DASA launches competition to develop human augmentation technology for defence

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has launched a new Themed Competition for Human Augmentation (HA).

Up to £2 million has been made available for novel, safe and ethical HA technologies to mitigate human performance as the limiting factor in defence scenarios. The Funding has been provided by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Human Augmentation Science and Technology (S&T) project.

HA refers to the use of science or technology to temporarily or permanently modify human performance. This may include a range of technologies, such as exoskeletons, wearables, genetics, brain interfaces, pharmaceuticals, and bioinformatics.

Technologies covered by the competition include those that focus on: sensory enhancement to support mission outcomes; collaborative working (including human-human and human-machine); attention during tasks with a cognitive element; enhanced decision making (reduced time and improved outcomes); physical endurance; strength; and overcoming limitations to physical and cognitive fatigue.

The Themed Competition has 3 use cases. Use Case 1 is Biofeedback Systems and includes systems that measure user state, interpret the resulting data and deliver an effect based on the data.

Use Case 2 is The Warfighter Ensemble, which covers equipment that is worn closely on the body and is designed to optimise and enhance biological functions.

The final use case is Sensory Enhancements, which covers enhancing the human senses beyond typical biological capability.

The competition closes on 13 June and DASA expects to fund five to ten proposals.

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