Overland AI built-in its OverDrive software program stack and SPARK {hardware} into the Common Dynamics Small Multipurpose Gear Transport. | Supply: Overland AI
Overland AI yesterday stated 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 Undertaking 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, Undertaking Convergence Capstone 5 (PC-C5).
Based in 2022, Overland AI stated it’s powering floor operations for contemporary protection. The corporate has carried out 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 stated developed OverWatch, its intuitive C2 interface, to supply commanders with the exact coordination of autonomous floor programs wanted for complicated missions to succeed. The corporate claimed that it has achieved the end-to-end integration of floor autonomy, from operator to impact. It stated it’s placing this functionality into the fingers of tactical operators at the moment.
SMET automobiles achieve autonomy
Hazardous missions in austere and electronically denied environments require dependable and resilient expertise, famous Overland AI. It stated its SPARK autonomy upfit and OverDrive stack allow floor automobiles to navigate off-road with out GPS or direct operator management.
The corporate constructed its absolutely 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 automobiles, 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 beneath the course of the Sandhills Undertaking, Overland AI built-in its full stack of autonomy {hardware} and software program into Common Dynamics Land Programs’ 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 assist of Sandhill Undertaking targets
U.S. Military troopers from the twenty seventh Engineer Battalion, twentieth Engineer Brigade, educated immediately on Overland’s system throughout PC-C5. The troopers realized to independently function, troubleshoot, and preserve the absolutely autonomous platform.
By the tip 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 Undertaking Convergence Capstone 5,” said Byron Boots, co-founder and CEO of Overland AI. “Breaching workout routines proceed to reveal the maturity of {our capability} and the tactical good thing about eradicating people from a number of the most harmful missions.”
Overland AI immediately supported the Sandhills Undertaking’s goal, comparable 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 assist and a software program license beneath 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 staff a the train included specialists throughout {hardware} integration, autonomy software program, infrastructure, discipline operations, product, and program administration.
Overland AI stated 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 Automobile (RCV) program.
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