The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new themed competition called Human Augmentation. Human Augmentation (HA) refers to the use of science or technology to temporarily or permanently modify human performance.

This encompasses a range of technologies, including exoskeletons, wearables, genetics, brain interfaces, pharmaceuticals, and bioinformatics.

This Themed Competition aims to develop novel, Generation-After-Next (GAN) prototype HA technologies which can be harnessed safely and ethically that mitigate human performance as the limiting factor in a UK Defence environment.

Technologies that influence the following human capabilities and aptitudes include:

• Sensory enhancement to support mission outcomes
• Collaborative working (including human-human and human-machine)
• Attention during tasks with a cognitive element
• Enhanced decision making (reduced time and improved outcomes)
• Physical endurance
• Strength
• Overcoming limitations to physical and cognitive fatigue

Key Dates and Funding

Up to £2 million is available for this competition, and DASA expects to fund five to 10 proposals.

Submission deadline: midday on Tuesday 13 June 2023

Read the full competition document and submit a proposal here.

Human augmentation technologies in defence

As the battlefield becomes more complex and the demands on our personnel increase, in order to win tactical advantage, they will have to out-think and out-pace their adversaries. If HA technologies can be harnessed safely and ethically to develop enhanced levels of performance, it is possible they could afford improvements in capability across the whole force.

This Themed Competition has 3 use cases.

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Use Case 1: Biofeedback Systems

Systems that measure user state, interpret the resulting data and deliver an effect based on the data.

Use Case 2: The Warfighter Ensemble

Equipment that is worn closely on the body and is designed to optimise and enhance biological functions.

Use Case 3: Sensory Enhancements

Enhancing the human senses beyond typical biological capability.