(Montgomery, Ala.) – Earlier this year, the Blue Horizons research task force teamed up with MGMWERX to host a challenge for robotics teams from schools in the River Region. The teams were tasked with creating prototypes of a protective shell for a raspberry pi computer and battery. GEARS, Inc. from Eastwood and Cornerstone Schools went on to win the challenge. The winning prototype has now moved on from production to testing where a live drop of the item has been performed.
“The level of effort and thought that went into this challenge far exceeded everything we could have expected! While working on projects, it is easy to get fixated on that “one way” of doing things,” stated Major Khris Krueger, a member of the Blue Horizons research task force. “However, having a fresh set of perspectives on a particular problem can help identify areas that may not have been previously thought about or, as we saw at the competition, a whole new design that meets all of the requirements of the challenge.”
MGMWERX was able to provide Blue Horizons with nontraditional military partners in the form of local robotics teams. These teams were able to provide several, out-of-the-box ideas, which led to Blue Horizons finding a vendor to develop the idea into a real-life prototype, all in the Montgomery area
“At MGMWERX we’re a firm believer that no one group of people has a monopoly on good ideas. Project Flash was able to showcase that belief by soliciting solutions from an often-forgotten group, kids,” explained Anna Ganey, MGMWERX Business Manager. “Through partnerships that MWX has formed we were able to gain a fresh perspective on a problem. The simplicity of design, ease of manufacturing, as well the cost to mass produce was just brilliant!”
Local manufacturer, Acclaim Industries, produced over 700 modified designs for testing. The prototype is now ready for use in the field where it will be dropped from aircrafts into military zones.
MGMWERX was created under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement to align with the education initiatives of Air University. MGMWERX augments ongoing Air University programs, through events like Pitch Night, to enhance the production of high-quality, innovative research and ideas that span issues of importance to the Air Force. This includes, but is not limited to, doctrine, strategies, capability needs, operational concepts, training, education, and science and technology.