Internet Robotics ResourcesThe NASA Space Telerobotics Program

Selected Robotics Resources on the Internet

Listed below is a compilation of space robotics-related and general purpose robotics-related resources (web sites, ftp sites, gopher sites, newsgroups, etc.) available on the Internet. Although not 100 percent comprehensive (no list of this type ever is complete), it does provide a represenative sample of materials being offered on the 'net. If you have any additions or corrections to the list, please email the site webmaster and let us know. The list is divided into the following categories:

NASA Telerobotics Program Resources
Related Space Robotics Projects
Related NASA Programs and Resources
Companies and Institutes
"Frequently Asked Questions" Lists
Hobby Groups and Clubs
Indicies
International Programs
Kits and Home Builts
News, Newsgroups and (Video-)Conferencing Discussion Groups
Organizations
Periodicals and Journals
Books and Educational Materials
Entertainment Robotics

Continued on the next page:

United States Government Programs
University Programs - North America
University Programs - International

Note: indicates the organization is developing technologies for space applications of robotics





NASA Telerobotics Program Resources:

NASA Space Telerobotics Program - this set of web pages!
ARC IMG - the Ames Research Center Intelligent Mechanisms Group; focused on applying virtual-reality and telepresence control technology to robotic systems
JPL Accomplishments - Overview of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory telerobotics and rover program; focused on planetary rovers and fundamental robotic technology
JPL Robotics - the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Robotics Section; focused on planetary rovers and fundamental robotic technology
JSC A and R - the Johnson Space Center Automation and Robotics; focused on on-orbit and Space Station robotic systems
CMU FRC - the Carnegie Mellon University Field Robotics Center; focused on lunar rover technology and applications
Stanford ARL - the Stanford University Aerospace Robotics Lab; focused on multiple interacting intelligent robots
UMD SSL - the University of Maryland Space Systems Laboratory; focused on free-flying space robotic systems ("Developing the technology of tomorrow sometime late tonight")
REC - the National Robotics Engineering Consortium; focused on development of commercial robotics applications from NASA-developed robotics technologies
Telerobotics server- public information and documents on telerobotics from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Space archives - the NASA Ames Research Center FTP server.



Related Space Robotics Projects:

Charlotte Intra-Vehicular Robot- the MacDonnell-Douglas developed Charlotte robot, which was flown on Space Shuttle mission STS-63
LunaCorp - the first real effort toward commercially-funded space exploration and utilization
Lunar Rover Initiative - a technological journey to bring high-end teleoperation and telepresence on the lunar surface to the world
Mars Pathfinder - exploration mission to place a lander and rover on the surface of Mars in 1997
Mars Sojourner - Live! - live video of the Mars Pathfinder spacecraft and rover during final checkout and testing
Marsokhod rover testbed - the MacDonell-Douglas/NASA Ames Research Center cooperative program to develop the Russian Marsokhod for possible future flights.
Robotic Technology Experiment (ROTEX) - flown on Space Shuttle mission STS-55
Space Robotics in Japan - 1991 report on the status of the space robotics industry in Japan
Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics (WCSAR) - working with industry to create new commercial markets in space, with a focus on advanced closed controlled environment systems



Related NASA Programs and Resources:

Robotics Education Project - NASA project to inspire students, create learning opportunities, and enlighten inquisitive minds about robotics.
NASA OSS - the NASA Office of Space Science
Spacecraft Systems - the NASA OSS Advanced Technology & Mission Studies Division
Sensors and Instruments - The Sensors Program home page, which includes several devices applicable for robotic systems
NASA NCTN - the NASA Commercial Technology Network, with access to the agency technology commercialization programs, publications, partnerships, and technologies
NASA SBIR - the Small Business Innovation Research program helps NASA develop innovative technologies by providing competitive research contracts to U.S.-owned small businesses
NASA Tech Briefs - NASA technology design and engineering digest, reaching over 200,000 engineers in industry and government
NASA NTRS - the NASA Technical Reports Server, which allows simultaneous searching of several NASA abstract and technical report systems
NASA STI Program - the NASA Scientific and Technical Information program provides ready access to over 3 million aerospace and related citations
HPCC Program - the NASA High Performance Computing and Communications program
International Lunar Exploration Working Group - this working group includes representatives from many major space agencies around the world and is charged with developing an international strategy for the exploration of the Moon
NASA Mars Exploration Program



Companies and Institutes:

