 |
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have successfully developed and are currently deploying 20 smart robots or Personal Exploration Rovers (PERs) to major museums and exhibits across the U.S. The PER project is funded by a four-year, $150,000 annual education grant from NASA Ames Intelligent Systems Program and Intel as part of a larger project to develop low-cost robots for education, science museums and the home. Intel also contributed Intel XScaleŽ microprocessors and system boards as well as collaborating on robotics research.
As interest in NASA's robot geologists Mars Exploration Rovers or MERs, Spirit and Opportunity grows, these earthbound PERs are intended to educate earthlings on the role of rovers and rover autonomy in space science and beyond that how robots may interact with the world in the future.
The new visitor's center in NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, CA. was the first to receive their PERs in December 2003. Distribution of the others will take place between January first and January 24, 2004 to the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., the new Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Airport, the National Science Center in Augusta, GA, and the San Francisco Exploratorium.
PERs Feature Intel Technology
Powered by IntelŽ XScaleŽ technology, specifically IntelŽ PXA255 processors, the PERS showcase high system performance and low power consumption as they traverse Mars Yards displays specially designed to resemble Martian terrain. The high performance supports the vision-based navigation and remote "telepresence" capabilities and low power feature of XScale technology helps to preserve battery power.
Museum visitors will access the PERs through a kiosk directing robots to scan rocks and soil for signs of life. Equipped with cameras, PERs are able to create a panoramic, 360-degree image and can also detect obstacles using an optical rangefinder.
Related Links:
|
|
