Honeybee Robotics approach to technology development and infusion

Abstract

Honeybee Robotics has benefited from multiple commercialization successes associated with the federal SBIR program. In this paper, we will present a number of case studies on successful technology development and infusion, including development of 2003 Mars Exploration Rover Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT), 2007 NASA Mars Phoenix Lander Icy Soil Acquisition Deice (ISAD), 2011 Mars Science Laboratory Rover Sample manipulation System (SMS) and excavation systems for NASA Lunar Surface Systems and DoD. The paper addresses the commercial benefits of each of the technologies, and also describes how we identified opportunities in other federal organizations and commercial partners and what steps were required to successfully spin it off into other markets. We also describe a step-by-step approach to technology developed at Honeybee Robotics and describe the path required for infusing technology into space missions or different applications.