« on: June 05, 2012, 06:34:35 PM »
LINKImagine an Air Force drone operator sitting in front of a single, large computer screen elegantly displaying select data from the distant robot in an intuitive graphical format — say, bits of information laid over a hyper-realistic three-dimensional moving picture stitched together from multiple visual and infrared sensors. The operator simply sits and watches until the robot literally asks for advice, perhaps on which suspicious objects — as determined by its sensors and algorithms — to check out more closely.
At that point the human ‘bot-wrangler states his recommendation and the drone swoops down to do its master’s bidding. If the robot detects incoming enemy gunfire, it alerts its boss by causing his chair to shake. The operator can call out, “Evasive action!” and the drone banks sharply.
That’s just one hypothetical scenario. Exactly how the interfaces evolve depends on the progress of the Air Force’s research — and its funding. This year the flying branch’s enthusiasm for advanced drones has cooled somewhat. The Air Force has reduced its purchases of state-of-the-art MQ-9 Reapers and cancelled development of its ambitious MQ-X jet-powered attack drone. Still, no one disputes that flying robots will play an important role in future U.S. air power.
Logged
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- Patrick Henry
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