Speculative uses for Google Glass.

2013-11-13T01:21:45-05:00

Google Glass will be available next year. I know that I have already thought of a lot of applications I would love to be able to use with Glass - some civilian related (HUD for driving or riding), some military related (Situational Awareness on the battlefield like FBCB2). In what ways do we, as a military community, see how Google Glass could benefit the Soldier on the battlefield? Is it a good idea for the military to try and get in on the ground-floor with Glass and help to direct new applications and courses for it?

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2013 4:18 AM

2013-11-13T04:18:01-05:00

This is our opportunity to bring soldiers into the 21st century.

Soldiers are becoming better and better as processing more and more information quickly. I know this is a bad example, but bear with me. Have you ever played "Call of Duty" or "Battlefield"? Most people have, and if they haven't they have seen the game in action. Consider for a moment that amount of data that is being presented to each individual soldier on screen at any moment.

1. Your positon

2. Friendly positions

3. Sometimes enemy positions

4. Overhead topographic maps

5. Ammo Count

This is also coupled with voice communications. These players are bombarded with information, and they use it readily. The share locations with eachother, they beomce a collective fighting force the more they play together. This is what should be displayed on glass for all frontline fighters. I know that the iphone was being considered as a forearm attachment with the modern warrior program, and while a start in the right direction, it takes your eyes, and your focus off of what is going on in front of you.

By creating a HUD designed by and for fighters, we can really capitalize on the use of glass. If this were coupled with other COTS products, which can provide GPS location, text messaging, email, and "smart reports" (such as in FBCB2 ie IED, MEDEVAC, INS, etc.) the military as whole could become more interconnected and information would be shared at the speed of data.

The technology is out there. If the President can have a secured Blackberry, soldiers on the battlefield can have simliar technology.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2013 9:37 AM

2013-11-14T09:37:51-05:00

The Land Warrior system has most of these capabilities and are used by the SOF community as well as other maneuver forces.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2014 8:06 AM

2014-02-02T08:06:05-05:00

Good question, sir.

I believe Air Traffic Controllers can make great use of Google Glass by immediately gaining information about aircraft, movement, and patterns at a glance.

As a repairer of the controllers' equipment, I could glance at a component or radio and instantly have access to its technical manual and any recent alerts associated with its nomenclature.

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Feb 2 at 2014 8:36 AM

2014-02-02T08:36:28-05:00

I think it will have a lot of great applications, like STG(P) Schoof listed. But I also think it will be a nightmare for security. Consider secure spaces where you can't have cellphones, personal electronics, or personal data storage devices. As google glasses begin to look more like regular glasses, how will you distinguish between the two? Do you ban all glasses in secure spaces, and make the people who need glasses to see wear contacts?