SAGEM Head-Up Display

The FELIN system (designed by Sagem) offer the follwoing head-up display: What is interesting here is the way the soldier can interact with the devices, according to defense-update

The soldier does not use a microphone for voice commands, but instead wears a headband with an osteo-phone. The helmet will also be equipped with passive elements for audio protection. The helmet mounted day/night microcamera will offer 50 degrees field of view. Using the standard headgear, the soldier will be able to detect a human target at 150 meters and identify it at a range of 70 meters. (...) The computer is connected to a man-machine interface enabling the soldier to control the system and carry out operations such as firing around a corner or see through obstacles. (...) The specialized section commanders will get portable information system terminals, (SIT), which are PDA sized digital assistants, used for tactical situation assessment. The SIT will display images, maps with overlaid symbology, and will be able to exchange encrypted messages with other commanders and higher echelons.

In terms of group coordination, it also appears interesting:

The infantryman will use a small personal radio (RIF) transmitting voice and data communication. The RIF will be functional both in mounted or dismounted operations enabling GPS position tracking and information sharing within the squad and platoon. The communication bandwidth provided by the RIF is sufficient to pass operational graphics, imagery, maps and video sequences between team members and back to the higher echelon. (...) FELIN platoon will operate five networks: four will operate as RIFintra squad networks, (three infantry and one antitank squads) maintaining continuous and open "conference" between the squad members. Each RIFIntra network will also be separable into two intra-team sub-networks, allowing control of small team operations when required. At the platoon level, RIF Command network will operate, communicating between squad leaders, platoon commander, CO, snipers and the unit's armored personnel carriers.

Why do I blog this? No I am not a military freak however, I do think military stuff offers an interesting potential in the field of Human-Computer Interaction as well as to study how technology disrupts/impacts/reshapes/supports group coordination, which is closely related to my phd project. Moreover, I would be interested to see how people could hack this kind of tool and turn it into something crazier...