NASA Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot and Deputy Associate Administrator Lesa Roe toured the Autonomy Incubator (AI) on January 20, 2016.
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Dr. Danette Allen (Left) with Deputy Associate Administrator Lesa Roe (Center)
and Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot (Right) in LaRC's Autonomy Incubator |
Their visit to the AI included demonstrations of cooperative autonomy and a showcase of capabilities such as Localization, Object Detection and Classification, and Object Avoidance on the Mars Reusable Electric Flyer.
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Jim Neilan points out sensors on our Mars Reusable Electric Flyer
while Dr. Loc Tran and Zak Johns look on. |
A notional Mars Sample Return mission scenario was presented in which three Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) survey and identify and Area of Interest (AOI) for possible sample collection. A rover is summoned to the AOI and delivers a fourth UAV as well as its own paylaod. The UAVs fly collaboratively (in formation) while the rover completes its own related mission.
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Rover "Herbie" exhibits "Follow Me" behavior behind a UAV
to deliver the fourth intelligent agent to complete the mission |
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| Rover "Herbie" has delivered the fourth UAV and exits the scene |