80/20, Inc. - manufacturers of the Industrial Erector Set
Active Media - Pioneer robots for research and prototyping; descendents of Flakey from SRI
Adept Technology - high speed direct-drive and harmonic-drive SCARA style arms
Advanced Design, Inc. (ROBIX sets) robot construction sets
Angelus Research Corporation
Antenen Research - largest inventory of new and reconditioned robots and automation equipment in North America
Amerinex Applied Imaging - using image understanding architecture for vehicle recognition
AM Research - specializing in embedded control systems running amrFORTH
Arrick Robotics
Asea Brown Boveri(ABB) - their flexible automation division develops products and systems ranging from robotics welding and materials handling to paint finishing systems
Barrette Technology - maker of BarrettArm (aka MIT WAM) force controllable robot arm and the BarretteHand
ASA Automation Systems - Designers, Manufacturers and Builders of Custom Automation and Robotic Work Cells for Science and Industry.
Binzel Pty. Ltd. - Robotic Peripheral Equipment
Bohdan Automation Laboratory Robotics
California Cybernetics
CERA Research Robotics - provides Internet information on Embedded Systems, DSP, Real-Time Computing, and Industrial Computing Issues.
Collaborative Motion Control - developers and manufacturers of collaborative robot ("cobot") technology
Commotion Technology - develops Java-based control software for motion control, vision inspection and guidance, 3-D simulation, and web-based status and control
CRS Robotics - provider of automation solutions based on human scale robotics, motion control and machine vision
CW Technology - offering fun and innovative electronic kits - including the MIT Miniboard!
Cyberbotics - developers of Webots mobile robot simulation software.
Cybermotion - supplier of autonomous mobile robots.
Cybernet Systems - second generation robotics technology to amplify human performance through advanced network and information services, sensors and robotics
DEEM Controls Inc. - Industrial Encoders and Sensors
Deneb Robotics - factory simulation, telerobotic, and virtual reality software
Denning Branch International Robotics - a merger of Denning MobileRobotics, and Branch and Associates
Directed Perception, Inc. - manufactures devices and software for the intelligent control of sensors and sensor processing.
E-LAB Digital Engineering, Inc. - manufacturing and supporting a unique microcontroller board using the PIC 16C57 microcontroller.
Electronix Express - distributor of electronic components and test equipment for schools, colleges and industry.
Elekit Co. - Explore the fundamentals of robotics with these robot kits. Requiring only basic hand tools (Beginner and Intermediate Experience), the kits contain complete step-by-step instructions.
Engineering Services, Inc. - Development of custom-made mobile and modular modular robots for industrial, military and medical applications
Eshed Robotec - products in the field of technology and science education
Euclid Research - troubleshooting instrumentation for robotic and motion control systems
Fourth Planet - dynamic data visualization and real-time simulation software, including the Virtual Environment Vehicle Interface (VEVI)
Franklin Enterprises Ltd.'s - Virtual Machine Shop
Friendly Robotics - deveopers of the RL500 robotic mower
Honeybee Robotics - small company that designs and builds custom automation equipment
Helpmate Robotics - sells HelpMate robots primarily to hospitals for trackless, self-guided transportation and delivery of materials
ICON Open Architecture Controller/Manufacturing Operating System - Center for Manufacturing and Robotics Sciences.
Images Science Company - supplies and equipment for home-built robotics
International Submarine Engineering (ISE) Group of Companies - robotic vehicles and robotic manipulators for land, space, and marine applications
Inuktun Services - remotely operated robotic systems and modular components for confined spaces and hazardous environments
International Submarine Engineering Ltd. - developers of ROVs, AUVs, and manipulators for subsea and land use.
IS Robotics, Inc. - manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, robotic systems, and software for control of embedded systems.
K-Team - manufacturer of the Khepera research and education robot line
Kawasaki Robotics - industrial robot systems for factory floor operations
Kinetic Sciences Inc. (KSI) - providing technology innovation, research services and product development in the field of advanced robotics for operation in hazardous or menial environments.
