With Insights from Integration Exercise, SubT Challenge Competitors Prepare for Tunnel Circuit

Nine teams hailing from four continents gathered in Idaho Springs, Colorado, the week of April 5-11, 2019, to test autonomous air and ground systems for navigating the dark, dangerous, dirty, and unpredictable underground domain.

The SubT Integration Exercise, known as STIX, took place at the Colorado School of Mines' Edgar Experimental Mine. The event provided a shakeout opportunity for competitors in advance of the Tunnel Circuit in August, the first of three subdomains that teams will tackle in DARPA's Subterranean Challenge.

The teams were divided into three groups. Each group had one day to experiment with their various systems during multiple runs in the mine, followed by a second day in which each team attempted a one-hour mock, scored run.

Teams could earn points by accurately locating, identifying, and reporting artifacts placed within the tunnels. Artifacts included thermal manikins, backpacks, fire extinguishers, cell phones, and cordless drills - all inspired by objects an end user such as a warfighter or first responder might encounter.

The mine environment presented teams with low light, high dust, metal rails, and irregular terrain. The DARPA team added to the complexity with a theatrical smoke machine, which mimicked real smoke a warfighter or first responder could contend with in an emergency response scenario, for example.

"It was amazing to see the progression from day one into day two for each team as they explored the tunnels of the mine and began to understand just how complex and unknown these underground environments can be," said Timothy Chung, program manager for the Subterranean Challenge in DARPA's Tactical Technology Office.

"It's not just about testing whether there's enough light or if robots can drive a few meters. It's about how all that has to come together in a difficult environment and the teams are experiencing the challenge of integration in addition to technology development."

Following the Tunnel Circuit, teams will compete in the Urban Circuit, which will focus on underground urban environments such as mass transit and municipal infrastructure; and the Cave Circuit, which will focus on naturally occurring cave networks. Locations for the circuit events have not been announced.

Qualification is ongoing for the circuit events. Requirements can be found in the SubT Qualification Guide available on the Resources Page. Teams interested in joining either the virtual or systems tracks can still register and are encouraged to join the SubT Community Forum to exchange ideas, explore teaming opportunities, and receive updates on the Challenge.

A lit of The competitors at STIX included a mix of DARPA-funded and self-funded teams can be found here

Related Links
DARPA's Subterranean Challenge
The latest in Military Technology for the 21st century at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

Marines to field enhanced handheld targeting system later this year
Washington DC (UPI) Apr 25, 2019
The U.S. Marine Corps plans to field a new version of an existing handheld GPS targeting system later this year, the military branch announced on Thursday. New technologies are being integrated into an updated Common Laser Range Finder-Integrated Capability by the Marines - including changes to reduce time and movement required for use of the system, as well as increased communications abilities - ahead of its expected fielding. The original CLRF-IC was fielded in 2012 and updated in 2 ... read more