Metrics with nonnegative curvature on {S^2 \times \mathbb{R}^4}

We study nonnegatively curved metrics on S²×\mathbbR⁴{S^2\times\mathbb{R}^4}. First, we prove rigidity theorems for connection metrics; for example, the holonomy group of the normal bundle of the soul must lie in a maximal torus of SO(4). Next, we prove that Wilking’s almost-positively curved metric on S ² × S ³ extends to a nonnegatively curved metric on S²×\mathbbR⁴{S^2\times\mathbb{R}^4} (so that Wilking’s space becomes the distance sphere of radius 1 about the soul). We describe in detail the geometry of this extended metric.