Robotic Systems Laboratory

formerly known as the Santa Clara Remote and Extreme Environments Mechanisms (SCREEM) Laboratory


Robots Expeditions & Operations Robotic Control Network Technology
  
Specializing in the design, control, and teleoperation of highly capable robotic systems for scientific discovery, technology validation, and engineering education.
Upcoming Missions - Can You Believe This?!?!? The Lab is currently planning for several major robotic missions during the next 6 months.  We are currently planning on 3 - count'em... three... trey... trio.... more than two.... - new satellite missions in cooperation with NASA Ames.  On the underwater side of the house, we have both ROV and ASV deployments under development for Lake Tahoe, Elkhorn Slough, the San Francisco Bay, and the San Juan Islands.  Students interested in being a part of these activities should contact Dr. Kitts.
 
2 robotic kayaks sail in formation in Stevens Creek Resevoir as part of Paul Mahacek's Masters thesis research
New Experimental Results - The Lab's work in cluster space control of multi-robot systems has resulted in outstanding experimental results.  These include 3-bot motion control using the Lab's new UWB tracking system (see the YouTube video below) as well as formation control of 2 robotic kayaks.  Graduate students involved in this work include Ignacio Mas, Ogi Petrovic, Jose Acain, and Paul Mahacek.  
GeneSat Operational for More than a Year - The GeneSat-1 mission  successfully celebrated 1-year in orbit in mid-December.  The SCU student operations team continues to operate the satellite, with the current focus on characterizing the long-term performance of key satellite components. Several publications relating to the Lab's work on GeneSat have been recently published, covering topics such as general mission results, the performance of the S-Band communications system, and the use of model-based reasoning for managing anomalies.  RSL students developed the entire command and control system for GeneSat - this is the first time ever that a student team has provided such services for a NASA satellite! Details on the mission are at www.genesat1.org

Spring 2008 Courses

MECH 371  Space System Design & Engineering I

MECH 379 Satellite Operations Laboratory

MECH 296 Space Entrepreneurship

Directions to CREST Bldg

RSL In The News

$2.7 Million Grant - RSL has been awarded a new grant worth more than $2.7 million in order to continue development of advanced technology and to conduct mission operations for NASA small spacecraft. [story]

Robots for Disaster Response - RSL has received a new grant to develop robotic capabilities and systems appropriate for disaster response.  Current senior design projects in this area include development of tracked and walking robots (see YouTube videos below) and a rapidly-deployed "eye in the sky."

Kitts Receives MBARI Appointment - Dr. Kitts has been named an Adjunct Researcher with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, granting him Principle Investigator status for joint projects.

 

YouTube Videos - Lab students have been using YouTube to post videos of their robots in action. The Lab will soon announce a YouTube Video Contest for Lab-related projects... with prizes!!! Take a look at some of these student project demos:
GeneSat-1 (more than 1,000 views, featuring Mike Rasay)

Roverwerx (by Casey Kute).  

 

Winter 2008 Course Information
MECH 208 - Advanced Mechatronics II: 3 units, MF 7-9 am
 
Spring 2008 Course Information
MECH/ENGR 371- Space Systems I: 4 units, Wed 5-9 pm. At the CREST facility, NASA Research Park
MECH 379 - Satellite Operations: 1 unit, TBA
MECH 296 - Space Systems Entrepreneurship: 2 units, TBA, At the CREST facility,NASA Research Park