NODEIN LLC — Department of Defense STTR Phase I: AFX20D-TCSO1

Description

This program will develop an autonomy stack for advanced air mobility using an innovative combination of formal-methods for design assurance and run-time-assurance to bound complex algorithms that are not suitable for design-time assurance. We decompose the aviate-navigate-communicate functions into control, perception, cognition, and decision-making modules for advanced air mobility aircraft. Analysis of delegation, supervision, and the overhead associated with human-autonomy teamwork is an inherent part of our formal design-time assurance. By incrementally replacing human-provided functions with the ability to delegate tasks to our assured, trustable autonomy stack, we provide the Air Force with a pragmatic path to certifiable simplified vehicle operations and beyond. The stack will be evolved systematically from Phases I to III from simulation, unmanned aircraft, simplified vehicle operations (Pipistrel, Skyborg), Air Force resupply (Phase III), Commercial Cargo Transport on Magnix Electric Caravan and eventually to a certifiable autonomy stack for commercial passenger operations. Critically, our approach addresses human-autonomy teamwork and autonomy certification (military and civilian) right from Phase I and apply it to multiple air-frames.