KAIROS AUTONOMI ANNOUNCES UPGRADE OPTION FOR LEGACY PRONTO4 KITS

 Widely-used robotic appliqué kit converts manned ground vehicles and surface vessels into optionally unmanned robotic vehicles

Kairos Autonomi, Inc., a world leader in robotic appliqué kits and developer of the Pronto4 Robotic Appliqué Kit, has announced that current users of the Pronto4 can trade-in their existing Pronto4 Series 2 or 3 and be upgraded to the latest version of the kit, the Pronto4 Series 4. The upgrade option offers significant savings over the purchase of a new kit.

“We have installed the Pronto4 Robotic Appliqué Kit on more full-size vehicles and vessels than any other robotic company in the world,” said Troy Takach, President and CEO of Kairos Autonomi. “We want to provide our customers with every opportunity to utilize the latest Pronto4 features and enhancements.”

Kairos regularly solicits users for new feature recommendations, Takach said. These suggestions often result in new enhancements and capabilities for the Pronto4. Current users interested in upgrading their legacy Pronto4 can contact P4S4upgrade@kairosautonomi.com.

The Pronto4 Series 4 can convert any manned ground vehicle (steering-wheel and skid-steer) or surface vessel into an optionally unmanned robotic vehicle. The vehicle or vessel retains its human-operable capability. Two trained technicians can install the Pronto4 in less than four hours.

The Pronto4 Series 4 kit is comprised of the following modules:

• A computer module with pre-installed software. The Pronto4 runs on Windows 7, and can be configured to dual boot into Linux 
• A services module that has serial, USB and Ethernet connections 
• Utility bays that house a variety of utility modules, including: 
• 10, 15, 20, 30, 100, 200 and 300 RPM intelligent motor modules
• Standard PWM RC servo module (1-2 ms)
• Multi-function module (OBD-II, PoE, Video)
• CANbus module
• Power and distribution modules
• 3^rd party developer module (kits available)
• Vehicle Integration Module (VIM) for powering on the Pronto4 and toggling between manual and unmanned mode

The modules are connected via a standard frame and backplane that is available in two sizes: the Pronto4 Series 4 Mini provides 4 utility bays; and the Pronto4 Series4 Planar provides 8 utility bays. In addition to the modules, a steering ring actuates a vehicle’s steering wheel. Two steering ring options are available: a standard ring with a perpendicular motor connection, and a right angle motor connection that gives the actuator a much lower profile and enables the orientation of the motor shaft to be positioned in any direction parallel to the steering ring.

Vehicles and vessels outfitted with the Pronto4 become an operate-by-wire platform, with standard tele-operation and supervised autonomy capabilities. Users can also integrate supplementary software and sensors for additional autonomous capabilities. The Pronto is also JAUS interoperable.

Current users utilize the Pronto4 in a variety of applications:

• As an operate-by-wire platform for research and development of sensors, software, etc. 
• As an unmanned moving ground target for test and evaluation and training scenarios 
• In range clearance operations where a vehicle is operating in a repetitive or dangerous environment
• As an autopilot, allowing vehicle operators to focus on other important tasks
• In mining operations where haul trucks are traveling a known path in a controlled environment

KAIROS AUTONOMI MOVES INTO LARGER FACILITY

New global headquarters facilitates company’s rapid growth

Kairos Autonomi, Inc., a worldwide leader in robotic appliqué kits and developer of the Pronto4 Robotic Appliqué Kit, announced today it has moved its global headquarters to a larger facility to support recent and future growth. Although America’s economy continues to sputter, Kairos Autonomi has flourished, becoming the largest robotic manufacturer by volume of full-size unmanned ground vehicle systems in the world. This expansion necessitated the move to a larger facility in order to provide enhanced operational efficiency and sustained growth opportunities.

“Consistently executing our company strategy has enabled us to deliver hundreds of robotic appliqué kits worldwide in just a few short years,” said Troy Takach, President and CEO of Kairos Autonomi. “As we accelerate our efforts and growth, our new facility will support our goal of delivering tens of thousands of unmanned vehicles worldwide.”

The new facility provides a more than ten-fold increase of space since the company started in 2006. The new facility includes:

• Larger vehicle bays for holding more vehicles and larger vehicle types and sizes
• A significant increase in office and meeting space to accommodate a sizeable increase of personnel
• A centralized, cellular production area that utilizes lean manufacturing concepts to help streamline the production process when building Pronto4 components
• Expanded manufacturing capabilities that facilitates in-house processes

Kairos will also continue to follow its ISO9001:2008 Quality Management System in the new facility. Kairos was the first robotics company since 2007 to be ISO9001:2008 registered.

