(openPR) - OCRobotics, UK-based manufacturer of snake-arm robots, has been granted an award for an Industrial CASE Studentship to research intelligent skins for snake-arm robots.

The aim of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded studentships is to enable companies to define and arrange research projects with an academic partner of their choice. The company receives high-calibre research relevant to the business and the student gains valuable experience in industry whilst obtaining a PhD.

OCRobotics’ Award is to work with the University of Bath in the area of artificial skins for snake-arm robots. The student will research and develop embedded sensor technology that can be incorporated into a low cost rugged flexible skin that will cover the complete robot. The objective of the skin is to provide a barrier between the arm and the environment, for the benefit of both. OCRobotics requires the ability to sense the presence of obstacles, by touch or proximity. The student will also explore the measurement and control of temperature, the sensing of chemicals, and any environmental changes that are relevant to the end user. End users of snake-arm technology currently include the UK MOD and the US DOD.

OCRobotics is currently looking for top-quality candidates for the studentship. More details about the post and how to apply can be found at www.ocrobotics.com.

OCRobotics
Contact: Rosalind Conkie
Unit 5, Abbey Wood Business Park, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7JU, UK
+44 (0)117 3144700
contactus@ocrobotics.com

OCRobotics Ltd was formed in 1997 and is based in the city of Bristol, UK. The vision of the founding Directors, Rob Buckingham and Andrew Graham, is to see innovative robotic systems become a commercial reality. In its early years OCRobotics prospered by building innovative servo-mechanisms for Hewlett-Packard and became a second tier supplier to Rolls-Royce for the design and analysis of ground support equipment. At the turn of the millennium, OCRobotics returned to its roots to focus on snake-arm robots. This was enabled by winning three DTI SMART awards and raising external investment through the Oxford Technology 2 VCT Plc and a number of business angels. OCRobotics now has 8 full-time staff focused on the core areas of business development, design and software. Symbiotic relationships with subcontractors and specialist suppliers are key to the company's plans.

About OCRobotics’ snake-arm robots

For those not familiar with this type of robot, the name ‘snake-arm’ should generate the appropriate image: an arm that snakes. These robotic snakes are slender and have continuous variable bend along their length. [see diagram at www.ocrobotics.com/snakearms]

A snake-arm robot is a bit like the human spine in that it is comprised of a large number of vertebrae. It is a tendon driven arm with wires terminating at various points along the length of the arm. The result is that the curvature and plane of curvature of each ‘segment’ can be independently controlled. A motor is used to control the length of each wire independently. The control software calculates the necessary lengths of all the wires to produce the desired shape.

The operator uses a joystick to drive the tip. The computer does the maths to make the arm follow. This tip-following capability enables a snake-arm robot to avoid obstacles and “follow its nose” into complex structures. The operator can also control the arm in tool or world space, whilst continuing to avoid obstacles.

All OCRobotics snake-arm manipulators have a hollow bore that runs the length of the arm. This means that all services can be carried within the arm so that the external surface is smooth and continuous. It also means that an arm could be used as a steerable hose-pipe or a vacuum cleaner!

The technology is very scalable and OCRobotics can design snake-arms to be large and durable as well as small and compliant. OCRobotics snake-arms can combine a significant payload with precise positioning AND still snake into awkward spaces.