Kratos Deploys the World’s First Autonomous Vehicle Utilized in Live Operation on Public Roadways
September 18 2017 - 4:00PM
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS), a
leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that
Micro Systems, Inc., a part of its Unmanned Systems Division (USD),
in partnership with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT),
Royal Truck and Equipment, and Colas Ltd, has deployed the World’s
First autonomous vehicle approved and supporting live roadway
operation in Colorado
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-GkbFXq3Ts). The Autonomous
Impact Protection Vehicle (AIPV), also known as the Autonomous
Truck Mounted Attenuator (ATMA), is a first-of-its kind work zone
vehicle designed to advance safety for roadway maintenance crews.
Customarily positioned behind road construction crews in order to
protect workers from the traveling public, the AIPV/ATMA increases
work zone safety by removing the driver from a truck actually
designed as a mobile crash barrier.
“Just in the last four years, there have been 26
incidents where a member of the traveling public struck a CDOT
impact protection vehicle — that’s almost seven per year,”
said Shailen Bhatt, CDOT Executive Director. “This is a dangerously
high number when you consider that in some instances, a CDOT
employee is sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle that was
hit. By using self-driving technology, we’re able to take the
driver out of harm’s way while still effectively shielding roadside
workers. Our partnership with Kratos proves that technology can
take transportation safety to a new level and forever improve the
way we work."
The autonomous technology was originally
developed by Kratos to support Robotic and Autonomous System (RAS)
objectives for the US Army and has been leveraged into this
non-military commercial application. The system incorporates a
Leader/Follower configuration utilizing a vehicle automation
retrofit kit that enables the unmanned AIPV/ATMA to follow a
human-driven leader vehicle mimicking position, speed, and heading.
Retrofitting the vehicles with the Kratos automation kit allows the
customer to use their existing fleet of vehicles providing a highly
cost effective solution. In addition to the Colorado deployment of
the AIPV/ATMA, Kratos has systems currently undergoing trials in
the UK with Colas Ltd. According to the Federal Highway
Administration, in work zones in 2015, there was a crash
every 5.4 minutes, 70 crash-related injuries every day,
and 12 crash-related fatalities every week, which makes the
AIPV/ATMA a potentially game-changing solution for improving safety
and efficiency in the work zone.
Kevin Ferguson, Sr. VP of Kratos’ Micro Systems,
Inc., said, "Kratos is focused on rapidly designing, demonstrating,
and fielding the highest performance unmanned systems in the world,
and we are very proud to be working with this important customer on
this next generation roadway construction system."
About Kratos Defense & Security
SolutionsKratos Defense & Security Solutions,
Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops transformative, affordable
technology for the Department of Defense and commercial
customers. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough
technology for these industries is brought to market through
proactive research and a streamlined development
process. Kratos specializes in unmanned systems,
satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave
electronics, missile defense, training and combat systems. For more
information go to www.kratosdefense.com.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking
StatementsCertain statements in this press release may
constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current
beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos
and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking
statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of
the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to
update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes
that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements
are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially
from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking
statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in
these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the
business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended
December 25, 2016, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and
8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.
Press Contact:Yolanda
White858-812-7302 Direct Investor
Information:877-934-4687investor@kratosdefense.com
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