Many civilians may not realize they use military technology when driving their new cars.
Technology people use every day, such as a Global Positioning System, was first devised for combat use, said David Shaffer, deputy to the commanding general at Aberdeen Proving Ground.
About 350 business representatives from New Jersey to Virginia came to Harford Community College for an daylong event Thursday to learn about the new technologies the military?s Base Realignment and Closure is bringing to APG. Each new area is another opportunity for businesses to help the government and itself.
“A lot of technology has their roots in the Army and make their way out,” Shaffer said. “It?s just innovation, new ideas. New ideas don?t just come from large corporations.”
Gary Martin, director of the Army?s research, development and communication, presented an array of areas ? and opportunities for businesses ? that Fort Monmouth will bring to APG.
One example was radar that creates an image of what is on the other side of walls, which he said would be helpful to police officers and firefighters.
Another was GPS systems that can receive signals in places they sometimes can?t now, such as cities.
Maryland Technology Development Corp., based in Columbia, and created by the state about nine years ago, sponsored the event. TEDCO grants $75,000 to worthy small businesses, so they can enhance their products using federally tested technology, Executive Director Renee Winsky said.
“Our hope is that someone in the audience will see something presented today and say, ?Hey, I can start my own business,? ” Winsky said.
QuickSilver Analytics of Abingdon won a TEDCO federal grant and ended up playing a significant role in quelling Anthrax attacks and scares on Capitol Hill in recent years, TEDCO Senior Program Manager Ronald Kaese said.
