Applied Perception Announces Diverse Set Of Unmanned Ground Vehicle Software

ROBO SPACE

API will be investigating methods to extend the Joint Architecture for Unmanned Systems to enable semi-autonomous behaviors within Future Combat Systems. Within this context, we are examining the existing functional and domain requirements for semi-autonomous systems provided in the FCS Autonomous Navigation System Procurement Control Documents, the existing application and platform requirements derived from the FCS Unit of Action Systems Book, and current technical sensor and algorithm capabilities to develop a suite of new and/or extended JAUS components and messages. More specifically, we are examining the Autonomy Levels defined in the ANS PCDs to extract basic capabilities and domains, map these capabilities to different applications and vehicle platforms, and develop the appropriate JAUS elements to support the desired behavior.

Pittsburgh PA (SPX) Aug 24, 2004
Applied Perception, a company that develops and licenses robotics-related technology company announced Monday the availability of a wide range of standardized software components that provide mobility and related capabilities for unmanned ground vehicle platforms.

Built on the DoD-mandated Joint Architecture for Autonomous Systems (JAUS) specification, these components provide drop-in capabilities for robot system developers to add functions such as vehicle control, sensor processing, path following, mapping, obstacle detection and avoidance, and operator interfaces to their existing platforms.

In addition, to support organizations who wish to develop their own JAUS- compliant components, Applied Perception's jLib JAUS toolkit is also available.

This toolkit provides low level JAUS message packing, transport, and routing capabilities that enable developers to quickly and easily create new JAUS- compliant applications or retrofit existing capabilities to immediately function within existing JAUS systems.

It supports all of the core JAUS messages and components, as well as multiple message transport layers including Ethernet, RS- 232/485, and shared memory.

The jLib toolkit is available for Linux, QNX, Windows XP, and Windows CE, as well as embedded processors like the Rabbit.

The individual components are available in both executable format for easy addition to existing systems, as well as with processing hardware to provide out-of-the-box functionality with minimal robotic system changes.

Todd Jochem, President of Applied Perception says, "These products are a direct outgrowth of our internal development efforts, as well as our work with customers on projects with DARPA, the Army, and the Robotics Foundry."

"On those projects, we've had the opportunity to develop and test many technologies that we are now starting to get customer interest in deploying. Based on this, it seemed like now is an opportune time to move these technologies toward commercial deployment."

The commercial availability of these components represents the first step in the company's efforts to commercialize robotics technologies to support and leverage the DoD's efforts to deploy unmanned vehicle for the battlefield.

"In the past, there hasn't been significant attention paid to transitioning new robotics technologies to the commercial marketplace. In many cases, there wasn't any real market. However, now there is a clear customer with real needs that our technology can address," Jochem states.

In addition to selling these components ala cart to end customers as add-on modules, API is working with robotic platform suppliers to add these technologies as standard features on their current and future line of vehicles.

"This announcement supports what we have been hearing from our colleagues in the DoD - that standards-based software to support basic as well as more advanced unmanned ground vehicle operation is needed," states Bill Thomasmeyer, President of the Pittsburgh-based Robotics Foundry.

"We're pleased that Applied Perception is commercializing technology that the RF was instrumental in developing and hope that this can be a building block for a thriving regional robotics industry."

MARSDAILY

Boeing To Design Guidance Parachute Technology For Mars Missions

St. Louis (SPX) Aug 17, 2004
Boeing has won a $1.5 million, three-year NASA Mars Technology Development contract to develop guidance parachute technology for future Mars missions. The contract award, which will be managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology, supports NASA's Mars Exploration Program, an initiative to utilize cost effective innovations for precision entry, descent and landing.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.