I-Corps: Resonant Optics I-Corps Team

机器人和自主系统(RAS)技术对不同的行业具有实用价值，包括机器人、矿产开采、航运和运输、制造、建筑、农业和国防，这些行业加起来在2014年创造了美国GDP的27%。据估计，服务于制造业的RAS仪器的发展将使生产率提高22%。距离传感仪器对RAS至关重要，因为它允许这些系统绘制其周围环境的地图，安全地执行任务，并智能地对环境中的变化做出反应。这项提议的目标是将共振光探测和测距(R-LIDAR)仪器从实验室转化为市场，通过使用共振光机械扫描仪实现高性能、小尺寸和低成本的距离传感。该仪器使用小尺寸、重量和功率(交换)系统，以高分辨率和高帧速率在大视场范围内感知距离。R-LIDAR系统有望在可寻址的激光雷达距离传感器市场产生重大商业影响，预计到2020年，该市场将达到6.25亿美元/年。用于R-LIDAR系统的高性能共振光学机械扫描仪的开发也将使使用光束扫描技术的相关学科受益，如显微镜、内窥镜、光加工和显示器。NSF创新团队计划(i-Corps Teams)资源将通过与客户的访谈提供对R-LIDAR技术在市场上的可行性的洞察、关于所需仪器设计属性的信息、技术开发资金以及该技术商业化的过渡计划。

Robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) technology has utility to diverse industries, including robotics, mineral extraction, shipping and transport, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and defense which, together, created 27% of US GDP in 2014. The development of RAS instrumentation that serves manufacturing industries is estimated to increase productivity up to 22%. Distance sensing instrumentation is critically important for RAS as it allows these systems to map their surrounding environments, safely perform tasks, and intelligently react to changes in the environment. The objective of this proposal is to translate a resonant light detection and ranging (R-LIDAR) instrument that enables high-performance, small-size, and low-cost distance sensing through the use of a resonant optomechanical scanner from the laboratory to the marketplace. This instrument senses distance over a large field-of-view with high resolution and frame rates using a small size, weight, and power (SWAP) system.The R-LIDAR system can be expected to make a significant commercial impact in an addressable LIDAR distance sensor market, a market expected to reach $625 million/year by 2020. Development of high-performance resonant optomechanical scanners for R-LIDAR systems would also benefit related disciplines that use beam scanning technologies such as microscopy, endoscopy, light machining, and display. NSF Innovation Corps Teams Program (I-Corps Teams) resources will provide insight through customer interviews of the viability of the R-LIDAR technology in the marketplace, information regarding desired instrument design attributes, funds for technology development, and a transition plan for commercializing the technology.