Neya Systems, AUVSI to develop cybersecurity certification program for UGVs

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Neya Systems offers full-stack autonomy, mission planning, and open architecture, for UGVs.

Neya offers autonomy, mission planning, and open architecture for uncrewed ground vehicles. | Source: Neya Systems

Neya Systems yesterday announced that it is partnering with the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, or AUVSI. The partners said they plan to develop a cybersecurity and supply chain framework and certification program for uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs).

AUVSI and Neya Systems said they have observed a growing need for standardized evaluation and certification of UGVs. The goal of the collaboration is to establish comprehensive standards and testing protocols to enhance the security, safety, performance, and reliability of uncrewed and autonomous ground vehicles and robots.

The framework and voluntary certification program will focus on enhancing the protection, mitigation, recovery, and adaptability of AGVs, said the organizations.

“We are excited to announce the development of this cybersecurity certification program for UGVs,” stated Kurt Bruck, vice president at Neya Systems. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in our efforts to establish an industry standard for protecting UGVs from unauthorized access. Our partnership with AUVSI will enable us to foster innovation and trust within the industry as a whole, ultimately enhancing the safety and reliability of these autonomous systems.”

Neya Systems has cybersecurity, simulation expertise

Warrendale, Pa.-based Neya Systems develops and integrates advanced, vehicle-agnostic, off-road, and airborne autonomy. The subsidiary of Applied Research Associates is a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award winner for its cyber autonomy initiative.

In March, Neya said it is working with the Embodied AI Foundation to update the CARLA open-source simulator for autonomous driving research to Unreal Engine 5.

Neya Systems said will be bringing its expertise in applying the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Zero Trust cybersecurity principles to its autonomy software to the partnership.

Neya Systems has worked with he U.S. Army to turn the Palletized Load System into an optionally crewed, autonomous vehicle.

Neya has worked with the U.S. Army to turn the Palletized Load System into an optionally crewed, autonomous vehicle. Source: Neya Systems

AUVSI brings complementary experience

Arlington, Va.-based AUVSI plans to share the industry expertise of members in its Cyber Working Group and Ground Advocacy Committee.

The nonprofit organization is dedicated to the advancement of uncrewed systems and robotics. It represents corporate, government, and academic professionals from more than 60 countries. AUVSI said its members work in defense, civil, and commercial markets.

AUVSI’s Cyber Working Group previously advised on the development of AVUSI’s Green UAS Frameworks and certification. It said this is the only verification method besides Blue UAS that the DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit has approved as confirming compliance with National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requirements for drones.

“The need for standards and certifications for uncrewed systems continues to grow alongside the development and integration of uncrewed and autonomous vehicles and robotics,” noted Casie Ocaña, director of trusted programs at AUVSI. “In the ground domain, AUVSI is looking to leverage our Trusted Cyber framework so that we can offer a solution to verify and support compliance among ground vehicle and robotics companies – which will further advance the safe and reliable future of these technologies.”