Shaping the Future: Army Robotics and Autonomous Systems · PDF fileU.S. ARMY TANK AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER Shaping the Future: Army Robotics and Autonomous

U.S. ARMY TANK AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER

Shaping the Future:

Army Robotics and Autonomous Systems March 2016

Dr. Bob SadowskiArmy Chief Roboticist

TARDEC Ground Vehicle Robotics

UNCLASSIFIED: Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.




Perspective

• WWII Photos From Wikipedia

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Shaping the Future

Strategic References

Art of the Possible

30-Year Strategy

Survivability Electronic ArchitecturePower and Energy Autonomy Force ProjectionSoftware Human Interface

Vehicle Data Network

Data Network (Unclassified)

Data Network (Classified)

Cross

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Access Point

(IEEE 802.11) [Transmits

Diagnostic and Logistics

Data in Garrison]

360

Situation

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Cameras

Mast

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Sensors Pow

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Reconnaissance

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Vehicles

Only on

Commander’s

Vehicles

Near Term

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(NTDR) or Joint

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Modeling and Simulation Advanced Concepts

Modular Flexible

AdaptableSmart

The future will be characterized by:

• Complex operational environments

• Broad range of engagements

• Proliferation of advanced technologies

• Fiscal austerity

4

EfficientExpeditionary

Autonomy-EnabledLethal



Driving the Army’s FutureKey Themes of both TARDEC’s Strategy and AOC

• Modular Adaptable, & Flexible Platforms

• Capability, not Equipment Focused

• Expeditionary Force

TARDEC authored S&T portion of the RAS

• Prioritizes robotics and autonomous systems

(RAS) requirements across all formations

• Integrates RAS as an a key to the Army’s

differential advantage over adversaries

TARDEC’s 30-Year Strategy

TARDEC’s Strategy has direct influence on the Army’s Future Operational and Material Strategies

Future Combat Vehicle Concepts

Unmanned Convoys

Unmanned Main Battle Tank Concepts

TARDEC authored the follow sections of CVMS:• Combat Vehicle 101

• Science & Technology Prioritization and Insertion Criteria

• Integrating Robotic and Autonomous Systems Technology in Combat Vehicle Modernization.

Air Deployable, Modular Platforms

MPF

FFV

AOC = Army Operating Concept

RAS = Robotic and Autonomous Strategy

CVMS = Combat Vehicle Modernization Strategy

MPF = Mobile Protected Firepower

FFV = Future Fighting Vehicle

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2020

2025

2035

Autonomous Systems Strategic Capability Progression

Combined Arms Maneuver (2030-2035)

Autonomous Convoy Operations (2020-2025)

Unmanned Air Systems Autonomy (2020)

Synergistic Unmanned-Manned Intelligent Teaming (SUMIT)(2020-2025)

Dynamic Force & Mission Autonomy (2030-2040+)

Extend the Reach of the Warfighter (2020)

2015Active Safety Driver Assist Appliqué Kits (2015)

Near Term Capabilities:

Leader Follower Convoy Technology Employment

Autonomous Mobility Applique System (AMAS)

Lighten the Soldier load Enhance stand-off from threats and

improve situational awareness

Mid Term Capabilities:

Improve the autonomy of unmanned systems

Enable unmanned cargo delivery Act as a “teammates” rather than tools Micro autonomous air/ground systems

will enhance Platoon, Squad, and Soldier situational awareness.

2020

Far Term Capabilities:

Enable manned and unmanned teaming in both air and ground maneuver through scalable sensors, scalable teaming, Soldier-robot communication, and shared understanding through advancements in machine learning.

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“Adapt, Evolve, and Innovate”



Robotics Community of Practice (CoP)

Robotics CoP Members

Robotics CoP

• Subterranean/Megacity

• Cybersecurity

Autonomy COI

Ground & Sea Platform COI

Joint Ground

Robotics Enterprise

• Office of Science and Technology Policy (National Robotics Initiative)

• National Aerospace and Science Administration

• Department of Energy

• Deportation of Transportation

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

• Michigan DOT

Other GovernmentOSD

Academia

Parallel Army S&T Efforts

Primarily S&T with Combat/Materiel Developer Representation

International

Industry

Robotics CoP is responsible for managing implementation of the

Army RAS S&T Annex.

Tasked to have:• Visibility of Ongoing RAS Efforts• Develop/Refine Roadmaps• Keep RAS Demonstration &

Experimentation Schedule • Develop Transition Plans• Establish & Maintain Linkages

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Achieving Army RAS Capability

Develop, demonstrate, and transition tactically and operationally relevant RAS capability across Army formations supporting the warfighting functions and informing future requirements by leveraging Govt, academic, international, and industrial partners enabling the strategic effects elicited in the AOC.

