Brenda Marie Rivers
The U.S. Navy has commenced the second phase of a challenge focused on utilizing autonomous technology for small unit maneuver missions.
Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, the NavalX Midwest Tech Bridge and the Office of Naval Research selected eight teams to compete for the $250,000 prize as part of the Artificial Intelligence for Small Unit Maneuvers Prize Challenge, NSWC Crane said Monday.
The teams will showcase their algorithms for robotic operations through a government-provided virtual map. The Navy will choose a maximum of three teams to participate in a live event during Phase III for a prize of up to $500,000.
According to the project announcement, AISUM is meant to help the Navy address potential challenges that may arise in Special Operations Forces and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities within a congested battlespace or dense urban environments.
Team participants include Raytheon's BBN Technologies segment, Draper, ASEC and Heron Systems. Codex Laboratories, EpiSys Science, TurbineOne and Indiana University-Bloomington will also offer their autonomous technology concepts for the exercise.
The Navy and its defense partners selected the Phase II teams from 20 downselected participants following virtual presentations.
