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Advanced Computing Solutions

FTL’s Advanced Computing Solutions cover these areas: Big Data, Analytics, Digitization, Visualization Machine Learning, AI, and Semantic Computing 3D Graphics, Games, VR/AR Modeling and Simulations

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Big Data / Analytics / Digitization / Visualization

As processing has accelerated, the value of data has become increasingly evident. Using machine learning and AI, FTL mines unseen insights from large database repositories. All sensors create data, and this is often processed into an output available on a device, like a thermometer or a multimeter. But the power of data often lies in keeping prior data, and multiplying data sources to the extent that now gigabytes of data are generated for every hour that a commercial aircraft is flying, a manufacturing or inspection operation is carried out, or images and videos are generated. FTL began in the world of “big data” through fluid monitoring, creating a one-of-a-kind fuel contaminant database that makes our fluid monitoring devices smarter with every measurement. Once the power of such approaches was unlocked, FTL found applications in huge data packages that accompany aerospace metallic 3D prints, biomechanical analysis including measurement and modeling of joint angles during walking. Most recently, FTL has worked with the Air Force, Navy, and aerospace primes to develop 3D scanning technologies that capture enormous data sets and mine them for quality control items during manufacturing and similar processes, reducing manpower requirements and improving tempo and effectiveness. Currently FTL is working with the Navy to automate, store, and make searchable condition and maintenance data for all aircraft depot services.

Graphics / Games / AR and VR

The physical world exists in three dimensions, but, since the days of pencil and paper, data and analysis have typically been relegated to only two. FTL leads in data acquisition, visualization, and experience of the quantitative world in all three dimensions. Bursting the limits of a two-dimensional computer screen has depended largely on the rapid acceleration of graphical capabilities of modern computers. In just a few decades, data has progressed from flat, “Pac Man” line charts to full 3D visualization of complex environments and assemblies, often complete with performance, tolerance, and materials sourcing information in a digital twin. The ability to immersively experience data and processes through VR/AR and 3D graphics interfaces can be critical to deeply understanding data representations. FTL was early to apply the use of VR and AR in engineering applications for projects such as allowing groups to review complex 3D designs. FTL continues to challenge the constraints of 2D through photogrammetric scanning of 3D spaces, expansion of machine learning to 3D point clouds for damage control and inspection, and use of VR and AR in training and process communications.

Machine Learning / AI / Semantic Computing

The field of deep learning and neural networks is leaping ahead very quickly. The difficulty is in finding ever-growing applicability to the myriad of real-world complex analysis and automation challenges. FTL works to apply cutting edge AI approaches to unique situations and mission specific cases. Since FTL has been developing real-time algorithms for sensing and analysis applications, machine learning and neural networks have progressed from academic anomalies, to exotic approaches for supercomputing, to veritable swiss-army-knife libraries applicable to a staggering variety of applications. Starting from classifiers for analyzing images based on thousands of training images, FTL is now applying machine learning, neural networks, and AI to many problems in image analysis, 3D spatial awareness, situational prediction, smart sensing, and automation. The links below provide summaries of projects in which FTL has applied machine learning to achieve cutting-edge system performance to solve real-world problems

Modeling and Simulations

Designing, evaluating, and predicting behavior of complex systems can be challenging. FTL excels at creating advanced mathematical and visual representations utilizing 3D modeling tools, point clouds, CFD, VR/AR, prototypes, and sandbox environments. These models can then be utilized to predict system behaviors, create realistic specifications based on those behaviors, and accomplish rapid prototyping and testing. For many systems requiring modeling, there isn’t available data, for example, scans of structures after a natural disaster. For cases such as these, FTL has created a pipeline for creating simulated data with specifications designed to emulate critical system elements. That simulated data can then be used to train machine learning applications, test outlier outcomes, and inexpensively eliminate results with unexpected and undesirable outcomes. FTL’s superior modeling and simulation capabilities ensure our project outcomes are robust, reliable, effective, expandable, and have the highest benefit-to-cost ratio.

Fuels, Water, and other Fluids

Whether providing energy through combustion as fuel, sustaining life as drinking water, or transferring force in hydraulics, fluid handling is an enabling technology across disciplines. FTL has proven expertise in fluid dynamics, contamination monitoring, control, and system design for all fluid types. FTL personnel began working with industrial fluid design in the 1990’s, developing a laser-based contamination monitoring system deployed aboard Navy nuclear aircraft carriers. Since that time, technologies have developed rapidly to allow particle-by-particle AI evaluation of contaminants in flow. Working with droplets led to applications of bubbles and other mixed-phase flow, in both medical settings, diagnosing decompression sickness, and at large scale, using bubbles to sweep shipping channels. Work with fluids continues to develop with spectroscopic, machine learning, and semantic computing approaches to sensing and characterizing liquids in many settings. The links below provide a glimpse into a small subset of fluid-related programs FTL has completed.

A render of a cuff placed on the cup of an arm

Health and Human-Centric Solutions

The human body can be imagined as an infinitely complex machine with endless challenges when interacting with the world, requiring sensing, diagnosing, aiding, and augmentation. FTL has worked with customers at the Defense Health Administration, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the US Navy, the National Science Foundation, private hospitals, and entrepreneurs to develop approaches addressing stroke, decompression sickness, hearing loss, concussion, gait, biomechanics, and other medical conditions. Particular focuses at FTL include addressing issues associated with limb loss and prosthetics, as well as preventing injury by augmenting human actions with exoskeleton strength and reinforcement. FTL has developed systems for improved design, fitment, and analysis of prosthetic limb systems, working with DARPA, DEKA, and Mobius Bionics. Exoskeletons developed by FTL have been applied to prevent injury to parachutists and helicopter pilots. The links below provide some introduction to medical device programs completed and ongoing at FTL.

Sensing and Automation

FTL develops innovative sensing devices using cameras, lasers, ultrasonic transceivers, inertial measurement units, electrochemical sensors, and other approaches. We then apply that sensor data to automating systems to improve effectiveness and accuracy to systems. FTL develops and builds sensors and automates systems for everyday use aboard ships, in medical clinics, and out in the field. These systems incorporate hardware, including elements for probing a target to gain information without disrupting it, and software, including systems for acquiring, processing, implementing operations, and presenting the results to aid the user and keep them in the loop. Automation, as implemented by FTL, focuses on streamlining processes, reducing manual labor, and improving efficiency and accuracy by using systems to execute actions that would otherwise be done by people. The links below provide an introduction to the many sensor and automation projects FTL has worked on. Each one represents an unsolved sensing and/or automation challenge that FTL developed an approach, prototype, and deployable system to address.

Sustainment/Logistics

The DoD recognizes the benefits of resilient, flexible, and responsive sustainment strategies. FTL strives to support these needs by providing essential, targeted applications designed to make inspections and maintenance operations faster, more accurate and effective, and more traceable. FTL projects address aircraft maintenance involving mechanical systems, fuel and oil quality, and manufacturing or maintenance FOD inspections. These applications can also be applied to ships or other high value assets. Our flaw prediction algorithms can be applied to additive manufacturing processes and structure inspections. FTL’s DADTMA addresses life cycle sustainment needs at aircraft depots by providing a platform for rapidly ingesting data and digitizing that data in a digital twin database for reporting and comparison across similar aircraft and within repeat maintenance events for the same aircraft. Similarly, FTL’s SDARIT, automates pier and bridge inspection by detecting and cataloging inventory and damage from 3D point clouds.