|
|
|
|
The University of Michigan-developed FLEXnav PPE system. |
Key Specifications: Accuracy: Typical positioning error < 1.0% of total travel distance on rugged terrain.
Instrumentation: 3 precision-calibrated KVH fiber-optic gyros 2 accelerometers
Physical: Size:
~6.5”L x 6.6”W x 5.0”H Weight:
~4.4 lbs Power:
~28 Watt Brain: PC/104
Software: Unique University of Michigan-developed Fuzzy Logic Expert navigation (FLEXnav) software |
Our Proprioceptive Position Estimation (PPE) system uses high-quality fiber optic gyroscopes and our unique Fuzzy Logic Expert navigation (FLEXnav) software to provide unparalleled dead-reckoning accuracy for mobile robots. We claim that our FLEXnav PPE system is the most accurate dead-reckoning system available for mobile robots. It works equally well on smooth and rugged terrain (see example of experimental results below). Like all dead-reckoning systems, ours is designed to provide position estimation for a finite amount of time while absolute positioning data (e.g., GPS) is unavailable. Typically our system provides excellent data for up to 10 minutes before its accuracy degrades gradually to values below specifications. At any time our system’s accuracy can be restored by an absolute position measurement (e.g., by one or two good GPS readings).
 |
| Typical
experimental results: position errors after 120-160 m travel on moderately
rugged terrain
For a detailed technical report on experimental results, click here. |
Under development now for over five years with funding from DARPA, NASA, and DOE, our FLEXnav PPE has reached a level of maturity that makes it suitable for installation on any mobile robot with wheel encoder output.
 |
Unprecedented dead-reckoning accuracy |
|
Fully self contained |
|
Satisfaction Guarantee |
We offer our system for an all-inclusive fee of $16,000. This fee includes all hardware (i.e., gyros, accelerometers, PC/104 embedded computer), software, one-time on-site installation on the customer’s mobile robot, and unlimited technical support for three months. Because our system is continuously improving through ongoing research and because every installation is different, we offer an unusual satisfaction guarantee, as detailed below.
|
This
is how our Satisfaction Guarantee works: 1.
Customer pays us upfront $10,000 to cover
the cost of the instruments (KVH fiber-optic gyros and accelerometers) as well
as PC/104 components, other hardware, and travel to customer’s site for
installation of our system. 2. After installation of our hardware
and our FLEXnav 30-day trial software on customer’s mobile robot is completed,
payment of the second and final installment of $6,000 is due within 30 days, but
only if customer is completely satisfied with the performance of our system.
3. If customer is dissatisfied with
our system, customer makes no second payment and can keep the PPE hardware (KVH
fiber optic gyros, accelerometers) as well as all PC/104 components that we
purchased with the initial $10,000. However, we cannot refund the initial
$10,000
to customer. |
Other Links:
FLEXnav PPE Flyer (requires
Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher) 
FLEXnav PPE Technical Report
(requires Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher)
FLEXnav PPE project description at the University of Michigan (with more links)
|
Send mail to johann@robotechno.com with technical
questions or comments about this web site.
|
