OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. OBJECTIVE: Warehouse automation technology automates tedious tasks or assists human workers, freeing them to focus on complex tasks. Advancements in technology are paving the way for trends that support warehouse efficiency, improve accuracy, and enhance safety. The Internet of Things (IoT) connects all devices and systems in the warehouse ecosystem, tracking everything to maximize operational efficiency. Automated warehouse systems with collaborative mobile robots can greatly benefit DLA Warehouse operations by increasing productivity, improving worker satisfaction, reducing, or eliminating injuries, and lowering operating costs. Warehouse automation optimizes space and offers greater efficiency, accuracy, and worker safety. It saves money, enables DLA Warehouses to accommodate Warfighter demand, and reduces manual errors. Develop innovative and ruggedized Autonomous Material Distribution Robotics technologies (e.g., Robotic Arms, Autonomous Guided Vehicles, Autonomous Mobile Robots, Autonomous Tuggers, Autonomous Movers, Autonomous Forklifts, Robotic Lifts, etc.) with state-of-the-art indoor-outdoor navigation capability. These robotics technologies may use a variety of sensors such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and Wireless Fiber (Wi-Fi) where applicable, and they should minimize the need for infrastructure modifications such as Augmented Reality (AR) tags to enable autonomous navigation in changing environments. Objective 1: Indoor-Outdoor Autonomous Material Distribution Robotics Technologies. Develop robotics technologies that combine the features of both outdoor and indoor operations; consider the development of various robotics technologies, but not limited to robotic arms, autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), autonomous tuggers, autonomous movers, autonomous forklifts, robotic lifts, etc. as described below. The goal of this objective is for the vendor to develop a capability for various autonomous material distribution robotics that address the requirements for rugged indoor and outdoor robotics systems that can autonomously distribute material within warehouses, outside warehouses, and between the respective DLA Distribution and DLA Disposition warehouses throughout the DLA enterprise. Objective 2: Indoor Autonomous Material Distribution Robotics Systems. Develop robust autonomous material distribution robotics systems that operate inside warehouses and within warehouse tunnels and navigate the tunnel inclines at the DLA Distribution Center, Hill Air Force Base, UT (DDHU). The indoor autonomous robotics designs allow for the ascent and descent of tunnel inclines with up to 12 in a 100 grade (+/- 12%), the smooth transition between warehouse floors and tunnels, the navigation of sharp turns (180 degrees or more) requiring a minimum turning radius of 1.9 meters, and possess a threshold capability to tow two standard warehouse carts with a total combined weight of 12,000 pounds and a maximum tow capability of up to three standard warehouse carts with a total combined weight of up to 18,000 pounds (i.e., the weight of three loaded carts) given all conditions and requirements described above. The Indoor AGV's state-of-the-art indoor navigation system will continuously operate within DLA Distribution Warehouses, be integrated into warehouse automation systems, and communicate with the emerging DLA Warehouse Management System (WMS) and Warehouse Execution System (WES). Objective 3: Outdoor Autonomous Material Distribution Robotics Systems. Develop innovative and ruggedized outdoor autonomous material distribution robotics system technologies with a state-of-the-art outdoor navigation solution that can be integrated into the DLA warehouse communications systems (i.e., WMS and WES). This integration allows outdoor autonomous material distribution robotics systems to receive tasking in an automated fashion, operate frequently, and report success or failure at tasking. This research seeks to identify and test navigational technology that can be used uninterruptedly, and continuously onboard the various autonomous material distribution robotics systems described to support routine external warehouse operations throughout the DLA enterprise. This research effort must address DLA-identified cybersecurity requirements by testing and evaluating government security controls. This research project will work in external environments at designated DLA Distribution Centers and DLA Disposition Services recycling centers in the United States. DESCRIPTION: Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Distribution Modernization Program (DMP) topics of interest are research focused on a Continental United States-based