Innovative leaders in robotics technology have recently announced the launch of their Kickstarter
crowdfunding campaign to bring Ground Drone, the next evolution of ground robotics, to the market.
Washington D.C., November 3rd, 2014
Ever since the 1940’s when Isaac Asimov developed the Three Laws of Robotics and so powerfully
described a future that many people want to see become a reality, the anticipation of fully autonomous
robots has been growing stronger. However, the reality of obstacles scattered around our environment
(steps and stairs being the biggest problems) has only allowed even the best funded companies to
produce “two dimensional” bots that can only effectively traverse flat and clear surfaces. Thanks to
Transcend Robotics, that paradigm is about to change. The company has recently announced the
launch of a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to bring to life “The Ground Drone Project”; an
affordable and capable robotic platform that can be utilized in many different environments and for a
myriad of needs.
“Roboticists have been so taken with Asimov’s vision of bi-pedal mobility that they have spent
decades and uncountable millions trying to skip an intermediate and affordable evolutionary step in
the process,” commented Andrew Ferguson of Transcend Robotics and inventor of ARTI, (articulated
traction control), the technology behind the project. “Yes, eventually we will have affordable walking
robots, but in the meantime, we CAN have full home, factory, and office mobility today.”
According to Transcend Robotics, ARTI is the current rendition of this new approach to overcome
obstacles in the environment. Most current solutions employ complex “flippers” that require trained
human intervention to surmount even the simplest of obstructions. With the ARTI platform, getting
up and down obstacles is as simple as pointing and shooting. ARTI accomplishes this by leveraging
a mechanical chassis innovation that avoids the extra complexity to allow for natural and smooth
articulation.
The Kickstarter Ground Drone Project, led by Phillip Walker, will launch this solution to makers and
hobbyists worldwide. Various rewards will be available for backers including tee-shirts, do-it-yourself
instructions, a bare bones chassis kit, piloting a remote tele-presence ARTI, and even a fully assembled
R/C controlled ARTI. To say this news has caused excitement in the tech and robotics community
is quite the understatement. “For many of us, this is a dream come true – and we are only a few steps
away from even more amazing things,” Walker states.
The innovative chassis has three, enclosed boxes with plenty of room (450+ sq in.) for electronics
and actuator additions. Most of the assembly parts & components are off the shelf or can be easily
fabricated. In addition, if ARTI is successfully funded, documents will be open to the public including
a bill of materials, CNC vector files, and assembly instructions so that anyone can build his/her own
ARTI from scratch.
“We want to provide a versatile and affordable ground robotic chassis to stimulate robotic development
for individuals, small businesses, and the maker community so that innovation can move forward
aggressively,” noted Walker in mentioning his motive for opening up a patented technology.
“This technology is needed now, not in 10 or 20 years. Once roboticists have access to true and
affordable mobility,” Ferguson added, “the promise of robotics will finally be realized in ways that will
stretch our collective imaginations.”
To join the evolution, go to http://kck.st/1EdP8BH or go to Kickstarter.com and google “Ground Drone Project”.
For more information on Transcend Robotics be sure to visit TranscendRobotics.com.
Comments
Nice !
Thank you for your support!! It is great to see people getting excited about the ARTI. Many possibilities with this awesome ground rolling chassis.
I backed an Early Chassis Kit - this is the kinda platform I have been looking for but I didn't feel like spending thousands on the tracked platforms that I have found so far. The less expensive one's really are not durable enough for much outside usage. And I just like to back good ideas on Kickstarter
Great to see a working stair climber. I am glad to see they are making it open source. I would like to see a less expensive device specifically for domestic household stairs. They are at half of their goal with 22 days to go.
Kickstarter
awesome! i need one. well need shmeed i want one very badly.
Bravo to Mr. Walker and team who are allowing this platform to be purchased and built by enthusiasts/roboticist.
ive always wanted military grade capabilities at reasonable prices and this is gold.
the potential for this is huge. im already envisioning my R/C Hoveround climbing stairs!
Great Job!