What if we had a hand in 10 innovations you’ve held in your hands?

We’ve spearheaded groundbreaking innovations from talented scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs. Take a minute to explore our rich timeline of innovation that’s touched the lives of, well, pretty much everyone.

EXPLORE BY CATEGORY OR DECADE

Business Computing Education Health Physical World Safety

1940's 1950's 1960's 1970's 1980's 1990's 2000's

2018

NASA Parker Solar Probe

SRI imagers help revolutionize our understanding of the sun.

2000s Earth and Space Sensing and devices

2016

MOTOBOT

First autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot

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

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

2005

Advanced modular incoherent scatter radar

Our AMISR ushered in relocatable radar to read atmospheric events, rain, sleet or tsunami.

2000s Communication Earth and Space Federal Programs Firsts Radar Security and defense Sensing and devices

2000

Artificial muscle

Artificial Muscle made easy work of heavy lifting.

2000s Chemistry and materials Firsts Products

1996

Natural language speech recognition

Speech recognition technology translates to multiple successful spin-offs.

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

1995

Telerobotic surgery

Less invasive surgery. Steadier hands. More happy patients.

1990s Firsts Products Robotics Seminal innovations Sensing and devices Software

1990s

Open agent architecture software

Software agents pave the way for distributed systems.

1980s Artificial intelligence 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

1983

Atmospheric research and radar

Advanced radar facilities help keep U.S. safe during Cold War.

1980s Earth and Space Federal Programs Radar

1983

Human liver tissue bank

The first human liver tissue bank for testing drugs on humans versus animals.

1980s Pharmaceutical

1976-1977

Internetworking

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

1970s Communication Firsts Internet Seminal innovations Software

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

1963

Liquid crystal display

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

1960s