Emerging Tech
NASA’s Martian Helicopter Readies for Inaugural Flight on Earth’s Neighbor
The agency provided updates on milestones met—and a glimpse at what’s to come.
Artificial Intelligence
Federal Shared Services Provider Needs a System to ID Bots in Its Data Center
One of the four central financial service providers wants to use more robotic process automation in its data centers but needs to be able to track those bots—and any potential malicious bots creeping in, as well.
Artificial Intelligence
Pilot IRS Will Shift Focus to Key Technologies in 2021 Solicitations
Forthcoming solicitations will center on digitizing paper and poor-quality documents, high-speed scanning and automation tools.
Digital Government
House Republicans Call For VA-Led Campaign to Help Protect Vets from Cyber Risks
A new deep-dive study and public website would stem from the efforts.
Emerging Tech
Army Wants to Automate Base Access With Facial Recognition at Drive-Thru Checkpoints
The proposed system uses a reliable form of facial biometric identification but would need to control for variables like weather and low light.
Emerging Tech
FCC to Consider Proposal Enabling Spectrum for Commercial Space Launches
Companies currently are approved on an ad-hoc basis to share the federal spectrum during specific operations.
Modernization
State Department Floats $4B Vehicle to Consolidate Its IT Contracts
The new contract vehicle will also shift the agency’s strategy to focus on fixing problems instead of buying tech.
Emerging Tech
Microsoft to Produce Augmented Reality Headsets Under $21B Army Contract
The Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation system headset is based on Microsoft’s HoloLens gaming device.
Emerging Tech
Bipartisan Legislation to Boost U.S. Manufacturing Put Forward in Both Chambers
A U.S. chief manufacturing officer would be appointed to advise the president.
Emerging Tech
A Marine Logistics Base May Be the Warehouse of the Future
Virginia Tech researchers aim to use 5G networks to track items as they come and go.
Emerging Tech
How Virtual Reality Is Helping Prepare Service Members to Support Peers in Emotional Distress
The VR training gives airmen practical experience convincing a peer to seek help.
Emerging Tech
Watchdog to Review How Postal Inspectors Handle Cryptocurrency
Digital currencies have already been seized by the law enforcement arm in previous investigations.
Ideas
Closing the Cyber Skills Gap Will Take New Technologies in Addition to New Talent
The cybersecurity resources gap is no longer a problem we can solve with humans alone.
Digital Government
Democrats and Republicans United in Big Tech Frustration
But what to do with policies like Section 230 remains unclear.
Digital Government
Biden Commits to Investing ‘Closer to 2%’ of GDP in Science Research
The president referenced infrastructure, immigration, quantum computing and much more in his first formal press conference.
Emerging Tech
Army Pursues Innovative Wearables to Better Block Infantry from Traumatic Brain Injuries
Technologies with or readying for FDA approval could be considered.
Emerging Tech
Republican Lawmakers Push for Billions in Boosts to Science Agency Budgets
Their re-introduced bill also calls for a national S&T strategy—and new requirements, including a supply chain-tracking database.
Digital Government
IRS Needs Help Managing and Upgrading Legacy Criminal Investigations Systems
The two main IT systems that manage the tax agency’s investigations efforts are 10 and 15 years old, and users want new capabilities.
Ideas