Robots help lure $32 million in grants

The University of Minnesota and a number of companies will receive the federal money to develop technology for the military.

Dee DePass, Star Tribune
October 13, 2006
http://www.startribune.com/535/story/741943.html

About $32 million in federal defense funding is headed to the University of Minnesota and several young firms to foster funky, high-tech products that can aid the U.S. military and save soldiers' lives.

The money, part of the recently approved $447 billion defense spending bill, will go to 14 Minnesota companies and universities that need funding to continue developing medical technologies, language translation systems, surveillance robots, supercomputers and other products aimed at the U.S. military.

"Smart Minnesota companies have solutions to some of our country's urgent needs," said U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo, D-Minn., a key member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee that fought for the funding. "In addition to military use, many of these technologies have applications that will benefit average consumers and patients in short order."

Last year, University of Minnesota researcher Nikos Papanikolopoulos approached Sabo with the idea of a tiny robot that could be used for surveillance in Iraq. Intrigued, Sabo and other legislators pushed for funds. And now the U of M's Center for Distributed Robotics and Center for Transportation Studies will receive $1.95 million to advance the development of their "throwable" Scout robot.

The remote-control robot looks like a toy, carries a camera in its belly and stands 4 inches tall. The titanium machine can be dropped from 3,000 feet and survive intact, Papanikolopoulos said.

The Scout can be outfitted with wheels or spider legs that allow it to roll or jump. It should help soldiers search caves, tunnels and buildings and gather information on explosives, insurgents and abandoned objects on roads and bridges.

The product, which could cost $1,000 each if mass-produced, is being piloted in Iraq, Sabo senior policy adviser Lisa Tomlinson said.

"I am ecstatic," said Papanikolopoulos, a U of M electrical engineer and computer science professor. "I always believe in technology that can have an impact. And this particular device can really save lives -- not only of soldiers but also the civilians. Because you don't want to shoot the wrong guy."

Long term, the Scout could replace more-expensive mobile surveillance technology now used by rescue teams, firefighters and SWAT teams, he said.

The defense appropriations bill also contains $19.5 million in funds for the Army High Performance Computing Research Center, which partners with the U of M, among others. The funds will be used to acquire high-performance computers, train students and hire scientists and researchers, said staffers from Sabo's office.

SpeechGear gets $2.4 million

Other defense grants are expected to help create new products for military use.

Northfield-based SpeechGear will receive $2.4 million to develop a device that the Army will use to translate Arabic into English and vice versa.

"We instantly translate whatever you see, hear, say, read, write or type," said SpeechGear founder Robert Palmquist, who started the company in 2001 in his spare bedroom.

The company has 15 employees and software programs that can translate nearly 12 languages in real time. The laptop-sized device can snap a photo of a menu written in Chinese and immediately return an image in English, Palmquist said. All translation software is designed to work both ways.

SpeechGear initially developed translation devices for the Navy and Marines. It will now expand its Army customer base and broaden its service capabilities with the Iraqi language. The company is working on new software that can translate Hmong and Somali.

The technology is expanding into commercial applications and can cost a tourist as little as $60 to $100. Multilingual systems used by the military can run into the thousands of dollars, he said. Palmquist, who expects to receive the military grant by April, praised Sabo, Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., and the rest of the state's congressional delegation for their support in driving the award his way.

Aveso receives $1.95 million

Fridley-based Aveso Inc. will get a $1.95 million defense grant to further develop a Digital Alert Display Device. The product, which is flexible and worn on the forearm, can act as a human GPS device and silently communicate text to soldiers in the field. To date, Sabo has helped secure $2.95 million for Aveso technology.

Minnetonka-based facial recognition technology firm Identix Inc., now part of L-1 Identity Solutions Inc., will receive $1 million for research that is expected to help the Department of Homeland Security.

Katadyn North America Inc. in Minneapolis also will receive $1 million. It develops reverse-osmosis desalinator units for water purification.

Minneapolis-based Phoenix Solutions will get $1.3 million to help with the production of "nano" particles that are 5,000 times smaller than a human blood cell. The technology could be applied to the creation of tiny electrical products, fuel cells, lighter vehicles and health care products.

Other $1 million grant winners include the Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, medical instrument sterilizer firm Phygen Inc. and TwinStar Medical Inc., a creator of special catheters that can be safely used on the battlefield.

Minnesota Thermal Science will receive $4.5 million to help produce Golden Hour Containers, a temperature-controlled method of transporting blood.

Dee DePass • 612-673-7725 • ddepass@startribune.com

Copyright 2006 Star Tribune. Republished here with the permission of the Star Tribune, Minneapolis-St. Paul. No further republication or redistribution is permitted without the written consent of the Star Tribune.