Open-Architecture Agent-Based Intelligent Control Framework for Simulation and Execution of Robotic Counter-IED Operations

Today, various mobile robots have already demonstrated their effectiveness in Afghanistan and Iraq, especially in standoff EOD operations. However, the current limitations are that: 1) they are too expensive to be widely distributed across the theaters in order to protect small dismounted units, 2) they lack truly reliable sensors to speedily identify IEDs with a tolerable false alarm rate, and 3) they do not support practical intelligent behaviors in order to expedite IEDD operations. To address these technological challenges, we propose to develop the SNIP, a low-cost robotic IED defeat package to be widely utilized by small dismounted units and help them expedite their operations. The main elements of the proposed SNIP system are: a) Intelligent Behavior Engine: an integrated software framework that supports the development, simulation and control of intelligent behaviors; b) a mid-sized mobile robot platform equipped with various onboard navigation sensors, cameras, etc., together with an OCU designed to provide efficient operator situational awareness; c) a state-of-art IED detection sensor, which will be enhanced during the Phase II effort; and d) effective, low cost defeat mechanism. SNIP is envisioned to provide a high performance solution for IED detection and neutralization in a cost effective package.