SB1341-16-RQ-0175_Attachment_2__Brand_Name_Justification_(Ref_16-01836).pdf

Brand Name Justification

Solicitation Number SB1341‐16‐RQ‐0175

The Intelligent System Division (ISD) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) develops, advances and deploys measurement science and standards to speed development, adoption, and integration of leading‐edge intelligent technologies to advance U.S. manufacturing. Applying measurement science and standards to the area of diagnostics and prognostics related to robotic manufacturing operations is one of these areas.

Developing measurement science to advance collaborative robot technologies and manufacturing operations requires the development and upkeep of a relevant testbest of industrial collaborative robotic systems. These robotic technologies must adhere to strict specifications to adequately support the necessary research while maintaining their relevance to industrial applications, and complying with national and international safety standards.

A key component of ongoing collaborative robot research involves the development of performance and safety standards for "mobile manipulators," industrial robots physically attached to and collaboratively working with mobile robotic bases. Currently, Universal Robot‐brand UR‐5 and a UR‐10s are being borrowed from an associated robot testbed. That testbed needs these robots returned, and the mobile manipulator work is still ongoing. A Universal Robots UR‐5 robot system and a UR‐10 robot system are need in order to replace the robots being returned. Current and future test methods utilize software and artifacts specifically designed for these two robots. The purchase of these two Universal Robots‐brand, robot systems will enable the continued development and support of research aimed at addressing measurement science challenges currently hindering the emergence and advancement of collaborative robotics in flexible manufacturing operations.

If systems other than Universal Robots‐brand UR‐5 and UR‐10 are procured, NIST's mission in addressing measurement science challenges related to collaborative robotics and mobile manipulators will be hindered. Additional resources, time, and cost will be required to sufficiently integrate the robots into the testbed and ensure compatibility with existing software libraries and robotic systems, research will be set back by several months. No other robot platforms are compatible with the software currently being used. Similarly, selecting robotic systems that do not conform to the specified national and international safety standards introduces unnecessary safety risks to research staff who will be working with the robots.