Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)

= History =

AUVSI was established in 1972, when the use of target drones as reconnaissance assets during the Vietnam War prompted a group of U.S. Air Force officers and contractors in Dayton, Ohio to form the National Association of Remotely Piloted Vehicles (NARPV), which would later become known as AUVSI.

By the end of the war the potential for unmanned systems technology was evident and the momentum of industry growth was moving quickly. In 1974, the Wright Kettering Chapter in Ohio hosted the first national symposium which met with great success. It was clear that this was just the beginning of something significant.

By the late 1970s RPVs were being called Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs). The newly recognized term “unmanned” encompassed more than air vehicles, and recognition of the growing developments in the ground, maritime and space arenas caused the organization to broaden its reach. In 1978 the NARPV expanded its focus and services to create a community inclusive of all unmanned systems disciplines. At that time the organization changed its name to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems (AUVS). The organization continued to thrive and in 1982 the Headquarters were moved from Dayton, Ohio to Washington, DC.

Through the 1980s and 1990s AUVS mirrored the fast pace of growth of the worldwide unmanned systems industry, and the need for the organization’s services began to reach far beyond Washington, DC. In 1996 the AUVS became the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) to reflect the true scope of the organization.

By 2003 AUVSI’s global activities led to the creation of the International Opportunities Program (IOP), a campaign to raise awareness of AUVSI, increase member services and strengthen the worldwide network of the unmanned systems industry. The program was successful and AUVSI’s international activities are now a fundamental part of the association’s operations, international outreach is no longer referred to as the IOP.

AUVSI continues to promote and support unmanned systems and now serves more than 6000 members worldwide from government organizations, industry and academia.

Overview

AUVSI’s mission is to promote and support the unmanned systems community through communication, education and leadership. The organization serves a membership of more than 6,000 people from 50 countries. Based in the U.S. the association has two regional affiliates, AUVSI-Canada and AUVSI-Australia, and 20 International Member Groups (chapters). AUVSI also sponsors 4 international conferences and 6 student competitions each year. The association’s annual conference and exhibition, AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems North America, is the largest unmanned systems event in the world.

The current (2008) executive director of AUVSI is Daryl Davidson. The current (2008) president of AUVSI is Dennis Majkowski.

Activities

AUVSI is known as a forum for those involved with unmanned systems from business, government and academia. The association hosts meetings and provides a number of informational products and services. Unmanned Systems Institute
The Institute, founded in 2004, acts as an impartial and objective academic body within AUVSI, promoting vision, intellectual leadership and education in unmanned systems.

Online Guide
Launching in 2008, the online guide will serve as a comprehensive database that catalogs unmanned systems from around the world.

Online Forum
A venue for the interactive exchange of unmanned systems information, ideas, discussions and issues of mutual interest to users. Student Competitions
In 1991, past AUVSI President, Prof. Robert C. Michelson, created the International Aerial Robotics Competition (IARC) while heading the organization's Technical Committee. This spawned the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition several years later as AUVSI Board member, Jerry Lane, a former IARC Judge, created a land version. Following suite, the International Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Competition was established under then Executive Director Daryl Davidson. The popularity of these university student events led to the more recent Student Unmanned Air Systems Competition, Unmanned Surface Vehicle Competition, and the AUVSI-Sponsored Australian Outback Rescue Challenge which cater to high school and college students. The missions and requirements for each competition vary but the common thread in each is the requirement for autonomous operation.

AUVSI Foundation
The AUVSI Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c)3 public charity established to support Student Competitions and other educational activities. Online Career Center
The AUVSI Career Center is an employment resource for the Unmanned Systems industry, offering products and services for job-seekers and employers.

Publications

Unmanned Systems magazine is a full-color monthly periodical published by the AUVSI in Arlington, VA. Unmanned Systems highlights current global developments and unveils new technologies in air, ground, maritime, precision strike, and space unmanned systems, focusing on defense, civil and commercial markets worldwide. Unmanned Systems has an international circulation of over 16,000.

Unmanned Systems eBrief is a weekly electronic newsletter that provides a round-up of the latest global news and information about unmanned technologies

Unmanned Science is a bi-weekly electronic newsletter about the science behind unmanned systems and also includes technical papers.

Membership

AUVSI offers both Individual and Corporate Memberships. Members come from a broad range of fields within industry, government and academia all with a shared interest in unmanned systems. Corporate members can join the association at any of seven membership levels with each level providing a varying range of benefits.

References

[http://www.auvsi.org/ Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International]
[http://symposium.auvsi.org/ AUVSI's Unmanned Systems North America]
[http://www.auvsi.org/about/ About AUVSI]
[http://www.auvsi.org/institute/ AUVSI's Unmanned Systems Institute]
[http://www.auvsi.org/competitions/ AUVSI's Student Competitions]
[http://www.auvsi.org/foundation/ AUVSI Foundation]
[http://careers.auvsi.org/home/index.cfm?site_id=622 AUVSI's Career Center]
[http://www.auvsi.org/publications/ Unmanned Systems Magazine]
[http://www.auvsi.org/membership/ Membership in AUVSI]
[http://www.auvsi.org/membership/corpcategories.cfm AUVSI Corporate Member Benefits]
[http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/AUVS/IARCLaunchPoint.html International Aerial Robotics Competition (IARC)]
[http://www.igvc.org Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC)]
[http://www.auvsi.org/competitions/water.cfm International Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Competition (IAUV)]
[http://www.navair.navy.mil/pma263/seafarers/default.htm Student Unmanned Air Systems Competition (SUAS)]
[http://www.auvsi.org/competitions/surface.cfm Unmanned Surface Vehicle Competition (USVC)]
[http://www.uavoutbackchallenge.com.au/ AUVSI-Sponsored Australian Outback Rescue Challenge]