Over the past few years our suite of 30 ground robot test methods have been adopted widely across the U.S. and internationally to support purchasing and training. We are now expanding our efforts to develop test methods for small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) defined by the FAA as under 25kg (55lbs) and for underwater remotely operated vehicles for hazardous environments.
Remotely operated robots enable emergency responders to perform extremely hazardous tasks from safer stand-off distances. Standard test methods help robot manufacturers and users objectively evaluate system capabilities to align with mission requirements. This improves the safety and effectiveness of emergency responders as they attempt to save lives and protect property in our communities.
The ASTM International Standards Committee on Homeland Security Applications: Response Robots (E54.09) is developing the standards infrastructure necessary to inspire innovation, inform purchasing decisions, and focus training with measures of operator proficiency. Adam Jacoff from NIST’s Intelligent Systems Division chairs the sub-committee with his team of robotics researchers and collaborators from all over the world. The standards committee is made up of robot manufacturers, emergency responders, test administrators, program managers, and others interested in developing the underlying measurement science necessary to quantitatively evaluate and compare robotic system capabilities and operator proficiencies.
This effort has been sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security, Science & Technology Directorate, Capability Development Support Group, Office of Standards. They along with other sponsors have facilitated these standards committee meetings and associated test method validation exercises for nearly fifty test methods for ground, aerial, and aquatic systems.
As you are aware, our regularly scheduled June face-to-face meeting has been cancelled in an effort to keep the ASTM community safe as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to unfold. E54.09 will hold Committee Meetings by WebEX during the dates of June 8-10, 2021.
The objective of this meeting of the ASTM International Standards Committee on Homeland Security Applications, Sub-Committee on Response Robots (E54.09) is to provide an update on each working group’s effort with an emphasis on getting the existing test methods to ballot. Draft standards and prototype apparatus designs will be reviewed by manufacturers and others. Topics will include recent test method validation exercises, robot purchases, competitions, training events, and new collaborating test facilities around the world.
Registration is not required.
Join or transfer to our new sub-committee on Response Robots (E54.09) here:
If you were a member of the Operational Equipment (E54.08) sub-committee, you are not automatically a member of the new Response Robots (E54.09) sub-committee. So please go online and either shift or add your affiliation to our new sub-committee. You do not need to give up your position on any other sub-committee if your interests remain.
Click here for:WebEx Link
Click here for:WebEx Link
Click here for:WebEx Link
Virtual
In addition to ASTM staff, you can visit RobotTestMethods.nist.gov and/or email RobotTestMethod [at] nist.gov (RobotTestMethod[at]nist[dot]gov).