even while climbing or descending hills. It can pivot about its center and make sharp, accurate turns. The Actron BearTM is 84" long, 54" wide, and 57" high. It weighs 1.530 lbs and is built in three major parts: lower chassis, upper chassis, and sensor turret. The lower chassis contains the robot's propulsion, suspension, and electrical power systems. The upper chassis houses all computer and electronic processing equipment, including user-interface devices. On top of the eight-sided sensor turret is a CCD camera, which can be rotated 45 degrees in each direction, is used to detect distant obstacles.

The BearTM can be equipped to retrieve injured soldiers from the battlefield. This robotic vehicle would hoist the wounded soldier into its armored shell, and provided them emergency sustainance while transporting them to safety. They could serve as aides to battlefield medics, helping to retrieve wounded soldiers from dangerous areas and providing life support while taking them to a field hospital.

The BearTM can also become a robotic fighting machine designed for urban riot control. In this cofiguration it will carry a variety of non-lethal weapons, such as tear gas, stingball grenades, and smoke rounds, as well some more lethal weaponry like machine guns. Homeland Security and local law enforcement could use this capability for cases of civil unrest. Typically, such tasks are either too monotonous or too dangerous for humans to perform.

For more information, comtact us at:
eos@acrotek.com or 214.256.5738.
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