The US Army, in collaboration with Clemson University, has unveiled its latest innovation: the Deep Orange 16 semi-autonomous vehicle. Displayed at the GVSETS Conference in Novi, Michigan, this cutting-edge vehicle is engineered to support emergency response efforts in the most challenging conditions.
A Collaborative Effort:
Deep Orange 16 represents the culmination of efforts by Clemson University’s graduate automotive engineering students. This program allows students to design, engineer, and construct a new ground platform each year, with the ultimate goal of providing optionally manned capabilities for deployment in difficult scenarios.
Improvements and Enhancements:
Robert Prucka, Director of the Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy-Enabled Ground Systems Research Center (VIPR-GS) at Clemson, emphasized the significant enhancements made to Deep Orange 16 compared to its predecessor, Deep Orange 15. These improvements include a redesigned rear for increased space, a 10% reduction in weight, and a simplified litter loading mechanism.
Other notable upgrades include a new thermal management system, improved powertrain capacities, and software upgrades to enhance maneuverability.
Ready for Any Terrain:
With a range of 350 km (217 miles) and a weatherproof exterior, Deep Orange 16 is designed to operate in a variety of challenging environments, including off-road conditions and unpredictable terrain. The vehicle is equipped with a system that scans the road profile and adjusts the suspension for a smoother ride.
Advanced Technology:
Deep Orange 16 boasts a 360-degree camera system with tire-level views for obstacle detection, an AI-powered heads-up display to alert drivers to hazards up to 100 feet away, and onboard medical monitoring to track patient vitals in real time during transport.
Versatile Design:
The vehicle can accommodate six people and features a rotating passenger seat to support multiple operational roles. Its MOLLE storage system enables secure, modular organization of rescue and medical gear, while the rear hatch fits a standard pallet of supplies and exterior compartments can transport fire rescue equipment.
A Research Platform for the Future:
Unlike previous Deep Orange platforms, this year’s vehicle will remain at Clemson to serve as a research platform. It will support future experiments with new methodologies and capabilities developed under the Deep Orange program and other university projects.
„We will be integrating more of our advanced research, mostly algorithms around powertrain control and autonomous vehicle control, and test them more and more,” Prucka said.
