Field and Construction Bay
Developing autonomous solutions for complex environments, Field Robotics advances robotic capabilities across diverse industries.
The Field and Construction Bay, with Reach Bot and Vine Bot featured here
The Field and Construction Bay at the Stanford Robotics Center focuses on developing robotic systems for use in agriculture, construction, energy, mining, ocean operations, and disaster response. These environments present challenges such as rough terrain, unpredictable conditions, and the need for autonomous operation. Researchers aim to create robots that can operate safely and efficiently to support human workers and improve productivity.
In addition to developing robotic systems, researchers in the Field and Construction bay work on technologies that enable robots to navigate and perform tasks in dynamic and unstructured environments. Research efforts include designing adaptive control systems, sensor integration, and capabilities to enhance robot performance in real-world applications.
The Field Robotics program collaborates with industry affiliates to design and test solutions that address practical challenges in various sectors. These partnerships help ensure that the research aligns with industry needs and contributes to the development of reliable and effective robotic systems.
Future research in Field and Construction bay will continue to focus on improving robot autonomy, durability, and efficiency. Efforts will be directed toward expanding the capabilities of existing systems and exploring new approaches to address evolving challenges in field operations.
Explore a 3D reconstruction of the Field and Construction Bay
Projects in the Field and Construction Bay
Reach Bot
A reconfigurable robot that navigates challenging terrain using extendable booms for crawling and anchoring. Designed for planetary exploration, it can traverse large workspaces, grasp distant anchors, and exert high forces for sampling and mobility on celestial bodies like Mars.
Learn More About the Reach BotVine Bot
A soft, growing robot that navigates complex environments by extending from its base like a vine. Designed for low-cost fabrication and intuitive control, it can traverse rough terrain, squeeze through tight gaps, and climb vertically. Its versatile structure enables applications in search and rescue, deployable structures, and medical procedures.
Learn More About the Vine BotFirefly
A lightweight, automated mono-copter drone designed for rapid scouting and data collection. Weighing under 1.5 pounds and compact enough for a backpack, it features thrust vectoring for agile maneuverability. Originally built for firefighters, its autonomous operation and adaptability make it ideal for confined spaces and challenging environments.
Learn More About the Firefly
