Tangential Rotary-impact Tool (TRT) for MTRS robots Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-050 Topic Title: Tangential Rotary-impact Tool (TRT) for MTRS robots Proposal No.: N101-050-1146 Firm: RE2, Inc. 4925 Harrison Street Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15201-2722 Contact: Jorgen Pedersen Phone: (412) 681-6382 Web Site: www.resquared.com Abstract: As currently-fielded robots and bomb-disposal personnel become more adept at detecting, inspecting, and disabling conventional Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the enemy has begun to adopt tactics of both disguising and limiting access to the explosive device or detonation mechanism. A popular approach has been to encase the device and explosives in compacted soil or concrete, effectively preventing currently fielded Man Transportable Robotic System (MTRS) units such as the TALON and Packbot from inspecting or neutralizing the device. To eliminate this enemy tactic, this proposal presents our concept for the Tangential Rotary-Impact Tool (TRT). The proposed Tangential Rotary-impact Tool (TRT) is a strap-on addition for all MTRS units, designed to break-up and cut through packed soil, conrete, and steel-reinforced concrete to expose the encased IED. The tool is remotely operated, requires minimal operator training, and does not affect the run time or functionality of the base robotic platform. Benefits: The commercial market opportunity for Tangential Rotary-impact Tool (TRT) has the potential to be significant as long as the demand for mobile robots continues to increase. Our initial research suggests that the TRT technology will be useful for existing markets, particularly domestic bomb squads and first responders, as both missions require the ability to safely break up soil, rocks, or concrete to expose explosive devices or unearth trapped objects. The TRT is also applicable to the construction industry, where robots are being used for a variety of tasks, including demolition, excavating, and earth-moving. The TRT, on a larger scale, could be used for building construction, building renovation/demolition, and highway/bridge repairs. Return