HMMWV Variable Vehicle Cone Index (VCI)

GS Engineering has developed through Phase I SBIR efforts, a variable VCI solution to evaluate and characterize vehicle operating terrain, for dynamic selection of CTIS operating modes, with no required operator input. By continually monitoring the terrain and adjusting the operating mode and associated tire pressures, mobility is increased in soft terrain and fuel efficiency is increased on hard terrain. Through system scalability based on varying in-theater priorities, the variable VCI system capabilities and fidelity are adaptable on a component level, for maximum value and reduced logistics.Phase II will build on this foundation in order to fully develop, prototype, validate, and commercially implement the technology developed in Phase I. In addition, technologies that may compliment the variable VCI solution (such as those that would improve overall dynamic system response time) will be investigated. The result will be a system that offers significant operational advantages for the Marine Corps ready for immediate integration into the tactical and support vehicle fleet across multiple platforms, as well as numerous commercial vehicle industries where mobility is challenged.