Human-Machine Integrated Formation (H-MIF) Common Dismounted Controller RFI

Background
The Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) is seeking approaches to create a standardized dismounted controller hardware to enhance interoperability and ease of use across different robotic systems in support of the Human-Machine Integrated Formation (H-MIF). The controller should be applicable to a wide range of robotic platforms, including unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) with assured teleoperation, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), support maneuver and lethality assured control, and a variety of payloads.

Work Details
The key features required for the dismounted controller include modular design, safety critical functionality, user-friendly interface compliant with Warfighter Machine Interface (WMI), interoperability with different robotic systems, durability to withstand harsh environmental conditions.
The RCCTO aims to expand awareness of this information and capability across the industry, including traditional defense contractors, small businesses, nontraditional defense contractors, and academic/research institutions. The request for information (RFI) seeks responses from interested parties regarding their company overview, examples of past work on common dismounted controllers for robotics systems, rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost and duration required to design, build/integrate, test, and deliver two common dismounted controllers for specific vehicles provided by the government within 30 days after the project has started. Additionally, respondents are asked to provide an assessment of their ability to meet various performance objectives related to control capabilities, sub-system integration, communication support, safety compliance, ergonomics, haptics, ruggedization, lighting, development and testing standards adherence, user training and technical documentation provision.

Period of Performance
The due date for submission of capabilities statements is 22 January 2024.