10-Mobile Autonomous Robotics Technology Initiative (MARTI™) Flyer

Mobile Autonomous Robotics Technology Initiative (MARTI™)

Developing Sensor, Perception, and Cooperative System Technologies for Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles and Active Safety Systems

Vision: To investigate and develop sensor, computer and mobile technologies that could be utilized to augment a commercial-off-the-shelf vehicle platform to provide autonomous vehicle capabilities that can operate and perform specific tasks as well as improve safety and mobility in urban trafficked and off-road environments.

Applications of Research Include:

Cooperative Vehicle Systems

Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I)

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communications

Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII)

Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC)

Situational Awareness

Vehicle Teaming

Convoy Operations

SwRI's autonomous vehicle is able to negotiate intersection situations by using sensor inputs to determine when the path is clear.

Advanced Situation Awareness

Unattended Sensor Integration

Advanced Sensor Fusion

Image Processing/Machine Vision

Vehicular Depth Perception

Identification, Classification and Tracking of Objects

SwRI's MARTI vehicle uses advanced sensor fusion algorithms to create a situational awareness of the environment.

Advanced Vehicle Maneuvers and Behaviors

High Speed Vehicle Control and Stability

Environment/Economic Sensitive Vehicle Operations

Scalable Software for Complex Situation Response

Humanistic Driving

Rules of the Road Adherence

Pedestrian Response

Dynamic Obstacle Avoidance

The MARTI vehicle utilizes a combination of LIDAR, vision, DSRC Communications and GPS technologies to navigate streets autonomously.

Technology Applications

Active vehicle safety systems

Autonomous/unmanned ground vehicles

Emergency response vehicles

Automated construction/mining equipment

Border/Sentry patrol

Mine/IED detection and clearing

Automated inspection vehicle

Automated vehicle testing

Driverless service vehicles

Vehicles for decontamination of hazardous materials

Bomb disposal

The MARTI research platform was created using a commercially available vehicle and adding sensors, radios and computer systems.

SwRI has established a technology proving ground that is instrumented with DSRC radios, signage and representative obstacles to test and evaluate enabling technologies for autonomous/intelligent vehicles. SwRI provides client-confidential test and evaluation services for the automotive industry worldwide.

SwRI's 1,200-acre campus has been instrumented with DSRC radios to provide a robust test environment in real traffic conditions.

This flyer was published in August 2009. For more information about Mobile Autonomous Robotics Technology Initiative (MARTI), contact Stephen W. Dellenback, Phone (210) 522-3914, Fax (210) 522-3396, Automation and Data Systems Division, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510.