Overland AI, a Seattle-based company specializing in ground autonomy for defense purposes, recently integrated its autonomous ground navigation technology into General Dynamics’ Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) vehicle. The upgrade included OverDrive software, SPARK hardware platform, and the OverWatch tactical interface to enable autonomous functionality.
The integration was tested during Project Convergence Capstone 5, a crucial event for testing emerging technologies by the US Army. Troops received training on operating and maintaining the autonomous platform independently. The demonstration also featured two payload integrations, including a mine-clearing UAS trailer for lane breaching and a drone launcher developed by Stratin Engineering.
Byron Boots, co-founder, and CEO of Overland AI, highlighted the strategic advantages of autonomous capabilities, particularly in dangerous missions. The company is contributing to the Sandhills Project, focusing on developing robotic breaching solutions for large-scale combat operations.
Overland AI has previously secured an $18.6 million contract with the US Army and the Defense Innovation Unit to support the Robotic Combat Vehicle program. The OverWatch tactical interface is designed for mission coordination in contested environments, allowing a single operator to manage multiple autonomous ground vehicles in challenging conditions.
Developed in coordination with DARPA, the US Army, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command, the OverWatch interface supports tactical swarming and advanced mission planning even in GPS-denied and communication-degraded situations. Overall, Overland AI continues to lead the way in advancing ground autonomy technology for defense applications.
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