 WALTHAM, MA – Foster-Miller, Inc., announced today that it has received a five-year, $25 million contract from the Naval Air Systems Command in Lakehurst, NJ, to develop a new robotic shipboard weapons loader. Based on a Foster-Miller technological breakthrough in direct-drive electric motors, the project has the potential to revolutionize robotic loading capabilities.
In addition, this contract is expected to lead to the establishment of a high-tech manufacturing facility that will produce several hundred loaders over a period of several years to satisfy Navy requirements. The technology also has broader marketplace possibilities in the areas of commercial materials handling and medical assist and rehabilitation equipment.
Current practice for loading aircraft on Navy ships involves heavy manual lifting, often in awkward or confined positions. This presents a risk of injury to the loading crews, as well as limiting their productivity. Foster-Miller, working with the MIT Field and Space Robotics Lab, has produced a concept design for a robotic shipboard weapons loader that uses omni-directional wheels to maneuver between the aircraft and existing transport equipment and allows a single operator to lift and position the payload using a robotic manipulator. The loader accomplishes 100 percent of current aircraft loading and unloading tasks.
In researching the new robotic system, Foster-Miller found that the torque and size requirements for some of the actuators exceed the capability of all commercial electric motors and transmissions. Of existing technology, only high-pressure hydraulics provide sufficient torque-density, but these devices are a known problem for the Navy due to leaks, downtime and excessive maintenance requirements.
Tasked with finding a more compact electric solution, Foster-Miller explored novel transmission and electric motor designs. This led to a breakthrough motor architecture which provides approximately 50 times the torque-density of existing direct-drive motors. Having only one moving part and no gearing or high-pressure seals, the motor promises unprecedented reliability and controllability, and is directly competitive with hydraulic devices.
“This program represents a major new production business initiative at Foster-Miller,” said Dr. William Ribich, president. “We look forward to bringing our extensive robotics experience and our new technology breakthroughs to bear to provide optimized, safer working environments and to improve the performance of our warfighters.”
Foster-Miller has been helping clients improve their competitive position through innovative engineering, design and development for almost 50 years. Unlike firms that focus on conducting basic research, Foster-Miller specializes in bridging the gap between research and the marketplace by developing new products and production lines. The company is home to more than 300 engineers and scientists working in the fields of robotics, advanced materials, custom machinery, power systems, biotechnology and aerospace.
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