Check this page often for the latest news about Engineering Services Inc. (ESI). Any additions or changes to this site will be listed on this What's New page as they occur.
April, 2009
Security and Defense Division
ESI was awarded the contract for Phase IV of an advanced Neck Support System designed specially for helicopter pilots.
March, 2009
Medical Robotics Group
The team composed of Dr. Trachtenberg's group (Princess Margaret Hospital - Prostate Center), Dr. Kucharczyk's group (Toronto General Hospital - Medical Imaging Department) and Engineering Services Inc. (ESI) successfully performed an ISI demo for the full MRI-guided operational sequence on a realistic prostate phantom with the MRI-P robot at the TGH-MRI facility.
Mobile Robots Division
ESI has delivered an MR-7 EOD (Emergency Ordinance Device) robot for counter-terrorism deployment in Southeast Asia. The MR-7 robot will be used for handling improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other suspicious packages. ESI has deployed more than 200 robot systems worldwide.
ESI's Mobile Robots Division is in the early stages of developing a new mobile robot fleet that will be unveiled in early 2010, with the financial support of Precarn Incorporated. The mobile robots will be used in military, law enforcement, R&D and civilian applications. The end user will be able to rapidly customize to meet their requirements.
Security and Defense Division
The Urban Security Suite (USS) software has been upgraded to be Unicode compatible and now works with newer versions of AutoCAD, such as 2007 to 2009. A new GUI has been added with dockable tree-structure to set up and show scene models – it is more user-friendly than before.
February, 2009
Medical Robotics Group
The Medical Group of ESI's Robotics and Automation division has been performing experiments for the full MRI-guided operational sequence on a gel phantom with the MRI-P robot (to be used in non-invasive prostate cancer surgery). The experiments have been focused on: ablation/imaging, targeting and integration of the entire intervention on the current agar phantom.
Mobile Robots Division
U.S. Patent #7,493,976 was awarded to ESI on Feb 24 2009 for the invention of a Variable Configuration Articulated Tracked Vehicle.
ESI is in the final stages of assembly for an MR-7 EOD robot for use by the Thai government. The MR-7 is a compact robot that fits in tight spaces yet maintains the full functionality of its larger counterparts.
ESI has partnered with the RCMP and Ryerson University to advance its mobile modular robots systems. The development is partially funded by Precarn. The concept will allow end users to specify desirable features and the mobile robot system will be built form stock sub components with minimal lead time.
Security and Defense Division
ESI's Security and Defense Division delivered 25 copies of its MBEES software (without fragment module) to a Canadian military school.
January, 2009
New Track-Wheels for Robots
Tracked, stair-climbing robots are becoming more sure-footed, thanks to advances in trackwheel mechanics.
Edited by Leland Teschler
Machine Design magazine
When you happen upon a suspicious package sitting on the side of an Iraqi road, a remotely operated tracked vehicle can come in handy.
That’s one reason these devices have captured the imagination of defense contractors and robotics students alike. But it’s tricky to design robots able to ascend and descend stairs and slopes, cross ditches, surmount obstacles, and generally operate over rough terrain, all while moving forward or backward, or turning.
On this score, the state-of-the-art for mobile robot mechanics is still advancing. The latest improvement comes from Andrew Goldenberg, a professor at the University of Toronto and director of the University’s Robotics and Automation Lab. Goldenberg says one advantage of his design is that it can flip over and perform as well in that orientation, if need be. His design also adapts to different terrain in real time. Moreover, the basic design can scale up or down for smaller and larger mobile robots, he says.
Read the rest of the article here.
Mobile Robot Division
ESI is in the final assembly phase of a customized MR7 EOD robot for the Thai Army for delivery in early March.
The Mobile Robot team has begun the work on the Precarn project. Design plans are currently under way for what is anticipated to be a precedent-setting tactical robot.
Medical Robotics Group
The medical robotics group of ESI’s Robotics and Automation division launched Phase 3 of the development of the MR image-guided robot for prostatic interventions. This phase also involves the Manual Instrumented Focal Ablation Tool system (MIFAT) Phase 2. MIFAT functions within the trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) image-guided and laser-based prostate cancer treatment.
