Human Robotic Systems (HRS): Controlling Robots over Time Delay: Develop RAPID robot messaging for unified cross-center operations platform for TDM, xGDS, and CCSDS

The goal of this task is to develop and demonstrate the capabilities necessary for the safe and effective operation of cooperative robotic systems from Earth and within the near-Earth environment. New techniques for supervising multiple complex systems, increasing remote operator situational awareness, and maintaining the safety of crew and critical systems will be explored while increasing the level of coordination between the robotic assets under development within the Human Robotic Systems (HRS) Project.

Specifically, this task will extend the Robot Application Programming Interface Delegate (RAPID) system of common telerobotic monitoring & control messages and services for a unified cross-center operations platform for Technology Demonstration Mission (TDM), xGDS, and the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS). 

In FY14, the results of the supervisor technology developments in RAPID will have a software release that will be used as part of Exploration Ground Data Systems (xGDS) in support of its mission support, including the SMD-funded Pavilion Lakes Research Project (PLRP) field testing and the SMD-funded Mojave Volatiles Prospector (MVP) project field testing.  HRS will also mature this technology, providing the agency with a new capability for missions that might include the AES Resource Prospector (RP) and the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM).  

This task will develop and tests improvements to the RAPID system of common telerobotic monitoring and control messages and services. This technology will increase the safety and effectiveness for operation of cooperative robots over greater distances and longer time delays than currently possible, enabling control of robots from Earth in situations such as: onboard or outside the International Space Station; on the surface of the moon; or at an asteroid that has been moved into orbit in near-Earth space for scientific research.

The capabilities developed this year, will focus on the following:

• Extend RAPID to incorporate video data such as H.264
• Extend the RAPID monitoring and control protocol to the operation of additional HRS robots
• New techniques for supervising multiple complex systems, increasing remote operator situational awareness, and maintaining the safety of crew and critical systems
• Increased safety and effectiveness for operation of cooperative robots over greater distances in the presence of time-delay and communications network disruption
• Continue support to NASA and robotics for RAPID integration across organizations
• An Open Source release of RAPID to support the growing community of RAPID users
• Delivery of RAPID to the xGDS team at ARC for use in field testing of the SMD-funded Pavilion Lakes Research Project (PLRP) and Mojave Volatiles Prospector (MVP) project

Once matured, this technology could potentially provide:

• The ability to safely and effectively operate cooperative robotic systems from Earth and within the near-Earth environment in the presence of time-delays and communications network disruptions, which could include operation of cooperative EVA robots at the International Space Station, at an asteroid that has been moved to a safe orbit in near-Earth space, or on the surface of the Moon
• New techniques for operating cooperative robots safely in the vicinity of crew and critical systems  
• This technology will increase the safety and effectiveness for operation of cooperative robots over greater distances and longer time delays than currently possible, enabling control of robots from Earth in situations such as: onboard or outside the International Space Station; on the surface of the moon; or at an asteroid that has been moved into orbit in near-Earth space for scientific research.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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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