I-Corps: Resonant Optics I-Corps Team

机器人和自主系统（RAS）技术可用于各种行业，包括机器人、采矿、航运和运输、制造业、建筑业、农业和国防，这些行业在2014年共同创造了美国GDP的27%。据估计，服务于制造业的RAS仪器的开发可将生产率提高22%。 距离传感仪器对于RAS至关重要，因为它允许这些系统绘制周围环境、安全执行任务并智能地对环境变化做出反应。该提案的目的是将谐振光探测和测距（R-LIDAR）仪器转化为高性能，小尺寸和低成本的距离感测，通过使用从实验室到市场的谐振光机扫描仪。该仪器使用小尺寸、重量和功耗（SWAP）系统，以高分辨率和高帧率在大视场范围内感知距离。R-LIDAR系统有望在可寻址的LIDAR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。为R-LIDAR系统开发高性能共振光机扫描仪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。 NSF Innovation Corps Teams Program（I-Corps Teams）资源将通过客户访谈提供有关R-LIDAR技术在市场上的可行性的见解，有关所需仪器设计属性的信息，技术开发资金以及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.