September 2005

Researcher to demonstrate soda pop can-sized Scout robots at robotics conference

On Friday, Sept. 16, the National Science Foundation (NSF) will host a robotics conference featuring more than a dozen robots and their creators.

As part of "Robots: An Exhibition of U.S. Automatons from the Leading Edge of Research: Highlighting the WTEC International Study of Robotics," University of Minnesota professor Nikolao Papanikolopoulos will demonstrate the COTS-M (Scout) robot, which he and his team created and is currently deployed and being tested by the U.S. Army at various sites around the world.

The COTS-M is a rugged device, roughly the size of a soda can. It can be thrown into buildings, move around for several hours and transmit video. It is used for surveillance and search/rescue missions. The robot moves on two wheels (at the opposite sides of the cylinder) and has a tail for stability. The objective is to deploy thousands of these devices as a sensor network. Papanikolopoulos also hopes to demonstrate the e-ROSI, an educational robot platform (roughly the size of a soda can) with a variety of sensors.

The Scout robot demonstration can be viewed by the media from 1 to 2:30 p.m., and the general public from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at the NSF, 4202 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va.

Briefings on the various robot projects will take place in Room 110. Demonstrations are in Room 120 and the NSF Atrium. The WTEC Workshop is in the NSF Boardroom, Room 1235.

Registration for the event is required. To register, contact Josh Chamot, NSF media officer for engineering, at [email protected] or (703) 292-7730.