Evaluation of autonomy in recent ground vehicles using the autonomy levels for unmanned systems (ALFUS) framework

Abstract

Over the last few decades, the field of unmanned systems (UMSs) has begun to emerge into a variety of markets. The military has already deployed unmanned air, sea, and ground vehicles. Universities and other research institutions have developed semi-autonomous passenger vehicles that have driven on highways in the U.S. and abroad. The National Aeronautics and Space Administrations (NASA) has developed unmanned rovers that have been navigating the planet Mars for several years. Even the transit and commercial freight market has developed programs for unmanned vehicles research to help solve complex logistics issues.