Wearable technology has proven useful on Earth in the form of smart watches, glasses, yoga pants and more. This technology area was one of many pitched during the 2019 Cycle I of the NASA iTech competition. Considering how the inventions could benefit future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars, NASA has selected 25 competition semifinalists.
NASA iTech is an initiative within the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) to encourage innovative ideas that could provide unique solutions on Earth and in space.
“NASA iTech is all about fostering innovative ideas from entrepreneurs who otherwise may not have contemplated a space application for their technology,” said Kira Blackwell, the NASA iTech program executive for STMD. “We’re delighted to have another strong group of semifinalists with a wide range of possible applications.”
Technology pitches were submitted from a variety of organizations around the world, giving applicants a unique opportunity to present their solutions to NASA. The top 25 NASA iTech 2019 Cycle I semifinalists (in alphabetical order) are:
1. AeroLab Technology, Calgary, Canada
Sensors designed for cycling dynamics that could be applied to unmanned aircraft.
2. Aris MD, Wilmington, Delaware
Three-dimensional medical scans.
3. Baker Street Scientific, Rome, Georgia
Big data technology that extracts relevant information for more informed decision-making.
4. Cluster Imaging, Inc., Sunnyvale, California
A technology that adds depth to images for accurate image recognition.
5. CREAL3D, Saint-Sulpice, Switzerland
Next-generation display of virtual and mixed reality headsets and smart glasses that creates hologram-like images.
6. Dance Reality, Seattle, Washington
Augmented reality to display 3D holograms of a remote person.
7. Enduralock, LLC, Lenexa, Kansas
Metal fasteners that are vibration resistant, reversible and reusable.
8. Etta Epidermis, Westmont, Illinois
Artificially intelligent skin cancer detection software.
9. ExactCure, Nice, France
Artificial intelligence—based health solution to predict the effects and interactions of medications on an individual.
10. EXGwear, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Next generation artificial intelligence interface that could let individuals intuitively control compatible devices.
11. Farsight, Rennes, France
Virtual reality training tool for astronauts to prepare for various in-flight operations.
12. GoRout, Rochester, Minnesota
Wearable helmet display system that shows football play diagrams.
13. Ion Power Group, LLC, Navarre, Florida
Technology using carbon nanomaterial to extract clean electricity from ions native to planets and moons with an atmosphere.
14. LOOMIA Technologies, Inc., New York
Light and flexible space structures.
15. Momentus, Inc., Santa Clara, California
Spacecraft that use water as fuel to move satellites between different orbits.
16. Morpheus Avatar Systems, Shepherdsville, Kentucky
Technology that utilizes virtual reality, machine learning and sensory feedback devices to control robots.
17. Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Pasadena, California
Consumer-ready platform to bring productive content to aerospace applications.
18. onTracks, Marseille, France
Wearable technology that guides the user to a destination via vibrations.
19. Oxford Space Systems, Harwell, United Kingdom
Light-weight deployable antennas for space.
20. Sohn Systems, Inc., San Diego, California
Technology that enables spacecraft to quickly convert from cargo to passenger configurations.
21. spotLESS Materials, LLC, State College, Pennsylvania
Coating technology to enable sustainable waste management on Earth and in space.
22. Unistellar, San Francisco, California
A powerful telescope that uses optics, electronics and image-processing technology in order to make astronomy easy and interactive.
23. United Aircraft Technologies, Inc., Troy, New York
A new aircraft part for wiring designed to reduce weight and increase workforce safety.
24. Wearable Experiments, Inc., New York
Apparel that assesses and provides posture monitoring and guidance.
25. WISER Systems, Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina
Instantaneous location and tracking in a variety of environments.
A panel of subject-matter experts from NASA will further review the top 25 Cycle I semifinalist selections based on their relevance, likelihood of success and potential positive impact on space exploration and life on Earth.
The top 10 finalists for Cycle I will be announced no earlier than May 28, 2019. These 10 finalists will be invited to present their ideas to NASA leadership, space industry leaders and potential investors at the NASA iTech Cycle I Forum to be held in Pasadena, California, July 10-11, 2019. The top three teams will be selected and recognized during a non-monetary awards ceremony at the culmination of the forum.
For information about the NASA iTech initiative, visit:
Clare Skelly
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4273
Harla Sherwood
National Institute of Aerospace, Hampton, Va.
757-636-6300