Autonomy at Scale: Intelligent Machines AdvancingTechnology to Improve our Future

Autonomous machines are by definition capable of performing tasks without human interaction. They may also be mobile, that is, possess the ability to explore their immediate environment while fulfilling assigned tasks. An emerging set of new autonomous, mobile machines—either deployed operationally or in development—are poised to augment, transform, or disrupt current forms of human activity in a wide range of physical environments and use cases.

On the sea surface and in the undersea environment, a team of autonomous submersible vehicles search a sector of sea floor in coordination with command and control machines located on and below the ocean surface.

On the land surface and near-surface environment, automated wheeled and airborne vehicles transport travelers and goods in a urban environment without intervention from human drivers or remote pilots.