A MODULAR OPEN SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE STRATEGY FOR ROBOTICS AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS

This paper describes the results of a study funded by the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) to develop a strategy for establishing interoperability as the norm in military ground robotic and autonomous system (RAS) programs. It briefly provides background explaining the current practices and the reason the study was conducted. It outlines the types of interoperability targeted in ground RAS programs, and describes the findings of a survey of current efforts aimed at creating interoperability through a modular open system architecture approach. It recommends a path forward for creating interoperability in military ground RAS program based on maturing and propagating the ground robotics interoperability profile (IOP) currently being developed and matured at Project Manager, Force Projection (PM FP). Finally it lays out specific steps to be taken and proposes that responsibility for IOP be transitioned to a consortium-style organization as it progresses through an “Iteration and Maturation” phase over the next 3-5 years towards its eventual adoption by an enduring standards body. The views expressed in this paper do not constitute official Department of Defense policy.