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.
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2018
NASA Parker Solar Probe
SRI imagers help revolutionize our understanding of the sun.
2000’s Earth & space Sensing & devices
2016
MOTOBOT
First autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot
2000’s artificial intelligence Firsts Robotics Seminal innovations Sensing & devices Software
2006
Iris recognition
It’s all in the eyes: Iris on the Move makes biometric identification a widespread reality.
2000’s Products Sensing & devices
2005
Advanced modular incoherent scatter radar
Our AMISR ushered in relocatable radar to read atmospheric events, rain, sleet or tsunami.
2000’s Communication Earth & space Federal programs Firsts Radar Security & defense Sensing & devices
2000
Artificial muscle
Artificial Muscle made easy work of heavy lifting.
2000’s Chemistry & materials Firsts Products Software Speech/ audio
1996
Natural language speech recognition
Speech recognition technology translates to multiple successful spin-offs.
1990’s communication firsts Products Sensing & devices Software Speech/ audio
1995
Telerobotic surgery
Less invasive surgery. Steadier hands. More happy patients.
1990’s Firsts Products Robotics Seminal innovations Sensing & devices Software
1990s
Open agent architecture software
Software agents pave the way for distributed systems.
1980’s Artificial intelligence Seminal innovations Software
1990s
Network intrusion detection
Fewer cyber attacks for a safer internet.
1990’s Cybersecurity Internet Products Security & defense Seminal innovations Software
1983
Atmospheric research and radar
Advanced radar facilities help keep U.S. safe during Cold War.
1980’s Earth & space Federal programs Radar
1983
Human liver tissue bank
The first human liver tissue bank for testing drugs on humans versus animals.
1908’s Pharmaceutical
1976-1977
Internetworking
Today’s internet was born in a 1970’s van.
1970’s communication firsts internet seminal innovations software
1969
ARPANET
We helped invent ARPANET. You may know it as The Internet.
1960’s 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.
1960’s 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.
1960’s communication firsts sensing & devices Speech/ audio
1966
Shakey the Robot
Our robot was so self-aware we almost didn’t tell him his name was Shakey.
1960’s artificial intelligence firsts robotics seminal innovations software