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Imagine your car is in conversation with other traffic and road signals as you travel. Those conversations help your car anticipate actions you can\u2019t see: the sudden slowing of a truck as it begins to turn ahead of you, or an obscured traffic signal turning red. Meanwhile, this system has plotted a course that will drive you toward a station to recharge or refuel, while a conversation with a weather service prepares your windshield wipers and brakes for the rain ahead.<\/p>\n
This trip requires a lot of communication among systems from companies, government agencies, and organizations. How might these different entities \u2013 each with their own proprietary technology \u2013 share data safely in real time to make your trip safe, efficient, and enjoyable?<\/p>\n
Technologists at NASA\u2019s Ames Research Center in California\u2019s Silicon Valley created a framework called Data & Reasoning Fabric (DRF), a set of software infrastructure, tools, protocols, governance, and policies that allow safe, secure data sharing and logical prediction-making across different operators and machines. Originally developed with a focus on providing autonomous aviation drones with decision-making capabilities, DRF is now being explored for other applications.<\/p>\n
This means that one day, DRF-informed technology could allow your car to receive traffic data safely and securely from nearby stoplights and share data with other vehicles on the road. In this scenario, DRF is the choreographer of a complex dance of moving objects, ensuring each moves seamlessly in relation to one another towards a shared goal. The system is designed to create an integrated environment, combining data from systems that would otherwise be unable to interact with each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cDRF is built to be used behind the scenes,\u201d said David Alfano, chief of the Intelligent Systems Division at Ames. \u201cCompanies are developing autonomous technology, but their systems aren\u2019t designed to work with technology from competitors. The DRF technology bridges that gap, organizing these systems to work together in harmony.\u201d<\/p>\n
Traffic enhancements are just one use case for this innovative system. The technology could enhance how we use autonomy to support human needs on Earth, in the air, and even on the Moon.<\/p>\n
Supporting Complex Logistics<\/strong><\/p>\n To illustrate the technology\u2019s impact, the DRF team worked with the city of Phoenix on an aviation solution to improve transportation of critical medical supplies from urban areas out to rural communities with limited access to these resources. An autonomous system identified where supplies were needed and directed a drone to pick up and transport supplies quickly and safely.<\/p>\n \u201cAll the pieces need to come together, which takes a lot of effort. The DRF technology provides a framework where suppliers, medical centers, and drone operators can work together efficiently,\u201d said Moustafa Abdelbaky, senior computer scientist at Ames. \u201cThe goal isn\u2019t to remove human involvement, but help humans achieve more.\u201d<\/p>\n The DRF technology is part of a larger effort at Ames to develop concepts that enable autonomous operations while integrating them into the public and commercial sector to create safer, efficient environments.<\/p>\n \u201cAt NASA, we\u2019re always learning something. There\u2019s a silver lining when one project ends, you can identify a new lesson learned, a new application, or a new economic opportunity to continue and scale that work,\u201d said Supreet Kaur, lead systems engineer at Ames. \u201cAnd because we leverage all of the knowledge we\u2019ve gained through these experiments, we are able to make future research more robust.\u201d<\/p>\n Choreographed Autonomy<\/strong><\/p>\n Industries like modern mining involve a variety of autonomous and advanced vehicles and machinery, but these systems face the challenge of communicating sufficiently to operate in the same area. The DRF technology\u2019s \u201cchoreography\u201d might help them work together, improving efficiency. Researchers met with a commercial mining company to learn what issues they struggle with when using autonomous equipment to identify where DRF might provide future solutions.<\/p>\n \u201cIf an autonomous drill is developed by one company, but the haul trucks are developed by another, those two machines are dancing to two different sets of music. Right now, they need to be kept apart manually for safety,\u201d said Johnathan Stock, chief scientist for innovation at the Ames Intelligent Systems Division. \u201cThe DRF technology can harmonize their autonomous work so these mining companies can use autonomy across the board to create a safer, more effective enterprise.\u201d<\/p>\n Further testing of DRF on equipment like those used in mines could be done at the NASA Ames Roverscape, a surface that includes obstacles such as slopes and rocks, where DRF\u2019s choreography could be put to the test.<\/p>\n Stock also envisions DRF improving operations on the Moon. Autonomous vehicles could transport materials, drill, and excavate, while launch vehicles come and go. These operations will likely include systems from different companies or industries and could be choreographed by DRF.<\/p>\n As autonomous systems and technologies increase across markets, on Earth, in orbit, and on the Moon, DRF researchers are ready to step on the dance floor to make sure everything runs smoothly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen everyone\u2019s dancing to the same tune, things run seamlessly, and more is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n