DARPA Forward at Colorado State University

Held at:

Colorado State University
August 30-31

Held at:

Colorado State University
August 30-31

Draft Agenda
Subject to Change
All times are presented in the host university’s local time zone.

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

1:00pm - 1:30pm

Opening Session

Conference Opening & Welcome Remarks

1:30pm - 1:35pm

Lightning Talk

Rethinking Competitions

1:35pm - 1:45pm

Demo

Extreme Optics and Imaging (EXTREME)

1:45pm - 2:30pm

Portfolio Brief

Scalable Human Machine Ecosystems

2:30pm - 3:00pm

Break

3:00pm - 3:10pm

Demo

Engineered Living Materials (ELM)

3:10pm - 3:15pm

Lightning Talk

Applying Biologically Sourced Materials to Build Inorganic Structures

3:15pm - 4:00pm

Tech Panel

Hardening Supply Networks for the Future

4:00pm - 4:10pm

Demo

Subterranean (SubT) Challenge & OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics (OFFSET)

4:10pm - 4:40pm

Break

4:40pm - 4:45pm

Lightning Talk

AI: More Than Just a Force Multiplier

4:45pm - 5:30pm

Portfolio Brief

Engineering Secure Information Systems

5:30pm - 5:45pm

Closing Session

Closing Remarks

5:45pm - 7:15pm

Networking Reception

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

7:00am - 8:15am

Continental Breakfast

8:15am - 8:20am

Lightning Talk

Enabling Next Generation Communications

8:20am - 8:55am

Keynote Address

LT GEN John E. Shaw, Deputy Commander, US Space Command

8:55am - 9:25am

Break

9:25am - 10:45am

University Host Session

Prediction: Innovations in Predictive Analytics
Adaptation: Environments on Other Planets & Disruptions in Earth Systems
Resilience: Building Workforce and Operations Resilience

Executive Summary

These sessions, hosted by Colorado State University, will explore a broad set of cutting edge topics at the intersection of fields including health, climate, engineering, cybersecurity, and others. The sessions will be organized into three parts as follows:

Prediction: Innovations in Predictive Analytics

AI in One Health: From Pandemics to Climate, Science and Application
Aerobiome in Health: Research and Potential Applications

Adaptation: Adapting to Environments on Other Planets and Disruptions in Earth Systems

Humans in Space and in Austere Conditions: Adaptations in Agriculture Systems
Geo Engineering: Climate Interventions to Address Global Threats

Resilience: Building Workforce and Operations Resilience

Innovations and Challenges in Cybersecurity
Mental Health: Early Stress Recognition Systems and Proactive Response

Speakers

Prediction: Innovations in Predictive Analytics

Dr. Susan VandeWoude, Director, One Health Institute, Colorado State University

Dr. Michael Kirby, Director, Data Science Research Institute, Colorado State University

Dr. Tami Bond, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University

Dr. Angela Bosco-Lauth, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University

Adaptation: Environments on Other Planets & Disruptions in Earth Systems

Dr. Karyn Hamilton, Director, Translational Research on Aging and Chronic Disease Laboratory, Colorado State University

Dr. Amy Charkowski, Professor and Department Head, Plant Pathology, College of Agricultural Sciences, Colorado State University

Dr. James Hurrell, Professor & Scott Presidential Chair, Environmental Science and Engineering, Colorado State University

Dr. Bryan Willson, Executive Director, Energy Institute, Colorado State University

Resilience: Building Workforce and Operations Resilience

Dr. Craig Partridge, Professor and Department Chair, Computer Science, Colorado State University

Dr. Steve Simske, Professor, Systems Engineering, Colorado State University

Dr. Deana Davalos, Professor, Cognitive Neuroscience, Colorado State University

Dr. Lise Youngblade, Dean, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University

Closing Remarks by: REP Joseph Neguse, Congressman, CO 2nd Dist

Topic(s)/Domain(s)

Computing / AI / Cyber

Bio / Medical

10:45am - 11:15am

Break

11:15am - 11:45am

Keynote Address

Dr. Kathleen Hicks, US Deputy Secretary of Defense

11:45am - 1:00pm

Networking Lunch

1:00pm - 1:45pm

Tech Panel

The Future of Autonomous Vehicles

Executive Summary

In 2004, DARPA launched interest in self-driving vehicles with a Grand Challenge. Back then, none of the vehicles could even finish the course. Today, we have a fully driverless taxi services in San Francisco and Phoenix. But while rapid progress has been made, fully automated vehicles aren't yet the norm. What are the challenges remaining to get us to truly autonomous vehicles in any environment, and what are the important distinctions for military use as compared to consumer use?

