SBIR-STTR Award

This study will examine the concepts involved in using vision to enhance the operation of a robotic ammunition handling system (integrated smart artillery synthesis, or isas), and will define the technology required to implement such a system. The vision system will provide real-time information to an electronic control unit on system status data (presently sensed by switches or not sensed at all) and closed-loop control parameters. This could replace a multitude of system sensors necessary to incorporate a higher level of artificial intelligence and autonomous operation. Present large databases would be replaced by real-time information acquisition along with generic closed-loop control routines and automatic switching logic to control ammunition handling in a rapidly changing environment.

Keywords:
robotics vision artificial inte computer progra weapon systems loading(handlin autoloaders automatic

This Phase II proposal is to build and demonstrate an advanced electronic control unit integrated into the robotic technology demonstrator or other m109 autoloader. Phase II will build demonstrator hardware for ardec suitable for proof of principle testing and evaluation. The advanced electronic control unit described in this proposal will be a significiant advancement in controls technology. It incorporates a modular digital approach which will benefit dod missions in terms of generalized applicability, reduced system development time, and minimized spares requirement.

Keywords:
robotics vision artificial inte computer progra weapon systems loading(handlin autoloaders automatic)