The National Robotics Initiative led by the National Science Foundation granted $38 million to fund robotics research projects. This is part of the U.S government’s promotion of advanced efficiency and safety using robots.
The National Robotics Initiative (NRI) began two years ago, when the first funding grants were released. As part of President Obama’s Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Initiative, it is a joint project of the government agencies: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Institutes of Health (NIH), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
According to NSF’s Acting Director Cora Marrett, “NSF is proud to work with other government agencies to fund research that furthers technological advances in robotics… Co-robots work alongside humans and make Americans more effective and efficient in many vital areas related to safety, productivity and health. This research continually expands what robots can do to enhance human capabilities.”
NSF is the independent government agency responsible of conducting research and education programs to promote science and engineering.
This year, the projects to be initiated will include those that enhance movement and senses of robots, robotic bipedal motion, robotic manipulation and deftness, and other research that advance models, theory, and algorithms. Aside from these, projects that aim to study robots working together with humans and other robots are included.
Other programs also seek for enhanced 3D imaging and printing, development of co-robot mediation, improvement of robot training, enhanced abilities of robots used in surgeries, development of assistive robots to help disabled people, and enhanced abilities and efficiency in carrying and transporting heavy loads and in performing very complicated and hazardous activities such as search and rescue as well as other disaster operations.
For the following three years, the NSF will soon grant around $31 million worth of funds for 30 scientific projects which will promote robotics in various sectors of society.
These projects all work toward the vision of building and developing a better line of collaborative robots.
The next generation of machines is seen to benefit everything from civil and environmental infrastructures, military operations, homeland security, advanced manufacturing food processing and production, to space and undersea exploratory missions, health care, rehabilitation, as well as “driver safety and several independence and quality of life improvement.”
