Automated Ground Systems Use in the Search for Lewis and Clark Expedition Historical Artifact AUVSI 2002 Program Category: Operations

摘要

The Air Force Research Laboratory Force Protection Branch Robotics Group has performed research relative to the location of subsurface targets. The primary interest in this technology has been the recovery of Unexploded Ordnance. Recently, a novel request made by an archeologist from the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center extended the utility of these systems beyond their intended scope. An artifact, known as the Experiment from the famed 1803 Lewis and Clark Expedition, was deemed a new target for the robotic survey systems. Captain Meriwether Lewis’ iron boat frame, also known as the Experiment, is a national artifact representative of one of the most significant achievements in the history of the United States. Recent research as to the location of the Experiment led to a site just outside of Great Falls, Montana. Two semi-autonomous robotic systems surveyed approximately 30 acres during the period of September 10 through September 14, 2001. These robotic systems, employing identical control software and hardware on very different mobility platforms, proved efficient and dependable. The transition of military technologies to other areas of research is critical to understanding the complete problem space associated with ground robotics.