Vehicles equipped with Level 4 and 5 autonomy will need to be tested according to regulatory standards (or future revisions thereof) that vehicles with lower levels of autonomy are currently subject to. Today, dynamic Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) tests are performed with human drivers and driving robots controlling the test vehicle’s steering wheel, throttle pedal, and brake pedal. However, many Level 4 and 5 vehicles will lack these traditional driver controls, so it will be impossible to control these vehicles using human drivers or traditional driving robots. Therefore, there is a need for an electronic interface that will allow engineers to send dynamic steering, speed, and brake commands to a vehicle. This paper describes the design and implementation of a market-ready Automated Driving Systems (ADS) Test Data Interface (TDI), a secure electronic control interface which aims to solve the challenges outlined above. The interface consists of a communication port

Zagorski, Scott, Nguyen, An, Heydinger, Gary, Abbey, Howard

SAE TOMORROW TODAY: One Step Closer To L4 AV Trucking

1338403/09/2023

The most polite driver on the road might soon be an L4 AV truck. Torc Robotics is the first company developing the technology to commercialize fully autonomous semi-trucks in the U.S. for long-haul applications. By running extensive simulations with the best and most experienced truck drivers in the world, Torc's self-driving vehicle software and integration solution is expected to achieve L4 automation by the end of this decade. As an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck, the Torc system uses an approach called See-Think-Act to calculate the optimal driving decision. By employing veteran truck drivers to reinforce their technology with real world know-how, Torc is truly making the road a safer place. We sat down with Tim Zuercher, VP Engineering - Autonomy at Torc, to discuss the company's mission to reduce highway deaths, enable critical supplies, and help the transportation industry increase fuel economy, uptime, and capacity.

Hineman, Marcie

On-Line Pose Measurement and Adjustment of End Effector Based on Laser Tracker for Robotic Drilling System

2023-01-098203/07/2023

Tang, Yue, Zheng, Jinhui, Zhang, Mao

3D Printing Materials with Tunable Mechanical Properties

TBMG-4691211/01/2022

Making Low-Cost Automation Accessible

TBMG-4664609/22/2022

For years, manufacturing experts reported steady growth in the use of automation. Now, however, growth has exploded at a record pace, and industries all around the globe are embracing robotic solutions.

An Artificial Intelligence System to Identify Objects in Cluttered Scenes

TBMG-4595606/01/2022

Robotic vision has come a long way, reaching a level of sophistication with applications in complex and demanding tasks, such as autonomous driving and object manipulation. However, it still struggles to identify individual objects in cluttered scenes where some objects are partially or completely hidden behind others. Typically, when dealing with such scenes, robotic vision systems are trained to identify the occluded object based only on its visible parts. But such training requires large datasets of objects and can be tedious.

Path Planning and Path Optimization for Industrial Robots using Moveit! and ROS Melodic

2022-01-041603/29/2022

This research paper is entitled "Path planning and path optimization for industrial robots using Moveit! and ROS Melodic". The main objective of the research is to analyse the performance of pick and place operations of the Techman robot TM5-700, to understand ROS melodic basics, use Moveit for initializing motion planning and implementing various algorithms for path optimization. The paper also aims to analyse the safe and efficient collaboration of the robot with human workers and compliable technology. Traditionally, movement of robots is needed to be observed on a timely basis to avoid any mishaps. The challenge, therefore, is to not only create a system that does not create mishappenings, but also create a system that is independent of human interference. The robot is thus designed to communicate to the ROS Master via services and will respond to the commands given to it through a Python program which initiates a node, communicates with the robot system and guiding its motion. The

Palchaudhary, Sanket, Narvekar, Nishant, Siddiqui, Osama

Centimeter-Long Snail Robot Powered with Light

TBMG-3980309/01/2021

Crawling by traveling deformation of a soft body is a widespread mode of locomotion — from microscopic nematodes, to earthworms, to gastropods. Animals across scales use it to move around different, often challenging environments. Snails, in particular, use mucus — a slippery, aqueous secretion — to control the interaction between their ventral foot and the surface. Their adhesive locomotion has a unique property: it can be used on different surfaces including wood, metal, glass, Teflon (PTFE), or sand in various configurations such as crawling upside-down.

5 Ws of Puncture-Proof Soft Electronics

TBMG-3978809/01/2021

The durable soft electronics could be used in wearable electronics and soft robotics and could someday be part of a stretchable smartphone.