KAIROS AUTONOMI COMPLETES THE FIRST PHASE OF DELIVERIES FOR NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU MOVING GROUND TARGET CONTRACT

Unmodified ranges equipped with necessary technologies to operate unmanned moving ground targets as part of training operations

Kairos Autonomi, Inc., a world leader in robotic appliqué kits and developer of the Pronto4 Robotic Appliqué Kit, has completed the 1st phase of its base year contract to deliver unmanned moving ground targets at National Guard Bureau training ranges across the United States.

Working only two to three days at each range, the Kairos team modified the existing ranges and configured each of them for unmanned vehicle operation. Kairos personnel also installed radio infrastructure and ground control station hardware and software, and delivered an optionally unmanned moving ground target powered by the Pronto4.

In addition to the hardware and software delivery and installation, Kairos personnel provided training to range personnel that will enable them to remotely operate the vehicles and maintain the radio and control station infrastructure for future missions. Kairos will complete phases two and three in the first half of 2013, and will continue releasing its Pronto4 Robotic Appliqué Kits to other ranges throughout the United States.

“As we demonstrated at Airburst Range, give us a small budget and a few days, and we can provide any range with the ability to operate and maintain unmanned ground or surface targets,” said Chandler Griffin, Director of Targets Programs at Kairos Autonomi. “Our effort with the National Guard Bureau shows our capability as a company to stand up existing ranges with solid infrastructure, robots and operational training in a short period of time.”

The Pronto4 Robotic Appliqué Kit can be installed in about 4 hours by a trained team of two technicians. For each NGB range, the Pronto4 enables an unmanned vehicle to drive by remote control operation in conjunction with communications infrastructure. The Pronto4 can also be upgraded to provide GPS path following capability.

The Pronto4 enables existing vehicles or surface vessels to be utilized as realistic, unmanned moving ground targets as part of training and test operations. Kairos supports a broad training range customer base and continues to develop cost-effective, high-quality hardware and software products for training range customers worldwide.

NEW COST-EFFECTIVE, SELF-CLEANING CAMERA FILTER DEVELOPED FOR DIRTY, DUSTY ENVIRONMENTS

Created to address an unmanned vehicle need, innovative filter design maintains clear camera view while ground vehicle or surface vessel is in operation 

We are excited to introduced a Camera Roll-off Filter to use along with the Pronto4 Robotic Appliqué Kit. 

The filter consists of a protective shield that fits over the standard Kairos Autonomi camera and mechanically self-cleans while the vehicle is in motion. This provides the camera with a clear view, as well as a longer lifespan that can shoot 100 frames through its own self-cleaning process. 

 

“Kairos Autonomi has recognized the need for a self-cleaning camera filter through its experience with customers, ranges and testing sites,” said Troy Takach, President and CEO of Kairos Autonomi. “With this information Kairos has developed an economical and simple Camera Roll-off Filter, similar to those that professional racecar drivers use to keep their field of vision clear during races.” 

The filter includes the following specifications: 

• Distinctive, durable, lightweight metal canister design 
• About 2 ½ inches wide and 8 inches long 
• Innovative design protects camera in dusty and harsh weather conditions  
• Reliability and functionality is smooth during operation 
• Assembly and installation is simple and allows for easy on and off control   

DRS TECHNOLOGIES TEAMS WITH KAIROS AUTONOMI, INC. TO PRODUCE AND SUPPORT MOVING LAND TARGETS

DRS Technologies, Inc. a Finmeccanica Company, announced its Sustainment Systems division has teamed with Kairos Autonomi, Inc. to jointly market, produce and support autonomous and semi-autonomous moving land targets for advanced aircraft training for U.S. and international military customers.

The partnership will leverage Kairos’ Pronto4Robotic Appliqué Kit operate-by-wire technology, which converts manned vehicles into optionally unmanned vehicles with the ability to operate either by teleoperation, semi-autonomously or autonomously. Coupled with DRS’ U.S. and international reach, program management, manufacturing, field service support and logistics capability, the team is positioned well with the technology, skills and resources to provide enhanced and more realistic pilot training scenarios for ground targets at substantially lower cost than currently available in the market.

“Providing air forces with more realistic and robust ground training scenarios will substantially increase the effectiveness of pilots and enhance the safety of ground forces. Kairos’ unique drive-by-wire technology and proven success in the unmanned systems market, coupled with DRS’ capabilities in intelligent systems and global customer reach offers a cost-effective way to improve the training of military forces around the world,” says Joseph Matteoni, vice president and general manager of DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc. “We look forward to bringing the best of our two companies together to assist our U.S. and international customers and war fighters in fielding the best training solutions in the world.”

