Method and associated apparatus for capturing, servicing, and de-orbiting earth satellites using robotics

This invention is a method and supporting apparatus for autonomously capturing, servicing and de-orbiting a free-flying spacecraft, such as a satellite, using robotics. The capture of the spacecraft includes the steps of optically seeking and ranging the satellite using LIDAR; and matching tumble rates, rendezvousing and berthing with the satellite. Servicing of the spacecraft may be done using supervised autonomy, which is allowing a robot to execute a sequence of instructions without intervention from a remote human-occupied location. These instructions may be packaged at the remote station in a script and uplinked to the robot for execution upon remote command giving authority to proceed. Alternately, the instructions may be generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) logic onboard the robot. In either case, the remote operator maintains the ability to abort an instruction or script at any time, as well as the ability to intervene using manual override to teleoperate the robot.In one embodiment, a vehicle used for carrying out the method of this invention comprises an ejection module, which includes the robot, and a de-orbit module. Once servicing is completed by the robot, the ejection module separates from the de-orbit module, leaving the de-orbit module attached to the satellite for de-orbiting the same at a future time. Upon separation, the ejection module can either de-orbit itself or rendezvous with another satellite for servicing. The ability to de-orbit a spacecraft further allows the opportunity to direct the landing of the spent satellite in a safe location away from population centers, such as the ocean

Developing a person guidance module for hospital robots

This dissertation describes the design and implementation of the Person Guidance Module (PGM) that enables the IWARD (Intelligent Robot Swarm for attendance, Recognition, Cleaning and delivery) base robot to offer route guidance service to the patients or visitors inside the hospital arena. One of the common problems encountered in huge hospital buildings today is foreigners not being able to find their way around in the hospital. Although there are a variety of guide robots currently existing on the market and offering a wide range of guidance and related activities, they do not fit into the modular concept of the IWARD project. The PGM features a robust and foolproof non-hierarchical sensor fusion approach of an active RFID, stereovision and cricket mote sensor for guiding a patient to the X-ray room, or a visitor to a patient’s ward in every possible scenario in a complex, dynamic and crowded hospital environment. Moreover, the speed of the robot can be adjusted automatically according to the pace of the follower for physical comfort using this system. Furthermore, the module performs these tasks in any unconstructed environment solely from a robot’s onboard perceptual resources in order to limit the hardware installation costs and therefore the indoor setting support. Similar comprehensive solution in one single platform has remained elusive in existing literature. The finished module can be connected to any IWARD base robot using quick-change mechanical connections and standard electrical connections. The PGM module box is equipped with a Gumstix embedded computer for all module computing which is powered up automatically once the module box is inserted into the robot. In line with the general software architecture of the IWARD project, all software modules are developed as Orca2 components and cross-complied for Gumstix’s XScale processor. To support standardized communication between different software components, Internet Communications Engine (Ice) has been used as middleware. Additionally, plug-and-play capabilities have been developed and incorporated so that swarm system is aware at all times of which robot is equipped with PGM. Finally, in several field trials in hospital environments, the person guidance module has shown its suitability for a challenging real-world application as well as the necessary user acceptance

Trash Planet and the Sounds of Dancing in Space: An analysis of Disney/PIXAR’s WALL•E as a modern-day silent film

WALL•E has much to offer its audience. The movie explores many good moral themes, has stunning visuals, and impeccable music. Perhaps its most interesting quality is its lack of dialogue. In the entire movie, there are 862 spoken words. This is a small fraction of the amount of dialogue in other films. It is necessary then, that the film rely other auditory sources as well as visual communication to tell the story and relay its information. Films from the Silent Films era function in this same way, but completely relying on non-verbal communication, short of the speech cards that pop up at very important moments. This idea highly motivated me to study WALL•E and its use of music. My main focus in this paper will be on analyzing Thomas Newman’s music in WALL•E, and how the uses of music parallel those found in silent films.https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-scoring/1052/thumbnail.jp

Generic Project Plan for a Mobile Robotics System

This thesis discussed the mobile land robots for the robotic competitions. The topics discussed in this thesis are robotic systems, mobile land robots, robot competitions, and example of robot designs. Question-answer sections are added to help understand the requirements to build the robot. Examples include three different teams who participated in different robotic competitions to provide a context for robotic competitions. The thesis was divided into the five chapters. The first and second chapters explained the different kind of robotics systems, and opportunities. The focus of the information was the mobile land robots, which was explained under the third chapter, mobile land robots. The aim of the thesis was to guide those who want to design, build, and compete in the mobile robot competition. As a result, the information from various resources been gathered and has been given a form of thesis to help individuals or group of individuals to guide them through the robotic competitions

