Scout and MegaScout

Posted 18 Apr 2004 at 15:38 UTC by steve

A recent National Science Foundation press release includes photos and video clips of the latest Scout emergency response robots. Scout is a small (100mm x 35mm) two wheeled, tube-shaped robot containing a video camera, IR range sensors, light sensors, pyroelectric sensors, and two-way radio links that support frequency hopping and encryption. MegaScout is a larger version that will eventually carry manipulator arms, grappling hooks, and may act as a mothership for the smaller scouts. The robots are designed to survive a six story fall or being thrown up to 100 feet into a disaster area. The Scouts are built entirely from off-the-shelf parts. The robots are being deveoped by Nikos Papanikolopoulos and other researchers from the University of Minnesota Distributed Robotics Lab, the University of Pennsylvania GRASP Lab, and the Caltech Robotics Group. More video of the robots performing amazing feats is available on the UMN website.

scout, posted 19 Apr 2004 at 00:57 UTC by c6jones720 » (Master)

It has potential although I get the impression that in the UK we'll be looking for something a bit more tough...

It would be interesting to "open source", posted 26 Apr 2004 at 22:07 UTC by tim.holt » (Journeyer)

Basically apply the open source idea to their development. Publish the full specifications, parts list, etc. and let people just do stuff with them. Keep a modular design in mind such that people might suggest alternate components, or even build one from a list. "I'll take these wheels and motors (best in my terrain), this video system, that radio controller, and these extra modules for functions I'd like"