Currently operating under a program of record with the U.S. Navy and programs with several international customers, Kairos has already begun penetrating the moving land targets market. Kairos’ Pronto4 is a market leader in large vehicle robotic systems worldwide. Employing unique, proprietary technology, Kairos is able to create robotic solutions from ordinary ground vehicles in a matter of hours through its unique hardware and software interfaces into existing vehicle systems. This capability creates the possibility of converting existing vehicles in inventory into advanced targeting platforms for aircraft training and providing real-time feedback on pilot performance, all at a fraction of the cost of existing training methods and technologies.

“The Pronto4 is the most widely used robotic appliqué kit for full-size vehicles in the world by volume,” says Troy Takach, President of Kairos Autonomi. “We believe this agreement with DRS will further our goal of providing capable and cost-effective robotic technologies to a wide range of applications worldwide.”

UNMANNED VEHICLE LEADER KAIROS AUTONOMI AWARDED MILITARY CONTRACT FOR SELF-DRIVING VEHICLE KITS

Fully operational remote vehicle systems to be delivered to training ranges and used as moving targets 

Kairos Autonomi, Inc., a world leader in robotic appliqué kits and developer of the Pronto4 Robotic Appliqué Kit, has been awarded a contract by the Army National Guard for moving land targets.

Kairos Autonomi will equip 12 Army National Guard ranges across the nation with Pronto4 Robotic Appliqué Kits, ground control stations and radio infrastructure. The hardware, software and infrastructure will provide each range with remote moving targets controlled from range facilities with full video and radio control.

“This is a natural extension of our position as a market leader in unmanned moving ground and surface targets,” said Troy Takach, President and CEO of Kairos Autonomi. “Kairos Autonomi is the largest robotic manufacturer of unmanned ground vehicle systems in the world by volume, and our presence in the test and training markets will only grow as we continue to expand.”

The Pronto4 is a robotic appliqué kit that allows vehicles to drive themselves by following a pre-defined GPS path or by remote controlled operation. The kit can be installed in most vehicles in about 1-2 man days. The kits provide realistic moving target that enhances realistic training and test environments for military personnel. 

Product deliverables at each range may include site infrastructure and support requirements, vehicles can also be configured for laser operations. The Period of Performance (POP) is expected to be 12 months.

KAIROS AUTONOMI INTRODUCES NEW TELE-OP ONLY KIT FOR UNMANNED MOVING TARGET DESTRUCTIVE TEST OR TRAINING OPERATIONS

Kit introduced in response to customer need for a cost-effective moving land target solution as part of specific training or weapons testing requirements 

 Kairos Autonomi, Inc., a world leader in robotic appliqué kits, has introduced a tele-op only kit that enables an existing vehicle to operate as an unmanned moving ground target.

The tele-op only kit, which will be shown at the NDIA Targets conference and exhibition on Oct. 2-4, 2012, in Orlando, Florida, is engineered to meet specific market demands for a cost-effective, tele-op only kit that can be used in a destructive test or training requirement.

“Destructive test and training needs a low-cost tele-op option for on-demand and dynamic movements,” said Chandler Griffin, Director of Targets Programs of Kairos Autonomi. “This kit was created to meet those demands for destructive training and weapons testing.”

Because the kit fills a specific market niche, it includes an upgrade path to become a smarter robot as required by operational requirements. These upgrades include GPS path following, vehicle deconfliction and supervised autonomy capabilities.

The tele-op only kit allows for vehicle operation at speeds in excess of 90 mph, giving the operator the maneuverability to adjust the vehicle’s route and speed with minimal time and effort. This decreases the potential for trainees to forecast upcoming preprogrammed scenarios during training exercises.

The tele-op only kit comes pre-loaded with software and a built-in CPU, controlling the steering, transmission, brake and throttle actuation through a radio data link. The kit can include additional features such as alternative radio frequencies and video capability.  

The kit offers the following advantages:

• Cost-effective
• On demand movements from exercise director
• Minimize time delay between targets
• Avoid obstacles (bomb craters, destroyed targets, etc)
• Realistic target moving simulation
• More time in the air during weapons testing not having to wait for target transition
• Utilization of existing and otherwise unserviceable Defense Reutilization Marketing Office (DRMO) assets
• Ability to relay target results back to Tactical Operations Center (TOC) for immediate scoring