MENLO PARK, California – Sparta Software Corporation announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) along with partner Northeastern University in the amount of $1.24M focused on AI-enabled Musculoskeletal Injury (MSKI) Triage Kiosk (AMTAK) to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and STTR process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now Sparta Software Corporation will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
The DoD has recognized the critical need to address musculoskeletal injuries (MSKI) more effectively. MSKI is a condition that has been disproportionately underfunded relative to its impact on the overall readiness of military personnel. Early access to physical therapy in military health facilities (MTFs) has been proven to have far-reaching benefits, including reduced medical costs, decreased recovery time, less sick leave, prevention of chronic MSKI, and a reduction in the total amount of rehabilitation required. Access to MTF-based care is often limited by operational tempo, proximity to MTF, and a lack of practitioners to colocate where the warfighters work and live.
"We are honored to support the Air Force in its mission to enhance MSK healthcare access for all Airmen, with a special focus on warfighters such as aircraft maintainers who often face challenges accessing care due to location and optempo," said Phil Wagner, CEO and Founder of Sparta Software Corporation. "We are also excited to work with our Northeastern University Synergetic Media Learning Lab (SMILE) Lab partners on the integration of their novel computer vision technology to bring a new combination of screening modalities to bear. In this case, the whole will be greater than the sum of the parts. The AMTAK project will harness advanced AI and our expertise in human data to provide innovative solutions for our nation's defenders."
The AMTAK project is a collaborative effort between Sparta Software Corporation, Northeastern University, and the 509th Bomb Wing to provide innovative solutions for the Air Force's most critical asset – its personnel. The integration of Northeastern University's machine vision technology with Sparta Software's robust human data platform (HDP), Trinsic, will create a multi-modal stand-alone MSK Triage Assessment Kiosk. This initiative will vastly expand access to high-quality MSK healthcare for underserved shift working populations while optimizing the productivity of rehabilitation care teams. The initiative aligns with the Air Force's mission to provide strategic deterrence and readiness, both today and in future conflicts.
(Mandatory disclaimer) “The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.”
About Sparta Software Corporation
Sparta Software Corporation is an enterprise software and services company that develops technology to support health and performance initiatives. Sparta Software Corporation is the provider of the Sparta Science Force Plate and Trinsic Human Data Platform.
Additional information is available at www.trinsicdata.com.
About Northeastern University SMILE Lab
The SMILE lab at Northeastern University specializes in AI research, with a focus on Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and Data Mining. Driven by the vast array of data from the internet and social media, the lab develops machine learning systems that collect and process visual information for human interaction. Their work revolves around not just identifying visual content but also understanding its implications and making predictive analyses in complex, large-scale data environments. The lab's efforts are centered on enhancing machine-human interaction through advanced AI techniques. https://web.northeastern.edu/smilelab/
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 325 military, civilian and contractor personnel at six hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed 4,697 contracts worth more than $2.6 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: afwerx.com.
Company Press Contact:
Sara Davison
VP Marketing
marketing@spartascience.com