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Computing

If you’ve ever watched TV, used a computer mouse, surfed the web, or talked to Siri on an iPhone, you’ve used an innovation tied to SRI’s groundbreaking research. Discover the many ways SRI technologies touch our lives every day.

2016

MOTOBOT

First autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot

2000s Artificial intelligence Firsts Robotics Seminal innovations Sensing and devices Software

2010

National education technology plan development

SRI outlines 21st century vision of technology-supported learning.

2010

2007

Siri

Apple acquired our spin-off and the iPhone got Siri.

2000s Artificial intelligence Communication Firsts Products Seminal innovations Sensing and devices Software

2006

Iris recognition

It’s all in the eyes: Iris on the Move makes biometric identification a widespread reality.

2000s Products Sensing and devices

2003

Artificial intelligence: CALO

“Hey, Siri. Did you really start as cogintive decision making software?”

2000s Artificial intelligence Firsts Military Security and defense Software

2002

Training the National Guard

Live-training program gets soldiers combat-ready from their own home stations.

2000s Military Security and defense

2002

Robot teams: Centibots

Robots coordinate, communicate and create milestones at the same time.

2000s Artificial intelligence Firsts Military Robotics Security and defense Sensing and devices Software

1997

Postal address recognition

Advanced address recognition system brings millions of dollars in cost savings.

1990s Products Sensing and devices Software

1996

Natural language speech recognition

Speech recognition technology translates to multiple successful spin-offs.

1990s Communication Firsts Products Sensing and devices Software Speech/audio

1994

Virtual private networks

VPNs let people connect to work from home. Sorry it’s been so successful.

1990s Communication Cyber security Firsts Internet Security and defense Software

1994

Virtual advertising insertion

Those in-game ads on TV that made you wonder, “How’d they do that?” We did that.

1990s Firsts

1990s

Open agent architecture software

Software agents pave the way for distributed systems.

1980s Artificial intelligence Seminal innovations Software

Maude software language

High-performance declarative software language is among the fastest equational rewriting systems in its class. And it’s free.

1990s Products Seminal innovations Software

1990s

Network intrusion detection

Fewer cyber attacks for a safer internet.

1990s Cyber security Internet Products Security and defense Seminal innovations Software

High-definition television

We help develop and standardize HDTV technology–and win an Emmy for our contributions.

1990s Broadcasting Communication Firsts Products Seminal innovations

1984

CCD broadcast camera

The first commercially available all-solid-state broadcast camera delivers clearer, sharper images than ever before.

1980s Broadcasting Communication Firsts Products

1982

Computer security theory of noninterference

SRI researchers develop one of the most influential theoretical approaches to the study of computer security.

1980s Cyber security Military Seminal innovations Software

1981

Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC) algorithm

Algorithm becomes widely referenced paradigm for computer vision.

1980s Artificial intelligence Firsts Security and defense Seminal innovations Software

Order-sorted algebra

First language to implement parameterized programming leads to numerous applications in computer science.

1980s Seminal innovations Software

1980s

Ultrasound for medical diagnostics

Innovations make seeing inside the body from the outside ultra simple.

1980s Products Sensing and devices Software

Risks forum

The single most comprehensive anthology of computer-related mishaps

1980s Cyber security Software

ImageCalc software

Image processing system makes it possible to manipulate 3D object models overlaid on imagery.

1980s Artificial intelligence Firsts Software

1978

Deafnet

National telecommunications system raises awareness within the deaf community of email’s potential.

1970s Communication Internet Software Speech/audio

1976-1977

Internetworking

Today’s internet was born in a 1970’s van.

1970s Communication Firsts Internet Seminal innovations Software

1973

Software implemented fault tolerance

Develop a redundant flight control system that Langley would approve. We made that fly.

1970s Earth and Space Firsts Military Seminal innovations Software Transportation

1972

Blue light-emitting diode

The world’s first blue light-emitting diode (LED) lays the foundations for Blu-Ray.

1970s Chemistry and materials Firsts Products Seminal innovations Sensing and devices

1970s

9-1-1 emergency call system

We led the design and engineering of emergency call systems throughout the country.

1970s Communication Federal Programs Security and defense

1970s

PROSPECTOR computer-based expert system

One of the first computer-based expert systems aids geologists in mineral exploration.

1970s Artificial intelligence Chemistry and materials Economic development Firsts Sensing and devices

1970s

Digital FAX machine

SRI develops prototype for world’s first digital fax machine.

1970s Broadcasting Communication Firsts Products Software

1970s

Formal software methods

We applied hard methods to software development.

1970s Firsts Products Security and defense Seminal innovations Sensing and devices Software

1970s

Over-the-horizon radar

Seeing thousands of miles beyond the horizon for advances in detection, tracking and mapping

1970s Earth and Space Military Radar Security and defense Seminal innovations Transportation

1970

Domain names and the Network Information Center

From a simple network information hub to the first ever “dot com.”

1970s Communication Firsts Internet

1970s

Spindt cold cathode for displays

Revolutionary cathode led to today’s “instant-on” flat-panel computers and televisions.

1970s Broadcasting Chemistry and materials Products Seminal innovations Sensing and devices

1969

ARPANET

We helped invent ARPANET. You may know it as The Internet.

1960s Communication Firsts Internet Seminal innovations Software

1968

Computer mouse and interactive computing

Your Mouse. Our “X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System.” Thankfully Mouse won out.

1960s Communication Firsts Products Seminal innovations Software

1966

Acoustic modem

SRI scientists made vast improvements to the acoustically coupled modem, which had been invented elsewhere in the early 1960s.

1960s Communication Firsts Sensing and devices Speech/audio

1966

Shakey the Robot

Our robot was so self-aware we almost didn’t tell him his name was Shakey.

1960s Artificial intelligence Firsts Robotics Seminal innovations Software

1965

CMOS integrated circuit

Vital technology still found in most of the world’s electronic circuitry

1960s Firsts Products Seminal innovations Sensing and devices

1965

Eyetracker

Follow what people are looking at to see solutions clearer.

1960s Firsts Products Sensing and devices

1964

Handwriting recognition, signature verification and pen-input computing

How they know your online you is really you.

1960s Communication Cyber security Firsts Products Security and defense Seminal innovations Sensing and devices

1963

Optical video disk

Optical recording paves the way for first video disk recording/playback system.

1960s Broadcasting Firsts Products Seminal innovations

1963

Liquid crystal display

LCDs have changed the way people view information on a screen.

1960s

1962

Airline reservation system

From 1962 to 1964, SRI led development of a real-time communications system for the Scandinavian Airline System (SAS) to process passenger reservations and check-in.

1960s Communication Firsts Software Transportation