The Department of Defense, specifically the Army, is seeking innovative solutions from small businesses to develop and integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology aimed at enhancing the maneuverability and operational capabilities of large, heavy ground combat vehicles. The objective is to improve driver vision and situational awareness through AI/ML-based crew aids, potentially leading to partial or full autonomy in vehicle operation. This initiative is part of the xTechIgnite prize competition, where selected winners will be eligible to submit a Direct to Phase II SBIR proposal with a funding amount of up to $2,000,000 for a 24-month performance period. Proposals must be submitted by August 20, 2025, and further details can be found at the provided links.

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Trusted AI and Autonomy, Advanced Computing and Software

OBJECTIVE: Develop and integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that can augment current and future sensor hardware enhancing the ability of the driver to maneuver and operate large, heavy, ground combat vehicles. These vehicles typically weigh 40 to 80 tons and have limited to zero direct line of sight making it difficult for the driver to safely maneuver the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION: Develop and integrate Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technology that can augment current and future sensor hardware enhancing the ability of the driver to maneuver and operate large, heavy, ground combat vehicles. This can be done by improving driver vision and situation awareness with AI/ML based crew aids such as using AI for computer vision and object detection and/or using a large language model AI. This capability will support an AI Driver Assist System similar to Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa that is tailored toward driver combat scenarios. This capability will provide the foundation towards partial autonomy and could also lead to a fully autonomous system in the future.

IMPORTANT: A prize competition, xTechIgnite, will be used to identify small business concerns that meet the criteria for award for this topic. Winners selected from the xTechIgnite prize competition will be the only firms eligible to submit a SBIR proposal under this topic. All other proposals will not be evaluated. See the full xTechIgnite competition details here: https://www.xtech.army.mil/competition/xtechignite/.

PHASE I: This topic is accepting Direct to Phase II proposals for a cost up to $2,000,000 for a 24-month period of performance.

Proposers interested in submitting a DP2 proposal must provide documentation to substantiate that the scientific and technical merit and feasibility equivalent to a Phase I project has been met. Documentation can include data, reports, specific measurements, success criteria of a prototype, etc.

(DIRECT TO) PHASE II: To develop, integrate, and demonstrate AI/ML technologies to enhance the driver's ability to maneuver and operate the vehicle.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Analysis shows commercial potential across multiple fields including the automotive industry, security and law enforcement, and logistics and fleet management. Specific examples of potential dual-use could include: Advanced Driver Assistance systems that employ AI/ML and sensor fusion technologies for obstacle detection, lane keeping, and semi-autonomous driving features, AI-enabled route optimization, surveillance of vehicle surroundings, and real-time threat assessment.
REFERENCES:
1.	https://aimagazine.com/articles/the-power-of-advanced-ai-assisted-driving-systems
2.	https://www.contents.com/magazine/artificial-intelligence/revolutionising-the-road-how-ai-is-transforming-driving-experiences/

KEYWORDS: Driver Assist System; Partial Autonomy; Detection Algorithms; Hazard Detection

Artificial Intelligence for Aided Driving of Ground Combat Vehicles

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