OBJECTIVE

x6x4

IFVs providing unmanned vehicle supervision

Unmanned LOS/BLOS

Manned TankIFV

Air Ops

Dismounted Ops

Sustainment Ops

Mounted Ops

Operational Enablers

FRIENDLY ZONE

Manned Recon

Unmanned Recons

Micro Robotic Recons

UAS Recon

ENEMY SECTOR

ROS-M

IOP

Autonomy COI

Ground & Sea Platform COI

Joint Ground Robotics Enterprise

OSD

Academia

International

Industry

Robotics CoP

Acquisition

TRADOC



OSD Accelerated Autonomous Convoy Technologies

Beginning with the DARPA Grand Challenges and AMAS JCTD

2006-2012

Army S&T Convoy Active

Safety Technologies

2012-2014AMAS: Autonomous Mobility Applique System

Joint Capability Technology Demonstrator

Tech Development /

System Concepts

System Design / Fabrication / System Test and Evaluations

Ongoing - FuturePotential Future Programs: Leader/Follower and Autonomous Convoy Operations

Inform feasible and achievable Requirements development for future capabilities

Informs performance specifications for Future Programs of Record (PoR)

2008-2012

USMC S&T Cargo UGV

Driver Warning / Driver Assist

TeleoperationWayPoint

Leader/Follower

Driver Warning / Driver Assist &

Leader/Follower Leader/Follower

Manned Leader / Unmanned Follower Autonomous Convoy

2015 - 2021Army S&T Autonomous Ground Resupply



Achieving RAS capability: Extending Warfighter Reach

Benefits:Execute high-risk missions without putting soldiers at risk.Extend warfighter reach (distance and width of area covered). Rapid response to critical resupply missions with no risk to operator.

Demonstrate the capability of unmanned systems to execute long-duration missions over extended distances without support from operators on the ground.



Achieving RAS capability: Partnering with Industry

• Combined effort between ECBC/DTRA, TARDEC, AMRDEC/AATD, NREC, and Sikorsky

• Integration of standard handheld CBRN sensors onto the ground platform

Autonomous aerial delivery of an autonomous ground robot to explore/map threats within a potential chemical, biological or radiologically contaminated area



Achieving RAS capability: Experimentation

• Experimentation with the user community is a key component

• Recent warfighter experiments have mixed both industry and S&T platforms across a variety of environments

• Informs industry, S&T, combat and material developer communities

SMET surrogates demonstrated

reduced Soldier load, enhanced lethality,

commo network extension, lane clearing, non-

standard casualty evacuation,, and battery charging

capabilities

ADIM

Remote Weapons Station SMET

Utility SMET

CASEVAC/ AP Lane Clearing SMET

Alaska - Arctic

Oct 2105: Robotic Enhanced Company

Hawaii - Jungle



Achieving RAS capability: Open, Modular

Architectures/Interfaces

• Interoperability Profiles (IOP) v1 is the path to modular payloads, components, etc. Defines software messaging & hardware interfaces between major subsystems of unmanned ground systems

• ROS-M or Military version of the Robotics Operating System leverages the success of ROS within Academia, DARPA Grand Robotics Challenge and ROS Industrial efforts.

• By design, furthers innovation and reduces development timelines by promoting code re-use at the module level, certification to reduce testing risk/cost, and a marketplace for ideas/collaboration

Proposed ROS-M management structure parallels ROS-I Industry model

ROS-M

FY16

IOP Development Path and Simplified model



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Ongoing RAS Capability Demonstrations

Michigan DOT

Collaboration2016+ I-69 Corridor, MI

TORVICE2016+

Automated Robotics for

Installation & Base Operations2016+ Ft Bragg, NC | 2016+ Ft Leonard Wood, MO

Multi-UGV

Extended

Range2016 Grayling, MI

Autonomous

Ground

Resupply2015+

Future Capability Demonstrations• Route Clearance

• Perimeter Security

• Pathfinder

• Reconnaissance Surveillance & Target Acquisition

• Call for Fire

• Long-duration Overwatch

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Demonstrating Capability of Unmanned Systems to Execute

Operationally Relevant Scenarios for the Warfighter

DSAT

ERWRv3.mpg



External Business Office (EBO)

Industry Days - April 2016

Visit TARDEC’s Web Site www.army.mil/TARDEC for details:

• TARDEC Capabilities

• 30-Year Strategy

• New Opportunities

Connect with us through our Ground Vehicle Gateway (online) to submit:

• New Proposals

• Technology Plans

We Need Your Help to Shape the Future of the Army and Deliver Advanced Capabilities to the Warfighter

The EBO is Your Connection for New Opportunities

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http://www.army.mil/TARDEC

Documents

Shaping the Future: Army Robotics and Autonomous Systems · PDF fileU.S. ARMY TANK AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER Shaping the Future: Army Robotics and Autonomous