Page 8 - Innovations in Intelligent Machines

Preface

Advanced computational techniques for decision making on unmanned sys-
tems are starting to be factored into major policy directives such as the United
States Department of Defence UAS Roadmap. Despite the expressed need for
the elusive characteristic of “autonomy”, there are no existing systems that
are autonomous by any rigorous definition. Through the use of sophisticated
algorithms, residing in every software subsystem (state estimation, naviga-
tion, control and so on) it is conceivable that a degree of true autonomy
might emerge. The science required to achieve robust behavioural modules for
autonomous systems is sampled in this book. There are a host of technologies
that could be implemented on current operational systems. Many of the behav-
iours described are present in fielded systems albeit in an extremely primi-
tive form. For example, waypoint navigation as opposed to path planning, so
the prospects of upgrading current implementations are good if hurdles such
as airworthiness can be overcome. We can confidently predict that within a
few years the types of behaviour described herein will be commonplace on
both large and small unmanned systems.
This research book includes a collection of chapters on the state of art in
the area of intelligent machines. We believe that this research will provide a
sound basis to make autonomous systems human-like.
We are grateful to the authors and reviewers for their vision and contribu-
tion. The editorial assistance provided by Springer-Verlag is acknowledged.

Editors