iRobot Experience in Recent Disaster Responses
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Transcript of iRobot Experience in Recent Disaster Responses
iRobot Experience in Recent Disaster ResponsesMajGen David “Duncan” Heinz, USMC (ret)
Vice President, Maritime SystemsiRobot Corp
iRobot 710 Warrior
iRobot 510 PackBotiRobot
1KA Seaglider
Robots That Make a Difference
iRobot Humanitarian MissionsGround Zero, Sept. 15, 2001 - NYC
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill - 2010
Law Enforcement (Bomb Threat) - 2009
Fukushima Daiichi, Japan - 2011
iRobot Seaglider – Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
• iRobot Seaglider autonomously collects ocean data for months at a time at depths of up to 1,000 meters
• iRobot launched its own Seaglider in the Gulf of Mexico to help researchers identify underwater oil plumes resulting from the spill
• iRobot helped the U.S. Navy outfit two additional Seagliders with oil detection capabilities
“iRobot responded to the spill immediatelyby preparing and hand-delivering a Seagliderto the accident site within a very short time,making them the very first autonomousvehicle of any kind to be used to survey thearea for subsurface oil.” – Dr. Vernon Asper,University of Southern Mississippi
iRobot Support to Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Crisis:
• Rapidly deployed (2) 510 Packbots and (2) 710 Warriors to Japan less than a week after the devastating Tsunami
• 6 iRobot employees traveled to Japan to assemble the robots and provide operator training to TEPCO personnel
• PackBot provided the first look into the interiors of Reactors 1, 2 and 3 and supported radiation measurements and cooling water system inspections
• Warrior used to assist in clean-up activities
iRobot 510 PackBot Multi-Mission Robot
iRobot 710 Warrior
Fukushima Video Here?
Premise for Sending Robots
• 2 overarching factors– Area inaccessibility -- “Too Hard” – Risk to human life -- “Too Dangerous”
• Less obvious– More economical– Better suited to mission
Challenges with Robot Use
• Rapid response– Language, area access, training
• Unknown or poorly defined mission• Suitability of system to environment
– Sensors, strap-on customization, communications
• Go with what you have – When rapid response matters, must resist urge to “create” new solutions
Key Points and Lessons Learned
• Understanding the mission– Sending the right equipment with the right people
• Robustness of design– New mission needs WILL happen– Ability to change/add sensors– Strap-on customization
• Training and rehearsal– Absolutely KEY to success!
• Spares and business relationships• Reach back
Conclusions
1. Flexible, robust robot that is reconfigurable quickly at the disaster site critical
2. Ease of use and common software architecture across all platforms is key to efficiently training new operators
3. Communications challenges, demand robot platforms that offer a variety of communications options
4. Mature robotic technology based on years of development and use in hostile environments guarantees a higher level of success
5. Rapid establishment of business relationships critical to supporting on-going technical and logistics needs
6. When disaster strikes, you go with what you have, not what you wish you had
The Right Partner with the Right Equipment Matters
“SAVE A LIFE, SEND A ROBOT”THANK YOU
Back-Up Slides
iRobot Training the TEPCO EngineersTraining Challenges Encountered• Language barriers• No prior robot experience• Needed rapid response
to critical situation
Key Success Drivers• Easy to learn controls
–Game-style controller• Menu driven SW features• Common SW across all platforms
OCU Graphical User Interface
Hand Controller
Rapid Response Requirements
Deployment challenges• No direct access to disaster site• Specific mission objectives
unknown• Radiation impact to robots
unknown
Key Success Drivers• Multi-mission capability
–Aware 2 common software architecture
–Over 65 different accessories, payloads and tool options
• Flexible communications packages
TEPCO CONOPS
TEPCO priorities1. Radiation detection / mapping2. Survey damage / gain SA3. Debris removal4. Monitor facility recovery efforts
CONOPS implementation• Extensive rehearsals prior to
mission execution• Missions executed on a tight
timetable–Missions: 2 - 3 per day, biweekly–Duration: ~2 hours
• Day-to-Day objectives change frequently
Supplemental Radiac Sensor
4/17/2011 – First Entry
4/17/2011 – Damage Assessment & Radiation Measurement
7/2/2011 – Warrior Deployment
Reactor Environment
Disaster site challenges• High levels of radiation• High temperature & humidity• Limited visibility in steam• Floor-to-floor access & comms• Compliance w/ Japan RF
regulationsKey success drivers• Robust robot design, fieldproven• Multiple sensor capability
–Cameras –Lighting–Radiation Detectors
• Multiple communication options(2.4GHz, 4.9GHz, & Fiber Optic Tether)
Sample Radiation Map Measured by PackBot
Gamma Ray Camera on 710 Warrior
On-Going Support
Challenges• Lack of formal agreements• Limited comms at disaster site
prevents contact w/ End-Users• Export licensing requirements• Providing service for
contaminated robotsKey success drivers• Follow-on training• Daily tele-con with Japan• OEM reach-back for technical and
logistics support• Available spares at or near
disaster site• Established business relationship
June 5, 2011 News Article: PackBot used in Reactor #1 to measure 4,000 mSv/hr radiation levels
iRobot Proprietary
Critical Requirements for Disaster Robots1. Flexible Robot – Multi-mission, plug & play compatibility allows the robot to be
quickly reconfigured at disaster location to meet mission objectives2. Open Software Architecture – Allows for continuous enhancements and
facilitates new payload development3. Operator Friendly – Menu driven, PlayStation hand controllers, easy and
intuitive to learn, supported by a common software across all robot platforms4. Logistics and Operation Support – Spare parts, maintenance and field services
ready to be deployed5. Open Institutional Architecture – Knowledge base global reach, local
application payload development6. Field Proven – 4,000 robots delivered, continual feedback from operation in
hostile environments and disaster area usage drives quality and robustness7. Human Protection – Keeping human work force out of harm’s way
– Robust & reliable radio communications – Rechargeable power source – Remote surveillance for best situational awareness– Worker/soldier on-site load reduction (reduce human presence of transporting
materials, removing debris and overall exposure time)8. Preparedness for Terrorism & Outside Threats – similar incident situation
iRobot Proprietary