Award

This proposal advances autonomous deployment of sensors through airdrop operations by leveraging Tensegrity Robotics. These robots have a unique outer tension-integrity structure that can be deployed from aerial vehicles. These structures decrease a payload’s terminal velocity and provides impact protection, thus eliminating the need for a parachute. This combination of features is particularly attractive for autonomous sensor deployment because they enable immediate sensor operation upon landing. Squishy Robotics has developed a Tensegrity Robot for improved situational awareness in CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive) situations. This NASA-based technology is capable of airdropping 1 lb payloads via drone, and has been bench and field tested. We propose to build a scaled-up version of this platform by 1) running simulations to optimize components and parameters to produce a design to carry 50 lbs, 2) building and testing a proof-of-concept platform capable of carrying 5 lbs, 3) controlling orientation upon landing, and 4) validating materials which are fundamentally new to the airdrop community. Beyond the military applications, an uprated Tensegrity Robot is commercially attractive, because it opens the possibility to airdrop currently manufactured 3rd party sensors, thus increasing the number of potential use cases for airdropping of remote sensors.