Autonomous Platform Demonstrator

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Autonomous Platform Demonstrator

NREC’s Autonomous Platform Demonstrator (APD) is a 9-ton, skid-steer unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) with extreme off-road mobility and the ability to drive up to 80 kph. Under APD, our team pioneered several technologies including modern hybrid-electric drive systems, advanced vehicle suspension systems, and lightweight chassis technologies on a single platform.

APD’s development is based on the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) Modernization Program requirements and specifications, including those for weight, mobility, performance, and size. The APD project has been instrumental in the development and maturation of UGV core mobility technologies. This effort benefits all future unmanned platform mobility, subsystem, and control developments.

Top speed of 80 kilometers per hour.
Ability to autonomously perform a single lane change.
Ability to deploy two vehicles on a C-130 transport plane.
APD was the first UGV to use the Safety Monitor as part of its overall safety approach.

This program was funded by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC).

Autonomous Platform Demonstrator

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