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ONR Showcases Robotics, Intelligence, Weaponry and Other Naval Capabilities at Fleet Week New York

For Immediate Release: May 19, 2010

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) will sponsor interactive technology displays during the 23rd Annual Fleet Week New York. ONR personnel will be on hand throughout the week to introduce a human-like robot, walk visitors through a touch-screen display of the ship of the future, and demonstrate emergent technologies in infrared imaging, wireless surveillance and more. Visitors will learn about ONR’s educational programs, including SeaPerch and other ONR science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) efforts enriching K-12 curricula. Fleet Week New York, will take place May 26 – June 2, with Pier 88 closed May 30.

ONR featured technologies will be displayed on Piers 86 and 88 along the West Side Highway, between W. 47th and W. 53rd streets, New York, N.Y., and aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7).

ONR provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps’ technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries, 1,035 institutions of higher learning, and 914 industry partners. ONR employs approximately 1,400 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel.

Featured displays will include:

  • Octavia – This advanced mobile, dexterous, social (MDS) robot expresses humanlike facial expressions, uses her hands by gesturing and moving objects, and moves on wheels. She represents an evolution in the MDS class of robots that can be tasked to engage in teamwork with humans.
  • Power Rope Ascender – In live demonstrations, see how this hand-held tool allows for lifting and lowering payloads of up to 600 pounds at a speed of six feet per second. It can aid in the Navy’s operations to board enemy vessels, conduct helicopter extractions, move equipment remotely and deploy mountain warfare assault teams.
  • SeaPerch – This ONR-funded educational program teaches K-12 students how to build their own underwater robotic vehicles. See some of these robots in action and test them out in special pools as part of the child-friendly display.
  • Stalker Long-Range Sensor System – This high-definition sensor suite allows visual identification of small objects at great distances, day or night. It employs advanced electro-optics, infrared imaging and laser range-finding to improve viewing through clouds, fog and other disturbances, and can be used in anti-terror and anti-piracy operations to provide enhanced, long-range identification of threats.
  • Ship of the Future – This touch-screen display illustrates ONR's innovative science and technology programs in future naval concepts. Users can locate a given technology aboard ship, read narratives about its use, and see pictures or watch videos of technology at work.
  • LightSpeed Binoculars – Employing secure wireless optical and voice capabilities, LightSpeed’s video output can be linked to remote computing devices. The unit is capable of providing an emergency or temporary communications link.
  • Advanced Surface Ship Watertight Door – The door's design incorporates advanced high-speed laser cutting and welding in addition to an intricately engineered door seal. The door's cellular sandwich construction makes it 27 percent lighter than the existing Navy standard watertight door.
  • REMUS – Remote Environmental Monitoring Unit(s), or REMUS, is a low-cost autonomous underwater vehicle that is capable of rapid environmental surveys and underwater mine reconnaissance.
  • Electromagnetic Railgun – The railgun uses electricity, rather than chemical propellants, to launch projectiles in excess of 230 miles. See a model and find out how the technology has progressed since its record-setting fire in 2008.

Keep up to date with photos of events on Flickr at Flagship News and follow us on Twitter: @NavyPAO. Use hashtag: #fltwkny.

-USN-

About the Office of Naval Research

The Department of the Navy’s Office of Naval Research provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps’ technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 55 countries, 634 institutions of higher learning and nonprofit institutions, and more than 960 industry partners. ONR, through its commands, including headquarters, ONR Global and the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., employs more than 3,800 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel.