Call_0004-_SOO_E-_Drone-Based_Wireless_360_Camera.pdf

Drone-Based Wireless 360° Camera Statement of Objectives BAA 13-012/Call 0004/ SOO E

October 13, 2015 Science and Technology Directorate Department of Homeland Security

DISTRIBUTION NOTICE: Further dissemination only as directed by DHS Office of Policy DESTRUCTION NOTICE: Destroy by any method that will prevent disclosure of contents or reconstruction of the document.

Drone-Based Wireless 360° Camera Statement of Objectives

September 14, 2015 i

Table of Contents

1.0 Purpose

2.0 Scope (Capability Gap)

3.0 Period and Place of Performance

4.0 Background

5.0 Functional Requirements

5.1 Overall Concept of Operations

5.2 Threat

5.3 Operating Constraints (Current Technology Shortfalls)

5.4 Specific Required Capabilities

5.4.1 Operation

5.4.2 Functionality

5.4.3 System Characteristics

5.4.4 Support Concept

5.5 System Performance

5.5.1 Mission Scenarios

5.5.2 Compatibility and Interoperability

5.5.3 Human Interface Requirements

5.5.4 Logistics and Readiness

5.5.5 Durability

5.6 System Support

5.6.1 Maintenance

5.6.2 Capabilities and Limitations

5.6.3 Supply

5.6.4 Support Equipment

5.7 Training

5.8 Storage

5.9 System Affordability

5.10 Certification Requirements for Product Conformity

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this motion-based, continual video camera is to provide a full panoramic 360 degree view for gathering real-time, multi-discipline situational awareness of an incident. This drone mounted camera will transmit data wirelessly back to the end user. Although this technology exists as separate components, the two technologies have not been integrated for first responder procurement and adoption it to their everyday operations. By using the camera’s “bird’s eye” capability, first responders will increase their situational awareness of an incident and gain a better understanding of how to respond.

2.0 Scope (Capability Gap)

This technology will provide first responders with a continual and real time video feed of 360 degrees of view. By incorporating or mounting the camera onto a remote-controlled drone system, responders will receive relevant and up to the moment situational awareness. This solution must operate within a multitude of different environments (indoor and outdoor), lighting conditions (bright and low light), moderate weather conditions (10-120 degrees Fahrenheit), and can withstand wind conditions of 25 mph.

3.0 Period and Place of Performance

The length of time of the contract shall be no longer than 12-18 months, and will not exceed the latter. All developmental activities will be performed at the contractor-designated site(s). DHS may require the contractor to perform critical design reviews and/or product presentations at DHS-specified locations.

4.0 Background

Currently, battery operated drone systems do not leverage the use of a 360 degree camera, but instead, provide an omnidirectional forward-looking view without providing the extensive Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) capabilities. The use of 360 degree cameras will increase situational awareness by providing a complete view of a perimeter and activity within. They will also provide additional perspective when used in conjunction with current robotic technologies. This technology, which is not currently available to first responder organizations, will have greater visibility and mobility. It will also provide substantive cost savings since there is not a need to leverage a ground-based robot for the same situational-awareness. Current solutions do not couple a drone with a camera that has multiple axis stability or simultaneous 360 degree vantage points.

5.0 Functional Requirements

5.1 Overall Concept of Operations

Conceptually, the operator will rapidly deploy a complete system, turn on the device, and fly it to the location of need and/or response with no assembly required. The system will use standard intuitive flight controls to ensure its expeditious use. Once on location, the system will feature a stationary hover capability to provide video monitoring and route clearance. In addition to video monitoring, the drone can be used for reconnaissance and information gathering, which is invaluable to locating a missing person or tracking individuals being pursued. The unit will provide users the ability switch between two visual modes: (1) total 360 degree view for situational awareness; and (2) traditional PTZ camera style viewing for distortion free imagery.

5.2 Threat

Ground-based situational cameras are often limited by obstacles, resulting in a loss of situational awareness for first responders. Additionally, ground-based robots may unintentionally cause the actuation of sensitive energetic materials when encountering trip wires or driving over explosive compositions.

By using this system, first responders will avoid ground-based movement impediment issues and obstacles such as booby-trap devices. This solution will operate similar in function to reconnaissance drones, currently used for situational awareness.

5.3 Operating Constraints (Current Technology Shortfalls)

A drone mounted dual purpose camera system that provides total 360 degree view and PTZ camera functionality does not currently exist.

5.4 Specific Required Capabilities

5.4.1 Operation

The operator will rapidly deploy a complete system, turn on the device, and fly it to the location of need and/or response with no assembly required. Once on scene, the system will be operable like a standard drone solution. The camera will provide a constant and continuous imagery of the area of concern with the capability of wireless streaming back to the command center or destination of choice via secure channels or links. Because current total 360 degree viewing cameras contain substantial distortion, the ability to switch to standard PTZ camera operation is required to enable seeing fine details without distortion. This function needs to be immediate and via a remote mechanism without having to return the drone for modification.

