Notice

Human Augmentation Webinar - Q&A

Updated 19 May 2023

1. Challenge area questions

Q: Can you expand on Use Case 3 as just using a thermal camera would fit the description? Is there an expectation on how the sensor data is presented to the user?

A: The proposal should demonstrate how the technology will impact on the performance of the individual. Technologies should be developed to improve human performance.

Q: For Use Case 1, is there a list of parameters that would be useful to measure, if only someone could develop a non-invasive, real-time method for doing so?

A: No. The proposal or scoping work should provide the evidence to inform the parameters being measured. There has recently been a themed call looking at wearables and sensors. We are not interested in duplicating this call, but we want to exploit the outputs of sensors.

Q: Would it be possible to have more information on the kinds of things you’re looking for in the Warfighter Ensemble use case?

A: The team do not want to limit innovation, so are reluctant to give examples. Suppliers should consider the job our personnel do and think of things that could assist with that job. Look at the narrative of the competition and what we’re trying to achieve to scope your idea. If you are unsure, submit an Innovation Outline to your Innovation Partner.

Q: How do we know what Human Augmentation technologies you already got, to avoid submitting same technology proposals to you?

A: Don’t be limited by ideas that have already been submitted. If you would like to identify if your innovation is in scope, please contact your Innovation Partner and also fill in an Innovation Outline. The Innovation Partner will then pass the outline along to the competition team and we will feedback with more guidance. There is a Link to the Innovation Outline in the competition document

Q: How does Generation After Next (GAN) work when you want a TRL5/6 demonstration in 18 months? 18 months isn’t GAN.

A: We believe TRL5/6 can be achieved for GAN technologies in 18 months. We appreciate technology will be at different stages of development. If you have any concerns that what we are asking for is unachievable then submit an Innovation Outline.

Q: What is your focus? The technical feasibility of the concept or the psychological analysis of the feasible improvements?

A: We want to demonstrate the art of the possible to end users. Please include what you need to demonstrate to end users and how the technology could add value. This should be included as a work package in your proposal or longer term plan for the innovation. We just need a clear development plan.

Q: Are you interested in mature/higher TRL technologies that have yet to be applied to HA, so that project tests how/where it could be used to provide advantage?

A: Yes. To achieve TRL 5/6 the technology must be demonstrated in a relevant environment. If your technology has not be developed / tested for an HA application, then it is very unlikely that it will have been tested in a relevant environment.

Q: What advice can you give if we have a technology at TLR 8/9 but is the perfect for this call?

A: Please submit an Innovation Outline and we can provide advice on whether the technology is in scope.

Q: Can the technology provide sensory information, that the user can choose to use to optimize their situation or does an action need to automatically happen?

A: It doesn’t need to be an automatic action

Q: Are you supporting the human weak link with hardware or by expanding human latent inner “wetware” potential? I.e., physical material &/or electronic sciences.

A: Looking for innovation and technology that will modify human performance (optimise, enhance, modify performance) if your technology does any of these we are interested.

Q: Is evidence/data from simulated environments valid for data analysis

A: Yes.

Q: Would DASA be interested in wearable sensor technology for non-invasive real time monitoring of blood lactate and glucose levels, for fitness and stress?

A: No, not for this particular themed call as there has been quite a bit of work on this previously with DASA. Innovators can submit to the Open Call.

For this particular call, we would like technology to include sensors, data analytics and an effector.

Q: For biofeedback, can an effector be a decision that is made based sensor data output. For example automated decision to seek medical advice based on sensor data?

A: Yes.

Q: For any experimentation should this involve military personnel or for laboratory studies could this use civilian participants with similar characteristics?

A: You can demonstrate in a relevant environment using civilians. You would need a favourable opinion from MODREC. We suggest you allow 3 months from submission of your MoDREC application to the Scientific Advisory Committee to MoDREC approval. Add MODREC timelines as a risk in your proposal that can be monitored throughout the project.

Q: Does using learned techniques such as meditation or controlled breathing count as an intervention? (Noting interventions are a requirement)

A: Interventions can be biological or technological. Suppliers can submit an innovation outline to the Innovation Partner prior to submission if they would like specific details on whether the intervention is in scope.

Q: Can you possibly clarify if real-time means immediate response from the subject or can it a feedback that alters activity over time, maybe hours or even days?

A: Yes it could be longer term feedback. If monitoring for illness and injury long term feedback might be useful. Yes is the short answer, but reach out to your Innovation Partner if this hasn’t answered it.

Q: I presume UC2 Warfighter ensemble ideas should integrate with work being done elsewhere e.g. TOMMMYWORKS? How is best to understand ongoing work?

A: We recommend that your proposal includes a work package to facilitate end user engagement. The Dstl Technical Partner will facilitate engagement with end users to ensure that this work integrates with other defence initiatives.

Q: Are you working on capturing the essence of a specialist soldier and incorporate AI?

A: This themed call is focussed on opportunities presented by biofeedback systems, sensory enhancement or the warfighter ensemble.

Q: Is DASA looking to combine AI Sentient life in with XR? Human AI Robotics?

A: Not in this competition.

2. Competition Document questions

Q: How can we cost the road mapping WP if you can’t share the template with us?

A: The template we issue will provide the formatting of the roadmap, suppliers should budget time to format the road map into the template. The competition document provides a list of headings which provide the technical content we are looking for. Suppliers should budget for the amount of time it will take to develop this content.

Q: Do we need to already have an end user relationship in order to be able to build that into the application?

A: No. Articulate in your proposal how your solution might be applied to defence end users, but we understand you may not have access to end users. Include a work package in your proposal that includes end user engagement

Q: Could you go into more detail about the final demonstration? Is this an in person event?

