SBIR Phase II: Commercial Development of An Intelligent Modular Robot Platform for Research and Education

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）二期项目将研究一种名为iMobot的智能可重构模块化机器人系统商业化的可行性，该系统最初是在加州大学戴维斯分校开发的。机器人技术已经超越了自动化的范畴，发展成为自力更生、可重构、可移动、智能并能感知环境的系统。iMobot有四个自由度，能够完全移动并组装成集群。由于其灵活性、模块化和可重构性，iMobot是高校许多研究和教学项目的理想平台。iMobot允许研究人员研究人工智能、群体技术、机器人协作、移动网络、传感器融合、步态模拟和可重构编程。每个模块都有一个开放的体系结构，具有一个能够嵌入式Linux的处理器。用户可以根据自己的具体需求定制软件和配件。拟议的产品可行性研究包括模块之间的适应性连接，智能即插即用传感器，坚固轻便的底盘以及可重新配置性。在这个拟议的第二期项目中，一个专业的设计团队将开发与集群组装相关的必要技术，包括机械设计、电气接口、传感器、算法、控制和控制软件以及客户接口。这个项目的广泛影响/商业潜力是巨大的。这个提议的项目将是第一次尝试扩大商业部署的智能可重构模块化机器人。iMobot的初始市场将是大学研究和教学。通过使用开放架构的标准化硬件基础，用户将能够更广泛地彼此共享他们的工作，并创建有价值的开放教育资源。未来发布的不同版本的iMobot将用于急救系统中的救生救援和搜索操作，以及K-12教育。机器人技术是一个跨学科的领域。iMobot独特的全移动性和可重构性非常吸引人。模块可以单独使用，也可以与他人协作使用，使其成为一种灵活且可扩展的教育工具。由于模块化机器人的同质性，通过生产大量类似零件来降低制造成本。通过向学生介绍有趣的机器人项目，以及价格合理的硬件平台，涉及各种数学，物理，信息技术和工程原理，我们可以激发他们的想象力，给他们追求STEM职业的信心，特别是对于代表性不足和经济弱势群体。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will study the feasibility for commercialization of an intelligent reconfigurable modular robot system called iMobot, which was originally developed at the University of California, Davis. Robotics has grown beyond automation to encompass systems that are self-reliant, reconfigurable, mobile, intelligent, and aware of their environment. iMobot has four degrees of freedom capable of full mobility and assembly into clusters. Because of its flexibility, modularity, and reconfigurability iMobot is an ideal platform for many research and teaching programs at colleges and universities. iMobot allows researchers to study artificial intelligence, swarm technology, robot collaboration, mobile networking, sensor fusion, gait simulation, and programming for re-configurability. Each module has am open architecture, with a processor capable of embedded Linux. Users can customize software and accessories for their specific needs. Proposed product feasibility research includes adaptable connectivity between modules, intelligent plug-and-play sensors, a robust and lightweight chassis, along with re-configurability. In this proposed Phase II project, a professional design team will develop necessary technology related to assembling into clusters including mechanical design, electrical interface, sensors, algorithms, control and control software and customer interface.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is great. This proposed project will be one of the first attempts to scale up an intelligent reconfigurable modular robot for commercial deployment. The initial market for iMobot will be for university research and teaching. With a standardized hardware base using an open architecture users will be able to more widely share their work with each other, and create a valuable open educational resource. The future release of different iMobot versions will be for life-saving rescue and search operations in the first responder system, and for K-12 education. Robotics is an interdisciplinary field. The unique full mobility and reconfigurability of iMobot are very appealing. Modules can be used alone or in collaboration with others, making it a flexible and scalable educational tool. Because of the homogeneous nature of modular robotics, the cost of manufacturing is reduced through production of a large volume of similar parts. By introducing students to interesting robotic projects with affordable hardware platforms, which involve a variety of math, physics, information technology, and engineering principles, we can excite their imagination and give them confidence to pursue STEM careers, especially for underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups.