Goal Is To Improve Everything From Space Exploration To Factory
Work
The National Science Foundation (NSF) will take the lead with
NASA and two other federal agencies to support the administration's
National Robotics Initiative. The initiative complements the
administration's Advanced Manufacturing Initiative and technology
transfer efforts and supports the development and use of robots in
the United States that work beside or cooperatively with people and
that enhance individual human capabilities, performance and
safety.
"To help everyone from factory workers to astronauts carry out
more complicated tasks, NASA and other agencies will support
research into next-generation robotics," President Obama said
during a speech Friday at Carnegie Mellon University in
Pittsburgh.
Over the past five years, tremendous advancements in robotics
technology have enabled a new generation of assistive systems and
devices in industries as diverse as manufacturing, logistics,
medicine, health care, military, agriculture, and consumer
products. "NASA has been focused on human-robotic interaction for
more than a decade, leading to the flight of our newest crew member
on the International Space Station, Robonaut2," said NASA's Chief
Technologist Bobby Braun. "Our challenge today is to develop
robotics technology that can increase the effectiveness and safety
of humans in space and deliver cutting-edge science. Through our
participation in the National Robotics Initiative, NASA will create
the new knowledge, technology and capabilities needed for our
future space missions while benefiting life here on Earth,
today."
It is becoming increasingly evident that these early,
next-generation products are a harbinger of numerous, large-scale,
global, robotics technology markets likely to develop in the coming
decade. The robotics initiative, which pays particular attention to
fundamental research and education by academia and industry, seeks
to engage our next generation of scientists and engineers in fields
essential in the new global technology economy.
"It's exciting to be on the forefront of creating new knowledge
and to play a catalytic role in the development of smart technology
that enhances America's productivity and ultimately the quality of
life of Americans," said NSF Director Subra Suresh. "It's also an
opportunity to harness the expertise of our colleagues in several
government agencies to tackle a major challenge and to bolster
creative science and the U.S. economy. NSF is proud to lead this
effort."
The purpose of the initiative is to encourage innovative
collaborative research that combines computer and systems science
with mechanical, electrical and materials engineering and social,
behavioral and economic sciences to tackle the most important and
challenging problems in producing this class of human-assisting
co-robotics. Investments in the initiative from NASA, NIH, NSF and
United States Department of Agriculture may reach $40 to $50
million in the first year, with anticipated growth in funding as
other agencies and industry partners engage.