Award Data

Hstar proposes propose an integrated reconfigurable haptic feedback rehabilitation robot (RehaBot) system using SEA (series elastic actuators) that a) allows multiple reconfigurable and progressive rehabilitation training procedures for upper and lower limbs, b) provides telepresence rehabilitation training consultation and remote supervision, c) creates gait retraining scenarios for variable ambu ...

We propose a robotic non-invasive 3D ultrasound injury assessment system that a) allows local autonomous neck/spine injury assessment using pattern recognition, b) provides capability of telepresence injury assessment operation, c) creates 3D ultrasound imaging and visualization, d) integrates the injury assessment system onto an Hstar combat casualty extraction robotic system called cRoNA (Combat ...

Hstar proposes an advanced robotic dexterous manipulator D-Man for enhancing the capabilities of autonomous operation that must: 1) provide advanced dexterous manipulation and sufficient strength to open doors and load/unload container boxes up to 500-1000lbs, 2) navigate intelligently with a mobile holonomic drive, 3) work safely and robustly in telepresence mode and local autonomous mode, and 4) ...

During Phase II period, Hstar plan to prototype an advanced mobile robotic nurse assistant (RoNA) system for augmenting nurses’ health care capabilities in a hospital environment with physical assistance. This RoNA system will: a) navigate intelligently in hospital environments with a mobile holonomic drive, b) support an intuitive interface guided by human-robot interaction and work safely and ...

Since 1990, the cost of hydrogen needed to treat one barrel of oil has increased from 10 cents to $1. This problem is being exacerbated because of stricter environmental regulations and because the crude now being processed by refiners contains less hydrogen and more sulfur. To deal with the hydrogen shortage, most large refineries have outsourced their hydrogen generating capacities to industrial ...

It is fairly assumed that if a substitute for natural gas is not found, energy intensive industries such as glass, cement, and steel will suffer irreparable damage, with higher unemployment and lower productivity for the U.S. economy. Amongst many alternatives, inexpensive small-and-medium-scale coal and biomass gasifiers may offer certain relief to those industries. Thus far, such gasifiers are n ...

The NOSTRA system monitors battery health by comparing observed voltage, current, and temperature data to models of both known healthy and known unhealthy battery packs. In Phase I of the NOSTRA program, we demonstrated that this model-based approach can generate accurate estimates of battery age. During Phase II, we will use this approach to estimate battery capacity and internal impedance, the ...

For the Stingray Project, iRobot Corporation and Chatten Associates will develop techniques for teleoperation of small, high-speed UGVs. Currently deployed small UGVs are limited in the missions that they can perform, due to their slow speed and the limited situational awareness that they provide to their operators. We will address these limitations by combining semi-autonomous driver-assist beh ...

The asymmetric warfare common today requires engagement of small groups and even solitary combatants. Currently, each unmanned system used for surveillance requires a single operator, and, collaboration between operators must be moderated in a complicated fashion. This configuration is not an effective usage of manpower and hinders the efficiency necessary for time-critical geolocation of elusi ...

Power plant components are vulnerable to a variety of age-related damage mechanisms. For example, Primary Water Stress Corrosion Cracking (PWSCC) has proven to be a persistent problem for primary system components made of Alloy 600. Leaks in Control Rod Drive Mechanisms (CRDMs) from PWSCC have forced a number of plants to replace reactor vessel heads, at a cost to the industry that was estimated t ...