Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER)

Abstract

Multi-domain operations (MDO) present complex and challenging environments to ground combat platforms. Ground combat platforms must operate in a more distributed manner in these environments to gain a sustained tactical advantage and enhance warfighter survivability. The Army intends to deploy autonomous robotic combat vehicles and optionally manned fighting vehicles to accomplish this objective. In order to meet the demands of an MDO environment, significant advances in perception, planning, and control algorithms are required to autonomously maneuver faster and more resiliently in complex and novel off-road situations. Maneuver environments are characterized by three-dimensional surfaces of highly compliant soils and vegetation, hundreds of positive and negative obstacle classes, no defined road networks or driving rules, and where use of terrain for survivability is critical. In order to achieve operationally relevant speeds and resilience to novel situations on the battlefield, while simultaneously reducing the soldier's cognitive and communications burden and increasing battle space awareness, Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) will develop and demonstrate game-changing autonomous ground combat vehicle mobility using a combination of simulation and advanced platforms. RACER will deliver autonomy algorithms using the latest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine-learning techniques, a code repository, an off-road simulation environment tailored for military off-road autonomy development, tactical route planning methods, and field-demonstrated off-road autonomous capabilities. The culmination of the RACER program will demonstrate fully autonomous maneuver on a military Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) in a variety of militarily relevant environments.

Document Details

Document Type
Accomplishment
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2025
Source ID
c7c5bbc7c705bb2249afd2e48b3039db

Tags

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Robotics and Automation.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
  • AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - Autonomous System Control
  • Autonomy - UAVs
  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers

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