1. Norm SalmonNorm Salmon Eric Anderssen Ken Chow Earl Cornell Steve Dellinges Tony Hansen Alex Ratti Mark Scheeff Eric Anderssen Ken Chow Earl Cornell Steve Dellinges Tony Hansen Alex Ratti Mark Scheeff Robotics Initiative Group WEB PAGE: http://www-eng.lbl.gov/~dsgnwrks/robotics_init/index.htm EMAIL: robot_initiative@lbl.gov

2. Background ro·bot Pronunciation: 'rO-"bät, -b&t Function: noun Etymology: Czech, from robota compulsory labor Date: 1923 1 a : a machine that looks like a human being and performs various complex acts (as walking or talking) of a human being; also : a similar but fictional machine whose lack of capacity for human emotions is often emphasized b : an efficient insensitive person who functions automatically 2 : a device that automatically performs complicated often repetitive tasks 3 : a mechanism guided by automatic controls

3. How does Robotics Fit at LBL? Beyond University Level Research Niche areas where Industry requires assistance or is unwilling to develop

4. Approach Develop Personal Contacts with the best People in the Robotics Community. Determine Niche areas that are “real problems” among robotics professionals and fill them. Develop Strategic Partnerships based on these “real problems” and existing or emerging lab capabilities (i.e. DesignWorks)

5. Goal A Strategy to make LBL a Respectable Contributor in the robot community. –Genuinely new ideas –Fit into the larger robot research world –Superior niche capabilities –Small steps first

6. Some Areas of Interest: Small (milliscale) Cheap (hundreds of dollars) Modular Systems Networks of Robots (small cheap modular ones) Specific Project Areas Explored: Micro Unmanned Vehicles (air and sea – MLB Corp.) Micro Stepper Motors (Empire Magnetics)