Technology

Our group is developing robots for detection of potential problems, gathering data for assessment and strategy, and assisting responders with performing emergency tasks.  Research areas include

• Robotic vision systems to image through smoke
• Classification of the fire environment using machine learning
• Autonomous fire location
• Robotic systems for emergency responders

The damage control humanoid robots was developed through the Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot (SAFFiR) program sponsored by the U.S. Navy, and it was showcased at the Laboratory for Autonomous Systems Research (LASR) located at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).   Humanoid robots were integrated with artificial intelligence to perform firefighting tasks such as turning valves, identifying and grasping a fire nozzle, and tracking fires with the nozzle using an advanced vision system.  In addition, the event also showcased a more progressive robot design for future humanoid robots.  Articles on the demonstration are provided below.

Robots join the Navy to fight fires at sea

Fox News coverage of robots fighing fires aboard Navy ships.

Navy’s robot will interact with sailors, fight fires aboard ship

From the Defense Systems website.

NRL Autonomy Lab Hosts Shipboard Fire Robotics Consortium

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory hosts Virginia Tech and other robotics teams to demonstrate the most current developments of advanced autonomous systems to assist in discovery, control, and damage control of incipient fires.