January17, 2007:
Communications during combat operations have always been a problem
for the infantry. So now the U.S. Army is experimenting with a vibrating vest.
Seriously.
There
is a need. Hand signals require at least one hand. Shouting often doesn't work
when it's really noisy, or when you don't want to alert the enemy about where
you are. Personal radios would appear to be a prefect solution, but you still
have to talk, and attempts to use Morse code, when silence is needed, have not
worked out well.
The
vibrating vest is simply that, with sixteen vibrators arranged on the back of
the vest. Used singly or in combination, the vibrating elements could convey
information from a squad or platoon leader, who would be using a small keypad
(about the size and shape of a cell phone.) Initial tests were successful, and
the developers believe the system could also be used by firefighters and SWAT
teams. Even if not adopted by the infantry, it could be useful for commandos,
who use all sorts of exotic equipment in order to gain an additional edge in
their operations.