Facility Focus: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

TBMG-3961408/01/2021

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) was founded in 1865 and is the nation’s third-oldest private technological university. Located in Worcester, MA, WPI fosters research in areas from tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, to exploration of the technological and policy issues surrounding cybersecurity, to studies of issues as diverse as firefighter health and security and the fire safety challenges of green buildings.

Soft Robotic Gripper Based on Twining Plants

TBMG-3959208/01/2021

Scientists often look to nature for cues when designing robots — some robots mimic human hands while others simulate the actions of octopus arms or inchworms. Now, researchers have designed a soft robotic gripper that draws inspiration from an unusual source: pole beans. While pole beans and other twining plants use their touch-sensitive shoots to wrap themselves around supports like ropes and rods to grow upward, the new robot is designed to firmly but gently grasp objects as small as 1 millimeter in diameter.

SAE TOMORROW TODAY: Bear Flag Robotics, Helping Farmers Improve Sustainability

1300804/06/2021

Sustainable farming is within reach and Bear Flag Robotics is part of the collage of technology that's making it happen. On the latest episode, we spoke with Igino Cafiero and Aubrey Donnellan, Founders of Bear Flag Robotics, to discuss how the unique business model enables business and farming success. From their days at Carnegie Mellon to the present, the unique perspectives of Cafiero and Donnellan have helped build the Bear Flag Robotics business on diversity of thought, transparency and trust. Discover how they bring these same ideals to business relationships with farmers and how Bear Flag's technology plays a role in safety, productivity and sustainability.

Hineman, Marcie

SAE TOMORROW TODAY: How Fox Robotics is Transforming Warehouse Logistics for the Better

1300603/26/2021

Technology offers a way of taking something imaginary and making it a reality. On the latest episode, we spoke with Peter Anderson-Sprecher, Chief Technical Officer at Fox Robotics, to discuss how his early exposure to computers and technology led to imagining, creating and implementing an innovative robotic system to help reimagine supply chain. Fox Robotics is transforming the world of warehouse logistics. While the supply chain is an invisible process that society takes for granted, Fox Robotics is ensuring the safe and efficient loading and unloading of cargo by combining traditional forklifts with innovative robotic software. Discover how robots are becoming more ubiquitous in the future and how Fox is a part of the process.

Hineman, Marcie

SAE TOMORROW TODAY: How Robots and Humans Work Together for a Better Tomorrow with RE2 Robotics

1300503/18/2021

What if robots could make the world better and safer for all? On the latest episode, we spoke with Jorgen Pedersen, President & CEO and Amanda Sgroi, Ph.D., Principal Research Scientist at RE2 Robotics, to discuss how they're using robotics to do just that. Solving safety issues in medicine, construction, defense and more, RE2 is using robotics to amplify human capabilities and expertise, making the world a safer and more efficient place. Understand the role robotics play in the future and the systems put in place to keep humans out of harm's way.

Hineman, Marcie

Development of a Non-Parametric Robot Calibration Method to Improve Drilling Accuracy

2021-01-000303/02/2021

The drilling of large quantities of repetitive holes during the manufacture of large aerospace components is often considered a key limiting factor with regards to production efficiency. Whilst the desire within aerospace is to use relatively cheap six axis robot arms with drilling end effector units, their poor accuracy remains an obstacle. Robot calibration presents a way of improving robot accuracy such that aerospace drilling tolerances can be met, without permanently committing metrology equipment to an automation cell during production. Extensive research has been conducted into robot calibration by correcting the kinematic model, known as parametric calibration. This method is highly complex, and calibrates the robot across the entire working volume. This is often not required in industrial drilling applications, as drilling routines are often contained within a smaller volume of the robot reach. In this paper, a non-parametric method of robot calibration is proposed. This

Scraggs, Chris, Smith, Thomas, Sawyer, Daniela, Davis, Matthew

SAE TOMORROW TODAY: Self-Driving For The Long Haul with Kodiak Robotics

1293102/19/2021

Kodiak Robotics is delivering more than freight, it's delivering the future. We spoke with Andreas Wendel, Vice President of Engineering at Kodiak Robotics, to discuss how they became a developer of reliable, highway-tested, self-driving long haul trucks and the elements required to create safe vehicles that perform consistently, delivering freight to commercial customers with a 100% on-time delivery record. Discover the difference between range of visibility and range of confidence across cameras, lidar and radar, and why this three-pronged approach allows Kodiak to develop the software and technology that enables zero disengagements across 800 miles.

