Oculus founder Palmer Luckey is making headlines again, this time in the arms industry. British publication The Economist reported that his weapons-focused startup called Anduril has unveiled a missile-cum-drone “Roadrunner.” The name correlates to a Looney Tunes show which features a coyote trying to catch a fast-moving bird in a canyon.
A New Experiment
The Roadrunner can either be used for surveillance or attacking the enemy. It can be compared to Iron Dome or Patriot missiles that can increase the odds of hitting a target. However, Anduril’s missiles can “communicate” with each other, and the remaining ones after destroying a target can return home unused.
The Economist writes that “Comparing air-defense systems is tricky, for they are designed for different things. Iron Dome deals with small rockets. Patriot handles large missiles and planes. Coyote is built for what the Pentagon calls Group One and Two drones, which weigh less than 25kg and fly below 3,500 feet (1,069 meters). Roadrunner is designed for Group Three threats, which can weigh almost 600kg and fly up to 18,000 feet, like the Iranian Shahed-136 drones that Russia has used to attack Ukraine.”
Furthermore, it appears like Roadrunner is already gaining traction in the American arms market. Special forces have already secured some of its units. Regarding the US arms industry, the article notes that “Roadrunner’s theatrical launch reflects a divide in America’s arms industry. Critics see the country’s established firms as complacent and lazy, and welcome disruption from scrappy newcomers such as Anduril.”
The military is the initial sector amid the journey of several technologies. Metaverse is one tech that has already entered different industries but the military is making use of it too. It allows training in a simulated environment which also reduces risks associated with physical training. Photorealistic simulations may help soldiers navigate places they are supposed to infiltrate in their tasks beforehand.
Head-mounted displays (HMDs) are becoming more useful with technological advancements. Experts believe that heavier devices may lose their shape to become more comfortable to sport. However, this may take time to manifest. Global adoption may witness hindrances attributed to affordability issues.
Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), the company that bought Oculus for $2 Billion, is trying to become a pioneer in the metaverse. It rebranded their title to shift their focus on virtual worlds from social media. However, their social media apps are still dominating the global market. Currently, its family of apps holds a user base of over 3 Billion people.
The company CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, says that, “The defining quality of the metaverse will be a feeling of presence — like you are right there with another person or in another place. Feeling truly present with another person is the ultimate dream of social technology. That is why we are focused on building this.”