Komatsu Construction Robotics - small automated construction system
Labman Automation - robotics systems custom designed and built for scientific laboratories worldwide
Living Machines - specializing in the development of small intelligent mobile robots.
Lunacus - simple programmable robots for service tasks (camera transport, etc.).
MacDonald Detweiler - developer of the remote manipulator system on the space shuttle and robotics for the International Space Station.
mecos Robotics AG - specialises in sensor guided robot systems.
Mentor AGVS - a world leader in the supply of AGVs and automated rail cars
Merlin Systems - developer of autonomous micro-robots for participation in robot soccer competitions.
Microbotix - new Italian company dedicated to the development of professional non industrial robots.
Mobotics - developers of autonomous social robots that act as tour guides and hosts at museums and other locations
Mondo-tronics - large supplier of miniature robots and robotics supplies
MotionServer - online service for remote net-based control of DC servomotors
Motorola Microcontroller - operates from the Microprocessor facility in Austin, Texas to provide Technical information, Marketing information, and executable files for Motorola Microcontrollers to anyone with Internet access.
Network Cybernetics Corporation - the AI CD-ROM Revision 3
Nomadic Technologies, Inc
OAO Robotics - robotic and teleoperated hazardous materials handling systems
Online, Inc. - robotic liquid dispensing systems
Ontrak Control Systems - manufactures serial based data acquisition boards for industrial, educational and electronic hobbyist use.
Parallax, Inc. - Makers of PIC development tools and BASIC Stamp series of single board computers
PRECARN Associates Inc. and IRIS (the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems)
Precision MicroDynamics Inc. - Analog and Electronic Hardware for Robotics
Probotics - Personal robotic systems
Real World Interface, Inc. - manufacturing mobile robots for ten years
Reinoldus Transport-und Robotertechnik - advanced material flow and handling devices
Remote Bot - Together with a Khepera robot, RemoteBot.net lets you create your own online "non-virtual" world quickly and easily
Robocams - specializes in ruggedized, high density cameras for all industrial uses
Robosoft - provides OEMS, integrators and end-users with products and services in mobile robots and intelligent vehicle design
Robot Simulations Ltd - developers of the Workspace PC based robot simulation and offline programming software and the Robotrak calibration device
Robot Store - Mondo-tronics' Robot Store web site featuring over 100 actual robot kits, books, software packages and videos, as well as Muscle WiresÆ shape memory alloys, and lots of other great robot related hardware, electronics, even sculptures
RoboTech Industries Ltd. - HazHandler
Robotic Systems, Inc. - Mobile robot parts, kits and platforms, including kits for building
Robotics - Insecta
R.O.V. Technologies, Inc - Nuclear Underwater Equipment, Sales and Service
SARCOS - humaniform robotics, virtual reality and teleoperation systems
Sensable Technologies - Maker of the PHANToM haptic interface and other haptics hardware and software products
Servo To Go, Inc.
ServusRobots - robotic solutions for service industries such as cleaning, floor scrubbing, etc.
Shilling Robotics - subsea manipulators, end effectors and support equipment
Shadow Robot Group - independent robotics research group working domestic androids
Solarbotics - robot technology based around the BEAM (Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics, Mechanics) philosophy
Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) - the Automation Engineering Department develops process automation, monitoring, control, and in-process product inspection technologies
SRI International, Inc. Robotics
Survival Research Labs
TAG - robotic and para-robotic technologies, including the development of autonomous mobile robots
Tecnomatix Technologies - Virtual Manufacturing(VM)
Teleos - Research and Technology Development in Intelligent Perception and Control
Visual Inspection Technologies - product line includes flexible video borescope systems, robotic crawlers, visual and ultrasonic inspection systems, miniature color zoom cameras, fiberscope systems, and robotic manipulators
Zaytran Automation - precision grippers for extreme environments
Zymark Corporation - laboratory automation and robotics



