Computerized Combat Glove

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Get this, a new computerized combat glove that allows soldiers to operate wearable computers while still holding their weapons. The device is not without its faults but seems better than having to whip out a keyboard and mouse when you are under fire.

For soldiers carrying a plethora of equipment, finding and using electronic controls on their bodies can be awkward, says Forrest Liau, the president and cofounder of RallyPoint. "We wanted to make a device that would have all the necessary components in a combat-ready way," he says. The Natick Soldier Systems Center in Natick, MA, has a contract with RallyPoint and is currently testing a prototype of the glove, called a Handwear Computer Input Device (HCID), for use with its electronic systems.
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I take it browsing porn and masturbating with these gloves on isn't an option.
 
Two things... I'd rather have speach recognition:

GO GO GADGET... SHOOT HAJJI !!!! :eek::rolleyes::p

It would be really cool if they tested this stuff in the virtual world, using the America's Army game. Hell, you have an installed base of millions, what a resource for debugging ideas like this.
 
You know...when I enlisted in 1998 Land Warrior was the big hype. They were saying units would be using them within a few years. It's 2008 and I still don't know anybody that has used one of those systems.

The problem is that most of these systems are developed by scientists sitting in a lab. Soldiers won't use anything that adds on more weight/bulk, doesn't provide a huge advantage and isn't easy to use. For example, those gloves alone appear to make it more difficult to shoot a weapon effeciently. It's seriously hard enough to get a soldier to wear night vision let alone a computer. These gadget might be great for pogue (sit around and do nothing) units but, for a combat unit...there's really no need for it. In a typical day...we'd jump out of an airplane with all of our gear, hopefully didn't break something after a hard landing, walk 10-20 miles with all of our gear, cache it then head over to an objective where we'd sprint, tumble and crawl our way through obstacle (dry and wet weather). There'd probably be more benfit to working on more hygenic boots or a rifle that never jams...

That said, a simple and rugged mapping device that was similar to a PDA would probably be successful. ...and defnitely no crazy flip down dislplays that impair your vision or have integrated controllers that limit range of motion, reaction speed or tactile response.
 
PynkFloydd said:
You know...when I enlisted in 1998 Land Warrior was the big hype. They were saying units would be using them within a few years. It's 2008 and I still don't know anybody that has used one of those systems.

The problem is that most of these systems are developed by scientists sitting in a lab. Soldiers won't use anything that adds on more weight/bulk, doesn't provide a huge advantage and isn't easy to use. For example, those gloves alone appear to make it more difficult to shoot a weapon effeciently. It's seriously hard enough to get a soldier to wear night vision let alone a computer. These gadget might be great for pogue (sit around and do nothing) units but, for a combat unit...there's really no need for it. In a typical day...we'd jump out of an airplane with all of our gear, hopefully didn't break something after a hard landing, walk 10-20 miles with all of our gear, cache it then head over to an objective where we'd sprint, tumble and crawl our way through obstacle (dry and wet weather). There'd probably be more benfit to working on more hygenic boots or a rifle that never jams...

That said, a simple and rugged mapping device that was similar to a PDA would probably be successful. ...and defnitely no crazy flip down dislplays that impair your vision or have integrated controllers that limit range of motion, reaction speed or tactile response.
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I think the Soviets figured the riffle thing out in 1947. They are cheaper too. I think their boots are just as bad though..
 
BallerX said:
I think the Soviets figured the riffle thing out in 1947. They are cheaper too. I think their boots are just as bad though..
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The AK47 is a classic... Unfortunately, the US would never adopt it since it's Soviet made. The Bushmaster ACR (Magpul Masada) shows a lot of potential. I'd feel really confident with that rifle. The word on the street is that they're going to be testing that rifle with combat troops in 2009. I really don't see Colt giving up their sizeable contract any time soon though.

Boots... Everyone I ran across (even foreign troops) complained about foot problems somewhere along the way. It's hard to make a boot that'll withstand moisture and no ability to shower for 1+ months at a time and still protect against foot root and fungi. ...and still allow you to comfortably road march 10-50 miles with sizeable weight. Find a solution for that in which you can patent and I guarantee you'll be a billionaire by the end of the year!
 
I think the AK47 is also not being adopted because it's not as accurate as our M16 and M1 Carbine rifles.
 
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