Background
The ARM Institute rapidly responded to the Department of Defense’s need to address COVID-19 by forming numerous national teams, drawing from diverse industries and technologies to address the myriad of supply chain shortages. This is highlighted by a few of the key statistics listed below:
- Rapid contracting with 45 days from the Project Call release to project start
- Projects executed in 12 months
- 13 states and Puerto Rico engaged
- 23 unique organizations participated across the nine projects
Swarm Robotics for Large Structure Manufacturing Objective
The COVID-19 pandemic caused overcrowding in hospitals, leading to potential delays in treatment both for COVID-19 and other health issues that would typically require hospitalization. This project developed a team of swarm robots for large structure manufacturing that can aid in building solar-powered, versatile structures to be used for a variety of functions, such as shelter, infection control, medical care, and more.
Swarm Robotics for Large Structure Manufacturing Technical Approach
The team of manufacturing robots will work alongside human workers in building the structures, enabling a shorter time to build. Specifically, RPI is working to design, build, and program a team of small human-directed robotic platforms to take on the hard work of holding heavy material, rotating it, and pulling it taut while it is being joined together as part of this project. This project will impact any manufacturing operations where multiple robotic agents act together to accomplish a common objective.
Swarm Robotics for Large Structure Manufacturing Impact
Pvilion believes that this technology will help them better respond to DoD needs and manufacture the tents domestically. Swarm robotics for large structure manufacturing also relieve the strain on human workers.
Participants
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (PI), Pvilion, Albany Medical Center