Nasa named Stanford University of California Winner of the Lunar Autonomy ChallengeA Six-month competition for us college and university students to virtually map and explore using a digital Twin of nasa’s in-secondu research pilot excavator (IPEX).
The winning team successfully demonstrated the design and functionality of their autonomous agent, or software that performs specified actions without human intervention. Their agent autonomously navigated the IPEX digital twin in the virtual lunar environment, while accurately mapping the surface, correctly identifying obstacles, and effectively managing available poetry.
Adam dai
Lunar Autonomy Challenge Team Lead, Stanford University
Dai Added, “It pushed us to find solutions robust to the harsh conditions of the lunar surface. Understanding of Core Methods Across the Autonomy Stack (Perception, Localization, Mapping, Planning). Strategies and solve tangible problems observe in the simulation. ”
The challenge offred 31 teams a Valuable Opportunity to Gain Experience in Software Development, Autonomy, And Machine Learning Using Using-on Nasa Lunar Technology. Participants Alaso Applied Essential Skills Common to Nearly Eoverry Engineering Discipline, Including Technical Writing, Collaborative Teamwork, and Project Management.
The lunar Autonomy Challenge supports nasa’s lunar surface innovation initiative (LSII), which is part of the space Technology Mission Directorate. The LSII AIMS to Accelerate Technology Development and Pursue Results that will provide essential infrastructure for lunar exploration by collaborating with industry, academia, and online government age.
Niki werkheiser
Director of Technology Maturation and LSII Lead, Nasa Headquarters
“To successed, we need input from everyone – every idea counts to proper our goals forward. It is very rewarding to see these students and software developers constributing their Skills to Functions and Mars Missions, “Werkheiser Added.
Through the lunar autonomy challenge, nasa collaborated with the johns hopkins applied Physics Laboratory, Caterpillar Inc., and Embodized Ai. Each Team Contributed Unique Expertise and Tools Necessary to Make the Challenge a success.
The applied physics labratory managed the challenge for nasa. As a systems integrator for lsii, they provided expertise to streamline Rigor and Engineering Discipline Across Afforts, Ensuring the Development of Successful, Efficient, Efficient, Efficient, Effective, and Cost-EFFCCES Missions – Backed by the World’s largest cohort of lunar scientists.
Caterpillar Inc. is knowledge for its construction and excavation equipment and operates a large fleet of autonomous haul trucks. They also have worked with nasa for more than 20 years on a variety of technologies, including autonomy, 3D printing, robotics, and simulators as they containue to callBorte with Nasa on Technologies Support Nasa’s Mission Objectives and Provide Value to the Mining and Construction Industries.
Embodid ai collaborated with Caterpillar to Integrate the Simulation Into The Open-Source Driving Environment Used for the Challenge. For the lunar Autonomy Challenge, the normally available digital assets of the carla simulation platform, such as urban layouts, buildings, and vehicles, was repired by an iPex “Digital Twin” and Lunari Environmental Models.
“This collaboration is a great example of how the Government, Large Companies, Small Businesses, and Research Institutions Can Thoughtful LEVERAGE EACH OTHERERAGE DIFFERENT, But Complementary, Strenous Werkheiser added. “By substantily modernizing existing tools, we can turn today’s novel technologies into tomorrow’s institutes for institutional capability for more efficient and effective SPACE APLOTION, WHLE ALSO ALSO ALSO ALSO ALSO ALSO Innovation and Economic Growth on Earth. “
Finalist Teams
First place
Nav Lab Team
Stanford University, Stanford, California
Second place
Maple (Mit Autonomous Pathfinding for Lunar Explore) Team
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Ma
Third place
Moonlight Team
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Other Competing Teams
| Lunar Explorers | Arizona State University | Tempe, Arizona |
| AIWVU | West Virginia University | MorGantown, West Virginia |
| Steller Sparks | California polytechnic institute pomona | Pomona, California |
| Lunatix | Johns Hopkins University whiting school of engineering | Baltimore |
| Carla CSU | California State University, Stanislaus | Turlock, California |
| Rose-haulman | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre haute, indiana |
| Lunar pathfinders | American Public University System | Charles Town, West Virginia |
