From Virtual Reality to Battlefield Innovation: Palmer Luckey's Vision
Palmer Luckey, who invented the Oculus Rift VR headset as a teen and sold it for billions, now leads Anduril, a company building advanced military tech to make U.S. defenses smarter and cheaper. He shares stories of creating immersive experiences, like floating in salt water tanks for deep thinking—imagine removing all distractions so your brain works like a quiet park conversation instead of amid jackhammers. Luckey discusses shifting to robotics and AI for combat, such as training boxers with virtual opponents mimicking legends like Sugar Ray Leonard, or drones that act as "hive minds" sharing real-time enemy locations. He warns of global threats, like China's efficient manufacturing outpacing U.S. cars (e.g., their smooth-riding EVs that handle bumps without spilling champagne), and urges America to compete by innovating weapons like modular helmets with night vision and bulletproof batteries. Touching on UFO mysteries and simulation theories, he blends tech optimism with calls for ethical responsibility in a world of propaganda and rapid change.
Watch the video here.