2423002
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
SBIR Phase II: Programmable three-dimensional (3D) light curtains for enhanced human-robot collaboration.
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to enhance the efficiency and safety of human-robot collaboration through the development of an innovative 3D safety sensor system.
As labor shortages stress supply chains, companies are rapidly adopting robotic solutions to ease the pressure.
Manufacturers are recognizing the efficiency benefits of flexible and collaborative robots, moving away from large, application-specific robots that require fixed safety fences.
Unlike large industrial robots, collaborative robots can function safely without physical barriers, facilitating easy reconfiguration and adaptation to new tasks.
However, the safety limitations of these small co-bots result in systems that are much slower and weaker than industrial robots.
The 3D safety sensor system developed in this project will bridge the gap between small, flexible co-bots and powerful industrial robots by eliminating the need for safety fences around large industrial robots and enabling collaborative applications.
This technological advancement promises to revolutionize manufacturing, improve productivity, and create safer working environments while shifting human workers to higher-skill positions.
The innovation will provide new insights into sensor technology, human-robot interaction, and adaptive safety systems, paving the way for further advancements in robotics and automation.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the limitations of current 3D sensors in robotics safety applications.
Existing 3D sensors like LIDAR or depth cameras lack the reliability, resolution, or cost-effectiveness required for industrial safety.
Consequently, industrial robot safety relies on outdated 2D sensor technology, which only captures a slice of the environment and cannot provide 3D protection.
This limitation necessitates larger safety boundaries and increases robot cell sizes, making most collaborative applications impractical for the space required.
This Phase II research aims to advance an adaptive 3D sensor based on a cost-effective, high-resolution sensing technology, known as programmable 3D light curtains.
Unlike traditional sensors that capture and process entire 3D volumes, these sensors optically capture specific 3D surfaces within a volume, focusing on user-programmed boundaries to provide high-resolution data where it is needed with minimal processing time and improved detection reliability.
This project will de-risk commercial viability, improving the versatility and reliability of the system.
Key objectives include developing a dynamic imaging system for overhead monitoring, creating an eye-safe illumination system with a wide field-of-view, and developing a safety controller for reliable operations.
Achieving these goals will produce a versatile 3D safety sensor ready for certification.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to enhance the efficiency and safety of human-robot collaboration through the development of an innovative 3D safety sensor system.
As labor shortages stress supply chains, companies are rapidly adopting robotic solutions to ease the pressure.
Manufacturers are recognizing the efficiency benefits of flexible and collaborative robots, moving away from large, application-specific robots that require fixed safety fences.
Unlike large industrial robots, collaborative robots can function safely without physical barriers, facilitating easy reconfiguration and adaptation to new tasks.
However, the safety limitations of these small co-bots result in systems that are much slower and weaker than industrial robots.
The 3D safety sensor system developed in this project will bridge the gap between small, flexible co-bots and powerful industrial robots by eliminating the need for safety fences around large industrial robots and enabling collaborative applications.
This technological advancement promises to revolutionize manufacturing, improve productivity, and create safer working environments while shifting human workers to higher-skill positions.
The innovation will provide new insights into sensor technology, human-robot interaction, and adaptive safety systems, paving the way for further advancements in robotics and automation.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the limitations of current 3D sensors in robotics safety applications.
Existing 3D sensors like LIDAR or depth cameras lack the reliability, resolution, or cost-effectiveness required for industrial safety.
Consequently, industrial robot safety relies on outdated 2D sensor technology, which only captures a slice of the environment and cannot provide 3D protection.
This limitation necessitates larger safety boundaries and increases robot cell sizes, making most collaborative applications impractical for the space required.
This Phase II research aims to advance an adaptive 3D sensor based on a cost-effective, high-resolution sensing technology, known as programmable 3D light curtains.
Unlike traditional sensors that capture and process entire 3D volumes, these sensors optically capture specific 3D surfaces within a volume, focusing on user-programmed boundaries to provide high-resolution data where it is needed with minimal processing time and improved detection reliability.
This project will de-risk commercial viability, improving the versatility and reliability of the system.
Key objectives include developing a dynamic imaging system for overhead monitoring, creating an eye-safe illumination system with a wide field-of-view, and developing a safety controller for reliable operations.
Achieving these goals will produce a versatile 3D safety sensor ready for certification.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "NSF SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PHASE II (SBIR)/ SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAMS PHASE II", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF23516
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
15221-3909
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Phlux Technologies was awarded
Cooperative Agreement 2423002
worth $999,999
from National Science Foundation in January 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania United States.
The grant
has a duration of 2 years and
was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
The Cooperative Agreement was awarded through grant opportunity NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase II Programs (SBIR/STTR Phase II).
SBIR Details
Research Type
SBIR Phase II
Title
SBIR Phase II: Programmable Three-Dimensional (3D) Light Curtains for Enhanced Human-Robot Collaboration
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to enhance the efficiency and safety of human-robot collaboration through the development of an innovative 3D safety sensor system. As labor shortages stress supply chains, companies are rapidly adopting robotic solutions to ease the pressure. Manufacturers are recognizing the efficiency benefits of flexible and collaborative robots, moving away from large, application-specific robots that require fixed safety fences. Unlike large industrial robots, collaborative robots can function safely without physical barriers, facilitating easy reconfiguration and adaptation to new tasks. However, the safety limitations of these small co-bots result in systems that are much slower and weaker than industrial robots. The 3D safety sensor system developed in this project will bridge the gap between small, flexible co-bots and powerful industrial robots by eliminating the need for safety fences around large industrial robots and enabling collaborative applications. This technological advancement promises to revolutionize manufacturing, improve productivity, and create safer working environments while shifting human workers to higher-skill positions. The innovation will provide new insights into sensor technology, human-robot interaction, and adaptive safety systems, paving the way for further advancements in robotics and automation.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the limitations of current 3D sensors in robotics safety applications. Existing 3D sensors like LIDAR or depth cameras lack the reliability, resolution, or cost-effectiveness required for industrial safety. Consequently, industrial robot safety relies on outdated 2D sensor technology, which only captures a slice of the environment and cannot provide 3D protection. This limitation necessitates larger safety boundaries and increases robot cell sizes, making most collaborative
Topic Code
R
Solicitation Number
NSF 23-516
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 1/14/25
Period of Performance
1/1/25
Start Date
12/31/26
End Date
Funding Split
$1000.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$1000.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2423002
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
C91LVZJEU1K8
Awardee CAGE
8UW37
Performance District
PA-17
Senators
Robert Casey
John Fetterman
John Fetterman
Modified: 1/14/25