Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Media Contact:
Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | mack.burke_iv@okstate.edu
List recognizes tech breakthroughs across industries that promise to transform the
future
The Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education at Oklahoma State University
has been named to ‘Fast Company’s’ third annual Next Big Things in Tech list, honoring technology breakthroughs that promise to shape the future of industries
— from health care and security to artificial intelligence and data.
This year, 119 technologies developed by established companies, startups, or research
teams are highlighted for their cutting-edge advancements and potential to impact
consumers, businesses and society overall. While not all of the technological developments
are available in the market yet, each one is reaching key milestones in order to have
a proven impact in the next five years.
“The Next Big Things in Tech is not just a look around the corner — it’s a look around
the corner after that,” said Brendan Vaughan, Fast Company editor-in-chief. “These
are the products and ideas that will define technological innovation for the rest
of this decade and beyond — and solve some of the world’s most pressing issues. We
are thrilled to honor the organizations that are making them a reality.”
OAIRE’s nomination cited a variety of projects and initiatives with a focus on its
work with the OSU Global Consortium For Explosive Hazard Mitigation (OSU GCEHM), which is based at the OSU Center for Health Sciences. OAIRE helped find
an innovative approach to landmine detection that could save lives on a global scale:
utilizing drone technology and machine learning for mine detection and mitigation.
The approach adds a layer of efficiency and accuracy to drone detection while removing
the need for humans to identify and handle dangerous explosives.
Leveraging research from the Demining Research Community (DRC), drones can detect landmines with up to 92% accuracy. A significant issue like
landmine detection and detonation requires advanced collaboration. The partnership
that resulted in the drone-detection innovation was a collaborative effort — DRC’s machine learning algorithm could pinpoint landmines and unexploded ordnances (UXO); OAIRE helped collect data
to train artificial intelligence, which supported the system; and OSU GCEHM provided
test ranges and inert explosives for collecting crucial data.
“As land-grant university committed to using research to help solve society’s most
pressing problems, OSU played a crucial role in facilitating the explosive-ordnance-disposal
field laboratory on which researchers from DRC could train their drone-based, machine-learning-powered
detection system to find dangerous explosives,” said Dr. Jamey Jacob, OAIRE executive
director. “The result meant a paradigm shift from the original human-led process.”
Aside from aiding in post-conflict drone detection, Jacob said the innovation is especially
significant now since mines like the antipersonnel mine, developed by the Soviet Union
and deployed in its war in Afghanistan from 1979-89, are similar to those currently
being utilized by Russia in Ukraine.
“OAIRE, OSU GCEHM, and DRC’s drone-detection program presents a unique solution to
a global humanitarian problem,” Jacob said. “With this drone-detection system, demining
organizations around the globe are closer to making post-conflict countries safe while
eliminating unnecessary casualties.”
OSU GCEHM, OAIRE and DRC played crucial roles in helping facilitate the innovative
drone-detection approach, which has been lauded in various peer-reviewed journals
including The Leading Edge, Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, and Remote
Sensing, among others. A feature story about the innovation appeared in Scientific
American and included a mini documentary from the test site in Oklahoma.
“By working collaboratively with our partners, the OSU Institute for Global Explosive
Hazard Mitigation is becoming the world leader in a conscientious endeavor while offering
opportunities for students across the globe,” said John Frucci, program director of
the Arson, Explosives, Firearms and Toolmarks program. “From land mine mitigation
to post conflict trauma support, the institute will have a global impact.”
Elizabeth Pollard is CEO of Cowboy Technologies and executive director of The Innovation
Foundation at OSU, which houses OAIRE and the university’s applied research institutes.
She said OAIRE and its partners have earned this recognition for their impactful work,
which is indicative of the university’s land-grant mission.
“The transdisciplinary approach employed on this project allowed researchers from
across and outside the OSU System to reach further together,” she said. “When we talk
about our role as a land-grant university to address society’s most pressing challenges,
this is a clear example that highlights the power of collaboration and innovation.
I’m so proud of the OAIRE team, what they’ve managed to accomplish already and incredible
new developments to come.”
