BY Andricka Thomas, RDECOM
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - "The Dark Knight" has emerged
once again in theatres with his futuristic technologies to
help capture the infamous Joker. Batman's needs for increased
capabilities are parallel with that of today's Soldiers and it
appears so are some of his gadgets.
The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command
labors to answer the needs of the nation's Warfighters. Among
those needs are increasing maneuverability, decreasing weight
carried during a mission, and enhancing technological
capabilities and communication advantages when engaging enemy
forces.
One answer to those needs is the Flexible Display Screen.
The U.S. Army Research Laboratory has partnered with academia
to develop a screen that will replace glass based display
screens in the Soldier Flex Personal Digital Assistant. The
screen could be one-day be used in wearable computer
applications as part of a larger computer system.
"Just changing the screen can significantly reduce the weight
of a piece of equipment," said Dr. David Morton, ARL
cooperative agreement manager for the Flexible Display Center
at Arizona State University. "By replacing that glass screen
with a plastic, rugged, flexible display, the weight of the
display may be reduced to only five pounds with two pounds of
mounting hardware." Technologies like the Flexible Display
Screen aim to increase Soldier efficiency and decrease the
amount of weight the Warfighter carries, which increases
mobility of the Soldier.
The ARL is looking at reflective and emissions technology for
the screens to be integrated in human portable applications.
This would allow the Soldier to see the screen without the use
of backlighting, as to not give away a location of a Soldier
while on a mission. By replacing the current liquid crystal
glass-based display, the amount of battery power used drops by
at least half, and the display is less likely to break while
on a mission. This screen will allow the Soldier to download
the information, disconnect and take on a mission for
activities such as mission rehearsal and planning and land
navigation.
Just like Batman found it necessary to expand his
technological capability when he designed a 3-D Sonar tracking
device to search for the Joker, RDECOM looks for ways to
amplify the technological advantages of Soldiers.
The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and
Engineering Center has a contract with RallyPoint, Inc., to
further develop and test the Handware Computer Input Device,
or HCID. The device is a rugged, sensor-embedded glove
designed to be a convenient interface to a Soldier’s
electronic devices, like a computer or 2-way radio. Ideally,
while on a mission, a Soldier could keep his weapon engaged,
while signaling hand gestures that translate into computer
commands. Gestures are recognized through a suite of sensors
that send hand posture and orientation. These voiceless
commands will enable Soldiers to communicate with each other
without compromising their position when engaging the enemy.
The glove could one-day feed information to a wearable
computer application, giving Soldiers an informational and
technological edge.
While saving hostages in a building, Batman demonstrated the
capability to look through floors of a building, enabling him
to locate the enemy and engage. The U.S. Army Communications-
Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center is
developing a similar product called Sense through the Wall
Technology.
"Our skilled engineers with CERDEC's Intelligence and
Information Warfare Directorate are working with industry
partners to assess, develop, and transition technology that
will allow Soldiers to detect and locate hidden combatants,"
said Wilber Chin, team lead, MASINT Branch, Information/
Network Operations Division, Intelligence and Information
Warfare Directorate.
With STTW, the Warfighter can identify and locate enemy forces
and equipment hidden behind walls, doors and other
obstructions in an urban terrain. STTW uses radar technology,
and will increase the Soldier's situational awareness, force
protection and survivability.
For decades, Batman has vanquished villains with his
intellect, gadgets, skill and muscle. For centuries, Soldiers
have been America’s heroes, swearing to protect and defend its
citizens. Just like Wayne Enterprise’s chief scientist Lucius
Fox, who develops many of Batman’s gadgets, RDECOM scientists
and engineers work to steadily improve the equipment of its
knights, the nation’s Warfighters.
MNN
Comment: Want to see some more cool stuff from the U.S. Army
Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center? If
so, then check out the PEO Soldier
Portfolio 2008 (PDF - 14.80 MB). |
Soldier
wearing the Handware Computer Input Device while giving a
computer command with weapon in hand. The HCID is a capable of
recognize intuitive "single-handed" gesture commands and
direct "hands-on weapon" input actions. Gestures are
recognized through a suite of sensors that sense hand posture
and orientation.