SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- Geometric Representation Integrated Dataspace (GRID)
- Notice Date
- 4/12/2010
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Other Defense Agencies, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contracts Management Office, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia, 22203-1714
- ZIP Code
- 22203-1714
- Solicitation Number
- DARPA-SN-10-41
- Archive Date
- 5/4/2010
- Point of Contact
- Dr. Todd C. Hughes,
- E-Mail Address
-
DARPA-SN-10-41@darpa.mil
(DARPA-SN-10-41@darpa.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Request for Information (RFI) DARPA-SN-10-41 Geometric Representation Integrated Dataspace ( GRID) DARPA GRID DARPA is investigating the theoretical foundations and pragmatic implications of a Geometric Representation Integrated Dataspace (GRID), a compressive representation format for high-resolution 3D data of all sensor modalities. The envisioned GRID format would encode the 3D geometry and surface properties of objects at any spatial scale with extreme accuracy, and would enable revolutionary efficiencies in the storage, application, and exchange of 3D information across myriad industries. This RFI seeks white papers, as detailed below, on topics that support a greater understanding of the opportunities for a common, standard format to represent geometric information integrated with surface properties in a fashion that permits easy encoding and rapid access to select portions of the information, as in a renderer. DARPA is seeking information on the technical research aspects of 3D representation as well as the application of 3D representation in real-world system. This RFI presages a symposium for the exchange of advanced concepts to further the aims of the GRID investigation and to form the foundations for a consensus on an eventual standard approach to an integrated representation. The representation of 3D information—from the planetary scale to the molecular scale—is a technical challenge with far reaching consequences. Attempts to capture efficiently the 3D geometry and surface properties of objects in the world have historically pursued independent and industry-specific paths. As a result, a number of competing and incompatible schemes have emerged that generally rely on least-common principles such as pixel arrays for many 2D image formats and point clouds for 3D information. Moreover, industries have incentives to develop proprietary or specialized representation schemes for their particular products. While these representations preserve information, they yield highly voluminous and redundant databases, limit flexibility in the inclusion of new data sources, and inhibit the development of efficient applications and distribution systems. However, recent advances in the representation of 3D surface information offer the possibility of efficient and accurate representation of 3D objects, using information derived from multiple and heterogeneous sensor modalities, in a way that not only permits great reductions in the storage of redundant information but also greatly increases fidelity of 3D object models. To that end, DARPA seeks information on academic and industrial research pertaining to advances in 3D representation. As with any encoding technology (e.g., MP3, MPEG, and JPEG) GRID would involve three distinct concepts: format, encoding, and rendering. That is, GRID technology would encode data from many sensors into a common 3D format which can be viewed or otherwise processed through a renderer. DARPA recognizes these three concepts are closely related: the fidelity of a format may depend on the quality of the encoder, the choice of format may depend on the efficiency of the renderer, and so forth. DARPA is interested in innovative 3D representations that dramatically reduce the data storage volume required to carry precise information about the geometry and surface properties of objects and that, when rendered, yield images of high quality. This RFI encourages responses that describe innovative approaches to a potential GRID format, encoding, and rendering. Of particular interest are techniques where the encoding process is largely automated. Examples of technical approaches include, but are not limited to: · Boundary Representations · B-Splines/Non Rational Uniform B-Splines · Constructive Solid Geometry · Level Sets · Light Ray Rendering · Polygons · Sparse Representations · Triangular Meshing · Voxel Occupancy Models Responders should describe the theoretical foundations of their 3D representations as well as relevant empirical results. Such results should emphasize the source data (e.g., electro-optical imagery, full motion video, LIDAR point clouds, hyper- or multi-spectral data, or RADAR data) used for experiments, the (e.g., spatial or attribute) fidelity of the 3D object models, and the efficiency of the format (e.g., model size relative to the source data). While DARPA has significant interest in the 3D representation of land topography, this RFI also strongly encourages responses that describe the application of 3D representations in software systems that support other domains for various industries. Applications of interest will make use of 3D information and surface properties at varying size and resolution scales. Examples of relevant industries include, but are not limited to: · Architecture · Cartography · Engineering · Entertainment · Gaming · Manufacturing · Mechanical Engineering · Medicine · Navigation · Simulation Commercial-off-shelf and government-off-the-shelf systems in common usage for one or more of these industries, as well as custom applications and experimental prototypes, are all relevant to the GRID investigation. Responders should describe the functions of their respective software and their unique technical approaches to 3D data representation. Responders are also asked to provide the technical rationale for the representational format that their respective applications employ. That is, DARPA is interested in understanding whether there are unique aspects of a representational format that make it well-suited for a particular industry’s software applications. The purpose of the current RFI and later symposium is to identify novel and innovative techniques that can further the development of a unified, integrated 3D representation format standardized across large classes of applications and industries. Accordingly, white papers will be assessed on the usefulness of the proposed presentation to the broadest possible community of participants. GRID Symposium Responders to this RFI may receive invitations to participate in the GRID Symposium scheduled for June 2010. The symposium will serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas on the topic of 3D representation. Selected participants will present their work on theoretical foundations for 3D representation, implementations and challenges of 3D representations in software systems, related 3D representation research, and new innovations in 3D representation. Participants will also take part in discussions on the broad design principles (e.g., encoding format vs. container format) for a universal 3D representation architecture, and the military, commercial, and educational impact of such an architecture. Attendance to the GRID Symposium is by invitation only. A limited number of travel stipends will be available to individuals from academic institutions for participation in the event. White Paper Format White papers should be in the following format: a) A one page cover sheet that identifies the contact information including the title, organization, responder’s points of contact (names, addresses, phone number, and email addresses); b) Microsoft PowerPoint slides, not to exceed three slides, summarizing key aspects of the response; and c) Microsoft Word or PDF file, 12-point font, not to exceed four pages, describing the response. White Paper Submission Responses to this RFI should be submitted to DARPA-SN-10-41@darpa.mil. All RFI responses will be accepted starting 1200 noon (ET), 19 April 2010 through 1200 noon (ET), 3 May 2010. Please refer to “GRID” in all correspondence. All technical and administrative correspondence and questions regarding this announcement should also be submitted to the same email address. Disclaimer This is an RFI issued solely for information gathering purposes; this RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or abstracts. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. DARPA will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI. Submission of a white paper is not required to propose to Broad Agency Announcements or research announcements on this topic. No classified information should be included in the RFI response. Respondents are advised that DARPA is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Responses to this RFI do not bind DARPA to any further actions related to this topic including requesting follow-on proposals from vendors responding to this RFI. White paper submissions containing proprietary data should have the cover page and each page containing proprietary data clearly marked as containing “proprietary” data. It is the proposer’s responsibility to clearly define to the Government what is considered proprietary data. Point of Contact Dr. Todd C. Hughes, Program Manager, DARPA Adaptive Execution Office, email DARPA-SN-10-41@darpa.mil. Any inquiries on this RFI must be submitted to this email address. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.
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