Augusta Systems Technologies Support Unmanned Vehicle “Swarming”
Technologies Power On-Board Processing During Unmanned Systems Demo
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Unmanned vehicles equipped with on-board sensor data processing capabilities developed by Augusta
Systems Inc. successfully “swarmed” during recent field tests and demonstrations, operating autonomously, with limited
intervention by human operators.
“This is a significant advancement for unmanned systems. Thanks to our on-board sensor data processing technologies, the
vehicles can function as fully robotic systems, capable of making their own decisions,” said Patrick Esposito, president and
chief operating officer of Augusta Systems.
“Now, with these technologies, unmanned systems can act as part of a distributed, intelligent network on the battlefield,
processing, sharing and communicating critical data,” he said. “As a key component of joint, network-centric operations,
intelligent vehicles can perform the data processing and communications normally handled by personnel in the field or at a
centralized location.”
Augusta Systems, which provides technologies for distributed, intelligent networks featuring data from edge assets,
participated in the Naval Air Systems Command sponsored tests and demonstrations, held at a National Aeronautics and Space
Administration facility on Wallops Island, Va. For the tests and demonstrations, components of Augusta Systems® SensorBridge™
and SensorPort™ products were combined with other commercial products, including mesh networking technologies from Motorola
(NYSE: MOT) and ITT Corporation (NYSE: ITT), to form a payload computer installed on-board four unmanned ground vehicles and
two Aerosonde Mk III unmanned aerial vehicles from AAI Corporation, a United Industrial Corporation (NYSE: UIC) subsidiary.
SensorBridge is a suite of software components for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 for building and managing intelligent
networks, systems, and applications featuring data from edge assets within an integrated development environment. SensorPort
is a reconfigurable network appliance for distributed, intelligent processing at the edge of the network.
Distributed, on-board collaborative control algorithms, which enable a single operator to coordinate and control multiple
vehicles, were implemented on the payload computers to enable the swarming capabilities among the six air and ground vehicles.
With on-board collaborative control, the vehicles operate as a group, functioning together as a “swarm.” The swarm can process
and communicate relevant information, allowing the individual vehicles and group to change direction, autonomously, in
response to sensor inputs. The algorithms were developed by NewVectors LLC, a division of TechTeam Government Solutions, Inc.,
a TechTeam Global (NASDAQ: TEAM) subsidiary.
Other technologies utilized in the demonstration included geospatial displays and user/operator interfaces developed using
SensorBridge and geographic information system software.
“Our technologies, combined with on-board collaborative control algorithms and mesh networking technologies, have
dramatically increased the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of these vehicles,” Esposito said. “By
utilizing components of our SensorBridge and SensorPort products with other customized features, we’ve essentially provided
the vehicles with the brains to act with intelligence. The vehicles no longer act alone, as independent, remote controlled
cameras, but as intelligent computing systems in a collaborative, networked environment.”
About Augusta Systems
Augusta Systems Inc. (www.augustasystems.com) technologies power
distributed, intelligent networks. The technologies extend enterprise networks by enabling rapid integration, intelligent
processing and enterprise utilization of data from sensors, actuators and other edge systems and devices. Augusta Systems
products enable the most efficient and effective convergence and use of data from edge systems and devices for numerous
applications, including security, monitoring, automation, and asset tracking among others.
The company's core products are SensorBridge, EdgeFrontier™, and SensorPort. SensorBridge is a suite of
software components for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 for building and managing intelligent networks, systems and applications
featuring data from edge assets within an integrated development environment. EdgeFrontier provides an extensible edge
application server and enterprise service bus for distributed, intelligent networks. SensorPort is a reconfigurable network
appliance for distributed, intelligent processing at the edge of the network.
Augusta Systems also offers its core technologies in conjunction with partner technologies to develop advanced, intelligent
sensing and control products. One such product is ThreatViewer, which provides remote monitoring capabilities for
industrial, military and homeland security.
Augusta Systems technologies enable sensors, actuators, systems, and devices relying on a variety of protocols and systems,
including wireless sensor networks (featuring ZigBee and other protocols), RFID systems and imagery devices. The technologies
support network-centric systems, IPv6, physical/IT security convergence, M2M communications, and other applications. As a
result, the technologies reduce the total cost of ownership for distributed intelligent edge networks and maximize enterprise
return on investment for enterprise network assets.
About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our
vision of seamless mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you connect simply and seamlessly to the people,
information, and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do"
experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global
presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $42.9 billion in 2006. For more information about our company, our people and
our innovations, please visit http://www.Motorola.com.
About ITT
ITT Corporation is a global engineering and manufacturing company with leading positions in the markets it serves, generating
2006 sales of $7.8 billion. ITT is the world's premier supplier of pumps, systems and services to move, control, and treat
water and other fluids. The company is a major supplier of sophisticated military defense systems, and provides advanced
technical and operational services to a broad range of Government agencies. ITT also produces electrical connectors used in
telecommunications, computing, aerospace and industrial applications. Further, ITT makes industrial components for a number of
other markets, including transportation, construction and aerospace. Based in White Plains, New York, ITT employs
approximately 40,000 people around the world. In addition to the New York Stock Exchange, ITT stock is traded on the Midwest,
Pacific, London, Paris, and Frankfurt exchanges.
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