Security & Defense Division
The division is working on integrating structures, such as a new type of observation posts and barriers, into Military Infrastructure Blast Analysis software. An order from Ottawa for 25 copies is anticipated very soon.
Upgrading of the Urban Security Suite (USS) software to be Unicode compatible so it will work with the latest version of AutoCAD and other GIS programs is near completion. The conceptual design is under way of a light version of USS that is designed for security or emergency response teams to execute quick estimation and planning in urgent situations.
December, 2008
Medical Robotics Group
The group has successfully completed Phase 2 of MRI-P and Phase 1 of MIFAT. They demonstrated the concept and technical viability of the Manual Instrumented Focal Ablation Tool (MIFAT) in a gel phantom at Toronto’s Princess Margaret Hospital. Work on Phase 3 of MRI-P (Canine Tests) and Phase 2 of MIFAT will continue in 2009.
Mobile Robots Division
ESI’s Mobile Robot Division has received a contract from Precarn Associates Ltd. for the development of a new generation of small mobile robots for security and defense. The work will be done in collaboration with the RCMP, Explosive Technology Division, and Ryerson University. The work is co-funded by ESI. The project has one-year duration.
Security and Defense Division
ESI’s Security & Defense Division has completed a series of upgrades to the software package URBEX - Urban Security Suite. The work continues in 2009.
Within the Security & Defense Division, the development of MBEES (defense work) has been extended.
The Security & Defense Division has a new collaborative project with the University of Toronto to start in April 2009 on the development of a laser-based gas sensor. The work will be co-funded by Ontario Centers of Excellence (OCE) and ESI for two years.
November, 2008
ESI Among Recipients of $2.5 Million in R&D Funding to Boost Manufacturing Innovation
Mobile Robots Division
ESI’s Mobile Robots Division has received an order for one MR-7 EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) robot. Equipped with an arm and a disruptor, the robot will assist security personnel in neutralizing bombs and other suspect packages, and is to be delivered in early 2009.
Security and Defense Division
ESI shipped the first nine copies of the MBEES standalone program to DRDC since the project started. Among these copies, five copies will go to the US. The software is packaged using Autodesk OEM technology.
The work to redesign BEAS (Blast Effect Analysis and Simulation) has begun. The program will work with Autodesk 3D Map 2009, Architectural 2009 or AutoCAD 2009. New user interface and features such as interface with GIS, Google Earth and new functions such as Web-based application will be implemented.
Medical Robotics Group
The medical robotics group of ESI’s Robotics and Automation division successfully performed integrated experiments with MRI-guided surgical robot targeting, laser heat delivery, and MR temperature mapping at Toronto General Hospital this month. The experimental results were very promising.
The medical robotics group has completed the software integration for MRI and ultrasound image-fusion, and the best path of the needle insertion. The software is used for the Manual Instrumented Focal Ablation Tool (MIFAT).
October, 2008
ESI Robotics & Automation Division ships robotic arms; medical group continues development on MRI-guided surgical robot
ESI's Robotics and Automation division has completed and shipped two robotic arms to Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL). These CVI tools are for internal inspection and removal of debris from CANDU nuclear reactors. ESI is continuing work with AECL on providing on-site support for these tools during operation.
The medical group that is part of ESI's Robotics and Automation division is actively developing its MRI-guided surgical robot for use with prostate cancer patients. The first complete system integration test of the robot and laser has been concluded. Successful demonstrations at Princess Margaret Hospital have also taken place this month.
The medical group is also making progress with development on the Manual Instrumented Focal Ablation Tool (MIFAT). Progress has been made with MRI and ultrasound image-fusion software. The software will help doctors to see prostate tumors on an Ultrasound in real-time image during surgery. The tool will be ready for testing in early November.
ESI Security & Defense Division adds new functionality to Forced Protection Expert System
ESI's Security and Defense Division has developed a new function to add fragment loading and response to battle field military structures. This has been implemented and integrated into the Forced Protection Expert System. It is anticipated that this project will be extended to allow for new structures and their blast loading and responses such as Jersey barriers and camp grounds.
