Army, DIU Tap Overland AI for Robotic Combat Vehicle Prototype Project

The U.S. Army and the Defense Innovation Unit have awarded Overland AI a prototype other transaction agreement to develop autonomous navigation for the Robotic Combat Vehicle program.

The 24-month award, with a ceiling of $18.6 million, is part of the Ground Vehicle Autonomous Pathways project, which seeks to accelerate the Army’s adoption of autonomous vehicles, Overland AI said.

In the project, Overland AI will integrate its OverDrive software, an off-road autonomous navigation technology that enables RCVs to traverse complex terrain in contested areas without relying on a global positioning system.

OverDrive is designed to operate in any rugged and contested environment, including areas with limited or no communications. The software, which is already being used by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, uses passive sensors to avoid detection and on-board sensors to navigate difficult terrains in real time.

Byron Boots, Overland AI’s co-founder and CEO, said the award will allow the company to refine its autonomous navigation system for high-risk military applications and emphasized the company’s commitment to reducing risks for soldiers in dangerous situations.