Sunday, May 4, 2008
Computerized Combat Glove That Lets Soldiers Use Wearable Computers
With their product, engineers from the company RallyPoint have designed a combat glove so that soldiers can grip other objects, such as their weapons or a steering wheel, and still be able to use their electronic systems.
The sensor-laden military glove will be used as an input device for soldiers’ wearable computer systems. The glove has push-button sensors sewn into it that can act like a computer mouse, and embedded in the backhand area are three accelerometers. The sensors are used to activate radio communications, view and navigate electronic maps, and send commands. The glove is connected to the computer by a USB cord.
How does this work and where could this be used?
Sensors on the tips of the middle and fourth fingers activate radio communications, a different channel for each finger. Another sensor on the lower portion of the index finger changes modes, from "map mode" to "mouse mode." Also sewn into the pad of the middle fingertip of the glove is an "anywhere mouse" that uses force sensors and acts as a track pad.
U.S. soldiers, especially in dangerous places like Iraq are already equipped with wearable computer systems. But they are able to use these wearable computers only in their safe environments, such as within their protected humvees. What about using them in the more dangerous open, while also holding their weapons? It was not possible until now. With RallyPoint's sensor-embedded glove, a soldier can easily view and navigate digital maps, activate radio communications, and send commands without having to take his hand off his weapon. This device thus has all the necessary components in a combat-ready way.
A sensor-laden glove for wearable computing is not an entirely new concept. Researchers at MIT, the University of Toronto, and the Georgia Institute of Technology have been working on systems that focus on detecting hand and arm movements by using accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other high-tech sensors. But none of these researches have produced fully working products so far.
The sensor-laden military glove will be used as an input device for soldiers’ wearable computer systems. The glove has push-button sensors sewn into it that can act like a computer mouse, and embedded in the backhand area are three accelerometers. The sensors are used to activate radio communications, view and navigate electronic maps, and send commands. The glove is connected to the computer by a USB cord.
How does this work and where could this be used?
Sensors on the tips of the middle and fourth fingers activate radio communications, a different channel for each finger. Another sensor on the lower portion of the index finger changes modes, from "map mode" to "mouse mode." Also sewn into the pad of the middle fingertip of the glove is an "anywhere mouse" that uses force sensors and acts as a track pad.
U.S. soldiers, especially in dangerous places like Iraq are already equipped with wearable computer systems. But they are able to use these wearable computers only in their safe environments, such as within their protected humvees. What about using them in the more dangerous open, while also holding their weapons? It was not possible until now. With RallyPoint's sensor-embedded glove, a soldier can easily view and navigate digital maps, activate radio communications, and send commands without having to take his hand off his weapon. This device thus has all the necessary components in a combat-ready way.
A sensor-laden glove for wearable computing is not an entirely new concept. Researchers at MIT, the University of Toronto, and the Georgia Institute of Technology have been working on systems that focus on detecting hand and arm movements by using accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other high-tech sensors. But none of these researches have produced fully working products so far.
Labels: Design-Engineering
PermaLink - Computerized Combat Glove That Lets Soldiers Use Wearable Computers posted by Ecacofonix : 6:57 AM
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