Don't believe the hype—autonomous technology can't replace humans just yet. That's why a special MITRE laboratory is testing these systems to prove their reliability, accuracy, and safety.
导航MASE以解锁自主系统的潜力
每当车辆发出通道出发或刹车以避免碰撞时，它都会响应传达其位置，速度和位置在其环境中的传感器。
Assistive technologies like these, now available on most new cars, are evolving quickly and occupying important roles in the way we travel. Similar technologies are also increasingly found in our national defense, along our national borders, in our workplaces, and in our homes. Despite the hardware and software improvements, however, autonomous systems remain unreliable in many applications.
That can lead to safety issues, which is where MITRE gets involved.
"What makes autonomy so interesting to us as innovators is that it reaches into multiple domains," says Zachary LaCelle, a MITRE systems engineer. "Whether working with drones or commercial aircraft, tanks, or self-driving vehicles, we’re all trying to solve the same problems. MITRE is researching how to create an architecture that integrates autonomous modules and hardware so you can mix and match it among programs. Our work can benefit many struggling with autonomous technology challenges."
LaCelle leads the MITRE Mobile Autonomous Systems Experimentation (MASE) Laboratory at our McLean, Virginia, campus. The MASE provides a trusted, integrated testing environment for emerging hardware, software, and approaches that advance self-directed systems. Our focus on systems thinking, interdisciplinary expertise, and objectivity enable us to see obstacles and potential ways to circumvent or eliminate them.
拉莱尔解释了。“我们有人际关系人，他们是认知负荷方面的专家，以及如何在计算机和人之间有效沟通。我们有网络专家和自治专家在地面，城市空气流动和国防应用方面工作。”
A Moving Testbed for Discovery
The most visible developments in autonomous technology are taking place in the automotive sector. While MITRE works across technology and transportation spaces, the MASE lab's centerpiece is a custom-adapted 2019 Jeep. Our researchers outfitted the SUV with sensors, analytic and data recorders, and powerful computer processors to test and document new autonomy technologies and technology combinations.
Teams working in the MASE lab fabricate new technologies, evaluate existing ones, and recommend promising ways to use them.
The lab demonstrates capabilities to agencies interested in applying autonomous technology to their projects. The Departments of Defense and Homeland Security are frequent collaborators. Often, seeing the technology in action spurs additional ideas and conversation, LaCelle says.
"We have the experts available to assist in research integration. For instance, people come to us with specialized concerns such as, 'I want to test how my technology detects people.' We can provide the know-how and the testing environment to make this happen."
Following the Rules of the Road
MITRE has worked with autonomous technology in the national airspace for decades. Our first major involvement with self-driving vehicles came with our entry into the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge, a government-sponsored road race. The MITRE Meteor didn’t bring home the trophy. Still, the competition launched much of our current research in this area.
Today, technology innovation companies from Google to Tesla compete to deploy driverless cars commercially. Self-driving vehicles operate legally in some states, but only with an attentive, human driver behind the wheel to take over if needed.
To operate safely and reliably, the vehicles need to recognize and respond to the static and moving objects in the environment around them, LaCelle says. Sensors might recognize lane markers and other vehicles but might not recognize a person walking a bicycle or a pet.
拉克尔说：“有些自主系统非常擅长。”“例如，他们可以非常有效地看到黑暗。”
自主系统还可以在特定域中完成特定任务。他们可以按照封闭的设定路线遵循设定的时间表的工作时间来充当穿梭。他们可以执行对人类太危险的任务，例如进入受放射性污染的区域。如果需要从不同的角度捕获数据，则无人驾驶的“有袋动力”可以自行发动车辆。
自主技术在某些方面也非常糟糕，例如建立语义世界模型或对以前从未见过的对象进行分类。“他们对此很糟糕。”
And yet, LaCelle notes, human operators have accidents, too. A self-driving car may see and avoid hitting a darkly clothed pedestrian at night. A human relies on senses, not sensors. If the pedestrian isn't wearing reflective clothing and is walking along a dark roadway, there is a better chance of being struck by a human driver, LaCelle says.
在MITER的自主系统实验实验室中，我们正在研究这些系统如何互操作和交流以及未来的实现。我们正在利用我们发现的东西来释放其在防御，安全，运输等方面的巨大潜力。
Autonomous technology has a long way to go before it replaces humans. We aren't replaceable yet. But advancements in coding and algorithms that enable autonomous systems will lead to greater improvements in safety and broader applications.
—莫莉·曼钦顿（Molly Manchenton）