December 2, 2008: There is another
player in the market for "see through walls" devices. Two years after
the first of these systems, RadarVision, became available, we now have the
Xaver 400. This one weighs 6.5 pounds, and can see through non-metal walls at a
range of up to 20 meters (63 feet). The battery lasts 2.5 hours and the device
can broadcast images, up to a hundred meters, to another display.
The original RadarVision showed up in
Iraq in 2006. This was particularly welcome, as urban warfare is particularly
difficult because, once inside a building, you have to deal with all those
walls. Well, just like electronics came up with a solution to night fighting
(night vision goggles), a similar device has been developed for literally
seeing through walls. Well, at least most walls. The nine pound RadarVision
can't see through metal walls, but will give you an image of anyone behind any
other wall material, including up to a foot of brick, concrete or stone. It can
also see through multiple walls. Using a 90 minute battery pack, the image is
particularly good if someone in there is moving. RadarVision was also
incorporated in some combat robots. Such a droid can check out a building more
quickly by using its RadarVision to see through walls while moving down a
hallway. Many Iraqis have long believed that American troops had devices that
could see through walls. There's no telling what the appearance of devices,
that do just that, will have.
There is now a RadarVision 2, which has
similar capabilities as Xaver 400. Both of these devices sell for between
$20,000-$30,000. Police departments buy a lot of these, as well as military
organizations that can afford to provide their infantry with high-priced gear.
