Wearable PC with an Artificial-Reality Helmet

Roland Piquepaille writes "In this short article, InformationWeek writes that 'two sexy technologies that flamed out five years ago -- wearable computers and artificial reality -- are combined in a new training-development system' for the military. This system, developed by Quantum3D, includes a binocular head-mounted OLED display and head-leg-weapon motion-tracking systems, integrated with a vest-worn tactical visual computer. It runs under Windows XP and is compatible with the 802.11 a/b/g wireless networking standards. It will be used by the infantry to train soldiers, but it looks so complex that I would need intensive training just for using it. Read more for other details and an illustration of the full scary system."

Comments

XP, and wireless

[Squigley]

From the article:

It runs under Windows XP and is compatible with the 802.11 a/b/g wireless networking standards.

Let the flaming begin.

Re:XP, and wireless

[XFilesFMDS1013]

Indeed, I don't think that I'd like to wear anything Windows-based around my head. I can see the error messages now.

A fatal exception 0E has occurred at 0137:BFF9A3C0. The current brainy will be terminated.

* Press any key to terminate the current application.
* Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart your body. You will lose any unsaved information in all applications.

Press any key to continue

Re:platform?

[hozozco]

Having XP in the background gives you something to blame for all the 'friendly fire'. Hey, I'd believe it!

Ctrl+Alt+Del = .....

[LoverOfJoy]

They are training the soldiers to pat their head, rub their tummies and wiggle their toes simultaneously to reboot.

Re:platform?

[nuclear305]

"Ok, I'm not as religous a microsoft hater as many here, but is there ANY good reason to have this run on XP?"

Since TFA wasn't all that informational I'm going to take a guess and say:

1) The military primarly uses Windows (Yes, I know there are exceptions....)

2) On a system like this I'd imagine a GUI-centric OS is essential, and face it...Windows does this better than Linux. (Note: don't confuse this statement with anything even close to the word 'stability')

3) In the event of a crash, I suspect on a system like this it's easier to hit the reboot button; rather than dumping the user to a Linux CLI where they have to have some access to a keyboard to restart whatever failed; whereas with Windows it's point-and-click.

Of course...these are entirely my opinions and I'm sure there are going to be plenty of Linux users to come along and attempt to shoot holes through them.

The Helmet is a good thing ...

[EnronHaliburton2004]

The Helmet is a VERY good thing, IMHO.

After all, something needs to protect your head when you keep walking into things because you're staring at a COMPUTER SCREEN instead of the sidewalk.