Air Force Construction Automation/Robotics

The air force has several unique requirements that are being met through the development of construction robotic technology. The mission associated with these requirements place construction/repair equipment operators in potentially harmful situations. Additionally, force reductions require that human resources be leveraged to the maximum extent possible and more stringent construction repair requirements push for increased automation. To solve these problems, the United States Air Force is undertaking a research and development effort at Tyndall AFB, Florida, to develop robotic construction /repair equipment. This development effort involves the following technologies: teleoperation, telerobotics, robotic vehicle communications, automated damage assessment, vehicle navigation, mission/vehicle control architecture and associate computing environment. The ultimate goal is the fielding of robotic vehicle capable of operating at level of supervised autonomy. This paper will discuss current and planned efforts in range clearance/explosive ordnance disposal, hazardous waste cleanup, fire fighting, and automation of routine civil engineering operations.