Robotic Vehicle Range

The Robotic Vehicle Range (RVR), located on Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico serves as home to the Mobile Robotics Department, a branch of Sandia National Laboratories' Intelligent Systems and Robotics Center (ISRC). Historically, this organization has developed and fabricated advanced robotic vehicles for surveillance and reconnaissance, accident response, environmental sensing, weapons delivery, security monitoring and testing, and hazardous material handling. Building on this expertise, behaviors such as self direction, collective intelligence, morphological self-assembly, self-learning, fault tolerance, and distributed cooperative control are being explored for intelligent, mobile, robotic systems. These investigations are inspiring innovative research and development efforts in the fields of micro-systems, autonomy, navigation, sensors, power systems, communication, and dynamic environments.

Established in 1986 near the base of the Manzano Mountains, the RVR is a unique 226 acre site containing both rolling hills and open desert terrain. An abundance of sunshine, low humidity, scant precipitation, and a wide, yet tolerable seasonal range of temperatures permit year round outside development and testing activities. Several improved dirt tracks, unimproved dirt trails, graveled areas, and an asphalt test pad provide realistic test surfaces for the evaluation and performance of mobile robotic systems. An office complex with conferencing and networking capabilities, two high bay labs, automotive garage, machine shop, communication tower, observation tower, storage buildings, and six assembly and test labs provide employees, customers, and visitors with on-site services and support.

Our Mission

The Mobile Robotics Department applies advanced technologies in engineering design, modeling, simulation, embedded computing, materials, power sources, and control theory to meet national needs requiring systems analysis and integration to rapidly engineer prototypes. Our capabilities emphasize intelligent systems, sensor utilization, command and control architectures, and human/machine interface systems to provide a full spectrum of research, development and application of mobile robots.

Our Vision

To be a preeminent national organization recognized for innovative practical mobile robots, a trusted advisor to government agencies, and a leading partner with industry.

Contact:
Jake Deuel
(505) 845-8122
email: jkdeuel@sandia.gov