NEOVISION2 Proposer's Day Workshop

Special Notice DARPA-SN-09-37; NEOVISION2 Proposer's Day Workshop; DATE: May 26, 2009; REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 20, 2009; TECHNICAL POC: Dr. Amy A. Kruse, DARPA/DSO; Email: amy.kruse@darpa.mil; URL: www.darpa.mil/dso; Website Submission: https://dsobaa.sainc.com In anticipation of a potential program on the topic of NEOVISION2, DARPA is hosting a Proposer's Day Workshop that will provide critical information on the program vision, the program milestones, and opportunities associated with the development of an interdisciplinary team. The workshop will be held on May 26, 2009, in Arlington, VA. DARPA is soliciting research proposals to revolutionize the underlying technologies for unmanned sensor systems. This effort seeks to emulate the mammalian visual pathway by implementing advanced models and algorithmic emulations of the entire visual pathway - from retina to the visual cortex. The objective of the effort is to surpass regular engineering approaches, achieving significant improvements in size, weight, power, and performance (SWaPP). It is expected that neuromorphic solutions will achieve the desired performance faster, more reliably, and in a smaller, lighter, lower power format than conventional designs. The qualities the program strives to achieve are: Efficiency of design - in terms of size, weight, and power Robustness of function - with respect to signal-to-noise metrics, clutter, limitation of sensors or available information, and dynamic range Unprecedented performance - related to performance on object/scene/context recognition across hundreds of categories Data flow - emulation of the biological movement of data matching signal transduction and connectivity in the nervous system (serial vs. parallel vs. massively parallel) Efficient methods of computation - analysis of analog vs. digital hardware trade-offs, and at a higher level, how elementary operations and signal interactions are grouped together to achieve more complex functions. DARPA seeks innovative approaches to sensor technology that display characteristics associated with the human visual system such as light adaptability, object recognition, and background suppression; while at the same time designing and developing a functioning prototype that credibly demonstrates size, weight, power, and performance compatible with unmanned military reconnaissance platforms. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice. The teaming and information session will be held at the at the offices of Strategic Analysis Inc., Liberty Conference Center, 4075 Wilson Blvd. STE 300, Arlington, VA 22203, on May 26, 2009 from 9:00AM ET until 5:00PM ET. The goals of the teaming and information session are: (a) to introduce the research community (industry, academia, and Government) to the NEOVISION2 program vision and goals; (b) to explain the mechanics of a DARPA Program and the milestones and metrics of this particular effort, and (c) to encourage and promote teaming arrangements among potential organizations that have the relevant expertise, facilities, and capabilities for executing a research and development program responsive to the NEOVISION2 program goals. The teaming and information session will include overview presentations by Government personnel and a poster session to facilitate interaction and team building among the teaming and information session participants. Additionally, a teaming website is provided to facilitate these interactions and can be found at http://www.sainc.com/NEO2Teaming. Potential participants should note that formation of teams with sufficient expertise to address all technical areas, which will be detailed in an impending BAA, will be critical to the success of the program. DARPA will not be funding component technologies that address only a subset of the technologies listed in the BAA. Appropriate teaming will be a critical element in responding to the DARPA NEOVISION2 solicitation. NEOVISION2 Proposer's Day Workshop participants are strongly encouraged to prepare posters describing areas of capabilities in order to facilitate communications, interactions, and teaming discussions during the poster session. Workshop details including registration, poster session, meeting location, and lodging are given on the OLE registration website at http://www.eventmakeronline.com/dso/View/index.asp?MeetingID=676 . There is no fee for the NEOVISION2 Proposer's Day Workshop. Registration is limited by the venue capacity (maximum of 90 attendees, no more than 3 attendees per organization) and early registration is strongly recommended. The registration cutoff date is May 20, 2009, or at attendance capacity, whichever comes first. Further administrative information is available from Ms. Grace Rigdon (Grace.Rigdon.ctr@darpa.mil). Additional technical information can be obtained from Dr. Amy Kruse (Amy.Kruse@darpa.mil). Please refer to the NEOVISION2 Proposer's Day in your correspondence. This announcement is not a request for proposals. This announcement is not a request for proposals; any so sent will be returned. Nor does this announcement guarantee any funding should a Broad Agency Announcement be published related to these workshops.