Moback and U.S. Navy sign CRADA for AR research to enhance fleet readiness

Moback, Inc., Chief Executive Officer, Devkumar Gandhi (right), signs a cooperative research and development agreement with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) to help research and investigate specialized augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) capabilities for the U.S. Navy, June 21. Pictured from left to right: NSWC PHD Computer Engineer Liping Chen; Moback, Inc., Product Development Lead, Sidhant Gandhi; NSWC PHD Commanding Officer, Capt. Ray Acevedo; NSWC PHD Science and Innovation Technology Lead, Mark Jue; and Gandhi. (U.S. Navy photo by Marco Hinahon/released)

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) is collaborating with industry partner Moback, Inc. to research and investigate specialized augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) capabilities to enhance fleet readiness for the U.S. Navy.

Specifically, the AR/VR technology would support naval training, maintenance, lifecycle engineering and product support. Future integration of the technology is targeted for long-distance support of shipboard technology and combat weapons systems as well as improved training efforts for the fleet.

Left: Sidhant Gandhi (Product Lead) demonstrates the Arra application.

“I’m excited for this partnership,” said NSWC PHD Commanding Officer, Capt. Ray Acevedo. “Working on AR and VR capabilities is critical to our fleet support mission and will allow us to significantly increase the lethal capabilities of our Navy.”

Representatives of NSWC PHD and Moback, Inc., formalized partnership efforts through a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA).

The CRADA is part of an on-going Naval Innovative Science and Engineering 219 augmented reality technology research project. The National Defense Authorization Act, Section 219 allows warfare centers and research laboratories to utilize funds invested in their organizations for industry and academic partnerships in research, engineering and technology development.

“Moback’s efforts with AR and VR is a good technological fit for the work that PHD does,” said Mark Jue, science and innovation technology lead at NSWC PHD. “This CRADA will help our workforce build technical relationships with industry to develop augmented and virtual reality capabilities that meet fleet requirements.”

MOBACK, Inc., is a developer of cloud-based AR computing and experience platforms. Their commercial product allows content creators to publish models and animated assets, which can be viewed by consumers on a mobile device.

Syndicated from http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Media/News/Article/1563784/navy-pursues-augmented-and-virtual-reality-to-enhance-fleet-readiness/

Original story by Nichole Susanka.