Overland AI built-in its OverDrive software program stack and SPARK {hardware} into the Normal Dynamics Small Multipurpose Gear Transport. | Supply: Overland AI
Overland AI yesterday mentioned it has efficiently demonstrated its autonomous floor automobile built-in with its uncrewed aerial system, or UAS-capable payloads as a part of a joint breaching experimentation effort with the Sandhills Challenge and the twentieth Engineer Brigade of the XVIII Airborne Corps.
The Seattle-based firm accomplished the demonstration on the U.S. Military’s premier expertise innovation occasion, Challenge Convergence Capstone 5 (PC-C5).
Based in 2022, Overland AI mentioned it’s powering floor operations for contemporary protection. The corporate has performed greater than a decade of superior analysis in robotics and machine studying. That and its field-test ahead ethos enable it to ship superior autonomy for unit commanders.
Overland AI mentioned developed OverWatch, its intuitive C2 interface, to supply commanders with the exact coordination of autonomous floor techniques wanted for advanced missions to succeed. The corporate claimed that it has achieved the end-to-end integration of floor autonomy, from operator to impact. It mentioned it’s placing this functionality into the fingers of tactical operators at this time.
SMET autos achieve autonomy
Hazardous missions in austere and electronically denied environments require dependable and resilient expertise, famous Overland AI. It mentioned its SPARK autonomy upfit and OverDrive stack allow floor autos to navigate off-road with out GPS or direct operator management.
The corporate constructed its totally autonomous tactical automobile, ULTRA, in-house by integrating SPARK and OverDrive right into a modular and adaptable platform that’s presently in manufacturing. The U.S. navy is testing a number of ULTRA autos, which might carry 1,000 lb. (453.5 kg), transfer as much as 35 mph (56.3 kph), and cruise for 100 mi. (160.9 km).
Working underneath the course of the Sandhills Challenge, Overland AI built-in its full stack of autonomy {hardware} and software program into Normal Dynamics Land Methods’ Small Multipurpose Gear Transport (SMET) automobile. The expertise has additionally been built-in with the Textron Ripsaw and Polaris RZR.
The SMET was initially managed by way of a tethered hand distant. Now, Overland AI’s OverDrive software program stack, SPARK {hardware} infrastructure, and OverWatch tactical interface allow autonomous operation.
Overland AI reveals help of Sandhill Challenge targets
U.S. Military troopers from the twenty seventh Engineer Battalion, twentieth Engineer Brigade, skilled instantly on Overland’s system throughout PC-C5. The troopers realized to independently function, troubleshoot, and keep the totally autonomous platform.
By the top of the train, they executed breaching missions, efficiently beginning up the Autonomous Floor System, conducting missions, and shutting it down independently.
The demonstration included two payload integrations. The primary was a trailer geared up with a mine-clearing UAS designed for breaching a lane. Within the second, a Stratin Engineering-developed drone launcher mounted on the SMET to deploy small attritable drones.
“Troopers independently and efficiently operated our floor autonomy for 2 consecutive weeks throughout Challenge Convergence Capstone 5,” said Byron Boots, co-founder and CEO of Overland AI. “Breaching workouts proceed to display the maturity of {our capability} and the tactical advantage of eradicating people from a number of the most harmful missions.”
Overland AI instantly supported the Sandhills Challenge’s goal, corresponding to minefields, wire, and ditches, whereas enabling distributed operations throughout a breach. The twentieth Engineer Brigade now has the upgraded SMET automobile for continued testing, and Overland AI will present discipline help and a software program license underneath its contract.
PC-C5 is a key a part of the Military’s persistent analysis and testing of next-generation warfighting capabilities, together with cross-domain operations within the INDOPACOM (Indo-Pacific) theater. The Overland AI floor workforce a the train included specialists throughout {hardware} integration, autonomy software program, infrastructure, discipline operations, product, and program administration.
Overland AI mentioned it continues to advance the state of floor autonomy for protection, having beforehand secured an $18.6 million contract with the U.S. Military and Protection Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop autonomy software program for the Robotic Fight Car (RCV) program.
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