Past Research Initiatives at the FRC
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Air-Ground Collaborative Surveillance
The Air-Ground Collaborative Surveillance project developed algorithms to exploit the complementary sensing capabilities provided by air and ground robot platforms.
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Beamed-power Lunar Rover
Power beaming, by laser or other wavelength, enables operation and recharging of rovers without fixed infrastructure. Rovers on the moon could operate on crater floors and areas of shadow.
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Dynamic Human-Robot Teams
This project developed methods to organize and adapt teams of humans and robots to cooperatively accomplish tasks.
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Long-Range Rover Navigation
Long-range perception and path planning are extending the range, efficiency and reliability of planetary rovers. This project focused on maturing technology for upcoming planetary rover missions.
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Robot Teams in Dynamic Environments
Economic principles are proving to be effective and powerful means of controlling capable and reliable multirobot systems. This project focused on creating teams of robots that apply these principles to act effectively in dynamic environments.
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Robotic Desert Racing
The Red Team put two machines on the Grand Challenge starting line and then across the finish line. We are united to catalyze new technology, to inspire the world, and to build leaders of tomorrow.
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Science on the Fly
The Science on the Fly project focused on enabling autonomous rovers to conduct science target selection, instrument measurement, and map building to support planetary science.
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Underwater Cave Exploration
The Deep Phreatic Thermal Explorer (DEPTHX) project developed navigation and autonomy systems to enable the exploration of flooded caves and tunnels. This technology was applied to the scientific investigation of the depths of the Zacaton Cenote in central Mexico.
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Unmanned Security Robots
This project focused on developing autonomous all-terrain vehicles to secure borders and facility perimeters. These systems augment effectiveness of security patrols and expand their presence.
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Urban Challenge
We developed Boss, the autonomous vehicle that won the DARPA Urban Challenge.