PickNik Robotics has obtained two Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts from NASA.
The first contract involves a project called “A Framework for Failure Management and Recovery for Remote Autonomous Task Planning and Execution.” This project revolves around creating a system for fault detection and reporting, which can help remote operators identify and address failures promptly. The system also enables operators to alter task specifications and guide in-field robots to rectify and achieve objectives.
The new software tools and user interfaces being developed by PickNik Robotics are expected to enhance NASA’s robotic projects, including the Artemis program and others such as Dexterous Robotics Lab, Robonaut, SPHERES, Astrobee, and OSAM servicing missions. The system could also be applied in commercial space flight, defense, and other terrestrial industries.
The second SBIR contract is for the project “Task and Motion Planning for Space Operations, with Human-Assisted Recovery.” PickNik Robotics plans to incorporate Task and Motion Planning into its MoveIt Studio product, permitting remote operators to define high-level task specifications while the autonomous system generates and carries out action sequences to meet these specifications. The system will also have a mechanism for autonomous error identification and remote operator intervention.
This solution aims to increase the autonomy of robotic systems in space and reduce the cognitive load on remote operators. The system could be applicable in several areas for NASA, including zero-gravity systems, extraplanetary surface systems, habitats, laboratories, construction sites, among others, says PickNik Robotics.
[Image courtesy: PickNik Robotics]