Important Innovations

Robotic Satellite Fixing Systems Source:  NASA SAT  New DARPA Space Initiative The US Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, has launched an innovative program to extend the life of US satellites orbiting in space.  In essence, DARPA is creating a robotic system to inspect, service, repair, improve and extend the lives of US satellites in orbit.  The program promises significant money savings and much longer and efficient use of satellites. Space Logistics DARPA is partnering with Space Logistics, a subsidiary of Northrup Grumman, to develop and deploy advanced robotic capabilities in space.   The first step is to develop what DARPA is calling a "DEXTEROUS ROBOTIC SERVICE".  The technology needed would increase satellite life spans, improve their reliability and resilience.  All of which would save the US government and space companies significant money lost when a satellite's operations breakdown and are currently unf

Developing Customized Software to Combat It Source:  DARPA Disinformation Attacks Becoming More Technologically Innovative The U.S. Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, is launching a project to thwart large-scale disinformation attacks.  DARPA considers these automated fake news attacks and fake social media posts as a threat to national security.  The new program's goal is to develop and deploy customized software to immediately spot fake news disinformation. Experts say the pace of innovation in new means to hack and disseminate disinformation is unprecedented. Massive News Scanning and Evaluation by Algorithms DARPA is now in discussions with software developers to design the system.  The Pentagon's R&D center wants to put the potential systems through rigorous testing.  The algorithm testing/detection process will scan and evaluate 250,000 news reports, 250,000 social media posts with 5,000 fake news items put into the mix.  The

DARPA Tweet for Urban Underground Space For Research and Experimentation Source:  DARPA DARPA's Underground Challenge - US Defense Dept. Initiative This tweet sound like a search for a location for a science fiction movie.  But it's from DARPA, the US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, that is pursing its Subterranean Challenge.  That's a competition to develop new technologies to rapidly map, navigate, search and exploit complex underground environments during natural disasters, terrorism and big, underground accidents.  DARPA's targeted research locations include massive manmade tunnels for mass transit and underground structures like extensive parking lots with stores and offices under cities. Unusual and Intriguing Request To say the least, this is an unusual request from DARPA and the deadline is tomorrow August 30, 2019.  They are looking for company or university managed large tunnels and underground structures to host researc

The Tempest at Mach 5 Plus Source: Raytheon hypersonic missile concept Source : UK Air Show Concept of Tempest Fighter Jet UK Joins Global Hypersonic Arms Race Britain just announced that it's developing a hypersonic missile, The Tempest, capable of reaching Moscow in 24 minutes. The distance between the UK and Moscow is 1500 miles.  The Tempest will travel at speeds in excess of Mach 5, which is 3,836 mph.  The Royal Air Force is leading the project and just announced partners in the development of the hypersonic propulsion system include Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and Reaction Engines.  They've been given 10 million pounds to research, design and develop the high Mach advanced propulsion system on a very fast track. Britain vows to be a leader in hypersonic technology and wants hypersonic capabilities to defend itself. Highly Advanced Hypersonic Weapon The Tempest will be fitted with laser and hypersonic weapons.  And it will be able to fly unmanned.  The Temp

DARPA Field Tests Ground Robots with Swarming Drones Source:  DARPA OFFSET Field Test For Dense Urban Warfare The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, is testing the use of swarming drones and ground robots to assist infantry troops as they work dense urban areas on military missions.  DARPA envisions using as many as 250 swarming drones and robots at a time  to defeat the enemy with overwhelming technological advantage.  DARPA is testing out the autonomous team including an ambition test in Georgia this summer.  https://youtu.be/ruWC10AW87E (DARPA test video). Urban Missions The program is called OFFSET or OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics (OFFSET) program.  In Georgia, the swarming drones and robots on the ground worked a two block area.  Their goal was to find, surround and secure a mock city building. Ongoing Tests This is another part of DARPA's ongoing efforts to combine humans with advanced machines for military missions.  DARPA

Pairing Marines with Robots in the Field Source:  DARPA's Squad X Technology Man & Machines on the Frontline The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA - uses AI and  autonomous robots and drones to gather information for soldiers in the field about their surroundings.  The purpose is to eliminate what's historically been called "the fog of war" meaning the uncertainty of the soldier's surroundings - enemies lurking inside of buildings, exploding devices on the ground, etc. Fog of War DARPA has been testing the Squad X system, which is multifaceted.  Aerial drones and mobile robots on the ground provide surveillance of the soldier's surroundings.  Artificial intelligence processes the information and provides what's relevant to the soldier on their Android device.  The program is designed to provide superior situational awareness.  The systems currently being tested don't involve the capacity to fire weapons

