Outcast now among the in-crowd: On Anduril Industries
The Wall Street Journal examines Anduril Industries and its owner Palmer Luckey, who sold the Oculus Rift to Facebook and transitioned from virtual reality to defense contractor. Founded in 2017, Anduril focuses on transforming advanced commercial technologies, such as AI and drones, for military applications, aiming to modernize defense systems and enhance national security.
After selling Oculus VR to Facebook in 2014, Luckey blamed discordance based on his politically conservative views for his departure from the company in 2017. He then established Anduril Industries, naming it after a legendary sword from JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
Anduril has developed a range of autonomous defense products, such as:
- Sentry towers: These 33-foot-tall, solar-powered surveillance towers utilize cameras, radar, and thermal imaging to monitor borders and sensitive areas. Operating autonomously, they provide real-time data to border patrol agents, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional physical barriers.
- ALTIUS drones: Equipped with AI, these drones independently identify and engage targets, reducing risks to human personnel and showcasing the potential of autonomous military operations.
Meanwhile, the company signed contracts with DOD:
- Air Force: In September 2020, Anduril secured a contract worth up to $950 million to contribute to the Advanced Battle Management System, a project aimed at developing a next-generation military internet of things.
- US Special Operations Command (SOCOM): In January 2022, the company was awarded a $1 billion contract to lead counterunmanned systems work.
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