IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Central New England Chapter is pleased to present: The Talon/Solem Robot Systems Presented by Dan Deguire Foster-Miller, Inc. 350 Second Avenue Waltham, MA 02451 ddeguire@foster-miller.com to be given on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 at 6:30 PM at Foster-Miller, Inc. Informal discussion will start at 6:00 p.m. ABSTRACT Mr. Deguire will present the history of TALON and FMI Small Unmanned Ground Vehicles (SUGV), and discuss robotic systems of today including how they're used, effectiveness and versatility. This will be followed with a demonstration of the TALON platform and will conclude with a tour of the Foster-Miller facilities. TALON is an all-terrain, all-weather platform with day/night capability. It is controlled through a two-way RF or fiber optic link from an attache-sized Operator Control Unit (OCU). The OCU displays video from up to seven cameras with audio and data feedback for precise vehicle positioning and control at distances out to 1 mile (1.6 km). Vehicle speed is 4 mph (6.6 km/h). TALON can carry more than 200 pounds (~90 kg). It uses a two-stage arm that can reach a maximum length of 64 inches (1.6 m) and a gripper attachment to manipulate hazardous materials or ordnance. Other attachments are available for performing RSPs (PAN Disrupter, recoilless Proparm, Fire Ant, etc.), or deploying special sensors such as FLIR, night vision, microphones and zoom cameras. SOLEM vehicles carry color cameras and do reconnaissance in the field. The suitcase-portable, 15-kg robot is controlled through a two-way RF link from the OCU that provides video and data feedback for precise vehicle positioning at distances up to 1 mile (1.6 km). It is equipped with drive wheel encoders, a three-axis compass and an arm potentiometer so the operator knows the vehicle's distance, heading and arm angle. A wearable OCU is available and features virtual reality goggles, a handheld control unit, and vest-mounted electronics. In the standard configuration, SOLEM's color camera can be elevated to 15 inches (38 cm) above the vehicle to see above brush and obstacles. With a resolution of 400 TV lines, 1.0-lux illumination and auto shutter, the camera has the clarity for most missions. Camera output can be seen on the OCU monitor or with VR goggles for a higher resolution picture. Foster-Miller, Inc., is an independent, privately held engineering and technology development firm located in suburban Boston, MA, on Rte. 95, "America's Technology Highway." They maintain over 170,000 sq.ft. of offices laboratories and shops, and have a staff of more than 300 composed of mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemical, nuclear, aerospace and materials engineers as well as metallurgists, physicists, mathematicians, chemists and biologists. BIOGRAPHY Mr. Dan Deguire -- Robotic Systems. Mr. Deguire holds a BSEE and has been with Foster-Miller for 13 years. He is currently a senior engineer with experience in the design and development of automated controls and special instrumentation. At Foster-Miller, Mr. Deguire most recently acted as Operations Manager for the TALON and TMR programs. On Lemming, BUGS and Sea Dog he performed systems designs for controls, software and sensor system integration. Mr. Deguire also has developed several safe and arm and fusing subsystems for Navy and Air Force use. Mr. Deguire is the lead electrical engineer on the TOAST and GRID programs. His intimate knowledge of the vehicle control system of Lemmings will assist in attaining a seamless development of the Wearable OCU. He currently supports world wide TALON deployment including current operations in Afghanistan. MEETING INFORMATION The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society will meet on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 at Foster-Miller at 6:00 PM for informal discussions and for the formal presentation between 6:30 and 7:30 PM. The group will have a no-host dinner afterwards at Bertucci's, where more conversations can take place with the guest speaker. The meetings are open to the general public, and all are welcome at the dinner afterwards. For more information contact Rich Maynard at 978-439-5511 ext 6221 or at the Chapter email address: info@robotics-boston.org DIRECTIONS Foster-Miller, Inc., 350 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451 Directions to Foster-Miller from Boston - Follow signs to Mass. Turnpike West (I-90 Mass. Pike - right turn immediately outside the South Station Tunnel - Exit Mass. Pike onto Rte. 128 North (I-95). - Take Exit 27B, Winter Street. - Right turn at the end of the exit ramp (at the lights). - Right turn at next intersection onto Winter Street West. Follow signs toward Second Avenue, Bear Hill Road. - Left turn onto Winter Street East at second set of lights after Route 128 overpass. - First right onto Second Avenue (Foster-Miller has 5 buildings in this Industrial Park). - At BankNorth, follow Second Avenue as it turns right, leading to Foster-Miller Buildings 1, 2, and 4. The Meeting will be held in Building 1. For more information about our Section and Chapter, visit our web site at our registered domain URL http://www.robotics-boston.org/