WM Robots - Mobile Robots, Robotic Inspection and Drilling Devices

WM Robots' President, Bob Wolstenholme, founded Wolstenholme Machine, Inc. (WMI), a precision-machine shop, in his garage over 30 years ago. Bob built up his business through both his skill, and his commitment to discovering ways to machine parts that others said couldn't be machined.

The Wolstenholme group of companies now employs 40 individuals, and caters to the aerospace, medical, telecommunications, defense, and high-technology industries.

In January 2001, three bomb-squad members approached Bob to help develop an inspection device that could drill through walls in order to view inside objects and evaluate potential Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Bob created Wolstenholme AeroMed, Inc. (WAI) to develop this robotic inspection and drilling device, which is known as the HazProbe.

In developing the HazProbe to be fully compatible with two of the most popular robots, Wolstenholme AeroMed borrowed an Andros F6A and a Mark V-A1 robot. Once the development of the HazProbe was complete, Bob and his team conducted extensive research and testing of unmanned robotic platforms to develop integrated robotic systems, and subsequently created WM Robots LLC.

To facilitate the manufacturing and design of the electrical components inherent in robotics, Bob acquired Custom Systems Technology (CST), a cable and electronic assembly house. All four companies (WM Robots, WMI, WAI and CST) are located in a single location and support each other in ongoing development and enhancements. These improvements have produced our flagship mobile robot KNIGHT, and the recently upgraded HazProbe.

KNIGHT EOD MOBILE ROBOT

The KNIGHT EOD mobile robot is based on a very steady and hassle-free all-terrain platform that climbs steep hills and stairs and maneuvers in all types of weather, including snow up to 8in (200mm) in depth. Both RF and fiber-optic communication devices can be simultaneously installed.

The KNIGHT's manipulator-arm is one of the finest in the industry. Capable of lifting 165lbs (75kg) at full extension with no backlash, the arm is both powerful and precise. Multiple dual-axis joysticks allow ergonomic, infinitely precise, and simultaneous control of each individual joint.

Since each axis' speed is joystick-controlled, coordinated multi-axis motion is easily accomplished, allowing the operator to easily and instinctively operate both the arm and the robot.

A top-notch electronics package provides:

• Dual and redundant communication (fiber switches to RF if fiber gets cut)
• Eight 24-VDC weapons circuits (computer controlled and redundantly safe)
• Eight 24-VDC accessory circuits (controlled by dedicated toggle-switches)
• Three permanent cameras (surveillance, gripper and drive)
• Four re-locatable camera ports, all of which can be simultaneously mounted
• Three permanently-integrated sensor ports (OCU digital readouts and alarms)
• On-board system diagnostics and user-calibrateable joysticks
• Two-way audio
• A/V recording jacks on OCU

HAZPROBE IED ROBOTIC INSPECTION AND DRILLING DEVICE

The HazProbe IED robotic inspection and drilling device is a robot-mountable accessory that provides increased inspection capability via an extendable articulating (pan and rotate) camera.

The unique ability of the HazProbe which elevates it above other robotic inspection and drilling devices is that it can drill through a wall first, and then perform an inspection inside the suspect space, therefore providing greater accuracy.

While the HazProbe has been optimized for use on WM Robots' KNIGHT robot, it was initially designed for the Andros F6A and Mark V-A1 robots. It is therefore 100% compatible with these robots in terms of mounting, power and communication kits.

The HazProbe can:

• Inspect inside cars, vans, truck, or cargo containers for large vehicle bombs
• Drill through house or office walls to look for trip wires and IEDs
• Inspect ventilation-ducting, under vehicles, and above ceilings
• Use an articulating camera for a depth-perception view of a robot's gripper

The HazProbe comes with an extensive range of bits, including hole saw, forstner, masonry core, carbide, and glass breaker.