UT lab developing robots for soldiers in Iraq

UT lab developing robots for soldiers in Iraq

February 9, 2005

By TIM MILLER
6 News Anchor/Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- UT graduate students and professors are helping soldiers in Iraq and police in the U.S. by developing robot technology to detect dangers under vehicles.

The technology being developed at UT's College of Electrical and Computer Engineering is called a "safebot." It's a robot equipped with special sensors that perform duties up close in danger zones so humans don't have to.

During a recent test at UT's robotics lab, a low level radioactive source was planted inside one of four tires. The safebot's mission was to find it and alert the operators.

Research professor Dr. Dave Page set up the tires to simulate a vehicle that must have its undercarriage inspected.

The safebot moved into action, armed with a nuclear sensor. 'Then as it locates and starts isolating a source, it will start driving near the source," Page said. "In this case it's found one in the wheel well and we're picking up a detection which is translating into an audible alarm."

As the safebot zeroed in on the radiation, the alert also sounded on a projection screen with a detailed readout of what was found.

The test the safebot performed shows what it can do when applied to the military or homeland security. The U.S. Army is currently funding the project.

"These police officers, security officers could have the ability to do these things from about 100 feet or 200 feet. So it removes them from the danger," says robotics lab Director Dr. Mongi Abidi. "It's essentially putting the robot in the danger zone."

In addition to nuclear sensors, the safebot can also be equipped with 3D sensors that show the size and depth of objects, visual sensors that use a video camera to record what's underneath in color or in black and a thermal sensor that detects the heat coming off a person or an object. The technology reveals any potential threats that can't be seen by the naked eye.

Currently, the Army is using a basic version of the robots, without sensors, in Iraq.

The goal at the UT robotics lab is to get the latest technology to soldiers who can carry it with the rest of their gear and use safebots to detect danger on the battlefield or a city street.

"You cannot sacrifice human beings. The idea of using robots is a very natural way of dealing with danger," Abidi says. "Anytime you have a potential threat, robots can come to the rescue."

Representatives from the U.S. Army are expected to come to UT in February to see the updated technology.

For homeland security, funding is in the works for October 2006 to develop a safebot for Capitol Hill.

Safebots could also be used in the future to scan vehicles entering an important parking area or at high-level assets, such as dams.