Surf Zone Simulation for Autonomous Amphibious Vehicles
Navy SBIR FY2018.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2018.1
Topic No.: N181-077
Topic Title: Surf Zone Simulation for Autonomous Amphibious Vehicles
Proposal No.: N181-077-0002
Firm: Dynamic Dimension Technologies
694 Charingworth Ct
Westminster, Maryland 21158
Contact: Karl Leodler
Phone: (703) 963-2204
Web Site: http://www.dynamicdimensiontechnologies.com
Abstract: Advances in domain modeling have come a long way, however, physics-based simulations capable of multi-domain, complex environments such as surf zones with breaking waves, currents, bathymetry/terrain and surf/shore obstacles, for assessing amphibious vehicle transitions from water to shore, do not exist. Addressing this limitation, Dynamic Dimension Technologies (DDT), proposes to create the Water incorporated and Autonomy enabled Virtual Environment (WAVE) to accurately represent the multi-domain environmental states which influences amphibious vehicle motions. Based on lessons learned from a decade of developing M&S for autonomous ground vehicle testing, DDT will design and develop a novel open architecture simulation framework which embraces naturalistic multi-domain environments required for amphibious autonomy systems evaluations. During Phase I, DDT will define an innovative methodology and modeling architecture that supports simulating full 6 degree-of-freedom, multibody dynamics for amphibious vehicles. These models will represent the full vehicle system with articulating components, hull form geometry, tires/tracks, suspension, brakes, steering, engine, propulsion, etc., and interactions with the water, terrain and air. WAVE will include communications models for scenarios such as remote operations, formation maneuvers, swarming, teaming, etc., and sensor models (i.e. GPS, IMU, EO/IR, RF, Sonar, etc.) for autonomy algorithms such as perception, world model, decision making and route planning.
Benefits: With the successful completion of this Phase I effort, ONR will have a clear understanding of the art of the possible for amphibious systems modeling. This will include: �?� A thorough review of state of the art methods for amphibious vehicle simulation with autonomy enabling subsystem models and vehicle water/terrain interaction �?� An assessment of the models/algorithms which identifies gaps and weaknesses, and provides evidence/justifications for WAVE design decisions �?� An innovative system level design of WAVE that encapsulates the art of the possible and identities technology development to fill gaps and improve models to meet or exceed the specified objectives A well-defined WAVE system design in Phase I significantly reduces risk in Phase II prototype development, allowing focus to remain on development instead of rehashing design decisions. The market need is the ability to efficiently develop accurate multi-domain (Sea, Land and Air) models to support design and performance assessment of vehicles, specifically amphibious vehicles with autonomy capabilities. Team DDT has been a leader in high-resolution scene generation, runtime acceleration, and terrain/water and platform modeling, serving an increasingly wider DoD market. DDT believes developing the processes and tools to address this problem set will open up a market whereby the expense of developing high-fidelity engineering models for multi-domain vehicles, useful in a wide variety of applications will be reduced. There is numerous DoD-wide ground-based programs and efforts that can benefit from an enhanced model development solution. Commercial applications could include vehicle driver training systems incorporation of amphibious vehicles such as the popular Duck, purpose-built amphibious tour buses or military surplus DUKWs and LARC-Vs which offer tours in many harbor, river and lake cities. Licensing to the entertainment industry is also a possibility to improve the realism for games and animations.

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