Applied Intuition new AI helps autonomous vehicles navigate off-road

Applied Intuition's off-road autonomy technology addresses the challenges of navigating unstructured terrain through a combination of advanced AI and machine learning techniques, as well as traditional safety and systems expertise. The system includes off-road perception technology that accurately interprets and navigates the vehicle through unstructured natural environments using various sensors such as lidar, camera, and radar2. These sensors scan and interpret the terrain continuously, and the sensory input is processed using a combination of learned and geometric algorithms to differentiate between various types of obstacles.

The technology also incorporates mapless localization, which uses real-time sensor data to localize the vehicle within its surroundings when traditional maps are unavailable or insufficiently detailed. Additionally, it has a universal planning architecture that tailors its strategies to various payloads and terrain types, plotting the right path and maneuvering needed for each scenario.

Furthermore, the system is designed to be customizable and modular, allowing it to work with third-party systems and enabling components to be swapped in and out as needed. This adaptability is crucial for addressing the diverse challenges faced by autonomous systems operating in unstructured environments, such as hazardous or inaccessible areas, or hostile or unpredictable conditions.

Applied Intuition's new technology stack for self-driving vehicles includes several key features designed to help autonomous vehicles navigate safely across complex unstructured terrain2. These features include:

1. Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM): This allows the vehicle to create a map of its surroundings while also determining its position within that map in real-time.

2. Perception and Object Tracking: The system can detect and track objects in the environment, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles, using a variety of sensors including lidar, camera, and radar.

3. Sensor Fusion and Calibration: The technology stack can combine data from multiple sensors to create a more accurate representation of the environment, and it can calibrate these sensors to ensure accuracy.

4. Safety Planning and Controls: The system can plan a safe path for the vehicle to follow, taking into account the vehicle's dynamics and the environment, and it can control the vehicle's movements to follow this path2.

5. Off-road Perception Technology: This is at the core of the tech stack, designed to accurately interpret and navigate the vehicle through unstructured natural environments.

6. Mapless Localization: This feature allows the vehicle to localize itself within its surroundings when traditional maps are unavailable or insufficiently detailed, using real-time sensor data.

7. Universal Planning Architecture: The system can tailor its strategies to various payloads and terrain types, plotting the right path and maneuvering needed for each scenario.

8. Customizable and Modular Design: The technology stack is designed to work with third-party systems, and components can be swapped in and out as needed, providing flexibility for different applications.