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Fast Formation Control for Multiple Autonomous Seaborne Test Vehicles

Fast Formation Control for Multiple Autonomous Seaborne Test Vehicles
Test boats formation control under demonstration.
The United States Navy’s Seaborne Test Team (STT) has selected JPL and the Control Architecture for Robotic Agent Command and Sensing (CARACaS) algorithms to support the Central Test and Evaluation Investment Program (CTEIP) of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). STT provides several types of USVs for the purposes of testing and evaluating Navy personnel and systems in secure, closed-range test facilities. Currently, the vessels are primarily operated in remote control and require one operator to control each USV. CTEIP’s objective is to enable a single operator to operate a scalable group by adding multi-agent autonomy software, such as CARACaS, to maintain USV formations while providing automated collision avoidance for safety.

JPL is fully integrating CARACaS autonomy capabilities with STT’s SeaCAN software with an emphasis on fast and safe autonomous motion planning and control. CARACaS will continue to be used by STT and CTEIP to support future testing on closed government test facilities or research facilities.
Point of Contact: Joshua Vander Hook
Sponsored By: Defense