US Defense Department's DARPA Investing Millions in BMIs Source:  DARPA Brain Machine Interfaces - the New Frontier Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs). The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA -  is investing millions of dollars into its Next Generation, Non-Surgical Neurotechnology program.  The purpose is to provide BMIs to the US military for overwhelming technological advantages. Breakthrough R&D DARPA has just launched a radical approach.  Wireless BMIs that do not require surgery to link the brain and technology.  Six academic teams have just been tapped to come up with radically different, innovative approaches.  The concepts include connecting by acoustic signals, electromagnetic waves, infrared beams, genetically enhanced neurons and nanotechnology.  It's a 4 year research program and each university team is said to be getting $20 million. MegaTrend  This is an important trend to follow.  Besides DARPA in the US, billiona

DARPA Project Funded and Underway Source:  Stock Image Non-Surgical Mind Control of Weapons for US Troops The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, has started a research program to develop technology that enables seamless communication between the human brain and machines.  The purpose is thought controlled weapons like sending by thought swarms of drones into the sky to counter a threat or beaming images by a thought from one brain to another. Very Serious DARPA Endeavor This is fascinating research that almost strikes you as part of the realm of science fiction.  But it is very real, well funded and purposeful.  DARPA calls the program the Next-Generation Nonsurgical Neurotechnology N3 Program.  Six research teams have received federal funding to make this happen. DARPA goal is for technology that enables a two way channel between the human mind and machines, again with no surgery involved.

Bioengineering ReVector Program Source:  DARPA Protecting US Forces Against Mosquitos The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA has a unique approach to thwarting mosquitos and the dangerous diseases like malaria that they transmit.  With its ReVector program, DARPA wants to develop safe and precise technologies that change the metabolism of the human skin to thwart mosquitos. Easy to Use, Topical Solution DARPA says that mosquitos present one of the biggest health risks out there to deployed troops.  They want to apply bioengineering tools to develop a simple, easy to apply topical solution to prevent mosquitos from biting. Of course, there would be no harmful side effects to the soldiers. The goal is to protect soldiers for two weeks per application. The research program just began.  If DARPA is able to achieve its goal, the solution would have potential global use as malaria continues to spread.

New DARPA Challenge for Artificial Intelligence in Close Combat Source: DARPA AI Powered Aircraft Dogfighting This is an intriguing use for Artificial intelligence.  Split second AI decision making in 1-on-1, air to air combat to free up pilots for the bigger combat decisions beyond a 1-on-1 dogfight.  The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA just started a program to develop such an advanced AI system to give the US military an overwhelming technological advantage. Manned and Unmanned Platforms This is a case of manned and unmanned platforms in combat flights working side by side.  The human pilots need to have total confidence in the autonomous system.  That's a key part of this new DARPA project.  They want pilots to totally trust these unmanned, autonomous systems fighting right along side of them.  They call it ACE, the Aerial Combat Evolution program. A programmer's day kicks off on May 17, 2019

Very Smart Contact Lens Source:  DARPA DARPA's Quest to Give Soldiers Extraordinary Visual Capabilities New vision technology has just emerged from France's engineering school IMT Atlantique.  It's a wireless connected contact lens capable of providing augmented vision assistance as well as relaying visual information wirelessly.  It is so breakthrough that both the US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA and Microsoft are very interested in it.  For more information, go to Important Innovations Collection: Smart Contact Lens : DARPA May Have Found It Source:  DARPA Giving Soldiers "Superpowers" The technology comes from France's engineering sc...

DARPA's Blackjack Satellite Program Source:  DARPA  - Artist concept of  Blackjack New Race to Space The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, is moving forward on an important project called Blackjack to launch large networks of small, inexpensive satellites into Low Earth Orbit to strengthen US defensive capabilities. The small satellites are more difficult targets to hit for enemy forces. It's an ambitious program that is showing a lot of promise.  For a news blog on it, go to Important Innovations Collection: DARPA's Blackjack Satellite Program : US Pentagon Concept:  Large Networks of Small, Cheap Satellites Source:  Artist Concept of DARPA's Small Sat System Blackjack Up ...

The Robot Olympics Source:  DARPA DARPA's Subterranean Robotic Challenge Gets Underway The Pentagon's DARPA believes the next robotic challenge is for robots to autonomously operate in dangerous underground areas such as cave networks, tunnel systems and urban undergrounds.  Missions include investigatory work and search and rescue.  The purpose is to keep humans out of harms way. DARPA will kick off its Subterranean Robotic Challenge this weekend.  Some of the world's leading roboticists and their technology are competing in the Challenge which continues through August 2021.  For a great news blog on this go to,  Important Innovations Collection: SubT - Next Challenge for Robots : DARPA's Subterranean Robotic Challenge Source:  DARPA The Robot Olympics Are About to Begin The US Defense Department's Adva...