autonomous material distribution robotics system navigation solutions in support of the routine navigation of autonomous vehicles operating both outdoors between DLA Distribution and Disposition Services warehouses, indoors within the DLA warehouses, and when traversing warehouse tunnels. This research project shall involve the use of commercial/industry autonomous material distribution robotics systems that can withstand the demands of both outdoor and indoor operations, ascend/descend warehouse tunnels, and be integrated with outdoor and indoor-based navigation systems utilizing various sensors such as GPS, LS, Wi-Fi, and LiDAR that: Support a joint effort between DLA Research and Development (R&D), DLA J5 Distribution Headquarters, and DLA Disposition Services to conduct research and testing of navigation systems integrated into a variety of autonomous robotics systems during outdoor operations between warehouses. Improves outdoor navigation and resilience of robotics systems in challenging conditions. Robotic systems can transport goods between warehouses at a DLA site and operate under challenging conditions. Features navigation systems can implement high-precision measurement data for regular outdoor/indoor navigation use. Can operate indoors using a state-of-the-art indoor navigation system that allows robotics to work within DLA's Distribution and Disposition Services Warehouses continuously and seamlessly transition between the outdoor and indoor warehouse environments. Can be integrated into warehouse communications systems such as a Warehouse Execution System (WES) to receive tasking and report status. Enables robots to operate on inclines and navigate warehouse tunnels, even under challenging conditions. Allows for safe transportation of goods between warehouses at DLA distribution and disposition services sites. Uses process automation that digitizes manual processes and using barcoding and wireless barcode scanners to capture and track data, which is then sent to a central ERP or database for storage and future retrieval. When applicable, autonomous tuggers can transition smoothly between level and elevated warehouse surfaces, navigate sharp turns within the warehouse environment, and tow up to three loaded standard warehouse carts weighing up to 18,000 pounds. Improves indoor and outdoor autonomous robotics systems by using external and internal navigation to create a reliable navigational network. It also ensures the safety of warehouse workers. Provides a reliable navigation system for autonomous vehicles that maintain high operating speeds both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, it must be compatible with a designated government data cloud to store, retrieve, and use high-resolution geospatial data without relying on commercial data cloud. Provides new navigation technology and capable designs for autonomous robotics can revolutionize material distribution and delivery in warehouse operations. Where applicable (e.g., autonomous vehicles and tuggers), integrate a Universal Ball Hitch connection for trailers with automatic coupling by the autonomous vehicle. Operates in outdoor temperatures of 10F through 100F and addresses lost battery performance below 40F with insulation measures. Executes a minimum 7.5-hr duty cycle at the full performance before recharge. 30-minute quick charge from 0% to 50% charge. PHASE I: Not to exceed - 12 months - $100,000 The research and development goals of Phase I provide Small Business Research and Development firms the opportunity to successfully demonstrate how their proposed Outdoor and Indoor autonomous material distribution robotics technology navigation concept of operations (CONOPS) improves the distribution of goods and materials within the respective DLA distribution and disposition enterprises and effectively lessen the time to provide needed supplies to the Warfighter. The selected vendor will conduct a feasibility study to: Address the requirements described above in the Description Section for outdoor autonomous robots operating between warehouses and indoor autonomous robots traversing warehouse tunnel elevations. Identify capability gap(s) and the requirement for DLA to use autonomous robots in the respective DLA Distribution and Disposition Operations environments. Develop the vendor's Concept of Operations (CONOPS) to utilize the autonomous and describe clearly how the requirements develop. Note: During Phase I of the SBIR, testing is not required. The vendor must create a CONOPS for autonomous robotic systems that can operate outdoors and indoors and navigate between distribution warehouses under varying weather conditions. It should require little to no operator effort during the process. The deliverables for this project