Innovative technology design and manufacturing always catches my interest. The robot shown in the image above is the Ghost Robotics Vision 60 semi-autonomous robot dog. The photo shows airmen assigned to the 375th Security Forces Squadron function as they tested the robot the prior to a demonstration at Scott Air Force Base.
Looking to connect with more Midwest innovation companies, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced the week of April 17 that they opened their next innovation center in Chicago, Illinois.
The DoD innovation centers, called Defense Innovation Units or DIUs, partner with tech firms to commercialize products that will benefit national defense. This is the fifth DIU in the U.S., and the first in the Midwest.
Chicago was selected by the DoD to “better leverage the wealth of talent and technology in the Midwest” according to the press release.
To date, the DIU program has introduced more than 100 new companies to the DoD and transitioned 43 commercial technologies to DoD partners. Now the Midwest will benefit from the program.
“American innovators are crucial to increasing the strength and resiliency of our supply lines and leveraging the creativity and productivity of the American workforce,” said Dr. Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense. “Today’s expansion of DIU will help to tap into talent and technology in the Midwest, and add a diverse resource to our innovation and modernization capabilities base.”
Do you know a company engaged in innovative technology design and manufacturing? Let’s talk! Or, send us a message on LinkedIn or Tweet us. We love to tell tales about successful startups and other fun innovations in our Friday blog posts.
–parin
Managing Partner
Image credit: Department of Defense
With over two decades of experience, Parin leads an expert demand-generation agency, StratMg, that helps industrial manufacturing clients achieve unambiguous and quantified organic sales growth across the US, EMEA & APAC.
Parin has built & positioned StratMg to be a value-added marketing services provider that strives to create a culture of quantified sales-driven marketing initiatives leading to sustained business growth through channel management, diversification, new customer acquisition and retention strategies and tactical execution.
