LATEST NEWS
The Pronto4 System is now on a GSA schedule! Check out our Pronto4 page for a link to the GSA web site.
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Check out our latest video: a high-speed test (75+ mph) and a time trial test, both with our HMMWV. And stay tuned for upcoming video releases: a 90 mph run and a course driven in reverse! To see all of our video, visit our Video page.
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Two DARPA Urban Challenge teams used the Pronto4™ Strap-on Autonomy System to compete in the semi-finals of the Urban Challenge. The teams are:
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Do you want to see us at an upcoming conference or exhibition? Check out our Conferences page, where you can find the show closest to you.
Pronto4™ Strap-on Autonomy System for Existing Vehicles or Vessels
A HMMWV retrofitted with the Pronto4™ Strap-on Autonomy System prepares for a high-speed test (75+ mph).
The Pronto4™ Strap-on Autonomy System successfully enables optionally unmanned vehicle navigation on the Earth's surface by providing a universal retrofit kit for existing ground vehicle or surface vessel platforms. This compact, modularly-constructed hardware system is capable of installation anywhere in the field in a four-four-four process — a four-person team can install four backpack-sized modules in four hours. With the Pronto4™, you can have a superior, affordable, optionally unmanned solution right now.
Benefits
The
simplicity of the Pronto4™ allows any existing vehicle or vessel with a steering wheel to
be retrofitted in the field instead of taking the vehicle out of the
field and adapting it in the factory. Also, retrofitting in the field keeps the existing vehicle supply chain
in place, leveraging current assets and preventing a replacement of the
vehicle. The modular construction of the Pronto4™ permits field component exchange
and local storage of auxiliary parts as well. These benefits reduce the
total cost of ownership for the vehicle.
The Pronto4™ Strap-on Autonomy System installed on a commercial SUV.
When the Pronto4™ system is installed on a vehicle, it becomes an optionally unmanned, drive-by-wire system capable of tele-operation or semi-autonomous travel. As such, the unmanned ground vehicle is still available for dual-use in manual mode; all normally accepted manual driving controls are maintained. If a human operator is sitting behind the wheel of the Pronto4™ system while it is controlled by a remote operator or local computer, simply tapping the brake (just like a cruise control) will turn control back to the human operator in the Pronto4™ system.
Vehicles retrofitted with the Pronto4™ Strap-on Autonomy System can perform flexible roles in a tele-operational or semi-autonomous mode.
Features
The Pronto4™ system consists of three
sub-systems — power/computing, vehicle and actuation. Installation is
minimally invasive to vehicle sub-systems and includes steering control,
brake and throttle (pedal) control, transmission control and ancillary
functions such as lights, blinkers, wipers, washer, horn and door locks.
The reproducible, universal retrofit mechtronics for the drive-by-wire
portion of the Pronto4™ system leverages the infrastructure of existing
vehicle platforms. The retrofit kit is compatible with the Kairos
Autonomi™ ProntoMimic software, as well as third-party pathing
products.
Additional features include:
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 A Pronto4™ System installed on a Kawasaki Mule. |
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Additions / Add-ons to the Pronto4™
ProntoMimic Software Suite
This software has a series of path creation / following interfaces that perform the task of path creation and maintenance using numerical data or aerial images and path execution in the form of GPS waypoint following. The software is highly flexible and adaptable, and can also be used for tele-operation.
Available software features include:
- Local/host video text annotation
- GPS system with dual antennae inputs
- Local video active graphic annotation
- Multiple camera video management
- Pilot headset control
- 3D fast-pan camera
- Magnetic compass and tilt sensor
- Three axis inertial sensors
- Standard USB 2.0 hub peripherals
Once installed, it can be fully field validated for proper operation in less than two hours. ProntoMimic can operate either in concert with or independently from the Pronto4™ Strap-on Autonomy System.