The U.S. Army xTech Program has launched the xTechOverwatch competition to identify new technologies for advanced autonomous unmanned systems.
The competition aims to address critical military requirements through collaboration with small businesses capable of developing artificial intelligence and sensor technologies, the Army said Tuesday. Cash prizes of up to $35,000 and potential contract awards from the Army Small Business Innovation Research program await the participants.
Searching for Innovative Military Tech
Under the initiative, the Army Futures Command and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology seek innovative capabilities for unmanned aerial and ground vehicles and sensor networks. The competition will select 40 finalists, which will each receive a $15,000 cash prize and a chance to demonstrate their prototype technologies at the Army Human Machine Integration Summit in October.
From the pool of exhibitors, the Army will choose up to 20 winners, awarding each a $20,000 cash prize and providing the opportunity to submit proposals through the Army SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer program. The submissions could win up to $40 million in funding to help the businesses advance their prototypes to practical applications.
Interested U.S.-based businesses can submit their concept white papers from April 2 through May 21. The documents should detail the vendors’ technology alignments and their unique proposals’ advantages, technical approaches and commercial potential.

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