4D-RCS Reference Model Architecture: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 08:59, 18 August 2011

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4D/RCS integrates the NIST Real-time Control System (RCS) architecture with the German ([[Bundeswehr University of Munich]]) [[Ernst Dickmanns|VaMoRs 4-D approach]] to dynamic machine vision. It incorporates many concepts developed under the U.S. Department of Defense Demo I, Demo II, and Demo III programs, which demonstrated increasing levels of robotic vehicle autonomy. The theory embodied in 4D/RCS borrows heavily from cognitive psychology, semiotics, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence.<ref name="Albus02">Albus et al. (2002). ''4D-RCS A Reference Model Architecture For Unmanned Vehicle Systems Version 2.0''. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899Aug 2002.</ref>

Three [[United States Government|US Government]] funded military efforts known as Demo I (US Army), Demo II (DARPA), and Demo III ([[US Army]]), are currently underway. Demo III (2001)<ref>{{cite web conference|url=http://www.isd.mel.nist.gov/documents/albus/4DRCS.pdf |format=PDF|title=4-D/RCS reference model architecture for unmanned ground vehicles|first=J.A.|last=Albus|booktitle=Proc. of Symposium on Aerospace/Defense Sensing, Simulation and Controls|___location=Orlando, FL|date=April,2002}}</ref> demonstrated the ability of unmanned ground vehicles to navigate miles of difficult off-road terrain, avoiding obstacles such as rocks and trees. [[James Albus]] at [[NIST]] provided the [[Real-time Control System]] which is a [[hierarchical control system]]. Not only were individual vehicles controlled (e.g. throttle, steering, and brake), but groups of vehicles had their movements automatically coordinated in response to high level goals.

In 2002, the [[DARPA Grand Challenge]] competitions were announced. The [[DARPA Grand Challenge (2005)|2004]] and [[DARPA Grand Challenge (2005)|2005 DARPA competitions]] allowed international teams to compete in fully autonomous vehicle races over rough unpaved terrain and in a non-populated suburban setting. The [[DARPA Grand Challenge (2007)|2007 DARPA challenge]], the DARPA urban challenge, involved autonomous cars driving in an urban setting.