Army Tactical Trucks Use IBMs Watson Computer

The Army recently drove tactical trucks with sensors, electronics and other applications powered by commercially-developed artificial intelligence technology – such as IBM’s Watson – as a way to take new steps in more quickly predicting and identifying mechanical failures of great relevance to combat operations.

Described by participants as a “bake-off,” an Army-industry assessment incorporated attempts to use AI and real-time data analytics for newer, fast-evolving applications of Conditioned Based Maintenance technology.

Advanced computer algorithms, enhanced in some instances through machine learning, enable systems such as Watson to instantly draw upon vast volumes of historical data as a way to expedite analysis of key mechanical indicators. Real-time analytics, drawing upon documented pools of established data through computer automation, can integrate otherwise disconnected sensors and other on-board vehicle systems.

“We identified some of the challenges in how you harmonize sensor data that is delivered from different solutions. Kevin Aven, partner and co-account lead, Army and Marine Corps, IBM Global Business Services, told Warrior Maven in an interview.

Watson, for example, can take unstructured information from maintenance manuals, reports, safety materials, vehicle history information and other vehicle technologies – and use AI to analyze data and draw informed conclusions of great significance to military operators, Aven explained.

When created, IBM stated that, “more than 100 different techniques are used to analyze natural language, identify sources, find and generate hypotheses, find and score evidence, and merge and rank hypotheses,” according to IBM Systems and Technology.

Faster diagnostics, of course, enables vehicle operators to anticipate when various failures, such as engine or transmission challenges, may happen in advance of a potentially disruptive battlefield event. Alongside an unmistakable operational benefit, faster Conditioned Based Maintenance activity also greatly streamlines the logistics train, optimizes repairs and reduces costs for the Army.

Army wheeled tactical vehicles, which include things like the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles and emerging Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, are moving towards using more automation and AI to gather, organize and analyze sensor data and key technical indicators from on-board systems.