The MassTLC Robotics Cluster Community held a
member meeting on 21 September, hosted at the Natick Soldier Research, Development
& Engineering Center (NSRDEC). We
learned about the overall mission of NSRDEC and their dedication to soldier and
squad performance and optimization. We gained
insight into some specific research areas including an automated shipboard
cleaning system, biomechanics research, and human augmentation. We were treated to a live demo of a
Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) system with reconnaissance capability, called the
PD-100 Black Hornet.
Figure 1. Michael Samuel flew this micro UAV and
demonstrated its capabilities
demonstrated its capabilities
Our group then received a tour of the Center’s Doriot Climatic chambers – facilities that can reproduce environmental conditions occurring anywhere around the world and capable of simulating an extreme range of global weather conditions for the testing of both the physical properties of military equipment and the physiology and adaptations of human subjects.
Figure 2. The
largest of the Doriot Climatic Chambers at NSRDEC
largest of the Doriot Climatic Chambers at NSRDEC
Figure 3. Our Robotics
Cluster members in one of the smaller Doriot Climatic chambers
Cluster members in one of the smaller Doriot Climatic chambers
Special thanks to Tom Merle and Josh Denton from the Outreach & Business Development office at Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center for Organizing our event.
