RIT Researchers to Unveil Sensor Technology Enhancing U.S. Military Readiness
Demonstrations featuring RIT's “smart sensors” program will take place at the Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium and Exhibition, Oct. 25-28, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. The $3 million initiative is a joint effort between RIT's Center for Integrated Manufacturing Technology (CIMS) and Delphi Corp.
The event will showcase the ability of the RIT sensors, activated on U.S. Marine Corp light armored vehicles, to provide military commanders with vehicle-performance information from a remote location using wireless transmission. In this case, the vehicles will transmit data via satellite and the Internet to a naval vessel stationed 1,500 miles away, off the coast of San Diego.
On the battlefield, these embedded systems will monitor vehicle location, fuel load, weapons condition and ammunition status. In addition, there is improved capability of detecting potential failures in critical operating components before they happen. This can reduce logistics costs by making resupply, maintenance and repair efforts more effective.
“This technology allows a vehicle to smartly report what going on with itself,” says Ed McCarthy, CIMS senior program manager. “Is it broken down, or will it break down 10 hours from now? Access to this information allows personnel to determine whether a vehicle is likely to achieve a particular mission under its current status.”
RIT and its CIMS research team developed this concept to assist the Department of Defense in developing new sustainable design strategies that extend the life cycle of existing military systems. Delphi Corp. provided advanced sensors that were integrated into RIT's mesh of hardware and software vehicle support systems.
“An enormous amount of time spent planning and debugging this technology has really paid off,” explains Nabil Nasr, CIMS director. “The opportunity now to showcase its development in this forum represents a great milestone.”
In December, marines stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., will have an opportunity to test the system firsthand. The Marine Corp is expected to fully implement the technology over the next five years.
BACKGROUND: The Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies (CIMS) at Rochester Institute of Technology exists to increase the competitiveness of manufacturers through applied technology and training. Established in 1992, CIMS provides technology and workforce development solutions that strengthen industrial clients' ability to compete in the global marketplace. CIMS represents a dynamic collaboration of in-house technical experts, as well as academic, industry and government resources.