Autonomous Radiation Sensing and Mapping System

The proposed SBIR Phase I effort initiates the development of an advanced robotic autonomous system designed for air and ground radiation sensing and mapping. This innovative technology addresses the critical need for radiation survey and detection effectively in wide areas as well as in areas that are hard to reach or unsafe for humans, including facility assessment and cargo assessment. This system harnesses our existing technology modules in environmental and radiation sensing, imaging, precision localization, high- performance embedded sensing and computing, wireless communications, sensor fusion, data processing and visualization, and mapping software. Additionally, it incorporates customized software for the autonomous operation of unmanned vehicles, computer vision, and AI-machine learning. An autonomous sensor system can greatly improve radiation detection, benefiting public health, security, and safety by reducing radiation threats. In cargo inspections, the system can quickly scan many containers, helping to find illegal nuclear materials, especially in dangerous or inaccessible areas. Additionally, in tasks like detecting nuclear sources over large areas and assessing nuclear facilities, autonomous sensing removes the need for humans, lowering health risks from radiation exposure. This technology efficiently handles missions such as cargo inspection, wide-area surveillance, and facility assessment, ensuring public safety and keeping operational personnel safe.