UK aims to bring telexistence closer to reality
DASA competition explores potential of technologies for standoff operations.
The UK MoD has unveiled an £800,000 ($1.1 million) funding injection via the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) for research into future military applications for telexistence technologies.
Nine organisations from industry and academia — such as L3Harris Technologies, TNO and Sheffield Hallam University — will work on 11 projects to accelerate development of capabilities that will physically remove military personnel and emergency workers from dangerous operating environments.
The human will remain in the loop with the ability to perform complex tasks and operate equipment from a safe distance.
Projects in Phase 1 are due to be completed by 31 May 2021 and will be demonstrated afterwards at an event in the UK.
Rob Baldock, programme manager for emerging technology at the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), said: ‘This is the culmination of several years of developing the concept of telexistence inside Dstl from the idea of combining different areas of emerging science into the concept of projecting human presence into a remote environment and immersive feedback for the operator.’
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Trump enters the White House promising into bring the US military to a “golden age”]()
Trump enters the White House promising into bring the US military to a “golden age”
The returning US president also reiterated a commitment to supply the services with “made-in-America” capabilities and to end conflicts worldwide.
-
![Incoming Irish government backs plans for larger defence force]()
Incoming Irish government backs plans for larger defence force
It has been more than six weeks since the Irish general election. After long negotiations, a coalition of two of the three largest parties and independents has resulted in a Programme for Government (PfG) which will form the basis of a government almost guaranteed to be formed on 22 January.
-
![Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent]()
Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
-
![UK begins process on new industrial strategy]()
UK begins process on new industrial strategy
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
