Functional Coatings for Vehicles Autonomy – Phase II
NCMS Project #: 140967
Problem: Safe and effective autonomous system operation is a current and growing concern as the number of autonomous systems in operation expands. Functional surface coatings are a key component of enabling safe autonomous vehicle operation. Phase I primarily focused on easy-to-clean coatings for transparent systems.
Benefit: The safety enhancement provided by today’s high-tech sensors, are only as good as their ability to function. Preventing atmospheric elements and corrosion from hindering these sensors should be a priority. A coating that will all but eliminate the need for routine and frequent washing will save time, money, and potential human error.
Solution/Approach: Phase II will continue the work of Phase I by ongoing research into the interaction of coating systems with sensors and the implications of autonomy on large ground vehicle platforms for both transparent and opaque systems. Phase II will address the differences in vision systems and sensors in large platforms, as well as the need for Chemical Agent Resistant Coatings (CARC) on large ground vehicle platforms.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Reduce maintenance
- Improve warfighter readiness
- Enhance autonomous system effectiveness and safety
DOD Participation:
- U.S. Army TARDEC
Industry Participation:
- PPG Industries, Inc.
- North Dakota State University
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Maintenance avoidance and reliability
- Improved readiness
- Survivability
- Reliability improvement
Focus Area:
- Reliability improvement