5.4.2 Functionality

The drone-based 360 degree camera shall, at a minimum, include:

• The airframe must be 24” at its maximum width;

• The device should include infra-red imaging abilities;

• The device must have an easily repairable airframe that can leverage Commercial Off the

Shelf Technology (COTS) parts;

• The system will be between 5-10 pounds , not including the payload or tools;

• The system will monitor its power usage and automatically return to the original area of deployment or another location specified by the operator when power is low;

• If the system loses signal from the operator, it will return to the original area of deployment or another location specified by the operator beforehand;

• The system must be able to record the drone’s vision and have an additional video output port using approved data transfer standards;

• The interface must use a standard, dual joystick, inverted y-axis flight control and be amenable to one-person operation;

• The system must have a minimum 1,000 foot line of sight capability from drone to target;

• The vendor must select a pre-existing, commonly used, commercially available drone platform that will provide the best optimization for the operational objective;

• The technology must have additional payload capacity to accommodate future tool development and the vendor must determine the best additional payload weight;

• The system must have an additional standard audiovisual (AV) input port for the purposes of adding other cameras or input devices in the future;

• This solution must provide vision from the front, sides, back, and underneath the drone, providing 360 degrees of situational awareness in a semispherical fashion;

• The system must leverage commercial, replaceable batteries.

5.4.3 System Characteristics

The drone-based 360 degree camera shall, at a minimum, include:

• The solution must include both a drone and a complete camera system;

• The system must perform aerial videography and cinematography;

• The system will include High Definition (HD), with a 3-axis gimbal;

• The Camera must be usable in first person view (FPV); and

• The system must be customizable and flexible in framing a scene along with pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ) functions.

5.4.4 Support Concept

The technology must be capable of being maintained in-house by the response agency with no special tools needed for maintenance. This device must come with a manufacturer’s general warranty of 24 months, to include accessibility to spare parts. The device must automatically be able to calibrate itself when necessary with minimal operator input.

5.5 System Performance

5.5.1 Mission Scenarios

This system can be used for two separate mission types: solo and support.

1. Solo operations include situation awareness roles such as active shooter or other scenes where remote visual capabilities are needed. By using the continually viewed 360 camera, an operator can fly the drone over obstacles, around corners, into rooms, etc. and be able to instantly see forward, side, and backwards views at the same time. This capability would allow the operator to be immediately aware of changing situations such as someone stepping out behind the drone or being around the edge of a doorframe, which is usually a blind spot for a forward facing camera.

2. Support roles include operations such as using the drone in conjunction with other robotic platforms, and could be used as a bird’s eye viewpoint for the robots manipulator operations.

Usually, these types of robotic arm operations use the bump and tap method for determining distances to targets due to limited camera angles provided by hard mounted cameras. The use of an overhead drone allows the viewing angle to be changed without the need of repositioning the ground robot or its arm. The ability to switch from a drone based 360 degree view to a PTZ camera enables the operator to clearly see ground obstacles, the ground based manipulator arm position, distances etc.

An example of a typical operating environment is as follows: a suspicious vehicle is reported in the area of any courthouse. Responders have determined the vehicle to be a threat and deploy ground based robotic platforms to inspect the vehicle. The only visuals they have are from the cameras based on the robot(s). This myopic view proves limiting to bomb techs because they may miss queues that further elevate their index of suspicion or, worse, miss evidence of an actual device either victim operated, command detonated, or set to a timed event.

5.5.2 Compatibility and Interoperability

This system shall use license free control and video radio systems. Drone based video transmission should not interfere with standard robotic mounted camera systems. Video output shall be either standard RCA connection or HDMI output. Video recording capability shall be standard video formatting with the ability to download or offload the video file.

5.5.3 Human Interface Requirements

The drone shall be operated through the use of a standard, two handed RC flight controller. The operator shall be able to engage the station keeping function of the drone to switch to the camera control functions. Minimum training should be required in order for the operator to control the drone and camera functionality.

5.5.4 Logistics and Readiness

This system shall be capable of long term storage in a protective case. With minimum set up time and with no special tools required, (including attaching rechargeable batteries to the drone and controller) the unit shall be able to be deployed within five minute or less.

5.5.5 Durability

The drone-mounted 360 degree camera must meet the following durability requirements:

• Must withstand a 10 foot drop without taking substantive damage and remaining fully-functional.

• Able to sustain contact with tree branches, minor bumps or scrapes with walls, and wind conditions up to 25 mph.

5.6 System Support

5.6.1 Maintenance

All maintenance for the item(s) and related equipment shall be defined including: the required maintenance schedule, identification of the specific components that require maintenance, the type of maintenance required, and whether the maintenance can be performed in the field by operational personnel or requires return to the manufacturer.

5.6.2 Capabilities and Limitations

At a minimum, this technology shall operate alongside technologies used by a Public Safety bomb technician. Its primary purpose is to perform 360-HD recon and situational awareness of active scenes and training evolutions. It will require the ability to operate and perform seamlessly without interfering with render-safe procedures or other Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robot activities.

5.6.3 Supply

Supply shall be determined by the individual departments based upon cost, quantity needed, and effectiveness of the solution.

5.6.4 Support Equipment

Required support includes a dedicated power supply for charging and storing when not operational, a secure communications channel while in flight, as well as integrated HD video streaming capability.

5.7 Training

Training information shall be provided on any specialized equipment, and shall include instructions on how to properly store, clean, deploy, and maintain the basic ensemble. Any special requirements for personnel conducting maintenance, storage, extraction, or delivery will be identified including certification requirements. Training material shall be available initially in hard copy, and subsequently in soft copy format.

5.8 Storage

The solution must be stored in a commercially available secure case and must be man-portable to incident scenes.

5.9 System Affordability

The DHS S&T First Responder Resource Group, a national subject matter expert body that has representation from all major responder disciplines, recommend that first responder’s limited budget be taken into consideration when determining the unit cost for this technology.

5.10 Certification Requirements for Product Conformity

This device shall meet all of the applicable Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wireless standards.