ROUND ROCK, Texas –
A team of Air Force personnel from the 688th Cyberspace Wing recently put their artificial intelligence skills to the test in a unique competition aimed at revolutionizing the sport of motorcycle racing. The "AI At the Edge" contest, hosted by MotoUP, Inc., challenged teams to conceive and present innovative applications of AI that could significantly enhance the racing experience for both riders and fans.
Four teams, each comprised of between five and 15 members participating both on-site and remotely, were tasked with developing and delivering 30-minute presentations to a panel of judges. The judging criteria encompassed a range of factors, including the effectiveness of the AI implementation, the relevance of the proposed solution to the world of motorcycle racing, the overall ability of the presentation to engage a wider audience, and the clarity with which the team conveyed their proposed solution.
The 688th Cyberspace Wing team joined forces with the 502nd Communications Squadron, and several partners from industry and the AFCEA Alamo Chapter, including H2O.ai, Simply NUC, and WoW Consulting Agency, to tackle the challenge. Their project centered around the integration of sophisticated large language learning models (LLMs) onto a quadrupedal robot similar to those developed by Boston Dynamics, affectionately nicknamed "Spot."
"The MotoUP AI Competition brought together individuals from military and industry, showcasing AFCEA's core values as we strive for a better tomorrow," said Nicole Decker, MBA, PRC, VP of Membership, Alamo Chapter AFCEA. "This event provided an opportunity for like-minded professionals to collaborate, connect, and display the innovative potential for the future."
Leading the charge for the 688th were team captains Irma Blancas and Air Force Master Sergeant Nicholas Chung, with key contributions from a group of mission innovators: Airman 1st Class Brandon Marshall, 1st Lt. Michael Ressler, and Capt. Joseph Brown.
“This event provided an invaluable opportunity to experiment with cutting-edge AI technologies in a dynamic environment,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Nicho Chung, 688th Cyberspace Wing. “The experience gained directly translates to enhanced readiness in the cyber domain, where rapid adaptation and innovative solutions are crucial for mission success."
The team's efforts involved extensive experimentation with a variety of LLMs, allowing them to delve deeper into the intricacies of these cutting-edge technologies and explore their potential applications in a real-world context. This hands-on experience proved invaluable, providing the team with a deeper understanding of emerging technologies and broadening their perspectives on how such advancements could be leveraged to benefit the warfighter in various operational scenarios.
Specifically, the team identified several promising use cases where the integration of AI and robotics could offer mutual benefits. They highlighted the potential for robots like "Spot" to be deployed in environments deemed too dangerous for human personnel, such as areas with chemical spills or unstable infrastructure. Furthermore, they emphasized how the strategic implementation of automation could free up human operators from tedious and repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex and critical aspects of their missions.
“This competition wasn't just about racing; it was a high-speed testbed for our AI capabilities. The challenges we faced forced us to think creatively and push the boundaries of what's possible with LLMs, directly contributing to the sharpening of our skills in the cyber domain," said team captain Irma Blancas, 688th Cyberspace Wing.
This focus on streamlining operations and maximizing human potential aligns perfectly with the Wing's broader MAAD initiative – an acronym for Machine learning, Artificial intelligence, Automation, and Data analytics – which seeks to harness the power of these technologies to enhance operational capabilities across the board. Ultimately, the "AI At the Edge" competition served as a valuable proving ground for the 688th Cyberspace Wing, offering crucial insights into the transformative potential of AI and robotics integration for the future of the warfighter.
Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the 688th Cyberspace Wing.