Technology Commercialization Opportunity
Robotic Caddie

Researchers at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at Point Magu, CA and the Golf Group of America through a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) have developed a remote controlled robotic golf bag carrier that includes a Global Positioning System (GPS). This robotic caddie offers golfers an alternative to driving around in a golf cart or dragging a cumbersome golf bag carrier behind them. The robotic caddie is powered by a battery that lasts 36 holes, travels at a speed of four miles per hour, and holds two golf bags. The onboard GPS system allows golf course operators to know where each caddie is on the course and in the future will be used to navigate the caddies around the course.

In order to prevent the robotic caddie from hitting other players or obstacles, a sonar sensor is used to stop the robot seven feet away. The caddie also gives golfers accurate distances from their ball to the green using a laser powered DMR Ranger Finder. In the future, GPS technology that is curently used at Point Magu will be adapted to track lost balls after they are hit, and to tell the golfer the distance from the pin to the green. Besides its recreational uses this same technology is being developed to detect shallow water and land mines, for police departments as a nonhuman alternative in terrorist or hostage situations, and for disabled persons as a shopping aid in stores and malls.

The robotic caddie is based on Global Positioning System, sonar, and advanced battery technologies developed by the Navy for military use. The GPS tracking system that is used on the Point Mugu missile range is being used to show golf course opperators where the caddie is at, track lost balls after they are hit, and to tell the golfer the distance from the pin to the green. Each robotic caddie uses a forward sonar sensor to prevent it from running into objects or people. Advanced battery technology is used to power a one half horesepower motor with a maximum speed of four miles per hour for at least 36 holes. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Golf Group of America at (310) 553-8130.

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Potential Commercial Uses

• May be useful for golfers who desire the exercise of walking without the pain of carrying their golf bags.
  
• May be useful golf course opperators who want to keep track of where golfers are on the course.
  
• May be useful for detecting shallow water and land mines.
  
• May be useful to police departments as a non-human alternative in terrorist/hostage situations.
  
• May be useful as a robotic remote sensing device for detecting hazardous matterials and gasses.
  
• May be useful to people with disabilities as a shopping aide in stores and malls.

Benefits

• Environmentally Friendly
  
• Remote Controlled
  
• On Board GPS System
  
• Long Battery Life
  
• Built In Sonar Safety Features
  
• Powerful Motor Capable of All Terrains

Options for Commercialization

The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at Point Mugu is curently seeking partnerships with industries to further develop other non-recreational applications for the robotic caddie. The Naval Air Warfare Center is continuing to develop and pilot test novel applications for this invention, and is curently in search of partners to market and further commercialize this concept. Liscensing opportunities are available for the development and the manufacture of other applications using this technology.

Contact

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division
Dr. Mike Sullivan, Office of Research and Technology Applications
Code 529120E
521 Ninth Street
Point Mugu, CA 93042
Phone: (805) 989-9208 Fax: (805) 989-7855

http://happy.mugu.navy.mil/TT/

Keywords

Transportation, Environmental, Medical, Robotic Caddie, Remote Controlled