DARPA Launches Small Experimental Satellite Launch by New Zealand-based Startup Rocket Lab The successful launch and orbit of the DARPA experimental satellite happened today.  The satellite is testing a new platform of radio communications for small spacecraft.  It's called a "membrane reflective-array antenna."  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: DARPA in Orbit : DARPA's Experimental Satellite Now in Orbit Source:  Rocket Lab's Launch of DARPA Satellite New Zealand's Rocket Lab The...

New Innovation from MIT, DARPA and Harvard's Wyss Institute Source:  MIT Magic Ball Soft Robotic Gripper New Soft Gripper Robotic Hand The team from MIT, DARPA and Harvard's Wyss Institute have innovated a new piece of robotic soft gripping.  A technology that can pick up a tiny piece of broccoli to a much more heavy drone.  The soft, Magic Ball Robot gripper gently lifts objects up to 100 times its weight.  The concept that inspired the team comes from origami. Components Magic Ball is a soft, flexible cone structure with airtight skin and attached to a vacuum pump.  The cone flexes to fit around the object and the vacuum tightens it.  It's worked well in testing. Potential uses include packing and shipping.

Pentagon's DARPA on a Mission Stock Image Subterranean Environment For First Responders and Soldiers The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, is seeking new commercial technologies to map in 3D underground environments.  The environments include caves, manmade tunnels and other underground structures like subways.  There is a dual need:  for first responders and soldiers. 3D Mapping and Surveying DARPA wants both 3D mapping and surveying.  They just put out a request for information.  There are a number of conditions DARPA wants to overcome in these environments to enable a more safe and rapid response from rescue teams and combat soldiers.  The problems include GPS not working, narrow passages, darkness and dangerous, limited access. Top of the Line Available Commercial Technology DARPA wants highly accurate geolocation data on targeted areas and high resolution georeferenced surveys.  They are particularly interested in top of the l

Spy Fish - DARPA'S Secret Submarine Surveillance Weapon All Natural - From the Sounds of Fish The Pentagon's DARPA (US Defense Dept.'s Advanced Research Projects Agency) is launching a 5 year research program to enable fish sounds to be picked up by underwater sensor networks to detect silent submarines that are undetectable at this time.  This starts with a rigorous study of fish reactions to disturbances in their environment and the development of underwater sensor monitoring stations to pick-up those sounds and provide alerts to the US military about silent submarines. DARPA calls it the third wave of surveillance  that's adds on to passive and active sonar detection systems.  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: Sounds of Sea Creatures as Sub Detection : DARPA'S SPY FISH Source:  DARPA Living Sea Creature Submarine Detection Sensor System This is an incredible concept that does n...

DARPA Program to Develop AI Capable of Accessing Its Own Expertise Source:  DARPA - AI Making Machine Learning Systems Trusted, Collaborative Partners The Pentagon's Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA has just kicked off a four year program to develop AI systems capable of knowing when they don't know and letting humans know they are not up to the task at hand.  DARPA views this as vital, particularly for the US military, in situations where the margin of error is zero.  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: AI that Knows When It Doesn't Know : DARPA's Latest Artificial Intelligence Development Program Source:  DARPA Artificial Intelligence AI Capable of Accessing Its Ex...

DARPA's Push for Hypersonic Weapons Defense Source:  DARPA Hypersonic Mach 5 Plus Defensive Countermeasure The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA - wants an interceptor that can stop hypersonic weapons travelling at Mach 5 to Mach 20 plus.  DARPA is accepting proposals for the program which it calls Glide Breaker, an interceptor that can counter and take out enemy hypersonic weapons. Russia's Avangard The program is specifically targeting what are called boost-glide weapons, that are catapulted high into the atmosphere on ballistic missiles and then glide at hypersonic speeds to earth.  An example is Russia's Avangard which President Putin has termed unstoppable.  It glides down to its target on Earth at Mach 20.  The US and China are also developing these hypersonic weapons. 2020 Testing DARPA wants the Glide Breaker technology in a hurry.  It wants it tested in 2020.  The challenges to create the hypersonic countermeasure a

DARPA's AI System to Predict the Future KAIROS - Schema-based Artificial Intelligence System The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA - is developing a schema-based, AI system to predict the future of major global events for the US government. This is a world first, knowledge-directed artificial intelligence reasoning over schema system. To put it simply, schema is common language people use to describe and make sense of global events. KAIROS Mission The purpose is to help the US Defense Department better understand and predict world events that could lead to chaos or unrest.  The end result is to provide actionable understanding and predictions on how major, dynamic events will unfold.  For a great news blog on this, go to my journalist colleague Ed Kane's blog at Important Innovations Collection: DARPA's Tech to Predict Future : KAIROS - System to Forecast the Future Source:  DARPA's KAIROS Project Combines AI and Sc