RoadNarrows LLC

1
RoadNarrows LLC
Kim Wheeler kim.wheeler_at_roadnarrows.com
RoadNarrows Specializes in Educational and
Research Robots and Software
2
(No Transcript)
3
(No Transcript)
4
(No Transcript)
5
What do we do???

• Mobile Robotics RD
• H/W S/W Development Integration
• Sales
• Imported Mobile Robotics H/W, S/W
• RoadNarrows Products
• Support
• Special Projects

6
Current Customers

• Research Labs
• JPL, NASA, Los Alamos, U.S. Army
• Academic Research
• UCSD, MIT, Georgia Tech, Texas AM, UNM
• Commercial RD
• Disney, Schlumberger, Harris
• Undergraduate Teaching Labs
• Loyola, Rowan, Lafayette, U. Alabama, ...
• Consumers

7

• Khepera III (K3) by K-Team, Switzerland
• The K3 is the next generation of robot from
  K-Team. can match the performance of much bigger
  robots, with a upgradable embedded computing
  power using the KoreBot system, mutiple sensor
  arrays (USS and IR) for both long range and short
  range object detection, swappable battery pack
  system for optimal autonomy, and exceptional
  differential drive odometry.
• The K3 extension bus is compatible with the
  Korebot system, so that any KoreBot extension can
  be plugged on top of the robot. The bus
  specification is fully open and available to
  enable custom extension development for users.
• With the KoreBot, features of the standard
  embedded Linux Operating System for quick and
  easy autonomous application development is
  available.
• Without the KoreBot, the K3 can be remotely
  operated like the Khepera through a simple,
  well-defined serial command interface with a host
  computer.
• With the KoreBot, the K3 is also able to host
  standard Compact Flash extension cards,
  supporting WiFi, Bluetooth, extra storage space,
  and much more.

8
(No Transcript)
9
Partners and Collaborators
10
RoadNarrows Developed Products Road Map
11
RoadNarrows Project SchoolZone
Helmet Camera
Inertial Measurement Unit
N-Legged Robot Platform
IMU
Other Sensors
Wi-Fi Card
to Robot Controller Board (not shown)
Single Board Computer
Battery Pack
Communication Path
Breast Mount Plate
Haptic Shoes
12
RoadNarrows Project SchoolZone
Helmet Camera
Inertial Measurement Unit
N-Legged Robot Platform
IMU
Other Sensors
Wi-Fi Card
to Robot Controller Board (not shown)
Single Board Computer
Battery Pack
Communication Path
Breast Mount Plate
Haptic Shoes
13
SchoolZone In Development
Mechanics
Electronics
Software
14
SchoolZone In Development

• Croc-like shoes with 8 pressure sensors
• Gloves with stress sensors
• Back-pack with linux board, 3-axis IMU
• Helmet with USB camera and compass
• S/W and H/W integrations with off-the shelf
  humanoids.
• Goal add-on product to make humanoid robots
  interesting for Artificial Intelligence!

15
The Business Plan

• Sell robots and S/W to academic institutions.
• Develop open-source S/W to support them.
• Build up a customer base.
• Gain business experience.
• Use revenue from sales to fund RD for robots
  with new technology.

16
(No Transcript)
17
(No Transcript)
18
(No Transcript)
19
(No Transcript)
20
(No Transcript)
21
(No Transcript)
22
The Business Plan

• Initial market educators and researchers.
• Keep it open-source open platform.
• Encourage standardization.
• Build user-base of our technology.
• Long-term markets commercial and industrial.

23
Robotics Market is Growing Fast
24
What is Currently Available for Education and
Research?

• Custom One-of-a-Kind Robots ().
• Robotic Kits ().
• Ready-Built Robotic Platforms ( - non-standard
  I/F, add-on peripherals).

25
Making Intelligent Robots is Hard

• Industrial Robots.
• Intelligent Robots.
• DARPA Grand Challenge.

26
Future Thought

• Robots will be of all sizes, shapes, and
  functions.
• They will become a physical embodiment of the
  internet of the future.
• If young people choose to carry their robot to
  class as they do their iPods and Laptops today,
  then how cool is that?