HEBI Robotics Selected for U.S. Army Phase 1 SBIR to Develop Robotics Hardware for Hazardous Environments
$250,000 in funding from the U.S. Army will be used to develop modular robotic building blocks that are safe to use in workspaces with flammable liquids or vapors
HEBI Robotics has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant by the U.S. Army to develop smart robotic actuation hardware and building blocks that are safe to be used in workspaces where flammable vapors or fluids may be present, per NEC Class I Division 1 standards.
Many industrial tasks require humans to work in dangerous environments where flammable vapors or liquids may be present. Robots make it possible for this work to be done remotely, keeping the human worker out of harm's way. However, few robot systems are certified for use in these hazardous environments, and development of certified robots is very difficult and costly. HEBI’s SBIR project will result in robot building blocks and tools that dramatically reduce the time and expense required to create full robot systems that are certified for use in these hazardous workspaces.
“HEBI’s long-term goal is to make it easy for any professional to create robust professional grade robots, without requiring years of technical training,” said Bob Raida, CEO of HEBI Robotics. “The HEBI Platform is used by developers in a variety of industries, and those robots often need to perform in challenging environments. Over the years, HEBI has expanded its hardware to be capable of performing in a wider range of environments including wet and dirty environments, and underwater. Creating Class I Division 1 certified hardware is a big step forward and will be a game changer that opens the door to a nearly limitless number of industrial applications.”
The funding from the Army SBIR program will enable HEBI Robotics to innovate and enhance its proven modular robotic building blocks to make them capable of operating in environments with explosive and volatile materials. These Class I Division 1 certified robots will provide critical capabilities for military and industrial applications including movement and handling of energetics, fuel tank inspection and repair, and many more.
The HEBI Robotics Platform for building custom systems consists of Modular “Lego-like” building blocks.
As part of this project, HEBI Robotics will collaborate with key stakeholders within the military to ensure that the hardware not only is certified for use in hazardous environments but also meets the required performance specifications that will make it possible to automate tasks that will ensure the safety of Army personnel.
The Phase I SBIR award is the first step in a multi-phase process, which, if successful, could lead to further collaboration and expanded funding to bring the innovative robot hardware to full-scale production.
About HEBI Robotics
HEBI Robotics provides flexible modulators for building custom robots quickly and reliably. With modular hardware and intuitive software tools, the platform enables the creation of capable, robust systems for both research and real-world applications. Used by leading research labs and industrial teams worldwide, HEBI technology accelerates development and supports practical automation in challenging environments. Learn more at www.hebirobotics.com.
About SBIR
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR and STTR enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, hightech innovation is stimulated, and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.
Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release: distribution is unlimited.