NCMS runs big robotics program.

The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences' recently created Robotics Technology Consortium has awarded seven companies with grants to develop new technologies for unmanned ground vehicles. The projects, the first in a series that will be awarded this year, will receive a total of $5 million. They are part of a $175-million program NCMS has developed with the Department of Defense to engage "nontraditional" defense contractors in developing new technical projects. The government is currently evaluating the next round of proposals for awards and another request for proposals is expected later this year. "Membership to the Robotics Technology Consortium is open," says NCMS.

The winners of the grants include, Silvus Technologies ("MIMO-Enabled Communication Links for NLOS Robotic Tele-operation Missions"); Chatten Associates ("Improved Depth Perception to Aid Tele-Operation"); Sarnoff Corp. (two awards, "Modular Software Architecture for Rapid Multi-robot Coordination, Mapping and Structure Characterization" and "Mapping in Complex Terrains"); iRobot Corporation (two awards, "Sniper/Hostile Fire Defeat" and "RTK-Remote Touch Kit"); and RE2 ("Force and Tactile Sensing Based Manipulation").

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