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Services

The NERVE Center provides testing and prototyping services. Testing services can be performed in-house or in-situ for evaluation outside of the center.

YCB Objects including household items, dishes, tools, balls

YCB Object Sets

The NERVE Center provides YCB Object Sets, a standard set of objects used for benchmarking robotic manipulation.

The set consists of common objects of varying shapes, sizes, textures, weight, rigidity, and some widely used manipulation tests.

Apply Online For The YCB Object Set

Robot manipulating a gear on the NIST-ATB #1

NIST Assembly Task Boards

The NERVE Center provides NIST Assembly Task Boards, which are designed to quantify a robot system’s grasping, manipulation, and perception capabilities when used in small parts assembly operations.

Task board #1 evaluates competencies such as peg insertion, gear meshing, electrical connector insertions, and nut threading. 

Apply Online For NIST Assembly Task Board #1

Test and Evaluation Services

The NERVE Center testing services can be procured by either using the Core Research Facility (CRF) system or through grants and contracts.

For hourly usage of the NERVE Center's testing resources, the university's Core Research Facility (CRF) system is used to reserve testing time. Up to two users may perform testing at the NERVE Center simultaneously. Resources include:

  • Test Courses: The NERVE Center provides test courses, apparatuses, and environments to use for robot testing and operator training. Available apparatuses include standard test methods specified through ASTM E54.09 for response robots (mobility, maneuvering, dexterity, sensors) and ASTM F45 for industrial mobile vehicles (navigation, obstacle avoidance). Custom test apparatuses and environments can be fabricated for an additional fee.
  • Consulting/Custom Build:  The NERVE Center staff can provide additional services such as consulting for test plan design, IRB protocol development, and the construction of custom test apparatuses. Additional fees for materials and supplies may be added, if applicable.
  • MAP Labs Resources: Utilize the available biometric sensors and equipment, including AMTI Force Plates, Motek M-Gait Instrumented Treadmill, APDM Opal Wearable IMUs, Cosmed K5 Metabolic Measurement, Equivital Heart Rate, Motion Analysis Camera Motion Capture, and Biopac EMG. 

Onsite testing at the NERVE Center is available as service use (NERVE staff assists to facilitate testing, collect data, record video) or self use (client conducts testing on their own). Offsite testing available with additional fees for travel and any costs for offsite location rental. 

Costs for services are listed on the Core Research Facility (CRF) website for industry users. Please e-mail Adam Norton - email: adam_norton@uml.edu - to inquire about government and academic rates. Before booking, e-mail to review test plans and scope.