Can you design the ultimate augmented-reality system for warfighters?

November 6, 2012
PIXNet_Image_11_5

PIXNet (credit: DARPA)

Imagine a single camera that can fuse (integrate) images across a wide spectrum on light, from visible light to near-infrared and far-infrared (thermal) images (for night vision), replacing multiple cameras.

It would be part of a head-up display (HUD) that is helmet-mounted. It would be lightweight, low-cost, easy to use, and draw minimal power. And it would interface wirelessly with an Android-based smart phone for fusing images and networking among units, running any needed apps. Also, it should be designed to allow for manufacturing 10,000 units per month at a cost of $3,300 per unit.

If you know how to do all that, you should check out DARPA’s solicitation. DARPA created the Pixel Network for Dynamic Visualization program (PIXNET) to develop a device with those capabilities for battlefield awareness and threat detection and identification.

Hmm …  would this be a killer app/system for Google Glass, or what? — Ed.