include a final report, including a cost breakdown of courses of action. PHASE II: Not to exceed - 24 months - $1,000,000 Based on the research and the concept of operations developed during Phase I, the research and development goals of Phase II emphasize the execution of the seamless Indoor-Outdoor autonomous robotics systems navigation system following the typical DLA Distribution Warehouse concept of operations for material handling. During Phase II, the vendor will: Address the specific user, functional, and system requirements defined and provided by DLA. Develop a prototype autonomous robotics system (e.g., Robotic Arms, Autonomous Guided Vehicles, Autonomous Mobile Robots, Autonomous Tuggers, Autonomous Movers, Autonomous Forklifts, Robotic Lifts, etc.) for Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E) and Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E). Apply gov't cybersecurity controls & obtain necessary certifications to operate prototype equipment in the DLA warehouse with DOD cloud connections. Design the prototype equal to the technology maturity of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 9 after Phase II. Deliver a final autonomous robotics systems prototype to DLA to demonstrate the successful execution of the CONOPS established in Phase I. The developed autonomous material distribution robotics technologies will operate across the United States at various DLA Distribution Center sites mutually agreed upon between DLA R&D, DLA Distribution HQ, and DLA Disposition Services HQ. The deliverables for this project include a final report, including a cost breakdown of courses of action (COAs). PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III is any proposal that derives from, extends or completes a transition from a Phase I or II project. Phase III proposals will be accepted after the completion of Phase I and or Phase II projects. There is no specific funding associated with Phase III, except Phase III is not allowed to use SBIR/STTR coded funding. Any other type of funding is allowed. Phase III proposal Submission. Phase III proposals are emailed directly to DLA SBIR2@dla.mil. The PMO team will set up evaluations and coordinate the funding and contracting actions depending on the outcome of the evaluations. A Phase III proposal should follow the same format as Phase II for the content and format. There are, however, no limitations to the amount of funding requested, or the period of performance. All other guidelines apply. Transition Plan 1. Period of Performance: TBD 2. Budget: $ TBD This Phase of the project should include: 1. Delivery of a production level product to J68 ready for integration into the overall DLA Enterprise system. 2. Develop a sustainment plan to support the delivered system for the lifetime of the program. REFERENCES: A. Dong, W. Hong, "VPH: a new laser radar-based obstacle avoidance method for intelligent mobile robots," WCICA 2004. Fifth World Congress on Intelligent Control and Automation, vol. 5, pp. 4681-4685, 2004. A. K. Kar, N. K. Dhar, S. S. F. Nawaz, R. Chandola and N. K. Verma, "Automated guided vehicle navigation with obstacle avoidance in normal and guided environments," 2016 11th International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS), Roorkee, 2016, pp. 77-82. Department of Defense, Defense Science Board, Task Force Report: The Role of Autonomy in DOD Systems in DOD Systems, July 2012. https://fas.org/irp/agency/dod/dsb/autonomy.pdf M. Misaros OP Stan, IC Donca, LC Miclea, Autonomous Robots for Services-State of the Art, Challenges, and Research Areas. Sensors , (Basel). 2023 May 22;23(10):4962. doi: 10.3390/s23104962. PMID: 37430875; PMCID: PMC10223107. R. Bostelman and E. Messina, "Towards Development of an Automated Guided Vehicle Intelligence Level Performance Standard," in Autonomous Industrial Vehicles: From the Laboratory to the Factory Floor, ed. R. Bostelman and E. Messina (West Conshohocken, PA autonomous robotics systems: ASTM International, 2016), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1520/STP159420150054. Talwinder Singh, Davinder Singh, Chandan Deep Singh, Kanwaljit Singh Book Editor(s): Chandan Deep Singh, Harleen Kaur, Industry 5.0 , First published: 24 April 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119865216.ch2. Thien-Huynh The, Quoc-Viet Pham, Xuan-Qui Pham, Tan Do-Duy, Thippa Reddy Gadekallu. AI and Computer Vision Technologies for Metaverse, Metaverse Communication and Computing Networks: Applications, Technologies, and Approaches First published: 06 October 2023. KEYWORDS: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomy, Robotics, Collaborative Mobile Robots (Cobots), GPS, Laser Scanning, Wireless Fiber, Wi-Fi, Smart Warehouse, Material Distribution.
