Army: Vision Based Inventory Management (VBIM)

Suspense Date: 7 July 2021 Description: ARMY SBIR 2021.4 Topic: A214-037 OBJECTIVE: Streamline and accelerate the process of field artillery ammunition transfer through automation using computer vision and AI algorithms deployed on mobile devices.

Category

Opportunity

DoD Communities of Interest

Artificial Intelligence

Subject

Vision Based Inventory Management (VBIM)

Due Date

7 July 2021

Government Organization

Army

Description
ARMY SBIR 2021.4 Topic: A214-037

OBJECTIVE
Streamline and accelerate the process of field artillery ammunition transfer through automation using computer vision and AI algorithms deployed on mobile devices.

ITAR
The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

DESCRIPTION
Field artillery resupply is a multi-step process. Currently, munitions (projectiles, primers, propellant, and fuses) are inventoried, crated, palletized, and transported to the logistics release point, where they are unloaded, uncrated, inventoried, and transferred into a M992A3 Carrier Ammunition Tracked (CAT). The CAT then travels to a point behind the field artillery weapons system, situated far enough behind the gun line for safety, but near enough to maintain line of sight. Munitions are shuttled by hand from the CAT to the weapons system and loaded into the gun by hand. To stay on the cutting edge of resupply technology, the Army is interested in novel, hand-held solutions utilizing computer vision and artificial intelligence to automate and streamline the inventory process.

PHASE I

This is a direct to phase II SBIR topic. Proposals should document that the performer has developed and demonstrated feasibility of a component, sub-system, or system concept that addresses any or all of the subjects listed above to a technology readiness level of 4.

PHASE II

Develop and demonstrate a hand-held prototype system that identifies artillery munitions and extracts information from the its marking such as nomenclature, manufacturing lot, and square weight. The hand-held prototype should demonstrate the capability to export extracted data to future inventory systems, other hand-held devices equipped with the same machine vision software, and to digital DA Forms 581 and 5515.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS

Develop a deployment-ready product design that supports the integration of the technology with ATAK compatible devices. The Phase III capability will leverage an open systems architecture (as required) enabling rapid integration with emerging and legacy systems, and successfully demonstrate technology integration as part of an end-to-end munitions inventory system. Low-rate initial deployment will occur (as required).

Website

https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/