The Center for Autonomous
Vehicle Applied Technology
and Information (CAVĀTI)
The State of Utah Unmanned, Autonomous Road
Map (SWARM)
CAVĀTI has established the State of Utah
Unmanned, Autonomous Road Map (SWARM) in order to foster
collaboration among organizations in Utah that are interested in the
autonomous industry. Creating a strategic plan puts all interested
parties on the same path, increases leverage, offers a simple way of
working together towards a united goal of specific industry growth,
provides a means of measuring progress toward the goal and
establishes a catalyst for the fledgling, soon-to-be exploding
autonomous industry. Within SWARM, four primary objectives have been
created for the purpose of securing a significant portion of the
retrofit market and bringing business into Utah.
1. Bring autonomous vehicle contracts to
Utah companies for execution
Securing commercial and government contracts
for autonomous technology is one of the primary objectives of CAVĀTI. In
partnering with local prime contractors and operators for support
and protocols, CAVĀTI hopes to better organize the industry
infrastructure by creating a growth environment for Unmanned Vehicle
(UV) companies. These efforts may include sponsoring field schools
to increase knowledge of the UV market, supporting local contests
and presentations of UV technologies for Utah companies and engaging
companies that encourage growth within the state. CAVĀTI also plans
to sell Utah to the rest of the autonomous industry by arranging a
Utah UV Showcase.
2. Create a nationally recognized test
facility
CAVĀTI was influential in establishing
Dugway
Proving Ground as a nationally
recognized test facility for small to medium autonomous vehicles. This facility,
the Mountain West Unmanned Systems Experimentation Environment
(MWUSE2), contains a large area of open space with varied
terrain, requires minimum support personnel and occupies a low
population density. The MWUSE2 allows companies specializing in autonomous systems to
bring their technology to Utah for testing. This also creates a
better infrastructure for autonomous technology growth within the
state.
Dugway Proving Ground
Additional facilities may be needed, which
would include test courses that have defined obstacles, airways,
road networks and other challenges. A Web site could be created that
manages Utahs facilities and contains information on testing data,
test courses, vehicles that have tested in Utah and additional
resources within the state.
3. Promote legislative initiatives to
support AGV business and technology
CAVĀTI plans to increase the focus and leverage
in the AGV marketplace through state involvement. The governor of
Utah has designated autonomous systems as an area of focus within
the Utah Economic Cluster Initiative. This is an important step in
recognizing and supporting the AGV industry. Another focus for
CAVĀTI will be to encourage legislation that deals with issues such
as uniform safety management for autonomous vehicles, licensing
rules and property use. Other initiatives include working with the
state to provide economic incentives for autonomous technology.
4. Foster autonomous systems research
through Utah universities
The board of directors at CAVĀTI will direct
and fund targeted research to solve complex AGV problems. Principal
investigators (PIs) and college interns associated with three
research universities in Utah Brigham Young University, the
University of Utah and Utah State University will perform the
research. Other state universities may be included. Member companies
will donate technology and vehicles for use in research.
This research agenda is already in the process
of being implemented. CAVĀTI is spearheading a statewide campaign to
facilitate increased participation by Utah teams in the DARPA Urban
Challenge 2007. With assistance from Utah organizations, CAVĀTI will
provide a vehicle baseline and platform to increase each teams
chance of successful autonomous vehicle development. Details are as
follows:
Local car dealerships will donate three to
five automobiles to CAVĀTI.
Kairos Autonomi will donate three to five
Pronto4 systems to CAVĀTI, as well as the installation of the
kits on the automobiles.
The retrofitted
automobiles will be loaned
to participating universities.
The university teams will develop and test
their technology on the vehicle, along with demonstrating this
technology at the Urban Challenge 2007.
CAVĀTI will also seek support from the
state of Utah for a $25,000 donation to each university team.
These funds will be used to procure necessary sensors for the
vehicle and to cover field test expenses. CAVĀTI will assist in
additional fund-raising efforts for each team as needed.
