The technical goal of this revolutionary challenge is to develop ground robots that can support complex tasks in dangerous, degraded, human-engineered environments typical of disaster response scenarios. These robots should be capable of supporting first responders in emergency situations. TORC Robotics is leading a multi-national and multi-disciplinary effort to develop advanced control software and Human-Robot Interfaces that will enable sliding autonomy for a humanoid robot. If successful, these systems will be deployed as part of the Challenge on the Atlas humanoid robot platform being developed by Boston Dynamics for DARPA.

Having served TORC’s industrial computing needs since 2011, CCS quickly learned of the companies’ involvement in the DARPA challenge. Eager to assist TORC in this effort to support disaster relief, CCS volunteered to become a sponsor of Team ViGIR. “I am confident that we can offer the technical expertise and service needed to increase the team’s chances of success,” said Marty Muscatello, President and CEO of CCS-Inc.

After CCS and TORC met to discuss the challenge requirements, the group identified the need for two separate hardware solutions: one to power simulation applications and another to run the complex human robotics software being developed. “In a competition like this, there is no room for error. We knew that we could not use a standard product, so we chose to design and build several systems that were tailored to meet the exact needs of Team ViGIR,” explained Jonathan Couch, CCS Engineering Manager.

Built on Intel® Core™ i7 3770 technology, the solutions created have 8GB or 16GB RAM, depending on the application. A high-performance EVGA GeForce GTX 690 video card was added to those systems built for high speed parallel processing.

Michael Fleming, CEO of TORC, expressed his satisfaction with CCS’ sponsorship: “We have been impressed by the flexibility CCS has shown in the design process. Thanks to CCS, we have a dependable hardware solution that will allow our team to focus its efforts on the software being developed.”

CCS has delivered nearly 1,000 Globestar marine computers with field failures of less than 1 percent.

With improved performance and more features than its predecessor, the GS Odyssey III is built to set the standard for shipboard computing solutions. In addition to Intel® Core™ i7 performance, the GS Odyssey III offers multiple I/O ports and expansion slots as well as an optional removable storage bay and a slim chassis.

“As a key partner to shipping companies contributing to global trade and armed forces patrolling the seas, we’re delighted to expand our full line of marine computers, displays and accessories,” said Marty Muscatello, President and CEO of CCS-Inc.

The GS Odyssey III features a 19-inch aluminum rackmount chassis with 17-inch depth and runs on Windows XP Professional or Windows 7. Additional specs are available at: http://www.ccs-inc.com/portfolio/computers-profile/gs-odyssey-iii.

The concept began on the floor of PACK EXPO 2011, a major trade show for the processing and packaging industry. Factory owners, machine builders, and systems integrators at the show complained that they felt restricted by the leading proprietary technology and disappointed with the quality of support being offered. CCS recognized a need in the marketplace for a more cost-effective panel PC for HMI applications.  The Seppala-T, developed in less than a year through a partnership with InduSoft, is available pre-loaded with InduSoft Web Studio HMI software, an easy-to-use SCADA application designed for turning data into high-yield production.

“Seppala-T – named for sled dogs that work as a team in harsh conditions with high endurance – is not just a solution for the factory floor. It’s a model of how teams came together to turn a problem into a solution,” said Marty Muscatello, president and CEO.

The package includes an import wizard, which enables the solution to easily replace proprietary legacy systems. Available in 10-, 12-, and 15-inch models, this rugged computer has a touchscreen display built on Intel® Atom™ technology. The Seppala-T utilizes solid state drives and a fanless configuration, enhancing reliability and durability. Capable of withstanding harsh conditions, the Seppala-T’s front panel is IP-65 compliant and designed to meet NEMA 4/4x standards.  The unit has also passed InduSoft’s hardware certification testing.

“InduSoft is delighted to partner with CCS to develop a dependable, user-friendly unit that helps factories focus on what they do best,” said Andre Bastos, Vice President of Quality Assurance, InduSoft.

The Seppala-T panel PC is available now. For more information, please visit www.ccs-inc.com/portfolio/computers-profile/seppala-t or contact the CCS Team for help determining the most suitable feature set.

CCS is proud to announce that its newest fanless workstation, the ADDAX-i, has been selected as a finalist for the contest. Built on Intel® Core™ i5/i7 technology with up to 8 GB RAM, the ADDAX-i offers workstation class performance in a rugged and compact chassis.

Interested in voting for the ADDAX-i? North American print and digital edition subscribers may click here to vote among the 2012 Engineers' Choice Award Finalists. Voting is open now through noon (CST) on December 15, 2011.

Built on Intel® Core™ i5/i7 technology with up to 8 GB RAM, the ADDAX-i offers workstation class performance in a rugged and compact chassis. It is ideal for harsh industrial environments where extreme temperatures, air particulates, and vibration can wreak havoc on standard commercial computers, as well as tight spaces too small for these systems.

Fanless computers are frequently specified for their durability and enhanced reliability. With few or no moving parts, they are less susceptible to mechanical failure. Traditionally they are relegated to more basic computing roles because, as processing capabilities increase, the heat produced becomes more and more difficult to manage without forced airflow. The engineering team at CCS-Inc. addressed this limitation in the high-performance ADDAX-i by designing a specialized heat dissipation system. The unit is rated to operate in temperatures ranging from 0 to 55 degrees Celsius.

Numerous product options allow the ADDAX-i to be optimized for its particular function. The two storage drive bays can be equipped with two hard disk drives for maximum storage, dual solid-state drives in a RAID 0 configuration for maximum speed, or a pair of removable solid-state drives in a mirrored RAID 1 setup for extreme reliability. PCI, PCI-e, and MiniPCI-e expansion slots are also available for various I/O requirements.

The ADDAX-I Fanless Workstation is available now. For more information, please visit www.ccs-inc.com/portfolio/computers-profile/addax-i or contact the CCS Team for help determining the most suitable feature set.

For more information or to join CSIA, visit www.controlsys.org.

Read the excerpt below to learn more on how CCS provided a custom solution for the issues that Sara Lee Food & Beverage faced in its production facilities:

Check out the full article here.