SBIR-STTR Award

Uncertainty Quantification of Representations of Unknown Dynamic Systems through Universal Differential Equations
Award last edited on: 1/16/2023

Sponsored Program
STTR
Awarding Agency
NASA : LaRC
Total Award Amount
$149,898
Award Phase
1
Solicitation Topic Code
T10.05
Principal Investigator
Cody Fleming

Company Information

Elder Research Inc

300 West Main Street Suite 301
Charlottesville, VA 22903
   (855) 973-7673
   N/A
   www.elderresearch.com

Research Institution

Iowa State University

Phase I

Contract Number: 80NSSC22PB011
Start Date: 7/20/2022    Completed: 8/25/2023
Phase I year
2022
Phase I Amount
$149,898
Cyber-Physical-Human (CPH) teams will drive future space missions, such as Artemis and future Martian exploration. Key to the success of CPH teams are trustworthiness and trust. In the context of machine agents on CPH teams, trustworthiness refers to whether a machine performs its intended task (and not prohibited actions) when faced with unknown physical processes. A need exists for methods that are flexible to encompass known and unknown elements of physical processes and produce outcomes that are interpretable for all members of CPH teams. Universal Differential Equations (UDEs) incorporate information from scientific models to constrain machine learning approximators. In the work proposed here, we aim to increase the reliability of UQ in UDEs to enable more detailed analysis of uncertainty in the learned representations of dynamic systems. The potential for inclusion of physics-based priors into the learning process for UDEs could enhance trustworthiness and trust in CPH teams because it is possible to extract a closed-form differential equation from UDE-based models. However, most UDE research has focused on deterministic solutions rather than a study of the sensitivity of the identified representation. In the work proposed here, we aim to increase the reliability of UQ in UDEs to enable more detailed analysis of uncertainty in the learned representations of dynamic systems. We will first conduct simulations of a semi-stable dynamic system in Simulink. We will demonstrate UDE learning of the equations of motion that describe the semi-stable system. Once this has been demonstrated, we will move onto the development of an advanced UQ framework for UDEs. We will build upon examples from literature (such as Bayes by Backprop), with a focus on human interpretability to increase the trust in the machine learned representation of the dynamic system. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): Future NASA mission objectives involving Cyber-Physical-Human (CPH) teams—such as maintaining lunar habitations or preparing for Martian landing—are ones we believe may benefit. Additionally, the methods described here could be adapted to accelerate learning from Scientist-in-the-Loop analysis of high-throughput collections of planetary science data. Next generation air operations safety could likewise benefit from tools that allow interrogation of uncertainty in representations of dynamic systems where high degrees of autonomy are involved. Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): CPH teams in defense applications (e.g., small-UAS maneuvers, long-range undersea surveillance) could benefit from the capabilities proposed here. Additionally, platooning of autonomous vehicles and enhanced safety of autonomous driver aids could be achieved through more robust uncertainty quantification of representations of dynamic processes in data. Duration: 13

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase II year
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Phase II Amount
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