Link
Map line-of-sight, non-line-of-sight, latency, throughput and dead zones.
System anatomy · 07
Communications, localisation and degradation
Define safe behaviour when radio, map, positioning or remote services weaken together.
Evidence statusField mission framework · task, terrain and site validation requiredLast reviewed: 15 August 2026
07
FUURAA thesis
Field autonomy is credible only when degraded states are observable, reachable and recoverable.
Engineering map
Turn the title into engineering objects that can be observed, measured and reviewed.
Each layer states the boundary to establish and the evidence needed for the next decision.
Localisation
Test map change, darkness, reflective surfaces, dust and loop-closure error.
Fallback
Specify pause, retreat, return, sit, continue or request-assistance logic.
Verification questions
Write the questions first, then decide whether a demo, test, pilot or operating record can answer them.
Each question needs an object, conditions, denominator, threshold and accountable decision owner.
- 01
What fails first in the real route?
- 02
Can the operator distinguish link loss from localisation loss?
- 03
Is the fallback safe at that location?
- 04
How is mission state recovered?
Evidence to preserve
Enable the next reader to reconstruct conditions, results, failures and the decision.
A conclusion alone loses reviewability; raw records, configuration and exclusions matter too.
- 01
Evidence package 1
Radio and localisation survey
- 02
Evidence package 2
Injected degradation test
- 03
Evidence package 3
Fallback and resumption log
Scope boundary
State what this evidence still cannot be generalised to.
- 01
A successful recorded route does not prove safe behaviour during coupled communications and localisation failures.
- 02
This is an engineering reading and decision framework; it does not replace application-specific risk assessment, conformity work, procurement acceptance or professional advice.
Sources and evidence status
Read standards scope, measurement evidence and application conclusions separately.
Source dates and review status remain visible; external sources open in a new tab.
01
NIST · Updated 2026-04-24
↗02Performance of Emergency Response Robots
Defines repeatable measures across mobility, sensing, endurance, communications, autonomy, logistics, safety and operator proficiency; mission profiles combine multiple elemental tests.
DARPA · Final event 2021-09-21 to 2021-09-24
↗03Subterranean Challenge Final Event
Teams deployed autonomous systems to map, navigate and identify artifacts in unfamiliar tunnel, urban-underground and cave environments.
Boston Dynamics · Spot SDK 5.1.9 · verified 2026-08-15
↗Spot Payload Developer Guide
Documents mechanical, electrical, software, service-fault and time-synchronisation requirements for integrating sensing and manipulation payloads.