AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo pitches: Where are they now?

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –

Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Ventures holds a "Call for Topics" campaign every year, encouraging Airmen, Guardians and civilian members of mission support groups around the world to pitch ideas for an opportunity to partner with innovation experts and find funding.

Finalists spend a week learning from leading innovators and honing their pitches before trying to convince a board of senior Air Force installation and mission support leaders that their idea is the best during the AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo. The 2022 campaign is open through June 6; ideas can be submitted at https://gain.apps.dso.mil/usaf/afimscmsg.

Here's a look at some of the past AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo projects, currently in varying stages of research, development and execution:

The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center is testing a mobile app designed to centralize and streamline the subletting of short-term slots at military child development centers this summer. (Courtesy graphic)

Kinderspot App (2020 winner); Funding to date: $1.9 million

A mobile app that centralizes and streamlines the subletting of short-term slots at military child development centers.

STATUS: Initially launched to nine installations in 2021; refinement in progress and future rollouts planned.

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Senior Airman Ricardo Morales, center right, 461st Aircraft Maintenance Group crew chief, along with leadership from Robins Air Force Base and Fifteenth Air Force cut the ribbon for the newly installed Intelligent Lockers at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, March 30, 2022. Morales secured $235,000 for Robins to pay for the lockers by winning first place for his locker idea in the 2021 AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo, a contest that encourages Airmen to develop creative solutions to problems impacting the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kisha Foster Johnson)

Intelligent Lockers (2021 winner); Funding to date: $270,000

A secure mail locker system on installations available to Airmen and

Guardians living in dorms. The systems give residents convenient access to their mail and packages while freeing up space and reducing mail-processing times at installation post offices.

STATUS: The first intelligent lockers opened at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, on March 30. AFIMSC is establishing a repeatable process other installations can follow.

The Eglin Air Force Base fire department transitioned all of its gas-powered equipment to electric this year. All of Eglin’s firefighting equipment contained on their vehicles is now electric reducing weight, noise, training time and overall carbon foot print. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Agility for Firefighters; Funding to date: $119,000

An initiative to switch from gas-powered to electric tools to reduce weight, noise, training time and overall carbon foot print. The switch also improves on-scene communication across firefighters, security and medical personnel.

STATUS: The Eglin Air Force Base fire department replaced 175 electric tools gas-powered equipment on 26 vehicles. The new tools are now the standardized platform at all 10 Eglin fire stations. Contract in development to enable implementation by units with available funding.

eCitations; Funding to date: $28,300

An electronic system to replace hand-written traffic citations. The eCitation system allows Defenders on patrol to rapidly scan driver’s licenses and auto-populate information onto a citation.

STATUS: A contract for the system has been awarded; delivery and implementation is underway at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center is testing an installation community events mobile app aimed at building a sense of connectedness and camaraderie among Airmen. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Jim Martinez)

What’s Up App (2019 winner); Funding to date: $1.7 million

An installation community events mobile app aimed at building connectedness and camaraderie among Airmen and Guardians. The app serves as a centralized bulletin board for an installation or organization.

STATUS: Released at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Clear Space Force Station, Alaska, and is in testing at AFIMSC. The team is prepping for additional base rollouts including Eglin AFB.

Harley Campbell, 96th Communications Squadron, uses a virtual reality headset to view where underground cabling is located during a demonstration Feb. 25 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Campbell is part of the Cable and Antenna Systems Section of the 96th CS, known as “Cable Dawgs.” They are responsible for the upkeep and protection of the base’s cyber infrastructure. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Augmented Reality for Utility and Communications Infrastructure; Funding to date: $350,000

Replacing the current manual mapping of underground cabling and wiring with the use of augmented reality. Users can also update geospatial records in real time through the augmented reality display.

STATUS: Testing and training in progress at Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Wing Feedback App; Funding to date: $633,600

A crowd-sourced tool that helps service providers and installation leaders improve base services. The mobile app gives users an easy-to-use avenue to share feedback about their experiences with base services and facilities.

STATUS: In testing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas; Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The development team and stakeholders are refining features and focus to better serve customers.

3D Interior Scan; Funding to date: $386,000

A multi-phase strategic plan for modeling Air Force facilities in 3D. Using modern tools, the Air Force can establish a library of accurate 3D real property files at a fraction of current costs and labor hours.

STATUS: Contract awarded for initial scans at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and JBER. AFIMSC will determine next steps after completing initial scans. The goal is to identify and determine best way to create standardized processes, training and storage location within the Air Force.

Autonomous Mowers; Funding to date: $333,000

Using autonomous robotic lawn mowers to cut the grass in and around airfields at night to reduce aircraft bird-strike hazards.

STATUS: A Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract was awarded; testing underway at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

Roof Inspections using AI and Machine Learning; Funding to date: $636,000

Using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze imagery for roof inspections.

STATUS: Artificial intelligence training and Builder SMS integration in development.