Crazy Uncle DARPA

You remember Q—the lab-coated scientist who’s always giving James Bond new gadgets, like explosive fountain pens. The U.S. Military’s version of Q is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. The unmanned Predator aircraft is just one of the many remarkable—and sometimes kooky—innovations dreamt up by DARPA engineers. See if you can distinguish the actual DARPA projects among those listed below.

(And don't get too caught up in the photos. They're mostly just for show.)

1 of 7

Robotic pack animal

DARPA project

Personal assistant for the elderly

ANSWER: DARPA’s robotic “Big Dog” can carry packs and other gear across rough terrain to free up soldiers. It doesn’t have a head, though, which is kinda weird. DARPA’s robotic “Big Dog” can carry packs and other gear across rough terrain to free up soldiers. It doesn’t have a head, though, which is kinda weird.

2 of 7

Therapy that uses estrogen to prevent blood loss

DARPA project

ER treatment for genital injuries

ANSWER: In experiments, DARPA-funded scientists removed 60% of the blood from pigs, putting them at the threshold of death. Doses of estrogen helped the pigs’ blood levels rebound enough for them to survive. In experiments, DARPA-funded scientists removed 60% of the blood from pigs, putting them at the threshold of death. Doses of estrogen helped the pigs’ blood levels rebound enough for them to survive.

3 of 7

11-member robot athletic squad

DARPA project

World Cup contender

ANSWER: RoboCup is a technological consortium with the goal of developing a team of robots skilled enough to beat the World Cup champ by 2050. RoboCup is a technological consortium with the goal of developing a team of robots skilled enough to beat the World Cup champ by 2050.

4 of 7

Jetpack

DARPA project

Evel Knievel

ANSWER: DARPA has funded several attempts to develop a personal flying device that could lift soldiers over obstacle or enemies. The packs often use hydrogen peroxide as a propellant. A jetpack demonstration headlined the opening ceremony of the 1984 Olympics in L.A. as well as an episode of Knight Rider. DARPA has funded several attempts to develop a personal flying device that could lift soldiers over obstacle or enemies. The packs often use hydrogen peroxide as a propellant. A jetpack demonstration headlined the opening ceremony of the 1984 Olympics in L.A. as well as an episode of Knight Rider.

5 of 7

An X-ray-like scope that can "see" through walls

DARPA project

Product advertised in the back of Maxim

ANSWER: DARPA’s Radar Scope runs on AA batteries and will allow soldiers to sense enemies hiding behind concrete walls up to a foot thick. The scope actually works, as opposed to the x-ray glasses that many a boy has ordered in hopes of seeing through girls’ clothes. DARPA’s Radar Scope runs on AA batteries and will allow soldiers to sense enemies hiding behind concrete walls up to a foot thick. The scope actually works, as opposed to the x-ray glasses that many a boy has ordered in hopes of seeing through girls’ clothes.

6 of 7

Spy plane that fits in a backpack

DARPA project

Hot toy for kids this holiday season

ANSWER: DARPA is developing several versions of such an aircraft, including the Wasp micro air vehicle. The Wasp “weighs approximately one-half pound, fits in a backpack, and provides our warfighters with immediate surveillance capabilities. Wasp is capable of flying in excess of one hour, with a speed range of 20-40 miles per hour, and provides unobtrusive, realtime imagery from low altitudes” via two video cameras. DARPA is developing several versions of such an aircraft, including the Wasp micro air vehicle. The Wasp “weighs approximately one-half pound, fits in a backpack, and provides our warfighters with immediate surveillance capabilities. Wasp is capable of flying in excess of one hour, with a speed range of 20-40 miles per hour, and provides unobtrusive, realtime imagery from low altitudes” via two video cameras.

7 of 7

A super-vitamin that allows you to go all day without eating

DARPA Project

A nutritional supplement available over the internet

ANSWER: A company called DynoSlim sells a product called “hoodia” that claims to reduce hunger dramatically. If you're in a test-taking mood, check out the complete mental_floss quiz archives. A company called DynoSlim sells a product called “hoodia” that claims to reduce hunger dramatically. If you're in a test-taking mood, check out the complete mental_floss quiz archives.

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Crazy Uncle DARPA

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