Mobile ISTAR units / wearable computers
A fully functioning wearable computer, completed with communications capability (using wireless local area network) and sensor inputs has been designed and built.
What problem does the report address?
There has been much interest in providing infantry with access to computing and
communications capability on the move. One approach to this has been through the use of wearable computers.
We have designed and built our own version of such technology.
Purpose built design and build offers many advantages over purchasing off-the-shelf equipment, particularly for novel technologies and applications.
Who should take note of it?
Anyone whose work relates to the Future Infantry Soldier Technology or related dismounted
infantry technology systems.
What is the report's status?
Product demonstrator built.
What are the main issues addressed in the report?
The issues addressed in this research programme were:
- Ergonomics of wearable computers
- Managing power and temperature in a high-specification processor running Windows XP
- User interfaces for mobile operations
What are the findings?
The main conclusions were:
- A novel casing has been designed and built
- There are many applications that can benefit from wearable computers, particularly in respect to urban operations
What is recommended?
Link the work to the FIST project and to UrbEx (ongoing discussions)
Why bother?
Constructing wearable computers is not straightforward; building our own allows us to address
the combined user and technical challenges.
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