FCW 09.29.2013
1. Super-fast fiber for next-gen sensors
Fiber-optic communication is fast, but the glass fiber is actually a limiter of data-transmission speeds. In July, officials at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency announced that they have radically improved the design of "hollow-core" fiber to boost performance and have developed design and production capacity for that fiber here in the United States.
2. Atlas, the robotic pupil
DARPA's Virtual Robotics Challenge entered a new phase in July, when Atlas — a 6-foot-2-inch, 330-pound robot developed by Boston Dynamics — was introduced to seven teams tasked with training it for disaster-response scenarios. The end goal? "Supervised autonomy" so that Atlas and its successors can step into situations too dangerous for humans. (Click the YouTube video embedded below to see Atlas in action.)
3. Giving 'iron man' a whole new meaning
U.S. warfighters are a strong bunch, but the Warrior Web project uses high-tech exoskeletons to boost their endurance and carrying capacity. The undersuits, now in development, protect joints and reduce fatigue while remaining "comfortable, durable and washable" — all without drawing more than 100 watts of power.
full story here
