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Autonomy Software: V&V Challenges and CharacteristicsThe successful operation of unmanned air vehicles requires software with a high degree of autonomy. Only if high level functions can be carried out without human control and intervention, complex missions in a changing and potentially unknown environment can be carried out successfully. Autonomy software is highly mission and safety critical: failures, caused by flaws in the software cannot only jeopardize the mission, but could also endanger human life (e.g., a crash of an UAV in a densely populated area). Due to its large size, high complexity, and use of specialized algorithms (planner, constraint-solver, etc.), autonomy software poses specific challenges for its verification, validation, and certification. -- - we have carried out a survey among researchers aid scientists at NASA to study these issues. In this paper, we will present major results of this study, discussing the broad spectrum. of notions and characteristics of autonomy software and its challenges for design and development. A main focus of this survey was to evaluate verification and validation (V&V) issues and challenges, compared to the development of "traditional" safety-critical software. We will discuss important issues in V&V of autonomous software and advanced V&V tools which can help to mitigate software risks. Results of this survey will help to identify and understand safety concerns in autonomy software and will lead to improved strategies for mitigation of these risks.
Document ID
20060015099
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Schumann, Johann
(Research Inst. for Advanced Computer Science Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Visser, Willem
(Research Inst. for Advanced Computer Science Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2006
Publication Information
ISBN: 0-7803-7231
Subject Category
Computer Programming And Software
Report/Patent Number
ISBN: 0-7803-7231
Meeting Information
Meeting: IEEE Aerospace Conference
Location: Big Sky, MT
Country: United States
Start Date: March 4, 2006
End Date: March 11, 2006
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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