A: The format of the final demonstration will be project dependent. We may offer to host a joint demonstration where we have multiple technologies with a similar application. Where technologies do not align with others, we will host an individual demonstration. Please provide costs for an in person demonstration.

Q: In terms of final delivery are you looking for evidence of the ability of the prototype in delivering human augmentation e.g. with it someone can run x% faster

A: We are interested in how the technology may influence human performance. If it is possible to objectively demonstrate this for your technology please include details in your proposal.

Q: What if the technology intersects optimisation and augmentation, i.e., would be considered optimisation in one area and augmentation for another, would this be an issue?

A: There is no issue with crossover.

Q: I note the “ensemble” refers to both optimisation & augmentation. This seems contradictory

A: Human augmentation is an umbrella term that includes optimisation, enhancement, reducing performance degradation and restoration.

Q: Can ensemble mean activated latent biological “inner armour”?

A: If the “inner armour” can be used in a way to modify the future warfighter ensemble (e.g. less protection) then this will be of interest to the project.

Q: Is there any existing Augmented Reality hardware/software used by MOD that could link to this?

A: We are not in a position to give specific details on what is used to help write the proposal. We can support engagement once a contract is in place, but not while putting together the proposal. Focus on Generation After Next.

Q: How much of the plan do we need to deliver now, for example what we intend to do after the 18-month project, if funded?

A: If you have questions / challenges that you want to answer / address, but these are out of scope for the proposed project, please include these as part of the longer term development plan. Articulate the questions / directions you see the work going beyond the project.

Q: Would designing a worn component (e.g. body armour) to minimise its degradation on physical performance (e.g. by reducing its weight) be considered?

A: Yes.

Q: How much of an 18 month runway would we lose on MODREC & ELSI if the biotech is dual use phenomenal, i.e., bioshield x bioweapon?

A: Please include a project timeline in your proposal. List any potential delays as risks. We suggest you allow 3 months from submission of your MoDREC application to the Scientific Advisory Committee to MoDREC approval. Add MODREC timelines as a risk in your proposal that can be monitored throughout the project.

3. General Questions

Q: Are you able to support interactions with potential end-users during the bid phase and subsequently during delivery to support exploitation?

A: During proposal development the team are unable to facilitate end user engagement, but full support will be provided on contract award. In your proposal, include an assumption that the Dstl Technical Partner will support with stakeholder engagement. We will ensure we engage with the right end users that can influence whether these technologies can be implemented in defence.

Q: Would we be able to get some feedback on what was funded from the Human Augmentation workshop last year so we don’t replicate?

A: We are unable to provide specific details of funded work so we are required to protect innovators IP. The DASA website does provide a list of funded projects here. If you are concerned about duplication, please submit an Innovation Outline to your Innovation Partner.

Don’t be too concerned about duplication, we often use multiple technologies to demonstrate the art of the possible of a concept.

Outputs from sandpit events have been used to develop the technology use cases that are listed in the competition document.

Q: Will you be able to share information on the Wearable Technology competition? Would there be an opportunity to combine previous work with this new competition.

A: DASA transparency data states the title of the work and company contracted. We protect Intellectual Property so we are unable to provide any info beyond the title. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accelerator-funded-contracts

Q: Is there any preferred profession within armed forces which HA intervention should be prioritised towards i.e. army, navy, air, logistics etc.

A: No we are tri-service and keen to be inclusive

Q: Is it allowed to patent our submitted idea proposals?

A: DASA would not be able fund a company to go through the patent process, however unless the competition team have an issue you would be able to patent it. You would need to consider whether running a project with us would be public release.

Q: Can we hire additional members to the project team after submitting the proposal?

A: Yes, but you should tell us as soon as possible as we would need to conduct security checks of all those involved with the project.

Q: Are you anticipating/ planning any near-future (mid/late 2023) human optimisation calls?

A: We are not aware of any future DASA competitions in this area. We cannot guarantee future competitions will take place.

Q: Can we submit the proposal directly on the DASA online portal? Or do we need to talk to local innovation partner first?

A: You can submit directly. We do recommend that you speak to your local Innovation Partner.

Q: If there is no Innovation Partner in my region who should we discuss with?

A: The DASA contact form will pair you up with an appropriate Innovation Partner

Q: Do you support projects already a little backed by VCs?

A: We do not have any issues with previous funding but we would want you to be upfront about any partners.

Q: Can we get a copy of the slides that have been presented?

A: Yes

4. Collaboration questions

Q: Is there a plan for DASA to support partnering/collaboration between industry partners and also academia for this call?

A: Yes there is a collaboration survey you can sign up to. The reason for the survey is to increase your ability to identify additional skills/ capabilities that would benefit your proposal. If you have all those skillsets no need to collaborate.

Q: Assuming on the call there is a mixture of idea generators vs those keen to form a bid - what advice is available to support collaborations?

A: See previous answer.

5. MODREC questions

Q: What is MODREC?

A: Links to MODREC guidance are provided in the competition document and below, and will give guidance on whether your idea will require a favourable opinion from MODREC. Defence and Security Accelerator: ethical, legal and regulatory guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Q: When is MODREC approval, rather than institutional (university ethics) approval needed?

A: All work funded by MOD will require a favourable opinion from MODREC

Q: MODREC is almost certainly going to be needed, last time i looked there was quite a delay in gaining approval - has this been factored in to the overall timing?

A: It is recommended that suppliers allow three months from submission of the MODREC protocol to the Scientific Advisory Committee to final approval. Note this does not include time to write the application. A Technical Partner will be assigned to the project to support you during this process. The risk of MODREC delays should be highlighted as a project risk as will be managed alongside other risks.