Making Complex Technology Accessible
When asked to explain autonomous systems, Dr. Suri delivered a masterclass in clear communication: “An autonomous system is basically a computer or a robot or a drone that you don’t have to command every step of the way.”
- Instead of micromanaging every action, humans can delegate authority to these systems, specify goals, and let the technology figure out how to achieve them.
This shift from manual control to goal-oriented collaboration is already transforming modern warfare. Dr. Suri pointed to Ukraine, where approximately 80% of battles now involve drones. The challenge isn’t just having enough human pilots—it’s maintaining communication links that enemies actively try to disrupt. Autonomous systems solve this by operating independently while still following human-directed objectives.
Beyond the Battlefield
Dr. Matt Johnson emphasized that this technology extends far beyond military applications. In robotics, the one-to-one human-to-machine ratio simply doesn’t scale. “Imagine trying to build your house all by yourself,” Johnson explained, drawing a parallel to teamwork. Just as construction requires multiple people working together, effective robotics deployment requires systems capable of independent operation within human-defined parameters.
- The NCCA specifically tackles this scaling problem—how to get more value from our rapidly expanding investment in AI and robotics. While factory automation has achieved some success with multiple robots per human operator, most applications outside manufacturing still require one-to-one or even many-to-one human oversight.
IHMC’s evolution tells a remarkable story of Pensacola’s transformation into a research hub. Dr. Suri, with the institute since 1994, has witnessed this growth firsthand—from early AI and machine learning focus to robotics expansion, and now into medical applications through the Health Span Resilience and Performance Group.
Dr. Johnson, who joined in 2002, described the physical expansion from a single UWF room to multiple specialized buildings, including the recent HRP facility. This growth reflects not just institutional success but the increasing importance of human-centered computing—technology designed to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.
Operational and Ready
The NCCA isn’t just a future concept—it’s already operational. With Air Force matching funds secured and equipment purchases underway, the center plans to hire 10-12 specialists in collaborative autonomy. The Triumph grant serves as crucial bootstrap funding, allowing IHMC to demonstrate capabilities to potential sponsors and secure larger future investments.
- IHMC’s multidisciplinary approach—combining engineering, computer science, human performance research, and more—creates unique problem-solving perspectives unavailable elsewhere.
Why This Matters Now
This research couldn’t be more timely or critical. As global competition intensifies and workforce shortages plague multiple industries, collaborative autonomy offers solutions to pressing challenges. In national defense, adversaries are rapidly advancing their autonomous capabilities—maintaining American technological superiority requires exactly this type of innovative research.
Economically, the implications are staggering. Industries from logistics and manufacturing to healthcare and agriculture face growing demands with shrinking workforces. Collaborative autonomy could enable one human to manage multiple systems effectively, dramatically increasing productivity while creating higher-skilled, better-paying jobs.
For Pensacola specifically, IHMC’s presence attracts top talent, creates high-tech employment opportunities, and generates the kind of innovation ecosystem that transforms regional economies. The researchers and engineers drawn to this work don’t just fill positions—they start companies, mentor students, and create ripple effects throughout the community.
Thanks to IHMC’s pioneering work, Pensacola sits at the epicenter of this technological revolution that will define the next decade of human progress.
