Application for a Free WAM-V

This is the collaboration space to complete the application for a WAM-V Platform. THe application is due by April 30th to Robotx, the award will be made by Office of Naval Research on June 30th.

Guidlines

To be considered for this opportunity, please complete the application process by composing a proposal that adheres to the following guidelines:

Initiate Account

1. Express interest here: robotx.org/apply: This will create your official RobotX application account.
2. Review application criteria (below)
3. Submit your proposal via your RobotX application account

Directions received after completing Step 1.1 April 2021

WAM-V Application Timeline

• 03 April 2021 – WAM-V Applications Open
• 30 April 2021 – WAM-V Applications Close
• 18 June 2021 – WAM-V Award Recipients Notified

Format

The format of the written paper shall adhere to the following guidelines:

• 6 page limit (excluding Title Page)
• 8.5 x 11 in. page size
• Margins ≥ 0.8 in.
• Font: Times New Roman 12pt
• Header on every page including page number
• Submitted in pdf format

Technical Approach and Justification

The competition focuses on autonomy and its execution in an integrated system-of�systems, built around the WAM-V platform. This will require an understanding of systems engineering, including sensor fusion, autonomy development and integration, and testing across a range of environmental conditions. Describe the technical approach that your team will use to achieve the degree of autonomy necessary to accomplish each of the tasks in the competition as described on the RobotX 2022 competition page. Key areas of consideration include the following:

1. Summary of hardware and software approaches to accomplishing all tasks. This should include the types of sensors required to collect data in-situ, computational infrastructure to process and integrate multiple types of data and make decisions based on situational knowledge.
2. Plan for testing the approaches described (laboratory, field experiments, simulation, etc.).
3. Strategies to overcome a failure of any component or system critical to accomplishing the tasks (system redundancy, multiple sensor inputs, etc.).
4. Strategies for understanding behavior of autonomous system (situational awareness).

Management Approach

Project Management Approach

The scale of the RobotX competition requires a strong project management approach to facilitate a good performance at the event. Applicants should consider the overall budget required to build a competitive system, and all logistics required to participate in the competition. Recruiting team members and organizing and scheduling the team workforce are important aspects of team management. Developing a plan of action and milestones to meet system development and testing is critical. Dedicated activities to ensure the required level of sponsorship will be necessary.

Budget

As part of your proposal, include a budget, including as much detail as possible regarding the basis for the estimates. Include areas of uncertainty and how you have addressed them in your estimate.Consider total costs for participation in RobotX, taking into account elements such as hardware and software tools and equipment, parts, labor, shipping, airfare, lodging, food, and other factors inherent to competing at the event in Sydney, Australia. Except in the most unusual cases, it will be necessary for each team to attract additional financial and technical support from industry, local businesses, and organizations. Describe your recent experience in attracting meaningful sponsorship in past competitions or activities. 1 April 2021

Logistics and Personnel

Include as much detail as possible about your plans to transport the WAM-V (it will be delivered to you in its own custom, reusable shipping case), any additional paraphernalia, equipment, tools, and personnel to Sydney, Australia. Consider the logistics required to ship the equipment across international borders and allocate enough time in your project timeline. Describe in as much detail as is now known, the size of your full team, your on�site team, and team associates.

Schedule and Timeline

Consider the timeline between now and the competition and lay out a notional schedule for your project. This should include at a minimum designing, building, testing, and shipping the system to and from the competition. Estimate the time it will take to design and build or procure the parts, as well as testing time. Don’t forget to take into account academic schedules, holidays, access to facilities, and any other factors that may impact your ability to prepare for and participate in the competition.The following key elements will be considered when evaluating your Project Management approach:

1. The realism of the estimated costs and expected availability of funds for team support, vehicle shipment (inbound and outbound), team travel (to include lodging and local transportation), and other expenses.
2. Reasonableness of schedule with sufficient time allocated for elements of system design, building, and testing.
3. Plan for recruiting talent (team members and advisors), and sponsorship (monetary as well as equipment and facilities).
4. Any letters of support from industry, government, university, etc. (This will not count in your 6-page limit.