"Frequently Asked Questions" Lists:

Robotics FAQ - frequently asked questions about robotics (compiled by Kevin Dowling at Carnegie-Mellon University)
68hc11 microcontroller FAQ - information sources on the line of Motorola 68hc11 microcontrollers
Automation and process control FAQ - including an index of several other microcontroller FAQ files
Control of stepping motors - basic principles of stepping motors and stepping motor control systems, including the physics of the motor, the basic control systems, and software architectures for motor control
Intel 8051 FAQ - information sources on the Intel 8051 family of microcontrollers (and variants)
MLS archive 8051 FAQ - mathematical introduction to robotic manipulation
Microcontroller primer and FAQ - by Russ Hersch sibit@datasrv.co.il
Printer port manual - how to use the printer port on any PC Clone to control motors, electro- mechanical relays, stepping motors and to acquire data using an analog to digital converter
Real-time control info - ftp archive from comp.realtime
Usenet robotics contests and competitions FAQ- including the most comprehensive schedule of events we have seen



Hobby Groups and Clubs:

Computers, Robotics and Artists Society of Houston - bringing together technical, educational, and artistic talents to develop and distribute robot software, media, and learning tools
Dallas Personal Robotics Group - one the nation's largest and oldest special interest groups dedicated to the development and use of personal robotics
Edmonton Area Robotics Society (EARS)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Robotics and Electronics Cooperative - a self-proclaimed "group of students interested in hacking on various electronics projects"
Info on Hobby Robots - information on locating inexpensive robotics components and kits, compiled by Matthew McDonald
Northern New Mexico Robotics group - teaching people about affordable robotics
Portland Area Robotics Society (PARTS) - helping those interested in learning about and building robots
Ray's Robotic Racers - hobby computers at a hobby price
RobotiCorps USA a robotics club dedicated to developing science and math skills for all ages
Rockies Robotics Group- dedicated to research, experimentation, proliferation and advancement of robotics
The Robot Group - utilizing technology to provide and explore new mediums for art
San Francisco Robotics Society of America - hosted by the San Francisco Exploratorium Museum of Science, the group sponsors an Annual Robot Competition & Expo, featuring robo-SUMO
Seattle Robotics Society - a diverse group of professionals and amateurs, high school students and college professors, engineers and tinkerers
Solarbotics - technology based around the BEAM (Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics, Mechanics) philosophy.
Triangle Amateur Robotics- creating personal robots for fun and knowledge
Twin Cities Robotics Group - loose affiliation of people interested in robots
Winnipeg Area Robotics Society - an interest in robotics is the only criteria for membership of this enthusiastic, dynamic group



Index Sites:

Bucknell University Robotics Internet Resources Compendium - information about robotics sites in one convenient location
Diversified Enterprises - robotics news index.
EINet Galaxy's robotics index
European Mobile Robots Archive - mobile robot and intelligent autonomous vehicle related information
Grad students who's who in robotics - a growing number of program graduates are making the list
Infoseek Robotics Index
Internet Robotics Information - Indiana University's list of internet robot resources
Internet Robotics Resources - University of Massachusetts list of internet robot resources
Japan's Robotics Research Map - map of robotics web sites in Japan
Magellan robotics index
Microsoft Network Robotics Forum
Robohoo! - another robotics index
Robots.net - robotics news stie
Robotics mailing lists on the Internet
Yahoo robotics index



International Programs:

Canadian National Research Council's Artificial Intelligence Reference Page
Danish Autonomous Underwater Vehicles- an activity coordinated under the Projects on Instrumentation, Navigation and Guidance systems for AUVs (PING) group
German National Research Center System Design Technology Institute Autonomous Systems Projects
JANUS project - developing a reflective adaptive multi-agent control system for operation in open environments
LAOKOON - robotic sewerage inspection systems project
GMD-Snake - Robot-Snake with flexible real-time control
MOIRA - collision-free autonomous vehicle for indoor environments
VIRGO - vision-based robot navigation network

German Research Foundation Main Department Automation Projects

Walking Robot Katharina - autonomous walking research program

Japanese MITI ETL (Electro-Technical Laboratory)

Cooperative Architecture
Humanoid Interaction Laboratory
Intelligent Machine Behavior Section
Mechanical Engineering Laboratory

Robotics in Japan - an impressive index of Japanese robotics activities and projects, compiled by Uwe Zimmer



Kits and Home Builts:

