Sarcos and BAE team up to explore advanced perception and sensing capabilities
Sarcos Defense robotic exoskeleton. (Photo: Sarcos)
New platform to address the issues around coordinating individual and multiple heterogeneous autonomous platforms like UASs and UGVs.
Sarcos Defense announced on 16 August that it is working with BAE Systems FAST Labs on a contract from the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop advanced perception and sensing capabilities for autonomous platforms.
Work on the $1.7 million contract is expected to culminate in 2023 by demonstrating a new collaborative sensing platform.
This platform will address the issues involving coordinating individual and multiple heterogeneous autonomous platforms like UASs and UGVs equipped with multimodal sensors such as cameras, radars, and lidars.
‘The expected result will coalesce multiple environmental inputs and combine with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies to enable unmanned systems to work together in greater harmony, both alone and coordinating with each other in “swarm” scenarios,’ Sarcos stated.
The company expects to apply its research in its commercial robotics products, particularly in its future Cybernetic Training for Autonomous Robots AI platform developed in partnership with the AFRL.
Dr Peter Zulch of the AFRL said: ‘Better perception and improving sensing lags are critical challenges, particularly as autonomous systems become more widely used.’
More from Defence Notes
-
![Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide]()
Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide
The House Committee on Appropriations approved a FY2026 bill reducing investments in main defence programmes.
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
-
![UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions]()
UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was launched as one of the first acts of the UK’s new Labour Government in June last year. The review has recommended a major big-picture reform of the country’s forces.
-
![Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details]()
Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was designed to answer two questions: What is needed to fix UK defence and make it fit for the 2040s, and what do you get for a fixed financial profile? The SDR outlines that work still needs to be done on specifics.
