DARPA STTR Phase I Contract Awarded

AVID Announces DARPA STTR Phase I Contract Award for "Visual Odometry & Automatic 3-D Model Construction for Micro Air Vehicles"

PRESS RELEASE, August 30, 2005

On August 30, 2005 AVID LLC announced an STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) Phase I Award from DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. AVID LLC will demonstrate the feasibility of using visual odometry and 3D modeling codes to support navigation and reconnaissance from a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV).

DARPA is the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense (DoD). The purpose of DoD's SBIR and STTR programs is to harness the innovative talents of our nation's small technology companies for U.S. military and economic strength.  The SBIR and STTR Programs are highly prized with small businesses throughout the country competing for the prestigious awards.

Through the STTR project, AVID LLC will develop a system for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) to allow automated recognition of a target, such as a predetermined manmade object.  Using shape from motion, a 3D object is created from in-flight video surveillance.  "By integrating the design of the MAV vehicle, including the sensor payload, the algorithms and processing for shape from motion and the vehicle performance, AVID LLC will make this technology available for soldier-portable UAVs", stated Sam Wilson, President.

The team for this STTR effort consists of AVID LLC as the small business lead, along with the University of Kentucky as the Research Institute, with Dr. David Nister as the Research Institute lead, and consultation from Dr. Sanjiv Singh of Carnegie Mellon University. 

AVID LLC, with locations in Blacksburg and Yorktown, Virginia, specializes in aircraft design consulting and aircraft analysis and design software. AVID LLC provides aircraft design expertise and software support to U.S. Government agencies and aerospace companies, for both military and commercial sectors. Current projects emphasize design studies and design software for both small UAVs and manned aircraft.

For more information, please contact or visit our website at www.avidaerospace.com.

Other Links:

www.dodsbir.net

www.darpa.mil