Also within ESI's Security and Defense Division, a new interface has been integrated into an urban blast expert system to simulate blast accidents in an urban environment. The new interface will read Google Earth (GE) data files. For more information on this project, please see Security and Defense Products on this Web site.
ESI Mobile Robots Division completes training and commissioning of MR-7 robot to be stationed in Tajikistan
ESI has just completed the training and commissioning of our MR-7 robot. The robot is deployed with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The robot will be used for neutralizing EOD's and IED devices located during regular border patrols. The robot is stationed in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The US patent application for ESI's LMA small robot has officially been allowed.
September, 2008
ESI Security and Defense Division completes neck brace modules
ESI's Security and Defense division has completed design and fabrication of several new neck brace modules using shape memory alloy (SMA). The power requirement of these modules has been substantially reduced.
ESI Mobile Robots Division finishes conceptual design for hybrid tracked vehicle
ESI's Mobile Robots division has finished the conceptual design of a novel Hybrid Tracked Vehicle (HTV) for defense applications.
August, 2008
ESI Security and Defense Division continues work on neck support unit
ESI's Security and Defense division continues work on optimization of the neck support unit using shape memory alloy. Mechanical design of the module is finished. Control circuit is under development. The DAQ system has been developed for performance analysis.
July, 2008
Hybrid Tracked Vehicle (HTV) mobile robot development commences
ESI's Mobile Robots division has begun the development of a novel Hybrid Tracked Vehicle (HTV) for civilian and security defense applications.
Click here to get more of the latest updates on ESI’s Mobile Robot products.
June, 2008
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Dr. Goldenberg spoke at Robots 2008 in Boston on June 12, 2008. He spoke on the subject “New Mobility Technology for Robots.” Commercially, there are well established technologies of locomotion for mobile robots. Most of these technologies have been developed for urban terrain. A number of technologies have been developed in laboratories, but have not reached the commercial market. Two new, proven technologies of mobility over unstructured terrain were introduced in this session. |
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New mobile robot developments
Assembly of a robotic system to inspect and retrieve debris from CANDU nuclear reactors is in progress. ESI’s Robotics & Automation division is preparing to ship its most recent CVI tool within the next six weeks.
ESI’s Mobile Robots division has completed the development of a Small New Mobile Robot (LMA-XBot) with high mobility and a compact transmission system. This robot, produced for Foster Miller Inc., will be used in defense applications.
ESI’s MR7 EOD robot was shipped over seas for use by security forces in the Middle East.
Steady progress is being made by ESI’s Mobile Robots Division with the MRI-P project. ESI has developed a mobile robot compatible with Magnetic Resonance Imaging for use in prostate surgery. Demonstrations of the full needle insertion and water-cooled power laser ablation with the MRI-P robot in an MR environment were performed for donors at Toronto General Hospital.
Development continues on neck support device
ESI’s Security and Defense division has begun further development and optimization of their neck support device. The design concept using smart materials is under way.
May, 2008
Blast analysis software to be used in training
A Canadian military school is set to purchase 20 to 30 copies of the MBEES Military Infrastructure Blast Analysis software to use as a training course.
New gas sensor development
ESI, the University of Toronto, and the Ontario Centers of Excellence are starting collaboration on a 2-year program of development of a new generation of gas sensors.
April, 2008
Business development in China
ESI has made business contacts in the People’s Republic of China for collaboration in educational robotics and mobile robotics.
Further development on MRI-guided surgical robot
ESI’s Robotics & Automation division has completed the conceptual design of the MRI-P’s (Prostate Surgical Robot for MRI compatibility) trocar unit to incorporate a water cooling catheter.
New mobile robot for defense applications
ESI’s Mobile Robots division has completed the machining of a new mobile robot for defense applications. Work continues on integration.
ESI Active Materials group working on heat-sensing fabric
ESI’s Active Materials division is working on a heating-actuating-sensing (HASCO) fabric which composes smart materials and heating substrates.