Hineman, Marcie

New Capabilities for Grasp-Assisting Gloves

TBMG-3852202/01/2021

NASA is developing the next generation of spacesuits for future missions including the optimization of spacesuit gloves that, when coupled to a pressurized suit, tend to limit the range of motion of an astronaut’s hand to as little as 20%. Many of NASA’s future missions will be in challenging environments where hand dexterity of the astronaut will be critical for the success of the missions.

4D Printing of Morphing Structures

TBMG-3849402/01/2021

Soft robots and biomedical implants that reconfigure themselves upon demand are closer to reality with a new way to print shapeshifting materials. Researchers have developed a method to print objects that can be manipulated to take on alternate forms when exposed to changes in temperature, electric current, or stress.

Ultra-Thin, Battery-Free Strain Sensors for Industrial Robotic Arms

TBMG-3849202/01/2021

Fabricated using flexible, stretchable, and electrically conductive nanomaterials called MXenes, novel strain sensors were developed that are ultra-thin, battery-free, and can transmit data wirelessly. By controlling the surface textures of MXenes, researchers were able to control the sensing performance of strain sensors for various soft exoskeletons. The sensor design principles developed will significantly enhance the performance of electronic skins and soft robots.

Ultra-Thin, Highly Sensitive Strain Sensors Improve Robotic Arms

TBMG-3855002/01/2021

A research team from NUS, led by Assistant Professor Chen Po-Yen, has taken the first step toward improving the safety and precision of industrial robotic arms by developing a new range of nanomaterial strain sensors that are 10 times more sensitive when measuring minute movements, compared to existing technology.

Linking Materials May Transform Robots Made of Robots

TBMG-3850102/01/2021

A method was developed that unifies the construction of varying types of mechanical metamaterials using a discrete lattice, or LEGO-like system, enabling the design of modular materials with properties tailored to their application. These building blocks and their resulting materials could lead to dynamic structures that can reconfigure on their own; for example, a swarm of robots could form a bridge to allow troops to cross a river. This capability would enhance military maneuverability and survivability of warfighters and equipment.

Executive Roundtable: Robotics Design

TBMG-3813912/01/2020

As manufacturing facilities become more automated, robots are playing a larger role. And while collaborative robots and other robotic systems may help human workers, there are many questions still to be answered about cost, safety, and other factors. Motion Design posed some of those questions to a panel of robotics industry leaders.

Special Section: The Winners of the 2020 'Create the Future' Design Contest

TBMG-3828312/01/2020

The , launched in 2002 by Tech Briefs Media Group (publishers of Tech Briefs magazine), recognizes and rewards engineering innovations that benefit humanity, the environment, and the economy. The annual contest draws product designs from engineers, students, and entrepreneurs worldwide.

Upper Body Robotic Exoskeleton

TBMG-3817312/01/2020

A soft, wearable, robotic upper limb exoskeleton garment was designed to actively control the shoulder and elbow, both positioning the limb in specific orientations and commanding the limb through desired motions. The invention was developed to provide effective upper extremity motor rehabilitation for patients with neurological impairments (e.g., traumatic brain injury, stroke).

Jacobs School of Engineering, University of California San Diego

TBMG-3821112/01/2020

Engineering at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) in La Jolla started in 1964 and 1965 with two broad applied science departments: one in the areas of aerospace engineering, solid mechanics, bioengineering and materials and the other in the areas of electronics, information theory, and radio astronomy. In 1997, the School of Engineering was renamed the Jacobs School of Engineering to honor Qualcomm founder and former UCSD engineering professor Irwin Jacobs and his wife.

Unsettled Issues on Human-Robot Collaboration and Automation in Aerospace Manufacturing

EPR2020024

11/30/2020

This SAE EDGE™ Research Report builds a comprehensive picture of the current state-of-the-art of human-robot applications, identifying key issues to unlock the technology’s potential. It brings together views of recognized thought leaders to understand and deconstruct the myths and realities of human- robot collaboration, and how it could eventually have the impact envisaged by many.Current thinking suggests that the emerging technology of human-robot collaboration provides an ideal solution, combining the flexibility and skill of human operators with the precision, repeatability, and reliability of robots. Yet, the topic tends to generate intense reactions ranging from a “brave new future” for aircraft manufacturing and assembly, to workers living in fear of a robot invasion and lost jobs.It is widely acknowledged that the application of robotics and automation in aerospace manufacturing is significantly lower than might be expected. Reasons include product variability, size, design

Webb, Philip, Fletcher, Sarah