Thursday, November 19, 2009
Robotic
Building Blocks
for Unmanned & Autonomous Systems
Michael
R. Fleming, CEO
TORC
Technology LLC
Abstract
Think that autonomous robotics is a technology that exists
only in movies and books? Tired of driving 4 hours between
Blacksburg and DC? Take a look at how autonomous navigation
technology is being developed through DoD and industrial
programs at Virginia Tech and TORC in vehicles from 5
pounds to 700 tons. This presentation will discuss perception,
planning, and control technical accomplishments and limitations.
Perception
includes the sensing, classification, and prediction of
the vehicle’s surroundings – what we see with
our eyes. Planning includes determining the optimal path
to desired locations – what we plan using MapQuest.
Control includes the actuating the platform in a stable
to achieve a local objective – what we control with
our arms and feet.
Michael
Fleming
is a founder and chief executive officer of TORC. A Virginia
Tech technology spin-off company, TORC provides autonomous
navigation technology for ground vehicle platforms in
the defense and industrial marketplace.
TORC
provides its clients such as the Army, Marine Corps, Caterpillar,
and Ford with autonomous navigation products and services
for their respective markets. In 2007, TORC and Virginia
Tech were one of 3 teams that successfully completed the
60 mile autonomous DARPA Urban Challenge race.
A
leader behind many of TORC’s autonomous technologies,
Michael has been an outspoken advocate for integrating
autonomy into military and industrial markets to automate
dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks. Fleming received his
B.S. and M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia
Tech.
Meeting Details:
Social: 6:30 PM
Dinner: 7:00 PM
Talks: 8:00 PM
Cost:
Members
& Guests $20.00
Students
$10.00
Location:
Holiday
Inn
UNIVERSITY-BLACKSBURG
900 PRICES FORK ROAD
BLACKSBURG, VA 24060
click on the link above for map and directions.
Reserve
by 5 PM November 16, 2009
Dr. Wilbur Dale (540) 464-7547
dalewn@vmi.edu
Please specify the number of attendees.
