Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Task Force

Fireseeker Checklist.doc

2/27/2006

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION & INTEGRATION TEAM

JOINT IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE DEFEAT TASK FORCE

10236 BURBECK ROAD

FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA 22060-5852

Joint IED Defeat Task Force Evaluation & Integration Team

Technology Checklist / Lead Follow-up

SOURCE OF LEAD: iRobot Corporation

Classification: Unclassified

I. ESTABLISH CONTACT

1.  Name of technology: Fireseeker: Autonomous IED Search Robot

2.  Organization: iRobot Corporation

3.  Address: 63 South Ave, Burlington, MA 01803-4903

4.  POC: Dr. Brian Yamauchi

5.  Office Telephone: (781) 418-3291

6.  Mobile Telephone: (617) 699-8625

7.  NIPR Email:

8.  SIPR Email: None

9.  Secure a Business Card: No

10. What State –or- Country is the equipment manufactured in:
Massachusetts (iRobot PackBot), Oklahoma (Nomadics FIDO)

11. Date contact has been made with the vendor: September 28, 2005 (TRADOC Futures Center Technical Information Exchange)

II. PRODUCT INFORMATION

12. What is the technology?

a.  Source of Power: NiCad batteries

b.  How long does the power source last if not DC power? Up to 8 hours with 4 battery packs.

13. What tenet lane does this product support, and does this organization also have products for other tenet lanes? (Please submit a separate technology checklist for each technology you are submitting to the Task Force.)

a.  Detect

d. Neutralize

14. What is the state of maturity?

a.  TRL Level (see TRL Attachment) PackBot UGV (9), Fido sensor (8), Wayfarer navigation software (6).

b.  Concept? Fireseeker (integrating PackBot/Fido/Wayfarer and other capabilities) is at the concept stage.

c.  Laboratory prototype? Wayfarer urban navigation prototype tested in urban environments.

d.  Field prototype? Over 300 PackBots deployed on operational missions as part of OIF and OEF.

e.  Status of testing? (Attach all documented test results) PackBot independent test results from SwRI and Wayfarer Final Report available on request. Fido test results are classified.

f.  Safety documentation/releases: No

15. Rapid equipping feasibility? (field operational prototypes w/ training & logistics)

a.  12+ months

b.  Mid-term Technology Maturing Profile (MTMP): To get it from a TRL01 to TRL06). Fireseeker concept can be taken from TRL 1 to TRL 6 in 12 months.

c.  Full production capability (how many per week, month, etc?) Up to 30 per month.

16. What organizations have been briefed and/or participated with the technology development? Which ones have offered sponsorship? If so, POC and contact information:

a.  US Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC)

b.  US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Futures Center

III. FUNDING

17. Technology’s current source of funding? None. (TARDEC funded development of Wayfarer navigation software.)

18. Are you requesting funding for development? If so, why and how much? Yes. $3 million for integrating Nomadics Fido explosives sensor, Wayfarer urban navigation software, SRI multirobot coverage algorithms, and INL JAUS-compliant Intelligence Kernel graphical user interface.

19. Funding needed to test? Figure above includes integrated prototype testing.

20. Funding needed to deploy/employ? Estimate available following prototype development.

21. How much per unit (cost)?

a.  Civilian Price: $140,000

b.  Government Price: $140,000

IV. INTEROPERABILITY

22. Is the system Ruggedized for Military use in extreme environmental conditions and handling? Yes (see PackBot product specs).

23. Airmobile, air platform deliverable (C130, C5, etc) and Military wheeled platform capable? Yes, not air droppable. Size is excellent fit for internal movement and rapid deployment from all current military cargo/utility rotary win aircraft in use.

24. Is this a standalone system or a system of systems (SoS)? Standalone system.

25. If it is a system/SoS, what are the connectivity requirements to other extant systems? Will support JAUS standards for robot control.

26. Are there interfaces? If so, what are they? INL graphical user interface combining aerial view with display of robot locations and detected IED locations. JAUS communications protocols.

27. Is this information based or equipment based? Equipment based.

28. Frequency deconfliction / dissemination?

V. TRAINING

29. Is there a new equipment training package developed for operators? Yes for Fido, in development for PackBot.

30. Is there a new equipment training team? Yes for both PackBot and Fido.

31. How much training and time devoted to training does this product require? 3day training course operation and organizational level maintenance for PackBot, 2 days for Fido, estimated additional 2 days for Fireseeker.

32. What is the complexity of the training (special skills)? No special skills required.

33. Have you developed the Concept of Employment (ConEmps), manual, Graphic Training Aid (GTA card), and CD training aid? No.

34. Are there day or night limitations of the equipment/technologies? Usable in both day and night. LIDAR is operational day or night. Stereo vision is operable during the day and offers improved obstacle avoidance.

35. Is it easily transportable: Man vs. vehicle or other means? Yes, it is man transportable. One person lift. Easily fits in rear of SUV, large car trunk or HUMMV.

36. Does it have Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) –or- Radiation protection? No.

37. How many personnel are required to operate the product? One.

38. Does the military service have a capability similar to new technology and how is it different? No.

39. How much maintenance does it require? Circle one: Low

40. General statement of your proposed concept of employment:

Fireseeker robots will autonomously search for IEDs in urban environments using Wayfarer urban navigation capabilities and SRI multirobot coverage algorithms. The locations of the robots and detected IEDs will be superimposed on aerial imagery of the terrain using the INL graphical user interface. This system will be compatible with the Joint Architecture for Unmanned Systems (JAUS) standard communication protocols.

VI. MAINTENANCE

41. Overall:

a.  Reliability:

b.  Sustainability:

c.  Availability:

d.  Maintainability factors and requirements:

Above user/organizational level, OEM maintenance and repair strongly recommended. PackBot comes with one year standard warranty.

42. Mean time between failure, repair & replacement? For PackBot, only combat experience to data - no good baseline data. Current high level OR rates from Government ERP indicate >90% availability. No data available for integrated Fireseeker system.

43. Cost of one year in theater maintenance and repair: For PackBot, $5-6K based on wartime optempo less operator or battle damage.

Repairman/service tech skill level required: Basic electronics knowledge, OEM training recommended.

VII. TRANSPORTABILITY

44. Weight / volume / mass: Approx. 25 kg, 70 cm x 40 cm x 30 cm

45. Weatherproof / Ruggedized? Yes.

46. Safety hazards: Hot tip on Fido sensor.

VIII. Additional Remarks: