Development of Standard Test Methods for Emergency Response Robots for Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) and National Institute of Justice

The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing a comprehensive set of standard test methods and associated performance metrics to quantify key capabilities of emergency response robots.

The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing a comprehensive set of standard test methods and associated performance metrics to quantify key capabilities of emergency response robots. These test methods address responder-defined requirements for robot mobility, manipulation, sensors, energy, communications, human-robot interfaces, logistics and safety for remotely operated ground vehicles, aquatic vehicles, and micro/mini aerial vehicles (under 2kg) for urban environments. The goal is to facilitate emergency responder comparisons of different robot models based on statistically significant robot performance data, captured within the standard test methods, to help guide purchasing decisions and understand deployment capabilities. The test methods also support operator proficiency training and foster development and hardening of advanced mobile robot capabilities. The process used to develop these test methods relies heavily on international robot competitions to refine proposed test apparatuses and response robot evaluation exercises in responder training facilities to validate the test methods.