Like robots? Then you’ll love these pics from a new military robotics lab

The U.S. Navy has just taken the wraps off a sexy new robotics facility. The bots created and refined there will be automated wonders, some of them amphibious, some able to fight fires or fly, and ever so much more.

The Naval Research Laboratory has opened its Laboratory for Autonomous Systems Research (LASR — see what they did there?), what the Navy is calling the “nerve system” for research on autonomous robotics to help the Navy and Marine Corps in their missions and to get new robotic tech to the front line as soon as possible, according to a statement released by NRL today.

LASR will be home to researchers working in intelligent autonomy, sensor systems, power and energy systems, human-system interaction, networking and communications, and platforms.

Some of the bots being built at LASR include small autonomous air and ground vehicles, at least one swimming bot, and specialized robots for fighting fires aboard ships.

Yes, we say with a measure of impatience, but can they sing and dance? The Navy’s number-one export to date is, in our book, singing and dancing sailors, and it’d take a heck of a robot to top that.

The new, $17.7 million dollar facility got its official ribbon-cutting ceremony just two weeks ago, nearly two years after ground was initially broken on the site. The facility includes a wide range of environments for testing, from simulated deserts and rainforests to a 45-by-25-foot pool with a wave generator capable of producing directional waves.

The Navy said the number and type of research robotics projects will increase as researchers register to use the new LASR facility.

“It’s the first time that we have, under a single roof, a laboratory that captures all the domains in which our Sailors, Marines and fellow DOD service members operate,” said Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder, chief of naval research, in today’s release. “Advancing robotics and autonomy are top priorities for the Office of Naval Research. We want to reduce the time it takes to deliver capability to our warfighters performing critical missions. This innovative facility bridges the gap between traditional laboratory research and in-the-field experimentation-saving us time and money.”

Here are some images of the robots and their new home:

LASR Robotics Lab: Desert Environment LASR facility shots taken for Heather Miller, SPECTRA spring 2012, Desert High Bay
LASR Robotics Lab The Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., opens the Laboratory for Autonomous Systems Research (LASR), a nerve center for autonomy research for the Navy and Marine Corps. The one-of-a-kind laboratory provides specialized facilities to support highly innovative research in intelligent autonomy, sensor systems, power and energy systems, human-system interaction, networking and communications, and platforms. (U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams/Released)
LASR Robotics Lab The Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., opens the Laboratory for Autonomous Systems Research (LASR), a nerve center for autonomy research for the Navy and Marine Corps. The one-of-a-kind laboratory provides specialized facilities to support highly innovative research in intelligent autonomy, sensor systems, power and energy systems, human-system interaction, networking and communications, and platforms. (U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams/Released)
LASR Robotics Lab LASR facade taken for Donna McKinney, to be used for news releases, social media, NRL web page, Labstracts, etc.
LASR Robotics Lab Capt. Stewart with Lucas and Quad. NRL's LASR has ten Ascending Technologies Pelican quadrotor mini air vehicles. Equipped with Vicon tracking markers, a GPS receiver, Hokuyo 2D lidar and one or two uEye cameras with replaceable lenses, they are capable of autonomous flight indoors and out. With their built-in stability augmentation system, they are easy for a relative novice to operate and provide a very stable platform for a variety of sensing missions. (Greg Trafton/caption)
LASR Robotics Lab: The Pool 120316-N-PO203-146 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar. 16, 2012) The Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., opens the Laboratory for Autonomous Systems Research (LASR), a nerve center for autonomy research for the Navy and Marine Corps. The one-of-a-kind laboratory provides specialized facilities to support highly innovative research in intelligent autonomy, sensor systems, power and energy systems, human-system interaction, networking and communications, and platforms. (U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams/Released)
LASR Robotics Lab: Rainforest Environment LASR tropical high bay, These images were taken for Heather Miller for use in SPECTRA
LASR Robotics Lab The Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., opens the Laboratory for Autonomous Systems Research (LASR), a nerve center for autonomy research for the Navy and Marine Corps. The one-of-a-kind laboratory provides specialized facilities to support highly innovative research in intelligent autonomy, sensor systems, power and energy systems, human-system interaction, networking and communications, and platforms. (U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams/Released)