Panelists

Dr. Whitney Mason, Deputy Director, DARPA Strategic Technology Office (STO) (Moderator)

Dr. Stuart H. Young, Program Manager, DARPA Tactical Technology Office (TTO) (Moderator)

LTC Chris Orlowski, Product Manager, Army Program Executive Office (PEO) Ground Combat Systems

Professor Deva Ramanan, Professor, Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute and Principal Scientist, Argo AI

Dr. Claire Tomlin, Professor & Chair, University of California Berkeley Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Dr. Eric Krotkov, President, EK Consulting AI

Topic(s)/Domain(s)

Ground

Virtual

1:45pm - 1:50pm

Lightning Talk

DoD in Lunar Space

1:50pm - 2:35pm

Tech Panel

Breakthrough in Field Robotics

Executive Summary

The progression of robotics since Shakey the robot has been remarkable. Yet there are still many challenges that field robotics must surmount: outmatching humans in pick and place-like applications, maneuvering in tight spaces at high speeds, dealing with adversaries, being resilient and finding a representation of the physical environment that allows for dexterity, manipulation of objects and mobility through deformable or unstable terrains. This panel will address the next breakthroughs in field robotics, define future challenges and explore ways that DARPA can accelerate their development.

Speakers

Dr. Timothy Chung, Senior Director, Robotics, Microsoft (Moderator)

Mr. Kyle Usbeck, Principal Scientist, Systems and Technology Research (STR) Autonomy Group

Dr. Wennie Tabib, Systems Scientist, Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute

Dr. Sebastian Scherer, Associate Research Professor, Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute

Dr. Ali Agha, Robotics Technologist and Group Leader, Autonomous and Robotic Systems Division, NASA JPL and Caltech’s Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST)

Topic(s)/Domain(s)

Ground

Additional Session Locations

Texas A&M University, November 15-16

2:35m - 3:05pm

Break

3:05pm - 3:50pm

Portfolio Brief

The Confluence of Communications

3:50pm - 4:35pm

Tech Panel

Driving Technology Transition Direct to Operations

Executive Summary

This panel will explore the application of DARPA technology through an agile Development Security Operations (DevSecOps) process leading to the "direct to operations" transition of research and development capabilities. Panelists include technologists and operators working together to solve mission-relevant interoperability challenges such as those investigated in the DARPA SHARE and SoSITE programs. The execution of SHARE and SoSITE included rapid iteration with partners with more than twenty field exercises and "gauntlets" to develop and refine solutions aligned with operational needs. This panel will conclude with lessons learned and an overview of broader DoD initiatives driving the rapid insertion of technology.

Speakers

Mr. Steve Gribschaw, Special Assistant to the DARPA Director (Moderator)

CDR Matthew Thatcher, Special Assistant to the DARPA Director / U.S. Navy Operational Liaison

MAJ Pat Franks, Communications Officer, US Army

Ms. Rebecca Gassler, Technical Director, Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS) 6

Topic(s)/Domain(s)

Materials / Manufacturing

4:35pm - 4:45pm

Closing Session

Closing Remarks

Hear from Thought Leaders

Venue

Lory Student Center
1101 Center Ave Mall
Fort Collins, CO 80521

Map

Venue Parking

On-site parking is available around the Lory Student Center in the Morgan Library Parking Lot (primary), the Engineering Parking Lot (secondary), and the Moby Arena Parking Lot (Lot 195) (tertiary). While the Morgan Library and Engineering Parking Lots are directly outside of the Lory Student Center, the Moby Arena Parking Lot is a 0.6 mile (10 minute) walk to the Lory Student Center. As an alternative to walking you may take the campus bus (the HORN) southbound from the Moby Arena stop to the CSU Transit Center stop, which is the very next stop and will drop you off near the Lory Student Center. The bus departs the Moby Arena every 20 minutes. See schedule here.

Campus parking payment will be taken through the pay machines or through the ParkMobile app and the rate is $2 per hour. It is recommended that you park prior to payment to ensure there is an available spot.

You can find additional available campus parking on the ParkMobile site.

Room Block

A courtesy room block has been reserved at the Hilton Fort Collins. Rooms are priced at the prevailing government per diem rate of $113, plus tax and are offered on a first-come-first-served basis via the online reservations link below.

Hilton Fort Collins
425 West Prospect Rd
Fort Collins, CO 80526
970-482-2626 (Reference DARPA Forward Conference for phone reservations)
Online reservations

Reservation Deadline: Friday, August 5, 2022

Tax Exemption: Individually Billed Account (IBA) travel cards are not exempt in the State of Colorado.

Parking: $12 daily

Check in: 4:00 PM

Check out: 11:00 AM

Cancellation Deadline: 24 hours prior to check-in

Other Area Hotels

Hotel

Distance from the Lory Student Center

Best Western University Inn Fort Collins

.7 miles / 14-minute walk

Fort Collins Marriott

3.6 miles / 12-minute drive

Courtyard by Marriott Fort Collins

5.2 miles / 16-minute drive

Travel

Travelers should fly into Denver International Airport (DEN) located 72 miles (1 hour, 12 minute drive) from the Lory Student Center.

Registration

We invite you to join us for as many events as you’d like!

Registration for in-person and virtual attendance at Colorado State University is now closed.

COVID-19 Protocols

Due to the community transmission in Larimer County, all conference attendees (except for DARPA government employees) MUST complete a DD Form 3150 attesting to their vaccination status. This form should be filled out in advance and brought to the conference. Attendees who are not fully vaccinated or who decline to provide their status must provide proof of a negative test from an FDA approved source (i.e. CVS), valid within 72 hours of their visit. The results must be date stamped and cannot be an over the counter or a self-administered test. Masks are recommended indoors at the conference.

* Guidelines are subject to change at any time.