Autonomous Indoor/Outdoor Warehouse Operation

Cybernet Systems Corporation proposes to advance its autonomous material handling capabilities through the Phase II development and deployment of the Autonomous Material Handling Technology (AMHT) appliqué kit. Building on the Phase I demonstration, which proved the feasibility of automating tow tractor and forklift operations, this effort will refine the technology and validate its performance in operational environments at select Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) sites. The goal is to provide a robust, scalable, and flexible autonomous logistics solution that improves efficiency, safety, and responsiveness across DLA's warehouse and depot operations. The AMHT appliqué kit retrofits existing material handling vehicles—including tow tractors and forklifts—with a comprehensive suite of autonomy-enabling hardware and software. This includes LiDAR, visual cameras, GPS, IMU, and wheel odometry sensors, along with onboard compute resources for real-time SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), path planning, obstacle avoidance, and mission execution. Cybernet’s system uses a multi-modal localization approach that combines GPS (when available), LiDAR- and vision-based SLAM, and dead reckoning fused through an extended Kalman filter. This enables reliable self-localization in both indoor and outdoor environments, even in GPS-denied areas. In Phase II, Cybernet will finalize the Concept of Operations (CONOPS), select candidate DLA sites (anticipated to include Hill Air Force Base and Corpus Christi Naval Air Station), and define specific operational workflows and mission roles for the autonomous vehicles. The typical operational configuration will involve the autonomous tow tractor transporting palletized loads between storage depots and staging areas, while the autonomous forklift performs pallet loading and unloading operations. Site maps will be generated through sensor data collection and processed using SLAM. Mission scripts and automation logic will be adapted to choreograph the coordinated operation of these platforms within the defined workflows. Following testing and refinement at Cybernet facilities, the retrofitted vehicles will be deployed to selected DLA sites for operational testing. Scenario execution will validate robustness, identify edge cases, and iteratively improve performance. Simultaneously, Cybernet will ensure adherence to DLA cybersecurity and safety requirements. A framework for integration with the DLA Warehouse Execution System (WES) will be developed, preparing for tighter integration with DLA’s logistics infrastructure. The outcome of this Phase II effort will be a validated, mission-ready autonomous material handling capability that enhances DLA’s logistical throughput, reduces labor and injury risk, and provides 24/7 operational potential, directly improving readiness and resilience in DLA distribution operations and laying the foundation for future expansion.