On the ground technology is working hard to minimize the exposure to danger that troops face on a daily business. But as the military adopts more advanced applications, so too do its enemies, and away from the front line research is continuing to provide soldiers with cutting edge tech to keep them one step ahead.
One of the areas that has been embraced by both the ‘boots on the ground’ and the top brass is wearable electronics. Whilst this is still a relatively new concepts for civilians, the truth is that the military have been using wearable electronics for quite some time – and it’s played a crucial role in some of the most demanding arenas in the world, including Afghanistan.
Transmitting intelligence
Wearable electronics for military purposes have focused on the transmission of intelligence from bases of operation often thousands of miles away direct to the soldier on the ground. This includes everything from map co-ordinates, battlefield radio communications, messaging, targeting and situational awareness updates.To do this the military has been fairly reliant on smartphones and specialist software such as Nett Warrior (as used by the US military). But there are drawbacks. There’s no doubt that smartphones have the requisite processing power to cope with these complex applications, but they’re easily damaged, can often be very difficult to read in bright sunlight and also suffer from that age-old problem that civilian phones are blighted with – no ‘bars’ or signal.
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| Image Credits: www.shephardmedia.com |
Now, however, there are new adaptations on this theme of using smart technology, but actually sewn into the sleeve of the soldier’s jacket. The use of flexible screen technology has produced display screens that are literally the same thickness as a sheet of paper, are ultra-lightweight, robust enough to cope with hostile conditions and (and this is something that in the heat of battle should never be underestimated) are easy to read.
Battlefield intel straight to the soldier
The development of color screens by flexible display experts like Plastic Logic could take this battlefield source of intelligence to the next level by providing color-coordinated topographical maps and photographs that can make assessment of what is an extremely fluid situation much easier.Although not specifically developed for the military, Plastic Logic’s flexible display research has applications both in civilian and in combat situations, as CEO Indro Mukerjee explains: “We have demonstrated the far-reaching potential of the underlying technology. Our ability to create flexible, transmissive backplanes has led us not only to co-develop a flexible image sensor, but is also key to flexible color OLED displays.”
He goes on to say that: “Plastic Logic’s work with this display technology is particularly significant, since the same process could enable unbreakable, flexible display solutions using OLED. Troops rely on good quality and, more importantly, up-to-date intelligence. Conveying that intelligence has always been a challenge, but with the development of wearable electronics and flexible plastic screens it is now getting safer and easier for troops to carry out their duty under extremely difficult circumstances.”
VerenaAbout the Author:
Verena blogs about gadgets and technology, covering everything from the latest mobile advancements to display technology. When she’s not online Verena enjoys swimming, cycling and travelling the world.