The Department of Defense needs help designing a biohazard suit
There's a $250,000 prize going to whomever can create the best prototype.
The Department of Defense is looking for a few good creators to help bring a brand new biohazard suit to life. The Chembio Suit Challenge is being held by the Chemical and Biological Defense division within the US military, and there's a $250,000 prize hanging in the balance for ideas on how to create a better protective suit.
The current suit, according to the contest, has hindrances in the form of weight and bulkiness that greatly restrict soldiers' range of motion, agility and maneuverability. Those judging the contest will look for specific improvements in expedience, mobility and other areas. Basically, making the suit a more svelte and less totally cumbersome piece of equipment -- and we know a robot that's ready to test that out -- is key here.
In addition to figuring out the problem with bulkiness and frustration soldiers face in putting the current suits on, the Department of Defense is also looking for designs to help keep anyone wearing the suits cool. If your submission comes out on top, you could win awards ranging from $5,000 to $150,000.
"The ultimate goal is to relieve any burdens and hazards to the warfighter and improve operational capabilities in combating chemical and biological wartime threats," reads the official Chembio Challenge site. Interested in taking on the challenge? Go give it a shot.
