Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson called on Austin innovators to help the military quickly develop new technologies that rivals, such as China, may not be exploring.
“We will try to clear the way for you," she said during an Austin visit on Wednesday morning. "We will try to change the rules above and around you. I need you to move now and don’t wait for us.”
Wilson, a former congresswoman and Air Force Academy graduate who was appointed last year, was in Austin Tuesday and Wednesday to launch the newest hub of AFWERX, the U.S. Air Force's innovation lab.
The new AFWERX hub is an office space inside the Capital Factory accelerator in downtown Austin. It's focused primarily on innovations using virtual reality and augmented reality, and it invites innovators to rapidly develop programs to assist the Air Force.
During her visit, Wilson heard from an Air Force Reserve member who is working on an AR program that could help the Air Force more quickly identify mechanical issues. It would use AR goggles to help identify and interact with aircraft computer systems and sensors.
Wilson also strapped on a set of VR goggles to experience a flight training simulation, and she met with a variety of other founders working on military-focused projects inside Capital Factory.
AFWERX is the latest of several military tech developments in Austin. In September 2016, then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter came to Austin to announce Capital Factory would be home to a branch of the Defense Innovation Unit-Experimental, or DIUx. The Austin DIUx team aims to build connections with local tech companies, independent entrepreneurs and companies that already do business with the military. It also buys tech prototypes for military applications, ranging from battlefield gear to healthcare apps for veterans.
Meanwhile, Austin is one of five finalist cities vying for the Army Future Command post that could bring hundreds of new tech jobs to the area and expand Austin's military tech activity in perhaps an even bigger way than DIUx or AFWERX.
Capital Factory founder Joshua Baer noted several recent Austin visits by high-ranking U.S. military officials and the addition of the new innovation hubs here.
“I think we’re starting a trend, and I’m really excited about that,” he said.
AFWERX launched its first lab in Las Vegas in January in a 30,000-square-foot space equipped with CNC machines, 3D printers and other tools. It invites anyone in the community to develop solutions for the military through development and prototyping sprints, events and mentors. The only catch is that whatever innovators develop there can be used by the military.
The Air Force has said it plans to open multiple outposts like the ones in Las Vegas and, now, Austin.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler applauded the Air Force's decision to open an AFWERX hub here.
“I really do think that innovation creativity entrepreneurship and drive is part of our DNA here in this city," Adler said at the Capital Factory event. "It’s part of who we are. I think it’s in the water.”
