Overland AI has successfully integrated its autonomous ground navigation technology into the Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) vehicle developed by General Dynamics. The enhancement incorporates Overland AI’s OverDrive software, the SPARK hardware platform, and the OverWatch tactical interface, significantly enabling the vehicle’s autonomous functionality.
This integration was thoroughly tested over a two-week period as part of Project Convergence Capstone 5, an essential event organized by the U.S. Army aimed at assessing emerging military technologies. During this critical testing phase, soldiers were given hands-on training with Overland AI’s autonomous platform. This training equipped them with the necessary skills to independently operate, troubleshoot, and maintain the advanced system, thus fostering self-sufficiency among the troops in using this cutting-edge technology.
Additionally, the demonstration included two innovative payload integrations: a trailer designed to carry a mine-clearing unmanned aerial system (UAS) for facilitating lane breaching operations, and a drone launcher engineered by Stratin Engineering, which was mounted on the SMET for deploying small expendable drones. Byron Boots, co-founder and CEO of Overland AI, emphasized the significant tactical benefits of such technologies, stating, “Breaching exercises continue to demonstrate the maturity of our capability and the tactical benefit of removing humans from some of the most dangerous missions.”
Overland AI, based in Seattle, is making strides in advancing ground autonomy for defense applications as part of its larger Sandhills Project. This initiative aims to develop robotic breaching solutions tailored for large-scale combat scenarios. The company’s commitment to enhancing military capabilities is further underscored by its previous acquisition of an $18.6-million contract with the U.S. Army and the Defense Innovation Unit, aimed at supporting the Robotic Combat Vehicle program.
The OverWatch Tactical Interface plays a crucial role in the operational effectiveness of these autonomous vehicles. It is designed as a command-and-control interface for tactical mission coordination in contested environments, enabling a single operator to manage multiple autonomous ground vehicles equipped with Overland AI’s proprietary autonomy software. This system facilitates tactical swarming and advanced mission planning, even under challenging conditions such as degraded communications or when GPS is unavailable. The development of OverWatch has been carried out in collaboration with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and the Special Operations Command, ensuring it meets the rigorous demands of modern military operations.
