Current Projects
Applied Perception is currently executing many projects across all areas of unmanned vehicle development - perception, planning, control, world modeling, system integration, and operator control. Please click on the project title links for more details on specific projects.
The intent of the FIRRE program is to reduce manpower requirements, enhance force protection capabilities, and reduce casualties through the use of unmanned systems. It consists of a wide range of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) and associated Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) to counter terrorist actions in lieu of manned operations. Read More >
The LAGR program aims to develop completely autonomous off-road ground vehicle navigation using machine learning techniques. Eight research teams were funded to participate in this program, and each research team is issued a standard ground vehicle platform. For this program, energy-emitting sensors (like ladar, sonar, or radar) are prohibited; instead, the vehicle must rely purely on passive sensing, such as video imagery and GPS receivers. Read More >
The application of robotics in EOD is a challenging, real-world task requiring high levels of safety and predictability. To use autonomous and semiautonomous robots in real-world EOD tasks, operators must have confidence that the robots will perform their operator-assigned tasks properly. The state-of-the-art in robot control systems has reached the point that certain functions can be automated for use in EOD tasks with high enough reliability to satisfy operator requirements. Applied Perception Incorporated (API) and Northrop Grumman Remotec (NGR) have teamed to satisfy EOD operators' need for robots capable of autonomous and semiautonomous behaviors. Read More >
The purpose of the RBI program is to develop a multi-agent environmental hazard detection system that can be used on an unmanned ground vehicle. During Phase I, our team focused on developing and demonstrating a proof-of-concept system. During Phase II, our efforts are focused on the scientific and engineering tasks needed to develop an integrated Chemical, Biological, Explosive (CBE) detector package, as well as mounting this package on an applicable UGV platform for further, more realistic testing and field evaluation. Read More >
Applied Perception has a Phase II SBIR to develop a Soldier Universal Robot Controller (SURC) based around a set of modular technologies to enable a single soldier to task and command multiple heterogenous robots, concentrating on the needs of the dismounted soldier. Our approach is to develop an API (and instances of this API) based on XML which will allow rapid development of both general purpose and mission/robot-specific control stations, with an eye towards module re-use at the front-end, tactical, and transport layers. Our initial implementation will be JAUS-based, although the modular nature of this architecture allows for other transport layers to be integrated. Read More >
In September 2005 the United States Army's Tank-Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) instituted a ground mobility, robotics systems integration and evaluation laboratory: the TARDEC Robotics Skunk Works. The goal of this laboratory is to integrate and assess new and developing unmanned systems technologies to support efficient transitioning of the technologies to ATO and PM/PEO programs. The first unmanned system to enter the TARDEC Robotics Skunk Works will be the Tactical Amphibious Ground Support System - Common Experimental (TAGS-CX). Key development design requirements for this modified COTS platform, which weighs less than 2 tons, include modularity and interoperability of ground robot systems and mission payloads. Read More >
The goal of this project is to develop a system that can extract and transport a wounded soldier from the point of injury to a field hospital. The combat medic is one of the most dangerous responsibilities in warfare. Often in the course of doing his job, the medic is wounded or killed. Additional personnel are also required to transport a wounded casualty out of the line of fire to a safer location, putting more lives at risk. Read More >
Applied Perception was part of the DARPA-funded, SAIC-led PerceptOR team, which was selected for all three phases of the PerceptOR program. API led the Active Perception IPT: our responsibilities included software development and integration of all “active” (energy-emitting) sensors in the mobility architecture, including a 2D multi-spectral laser range finder, four 1D laser range finders, and dual 24 GHz radar units. Read More >
The main purpose of the Robotic Emergency Medicine and Danger-Detection (REMeD-D) program is to develop a set of technologies to enable first responders in rural and medically underserved areas to remotely and safely evacuate casualties in the event of a purposeful or accidental release of chemical or radiological substances. The system consists of an evacuation robot with a patient-carrying sled, two assessment robots based on the iRobot PackBot™ platform, and a custom payload for detection of chemical and radiological elements. The entire system is JAUS-compliant, and is controlled via a custom version of our JAUS Operator Control Unit. Read More >
Applied Perception is tasked to develop a JAUS compliant soldier following personal robot, called SegMule. The robot will be used for basic soldier logistical support, carrying packs and equipment, in moderate urban terrain. The path tracking is accomplished using a fusion of active (laser range finder) and passive (omni directional camera) sensing, which is the fed into a probabilistic filter. The robot also utilizes GPS for waypoint navigation or retro traversal of a path. Read More >
The use of small unmanned ground vehicles for both military and civilian operations is rapidly growing, and the demand for more functionality of their payloads is increasing. To address this need, this Phase I SBIR effort focused on designing, developing, and implementing the mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems for a suite of tools and accessories that can be used on small robot platforms for various tasks. These tasks include grasping and carrying small items, drilling, sawing, digging and dozing. Key design requirements for the toolkit were modularity for easily interchanging tools, simplicity, and low cost. The latter was particularly important in order for this toolkit to be affordable by domestic homeland organizations like police and fire units. Read More >
