There was once a time when unused ammunition returned from war operations had to be sorted and checked by hand to ensure its continued effectiveness.
Today that sorting is automated because of technology developed by Cybernet Systems.
The Ann Arbor-based technology company developed a system that allows machines to sort the bullets at a much faster and cost-effective pace. The old way, done by soldiers, took large amounts of time and resulted in 30 percent of the bullets being discarded.
Cybernet's technology, called ATACS, sorts 100,000 rounds a day and only discards 2 percent of the pile. Cybernet is also developing technology to sort brass fittings so they can be recycled.
One of the primary components of developing this type of technology is a form of artificial intelligence that streamlines computer and user interaction. This technology amplifies human performance through technology, which is what Cybernet strives to do.
It's doing it quite well now. Even though the company was hurt when the dotcom bubble burst, it has experienced 50 percent growth in each of the last two years. The 45-person firm has been adding three to five jobs each year and hopes to bring on another six to 10 people this year.
Source: Charles Cohen, vice president of research and Development for Cybernet Systems
Writer: Jon Zemke
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