The NASA Software, Robotics, and Simulation Division at The NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas is conducting a one-week,  hands-on robotics workshop for bomb technicians selected by the United States Department of Defense Combating Terrorism Technical  Support Office (CTTSO).  The workshop includes a challenge of specific interest to CTTSO for which participants will attempt to conquer with rapid and inexpensive robotic solutions.

Four teams, of about ten members each, comprised of bomb technicians, NASA engineers, and seasoned robotics students will have five days to analyze the given challenge, prototype solutions, design a robot, manufacture parts, create software, integrate their robot,  test their robot, upgrade their robot,  and execute the mission to conquer the challenge.  The challenge will be difficult, the hours will be long, the failures will be many, the results will be satisfying … bomb technicians learning how to build & use robots for their real-world challenges, bomb technicians learning what is possible using inexpensive robots, NASA learning the challenges of bomb technicians who are combating terrorism, agencies helping agencies … AND, hopefully, great solutions that will help bomb technicians all over The World do their most difficult jobs more safely and effectively!