CLEVELAND – NASA’s Glenn Research Center and the City of Cleveland have entered into a Space Act Agreement for the design and development of a mobile sensor or robotics platform and communications test bed, which could lead to safer protocols for fire and police personnel, private industry and the community at large. Use of this technology will eliminate the need for first responders to enter into potentially dangerous situations but still receive important information about possible hazards.
Under this agreement, NASA will loan a prototype robot and communication system to the Cleveland Division of Fire (CFD) for a six-month testing period. In return, CFD will test the equipment in a variety of hazardous situations, record and report the test results, and participate in demonstrations with Glenn. There will be no transfer of funds, and each party will fund its own participation.
With support from the Innovative Partnerships Program at NASA, the prototype robot was developed for use under this agreement by Glenn researchers. “The same technology developed by NASA to explore the planets was used to create the robotics platform and communications system used in the prototype,” states Kathy Needham, Chief of the Technology Transfer and Partnerships Office at Glenn. “The ability of this technology to protect us here on Earth is just another example of the benefits to the American taxpayer of NASA research and development.”
Glenn’s Mobile and Remote Sensing (MARS) Lab researched the types of robots currently available in the areas of improvised explosive device and hazardous materials mitigation. The current robotic technology is very expensive with limited communications capabilities and few options for payloads other than sensors that must be hand carried by first responders. MARS personnel looked at the real needs of first responders and developed a low cost (under $10,000) remote controlled vehicle equipped with a mobile sensor platform designed to be reliable yet expendable. The payload area can support a variety of cameras, communication subsystems and sensors, including current hand held sensors, through mechanical and electrical interfaces. This robotic system is able to put a safe distance between the human operator and the sensors. The MARS personnel have created a new paradigm for first responders.
In 2008, CFD personnel attended a meeting at the MARS Lab at Glenn. During a demonstration, robots were showcased performing tasks identified as critical by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. CFD was intrigued by Glenn’s robotics and sensor technologies, and learned the technologies were available to be used in collaboration with the law enforcement community. The technology could be used to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive and hazardous materials threats. This robotic system differs from vehicles used by the military and other safety forces. The system features an emphasis on the instrumentation and the ability to read these instruments remotely. This approach could improve first responders’ safety by separating them from dangerous situations. It also has the potential to expedite the communication of potential hazards to others at appropriate agencies for immediate threat assessment.
Initially, Lt. Terry Bindernagel of CFD came to this project seeking a communication package and was impressed by the additional capabilities. “The fact that we can use a remote means to obtain readings to send to other agencies is extraordinary”, Bindernagel says. CFD’s goal of improving the safety of the community, while preserving the safety of first responders, aligns perfectly with NASA’s motto “For the benefit of all.”
For more information on the Innovative Partnerships Program, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/ipp/home/index.html
For more information on NASA Glenn, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/glenn
