18 hours ago - Technology

Exclusive: 4th Infantry Division tests Rivet's "AI-driven face computer"

Colin Demarest

The Rivet Industries Soldier Borne Mission Command system. Photo: Courtesy of Rivet Industries

Rivet Industries has delivered 70 Soldier Borne Mission Command systems to the U.S. Army and expects to deliver hundreds more in less than a year.

The startup has also brought on retired Gen. James Mingus, a former Army vice chief of staff, as an adviser.

Why it matters: The SBMC competition, also involving Anduril Industries, is being closely watched. Its predecessor, the Integrated Visual Augmentation System, was a multibillion-dollar punching bag.

The latest: Soldiers with the 4th Infantry Division have tested Rivet's offering extensively, according to CEO David Marra.

Feedback was overall positive. Some sought better performance from its low-light sensor. Others wanted cleaner cable management and user interface tweaks.
"They used the shit out of it, constantly," Marra told Axios.
"From the clean sheet of paper, it was: How am I going to don the system? How am I going to doff the system? How am I going to carry it? Where do I want my gear? Et cetera."

Follow the money: The Army last year awarded Rivet a $195 million SBMC contract. It has separately raised millions of dollars.

State of play: Rivet is about 60 people, spread across East and West coasts. The startup works closely with Palantir Technologies. (Both have offices in Georgetown.)

The bottom line: "We don't build anything else but this sort of AI-driven face computer," Marra said.

"I've been doing nothing but this work in this category of tech for the last 18 years. Nothing."

Go deeper: Inside the 82nd Airborne's machine-fueled fight

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Exclusive: 4th Infantry Division tests Rivet's "AI-driven face computer"

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