The Johns Hopkins Institute for Assured Autonomy: Enabling a Future of Trust for Autonomous Systems

Abstract

Autonomous systems are becoming increasingly integrated into all aspects of our lives. To work toward ensuring these systems are safe, secure, and reliable and operate as designed, the Johns Hopkins University established the Johns Hopkins Institute for Assured Autonomy (IAA), run jointly by its Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and the Whiting School of Engineering. The IAA takes a holistic approach to assuring autonomous systems by working across three pillars: increasing reliability of the technology, improving interactions within the integrated ecosystem, and engendering trust through policy and governance. This article discusses the need for the IAA, its goals and approach, and some of its initial research efforts.