Soar Technology, LLC: Company Profile

Background

Overview

Soar Technology, LLC (SoarTech) is a privately held company specializing in the development of intelligent software systems that emulate human decision-making processes. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, SoarTech primarily serves defense, government, and select commercial sectors. The company leverages its expertise in cognitive science and artificial intelligence to create autonomous software agents capable of understanding, anticipating, and supporting human reasoning.

Mission and Vision

SoarTech's mission is to enhance user abilities by developing intelligent systems that act as "thinking partners," thereby saving time, resources, and lives. The company's vision is to advance human-robot interactions by creating software that "thinks the way people think," continually learning and adapting to new situations.

Industry Significance

Operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction, SoarTech plays a pivotal role in advancing autonomous systems for complex decision-making tasks. Its contributions are particularly significant in defense and government applications, where reliable and adaptive AI systems are crucial for mission success.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

SoarTech aims to develop autonomous software agents that can reason over large amounts of human-level knowledge, thereby enhancing human decision-making capabilities. The company focuses on creating systems that are not just tools but "thinking partners" for end-users.

Areas of Specialization

The company's expertise spans several key areas:

Human Behavior Representation: Modeling and simulating human cognition to improve human-robot interactions.

Cognitive Modeling: Developing computational models that replicate human decision-making processes.

Intelligent User Interfaces: Designing interfaces that facilitate seamless human-computer interaction.

Cognitive Decision Aids: Creating tools that assist in complex decision-making scenarios.

Training Systems: Developing systems that enhance training and simulation experiences.

Exploratory Modeling of Social Organizations: Analyzing and simulating social structures to inform organizational strategies.

Key Technologies Utilized

SoarTech employs advanced computational models of human behavior, integrating cognitive science principles with artificial intelligence techniques to create adaptive and intelligent systems.

Primary Markets Targeted

The company's primary markets include:

Defense and Military: Providing AI solutions for training, simulation, command and control, and autonomous systems.

Government Agencies: Developing systems that enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.

Commercial Applications: Offering intelligent systems that improve user experience and operational effectiveness.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

SoarTech has been actively involved in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, securing numerous Phase I and Phase II awards since its inception. As of 2023, the company has received a total of $125,575,045 in funding through 143 Phase I awards and 98 Phase II awards.

Recent Funding Rounds

In 2023, SoarTech secured several significant Phase II SBIR awards, including:

DARPA: $3,443,268 for the project titled "Explainable AI to support Veterans Transition Assistance Programs (XAI-VTAP)."

Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD): $3,183,600 for "Reinforcement Learning with Intelligent Context-based Exploration (RL-ICE)."

U.S. Navy: $1,039,917 for "ADEPT" and $1,225,009 for "Snapshot+."

NASA: $998,748 for "Virtual Explanation Reasoning Agent (VERA)."

Notable Investors

While specific investor details are not publicly disclosed, SoarTech's participation in the SBIR program indicates support from various federal agencies, including DARPA, OSD, the U.S. Navy, and NASA.

Utilization of Capital

The funds are primarily allocated towards research and development of advanced AI systems, focusing on enhancing human-robot interactions and decision-making processes.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

SoarTech is engaged in several projects aimed at advancing AI capabilities:

XAI-VTAP: Developing explainable AI systems to support veterans transitioning to civilian life.

RL-ICE: Enhancing reinforcement learning techniques for intelligent context-based exploration.

ADEPT and Snapshot+: Projects funded by the U.S. Navy, details of which are not specified.

VERA: Creating virtual explanation reasoning agents for complex decision-making scenarios.

Stages of Development

These projects are in the Phase II stage of the SBIR program, indicating advanced development and nearing commercialization.

Target Conditions

The projects aim to address challenges in veteran support, military operations, and complex decision-making processes.

Anticipated Milestones

Specific timelines for these projects are not publicly disclosed.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

SoarTech's proprietary technology includes the Soar Cognitive Architecture, a computational cognitive design that enables the creation of autonomous software agents capable of assessing large amounts of human knowledge to assist in decision-making.

Significant Scientific Methods

The company employs advanced computational models of human behavior, integrating cognitive science principles with artificial intelligence techniques to create adaptive and intelligent systems.

Leadership Team

Key Executives

Dylan Schmorrow, Ph.D.: Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

Denise Nicholson, Ph.D.: Vice President of Intelligent Training and Director of X.

Frank V. Koss: Software Engineer VP, Co-Founder.

Robert Sottilare: Science Director.

Kate Harding: Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President.

Charlie Kola: Vice President of Finance.

Professional Backgrounds and Contributions

The leadership team comprises experts in cognitive science, artificial intelligence, and defense technology, with backgrounds spanning decades of leadership in government agencies, defense research, academia, and AI innovation. Their collective expertise drives SoarTech's focus on modeling and augmenting human reasoning for critical applications.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The market for intelligent software systems, particularly those emulating human decision-making, is growing rapidly, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and increasing demand for autonomous systems in defense and government sectors.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors include:

Vantor Holdings, Inc.: Specializes in spatial intelligence and Earth observation, providing software and services for defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors.

DLT Solutions: A value-added reseller of software and hardware, offering professional services to federal, state, and local governments, as well as educational institutions.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

SoarTech collaborates with various federal agencies, including DARPA, OSD, the U.S. Navy, and NASA, to develop and deploy advanced AI systems.

Operational Insights

SoarTech differentiates itself through its deep scientific approach to modeling human cognition and integrating it into practical, autonomous software, setting it apart from competitors in the field.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Strategic Roadmap

SoarTech plans to continue expanding its portfolio of AI solutions, focusing on enhancing human-robot interactions and decision-making processes. The company aims to leverage its expertise to address emerging challenges in defense, government, and commercial sectors.

Future Business Directions

Opportunities for expansion include developing AI systems for new applications, such as cybersecurity, healthcare, and autonomous vehicles, capitalizing on the growing demand for intelligent systems across various industries.

Opportunities for Expansion

By leveraging its existing partnerships and technological expertise, SoarTech is well-positioned to expand its market presence and explore new avenues for growth.