CMU’s National Robotics Engineering Center received a whopping $14.4 M from the United States Army to further develop an unmanned ground vehicle that may one day solve transportation challenges like those encountered by supply convoys in Iraq.
While disclosure rules prevent officials from discussing the contract, it will involve hiring 5 to 10 additional robotics researchers in the areas of mechanical, electrical, software engineering and technicians, says Steve DiAntonio, director of strategic business development. “I can say we will be hiring to fill many open positions created by this work.”
The project is the result of nearly two decades of robotics research by NREC and will involve upgrading its 6.5-ton unmanned ground vehicle, Crusher, by adding advanced suspension and hydro-electric drive technology to improve its performance over rugged terrain. Crusher was unveiled in 2006.
NREC is the top research facility in the country for the development of unmanned ground vehicles. In November, CMU’s Tartan Racing Team took first place in the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s (DARPA) Urban Challenge in California, winning a $2 M purse and garnering high profile accolades for the university.
This is not the largest contract received by NREC to date. Three years ago NREC received $24.4 M for the
Gladiator project, a high-mobility, tactical robotic vehicle developed for the marines.
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Anne Watzman, CMU; Steve DiAntonio, NREC