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CLIMBER: Capable,Lithe, and Innovative, Maintenance Bot for Efficient Remediation

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N00024-14-P-4544
Agency Tracking Number: N141-042-0517
Amount: $79,978.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N141-042
Solicitation Number: 2014.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2014
Award Year: 2014
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2014-07-18
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2015-01-14
Small Business Information
300 Bear Hill Rd
Waltham, MA 02451
United States
DUNS: 005313494
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Michael Rufo
 Director, Advanced System
 (781) 466-8010
 mrufo@boston-engineering.com
Business Contact
 Mark Smithers
Title: VP/CTO
Phone: (781) 466-8010
Email: msmithers@boston-engineering.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

The US Navy has the problem of having to use human operators to inspect and maintain tanks due to the lack of systems that can perform all (or even most) of the tasks required with the dexterity, control, and ability to access tight areas. Boston Engineering proposes to leverage our extensive experience and existing technology in this area to provide a robust mobile base within a modular and versatile solution onto which rapid integration of the various and wide-ranging tools required is possible, time-saving, and easy to operate for expediting remediation tasks. Our solution minimizes the burden on the operator to enable rapid and minimal cost of user training and maximizes the use of existing high TRL technology and COTS components to provide a cost effective, risk reduced, and rapid development of a TRL 6 prototype (at end of PH II). It focuses on the main challenges (nimble and versatile implementation of maintenance tools and processes), and not on robot control, navigation, algorithms, or complex mobile-sensory concepts. We also provide a designed-in ability to advance the capability of the system over time including the ability to add additional autonomous behaviors and modular tool attachments.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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