Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Manipulation and Mobility Systems Group

The Manipulation and Mobility Systems Group develops, advances, and deploys measurement science for intelligent robotic systems used in manufacturing and construction applications. Carries out mission-related measurement science research and services to advance: high performance servomechanisms; electromechanical devices and actuators; sensor-based manipulation; micro/nanoscale systems; mobility and navigation; and intelligent controls.

News and Updates

Projects and Programs

Department of Homeland Security Response Robot Performance Standards

Ongoing
The Intelligent Systems Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is conducting an ongoing project, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate and the National Institute of Justice, to produce a comprehensive set of standard test methods

Digital Twins and Emerging Technologies for SME Workcells

Ongoing
Objective To identify opportunities for and barriers to greater adoption of robotics by small manufacturers, and to establish the metrology bases needed for assessing, accepting, and advancing novel technologies that meet the current and emerging needs of small- and medium-sized manufacturers

Grasping, Manipulation, and Contact Safety Performance of Robotic Systems

Ongoing
Objective To provide performance metrics, test methods, and associated measurement tools to support next-generation robotic systems having human-like dexterity and force control characteristics. Technical Idea The force sensing and compliance capabilities used in collaborative robots to prevent

Publications

The Need for Reproducible Research in Soft Robotics

Author(s)
Andrew Spielberg, Jeremy Marvel, Dylan Shah, Jennifer Case, Robert Baines
To avoid facing a reproducibility crisis that will undermine the recent rapid pace of research and hamper widespread adoption, the field of soft robotics needs

FY24 Soft Robotics Report

Author(s)
Jennifer Case, Jeremy Marvel
Advances in robotics research have begun incorporating non-traditional materials, such as rubbers and elastomers, into the structure of robots giving them new

Tools and Instruments

Manufacturing Robotics Testbed

The NIST manufacturing robotics test bed consists of several labs located in three buildings on the main NIST campus. Combined, these serve as a resource for

Robotics Test Facility

Located on the NIST Gaithersburg campus, the Robotics Test Facility – also known as Building 207 – is a laboratory for developing standard test methods of

Awards