U.S. DOD seeks XR options to handle its power wants

March 28, 2023 – The U.S. Division of Protection (DOD) Operational Power – Innovation (OE-I) workplace is in search of options for addressing power information gaps and bettering the understanding of how power capabilities as an underlying enabler or constraint to vital missions and actions.

The DOD’s power use varies significantly, and ranges from liquid gasoline to batteries; native, unreliable and ‘soiled’ energy grids to modernized inexperienced power crops; and everlasting base energy to cellular and austere energy era. In its ‘Commanding Power Wants Assertion’ outlining its targets, the DOD has said that it’s in search of options that may look throughout a number of army use instances and inform higher determination making because it pertains to power enabled operations.

The outcomes of the DOD’s effort to search out options will inform decision-makers about rising and accessible expertise options that might improve or enhance the division’s operational capabilities. The important thing expertise areas of major curiosity to the DOD embody:

Power Situational Consciousness: Capabilities to gather, mixture, and perceive power knowledge (e.g., remaining gasoline provides, required kilowatts per hour of operation, monitoring disruptions to energy distribution), after which speaking and displaying this knowledge on the acceptable ranges.

Power Knowledgeable Planning: Instruments and methods to know and incorporate the affect of power knowledge into plans and programs of motion. These options use power knowledge to tell the complete vary of choices from prepositioning and logistics, to maneuver and engagement.

Figuring out Efficiencies: Capabilities to determine and notice alternatives that scale back power consumption. Related options embody instruments and methods to determine developments in power use and potential strategies to cut back use or demand.

Interoperable Power Networks: Investments in commanding power that anticipate and put together for evolving requirements and capabilities, with consideration for interoperability and open-source requirements for {hardware}, software program, and networks, in addition to present and potential future threats to make sure resilient future networks.

Coaching and Training:  Instruments, processes, and methods to assist clever decision-making and power literacy that incorporate DOD coaching doctrines and greatest practices. This want space additionally consists of training and curriculums that assist to enhance understanding of power’s affect on potential actions and determine and reinforce knowledgeable and efficient power selections.

Novel Power Applied sciences: Along with the above famous particular want areas, the DOD is all for listening to of any novel power expertise that will positively have an effect on the joint power.

Inside these key areas, the DOD has famous a number of methods wherein immersive and metaverse applied sciences (digital, augmented and combined actuality) may play an vital position in filling the division’s wants. For instance:

• Digital or augmented actuality (VR/AR) coaching options to coach both a person or class;
• Instruments, processes, and methods for offering power understanding on the coverage, operational or tactical degree;
• Visualization of knowledge and knowledge related to power situational consciousness;
• Knowledgeable determination assist instruments for DOD customers throughout varied ranges of command, location and operations;
• Options that allow close to real-time situational understanding by lowering knowledge overload and resolving present knowledge deficiencies;
• Analytical instruments and modeling/simulations that combine existent techniques and simulated/digital techniques;
• Verifiable machine studying/synthetic intelligence (ML/AI) enabled monitoring and pattern evaluation;
• Use of AI assisted human-in-the-loop (HITL) coaching options and merchandise;
• Good interfaces that improve interoperability and modularity; and plenty of extra.

In accordance with the DOD, chosen options will concentrate on quickly maturing capabilities that may very well be leveraged by deployed forces within the Indo-Pacific area and different army areas of duty. As well as, the DOD has specified that options should fill different wants inside a broader coverage and strategic context, together with reaching targets for constructive local weather affect and inexperienced applied sciences. As such, the DOD said that it wants:

• Applied sciences that adapt to, and maximize the affect of, power sources;
• Strategies to make sure power availability in contested environments; and
• Choice assist instruments to enhance situational consciousness, understanding, and belief round stated power sources.

Along with assembly these wants, proposed options ought to be sure that related knowledge, info, applied sciences, and providers are comprehensible and visualized in a approach that’s acceptable for anticipated person (e.g., by a coverage planner, base commander, or operator). Moreover, belongings must be interoperable with current DOD sources and operations each time doable in order to make sure a easy transition right into a fielded functionality.

Corporations all for taking part within the DOD’s Innovation Outreach Options Assembly can submit a single utility by way of e-mail to the DOD. To learn the way and the place to submit, get in touch with Auganix.

All functions have to be acquired by the DOD on or earlier than 5:00 PM EDT, 31 March 2023. Chosen firms will then have a chance to make quick technical displays to authorities representatives about their potential options scheduled for Might 30-31, 2023 in San Diego, California.

Picture credit score: Division of Protection / Employees Sgt. David Owsianka / Air Pressure Employees Sgt. Lindsey Gulliver

Sam Sprigg

Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in analysis and report writing, he has been overlaying XR business information for the previous 5 years.