DARPA and the University of Pennsylvania are keenly developing modular technologies and modular systems that can reassemble in the flick of the eyelid so that disaster and relief operations can be carried out easily without any delay at the Modular Robotics Lab. The technology is called Tactically Expandable Maritime Platform (TEMP) that has completed its first phase of the program and is heading into the next phase of development. In simple words TEMP is a modular robot system consisting of many modules that can modify the configuration according to the need of the tasks, for example while carrying out rescue operations amidst the torrid seas these modules can join together to form a bridge platform. The individual systems are intelligent too as they can repair themselves and the intuitive design makes them ready for any situation.
DARPA has a future vision of making such robotic modules, the size of ISO shipping containers (20ft x 8ft x 8ft) that can transform into islands and then reassemble themselves too for various tasks. Each of these modules will be capable of moving and docking to other modules autonomously, while they are fully submergible to a depth of 100ft. these robotic modules can be classified into the following categories.
• Core support modules which are container sized units providing electrical power, water and life support systems.
• Motion-stabilized cranes that facilitate transfer of cargo to and from the containers.
• Sea-delivery vehicles called Captive Air Amphibious Transporter (CAAT) that has air-filled pontoons on a tank tread-like design.
• Parafoil unmanned air-delivery system which is propeller driven air vehicle equipped with a parachute to take supplies safely to disaster struck areas.
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