ARMY ROBOTIC CONVOY APPLICATION OF COST EFFECTIVE & PROVEN AUTOMOTIVE ADVANCED SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES

The Army has identified an operational need for a Robotic Convoy capability for its tactical vehicle fleets. The Department of Defense (DoD), with a fleet of over several hundred thousand tactical vehicles, must identify an approach with supporting technology and supply base to procure and support a Robotic Convoy solution at the lowest possible cost. While cost is a key driver, the selected system approach must be proven and robust to ensure the safety of our soldiers and the supply chain. An effective approach is to integrate and adapt the advanced automotive technologies, components and suppliers currently delivering advanced safety technologies into the automotive market. These advanced automotive technologies merged with DoD robotics enhancements in tactical behaviors, autonomous driving, command & control and unmanned systems collaboration will advance the operational utility of robotic convoy application in manned and unmanned modes. Figure 1 Military Application

The cost effective integration of the automotive and defense technologies are key to fleet acquisition, integration, support and capability growth. MB-technology NA, LLC (MBtech) will bring its automotive-proven techniques and system integration experience in Electronic Stability Control, Rollover Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Brake Assist, Occupant Protection Technology, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation, Occupant Protection Technology, Vehicle to Vehicle Communication (Vii) and Automated Highway Capabilities. For manned operation, in addition to the above capabilities, other MBtech capabilities which aid the driver include: Night Vision, Adaptive Headlight System and Distracted Driver Support.

SAIC will compliment the MBtech capabilities with the integration of advanced tactical behaviors, autonomous driving, integration of robotic communications into the tactical communication network, compatibility with the JAUS/AS-4 architectures and optional integration of unmanned systems collaboration both ground and air, field integration and support. The approach discussed in the paper by the MBtech/SAIC team will be based on proven technologies, affordable from an established automotive supply base, proven awareness of military vehicle integration requirements & subsystems and an established field support capability built upon MRAP experiences.