6.270 Lego robotics- the famous MIT 6.270 robotics course, with info on the current and past design criteria
6.270 Robot Builders Guide- Lego robotics and miniboard ftp site by Fred Martin
Arrick RoboMenu - Arrick robot gallery
Don Roy - Home of FirstBot and FirstQuad robots
Fishertechnik - Electro-mechanical parts galore including a wide variety of switches, relays, slip rings, contacts, etc
Insecta Web Page- from Ublige Software and Robotics, Inc.
Jay's Robot Page "How-To" instructions on building a mobile robot using readily available pieces, parts, and software.
Joker Robots- kit and fully assembled Rug Warrior robots
Koala Microcontrollers- PC-compatible single board controllers for hobbyists and small systems
KYTRON- a series of homebuilt small autonomous mobile robots
LEGO robot info- info on building Lego robots, including Lego Dacta, 6.270 and other interface systems
Lynxmotion, Inc. - robotic arm kits
M & T Systems - walking robot kit is based on the Insectoid built by Gary Malolepsy
Mekatronics - manufacturer of robots, robot kits, microcontrollers, and MC68HC11 related software
Mondo-Tronics - the robot store, a huge collections of miniature robots and supplies
Moreno Roboitcs Project - Jose Moreno's project to create a fleet of standard home robots
Mr Robot - distributor of robot kits and parts
OWI Robotics - educational and entertaining robot kits, requiring only basic hand tools
PCB2000 - a simple single-board copmuter for robot control
Reality Robots - starter kits from PARTS
Robix - robot construction sets
Robotic Systems Inc - low-cost, expandable, programmable mobile robot platform for use by researchers, educators, students and hobbyists
Rockville Creative Learning Center - computerized battery robot kits
Solarbotics - the BEAM robotics resource
Sonar with the 6.270 board - miscellaneous collected notes on using sonar with the 6.270 board.
Tutebot - a homebuilt tutorial robot



News, Newsgroups and Discussion Groups:

ArsRobotica - news, product reviews, tutorials, editorials, and interviews with robotics professionals, with a great set of resources for teachers.
Robotics Newsgroup - read the comp.robotics newsgroup
Newsgroup archive - online archive of the comp.robotics newsgroup
General Robotics Info - read the comp.robotics.misc newsgroup
Robot Cafe - robotics news, tutorials, discussion forums, books, and resource list
Robotics Online - feature articles, daily news updates, case studies, technical papers, and fstories on leading robotics companies and products
Robotics Research - read the comp.robotics.research newsgroup
RoboNet - CUSeeMe videoconferencing network for robotics hobbyists and professionals
Tech Geek - News source for building a robotic community
True Force - Source for insight into robotics & automation



Organizations:

American Nuclear Society - Robotics and Remote Systems Division
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems - check their autonomous robotic vehicles competitions
FIRST - FIRST gets high school students involved in technology and science by exposing them to real world engineering, through a national robotics competition
CoCo BEST - BEST does for Texas what FIRST does for the country
IEEE Robotics and Automation Society
Institute for Teleoperated Space Development
JASON Project The JASON Foundation excites and engages students in science and technology, and uses advanced interactive telecommunications to motivate and provide professional development for teachers
KIPR - the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics, dedicated to robotics education for elementary and secondary school students
Neuroprosthesis Research Organization
- non-profit organization dedicated to supporting patients with chronic microsensor implants.
Robotic Industries Association
SARTC- the Space Automation & Robotics Technical Committee of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
SPIE - the International Society for Optical Engineering



Periodicals and Journals:

IEEE Expert - intelligent systems and their applications
Industrial Robot - design, development and application of robots in industry
International Journal of Robotics Research- timely, multidisciplinary material on topics from sensors and sensory interpretations to kinematics to motion planning
Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research - refereed journal covering all areas of artificial intelligence, distributed over the Internet.
Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems - techniques that combine systems and control science with
artificial intelligence concepts
Journal of the Association for Computing Machinery - includes topics on robotic intelligence
Presence - a quarterly from MIT providing a scientific forum for the exchange of ideas about teleoperation and virtual environments
RoboNews! - news and information about mobile robots and the mobile robot industry
Robot Books Newsletter - review and sales of robotics books, along with a selection of robot toys, movies, educational toys, magazines, and robot kits
Service Robot - the only journal dedicated to robots in the service industry



Books, Videos and Educational Materials:

Curriculum Learning Products - experimental setups for teaching control technology
Basic Mechanics for Technology Jobs - The Basic Mechanics Book- Basic education about the mechanical parts and how they work.
Robot Books - An online bookstore specializing in robotics-related books (they also sell robot movies, kits and toys)
Robot Video Archives - An online archive of robotics-related video clips and movies



Entertainment Robotics:

Ullanta - a theater troupe in which all actors are autonomous mobile robots
Emergent Systems - robotic artwork created from the integration of organic and electro/mechanical elements, featuring The Flock




Program Description

Major Projects

Program Plans

Participants & Facilities

Technologies

Photo Log

Robot Tools

Cool Robot of the Week

Internet Robotics Resources

Real Robots on the Web

Telerobotics Program page

Please email the site webmaster with any comments, criticisms or corrections for this page.
Maintained by: Dave Lavery
Last updated: October 28,1998