Research project InterRoC - Rheinmetall HX truck in robot convoy

On behalf of the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw), Rheinmetall is conducting the research and technology project InterRoC. This abbreviation stands for Interoperable Robotic Convoy - interoperable robotic convoy. In recent weeks, the impressive capabilities of this technology approach for autonomous driving were demonstrated at two outstanding events.

The InterRoC project includes two military HX2 trucks, each equipped with an autonomy kit, following each other in a leader-follower principle. In this principle, the first vehicle is always manually driven, while the following trucks autonomously follow the lane of the lead vehicle. These trucks are only occupied by a safety driver who is ready to intervene in case of a malfunction. Not only the so-called primary functions such as steering and accelerating can be controlled, but also secondary functions such as engine start, lights, differential locks, etc. In the current project, an autonomy kit (A-Kit) provided by the US side to the German side within the framework of a Project Agreement is used. Rheinmetall is responsible for modifying the base vehicles, integrating the autonomy functions, commissioning, and testing.

Interoperable Deployment Demonstration: US-German Convoy Drives

As part of their Autonomous Ground Resupply (AGR) project, the US Army uses the same A-Kits on their Oshkosh trucks as Rheinmetall uses for InterRoC. This makes it possible to conduct mixed German-American convoy drives. This was set up and tested with bi-national participation from September 26 to October 7, 2022 on the US base in Grafenwöhr as part of an Operational Demonstration (OPDEMO).

The intensive preparations paid off, as a first convoy of two vehicles moved across the terrain on the second day. Over the course of the two weeks, all conceivable modes of the system were tested with the convoy consisting of five vehicles, in various configurations. A total of 1051 km were driven autonomously. It is noteworthy that the entire convoy climbed a slope of 40 percent, with the differential locks being engaged by the A-Kit.

Furthermore, over 75 minutes of continuous driving without manual intervention was achieved. The maximum convoy length was 1100 meters. Dynamic reconfiguration of the convoy was possible with minimal downtime.

Overall, this test is considered a complete success for all parties involved, and many insights were gained.

Successful at ELROB 2022

In early summer 2022, the InterRoC vehicles participated in the European Land Robot Trials (ELROB) international showcase in the presence of the German client.

ELROB is Europe's toughest field test for unmanned systems. It is an open, multinational competition in the field of robotics, sensors, and autonomy, with various participants from universities, civilian, and military manufacturers. It is held every two years on a military test site, most recently in the week of May 30 to June 3, 2022, on a training ground near the Austrian capital, Vienna.

Participants had to navigate through various scenarios and challenges devised in close collaboration with military users. Task fulfillment was evaluated by an expert team.

Rheinmetall participated for the first time with the F&T project InterRoC in convoying at the event and directly achieved second place in this category with its small team, behind the University of the German Federal Armed Forces Munich.

The challenges this year tested the specified capabilities of both the vehicles and the A-Kit, but were largely overcome by the creative team, which was reinforced by colleagues from RMMV Austria.

In addition to the evaluated scenarios, Rheinmetall was able to demonstrate the area of autonomous driving to many interested visitors through presentation drives on the test site. The vehicles generated high interest and received great acclaim.

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