a. AUSA Five Things – “Wearable and implantable robotic systems.”
AUSA Five Things: A Weekly Tip Sheet for AUSA Members, dated December 5, 2016: “Individualized Robotics.”
Neuroscientist Jean Vettel of the Army Research Laboratory’s human research and engineering directorate says people can be the biggest challenge when trying to get machines and humans to work as teams. “Our goal is to find out how we can do neuroscience where we can start quantifying individuals and then design individualized technologies.”
What to watch: Human-machine interaction, especially in tactical operations, is a much-watched field of study that could lead to both wearable and implantable systems to enhance performance and protection. Because everyone doesn’t think alike, technology may need to be tailored or at least adapted to individuals.
b. AUSA Moderator – “Is the Army the service most in need of modernization?”
“Far and away, the military service most in need of modernization is the U.S. Army. It has suffered more than the other services from the current period of budgetary stringent. It has been the victim too of self-inflicted acquisition wounds that basically devastated its modernization program. As a consequence, it has no new armored fighting vehicle in development and is only just starting on the next rotorcraft, long-range fire system and air defense.”
c. AUSA Five Things – “Non-retired veterans could soon shop online at the military exchange.”
AUSA Five Things: A Weekly Tip Sheet for AUSA Members, dated December 5, 2016: “Expanded Exchange Shopping Privileges.”
The Defense Department is close to a final decision that could allow any honorably discharged veteran the right to cyber shop at a military exchange. The online-only shopping privileges for people who are not otherwise authorized are seen as a way of expanding the customer base for post and base exchanges, which have suffered as the military has gotten smaller.
What to watch: Veterans Day 2017 is the target date for making online shopping available to a population of more than 20 million people who aren’t allowed into brick and mortar stores. Details have to be worked out on how honorably discharged veterans would properly identify themselves in order to shop.
THIS WEEK'S POLL QUESTION:
(To Vote: Scroll down to the footer of the page)
Is this the year that Army beats Navy?
o Yes
o No
o Not sure