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Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 4)
This grant provides funding for R&D in the area of long, thin, continuous backboned or “continuum” robots to solve problems of interest to NASA, such as improved ability to penetrate and maneuver within environments filled with obstacles, requiring multiple tight turns in a series of increasingly complex and narrow obstacle fields.
This technology is applicable to the creation and control of long, thin, robots with visual or other sensors on the end, which are of interest to NASA for providing a means to quickly and easily inspect behind computer racks and other hardware on the International Space Station for signs of damage, electrical hazards, fluid leaks, micro hull penetrations, etc.
Potential terrestrial applications include long thin robots for use in fields such as: search and rescue, where they could worm their way through collapsed structures in search of survivors; and health care, where they could potentially be used for orthoscopic surgical procedures.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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