Development begins with the creation of a requirements document based on the user needs. Sometimes these requirements cannot be properly defined without doing research to determine if a particular development approach will be fruitful. This research may take the form of evaluating a new sensing technology or verifying some basic research from a peer-reviewed journal.
We have two PhDs on our staff (and a third in progress) as well as a general scientific approach that allows us to define areas of research and carry the work to a conclusion. Sometimes the research has provided information that has furthered the product and sometimes it shows that the original concept is not viable. In either case, this is a valuable starting place for many projects that require research to reduce the uncertainty and evaluate the risk in a product concept.
For example, BCA collaborated with Triton Systems, Inc. to develop high tech goggles using their new VT technology. Based on electrochromics, this technology changes light transmission when a small voltage is applied. BCA performed experiments to optimize the rate of change of the lenses under the direction of the client. For more about the Triton goggles, see this press release.
The Army testing new goggles developed by Triton.