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENT REMOTE CONTROL CAR (AI MOBILE) (A.K.A. REMOTE CONTROL CAR USING MATLAB)

The primary objective of this project is to construct a working prototype of a remote controlled car (a.k.a. AI Mobile) and its ability to control from MATLAB Graphical User Interface (GUI). It involves several EE areas in microcontroller, wireless communication and MATLAB. Secondary objective will be implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in a robot to perform tasks intelligently and autonomously. The car will be enhanced with systems like obstacles detection sensors, wireless camera, wireless microphone, and speed alteration. These systems will be combined by the PIC microcontroller and controlled from the remote computer with the aid of the MS Visual Basic GUI. With these artificial intelligent systems, successful execution of manyhuman-in-loop manipulation tasks which directlydepend on the operator's skill previously can be improved to: (i) permit easy and rapid incorporation of local sensory information to augment performance, and (ii) provide variable performance (precision- and power-) assist for output motions and forces. Such AI systems have enormous potential both reduce operator error and permit integration of greater autonomy into human and robot interactions which will eventually enhance security, safety, and performance. The AI systems are built on an existing platform modified from a remote controlled car. The processor used to coordinate the AI Mobile is the microcontroller PIC16F84A. The independent subsystems for controlling the AI Mobile via Microsoft Visual Basic include the serial communication interface, switching circuit, microcontroller, RF Transmitter & Receiver and Visual Basic programming

Novel EOD Robot Design with a Dexterous Gripper and Intuitive Teleoperation

This project focuses on the design and implementation of an intelligent Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) robot to provide law enforcement agencies with a cost effective and reliable robotic platform. The key features of the robot include an intuitive user interface which provides additional sensor feedback and enhanced visual awareness, an onboard three degree of freedom manipulator arm, and a dexterous gripper allowing for the removal of detonators. The robot provides a safe distance threat assessment and increased capacity for explosive ordinance disposal, improving the effectiveness of bomb disposal teams. The robot\u27s low-cost, intuitive operation and ease-of-maintenance promote its widespread appeal, thereby saving the lives of both law enforcement personnel and civilians

Energy efficient path planning and model checking for long endurance unmanned surface vehicles.

In this dissertation, path following, path planning, collision avoidance and model checking algorithms were developed and simulated for improving the level of autonomy for Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV). Firstly, four path following algorithms, namely, Carrot Chasing, Nonlinear Guidance Law, Pure pursuit and LOS, and Vector Field algorithms, were compared in simulation and Carrot Chasing was tested in Unmanned Safety Marine Operations Over The Horizon (USMOOTH) project. Secondly, three path planning algorithms, including Voronoi-Visibility shortest path planning, Voronoi-Visibility energy efficient path planning and Genetic Algorithm based energy efficient path planning algorithms, are presented. Voronoi-Visibility shortest path planning algorithm was proposed by integrating Voronoi diagram, Dijkstra’s algorithm and Visibility graph. The path quality and computational efficiency were demonstrated through comparing with Voronoi algorithms. Moreover, the proposed algorithm ensured USV safety by keeping the USV at a configurable clearance distance from the coastlines. Voronoi-Visibility energy efficient path planning algorithm was proposed by taking sea current data into account. To address the problem of time-varying sea current, Genetic Algorithm was integrated with Voronoi-Visibility energy efficient path planning algorithm. The energy efficiency of Voronoi-Visibility and Genetic Algorithm based algorithms were demonstrated in simulated missions. Moreover, collision avoidance algorithm was proposed and validated in single and multiple intruders scenarios. Finally, the feasibility of using model checking for USV decision-making systems verification was demonstrated in three USV mission scenarios. In the final scenario, a multi-agent system, including two USVs, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), a Ground Control Station (GCS) and a wireless mesh network, were modelled using Kripke modelling algorithm. The modelled uncertainties include communication loss, collision risk, fault event and energy states. Three desirable properties, including safety, maximum endurance, and fault tolerance, were expressed using Computational Tree Logic (CTL), which were verified using Model Checker for Multi-Agent System (MCMAS). The verification results were used to retrospect and improve the design of the decision-making system.PhD in Aerospac