1 Introduction
Wearable Augmented Reality (WAR) devices are defined as networked, multimedia computers that can be worn as glasses. They utilize “heads-up displays, sensors and earphones to provide an improved interface for these features by overlaying graphics, text, and sound on the physical world” [8]. WAR is a rapidly growing technology that has garnered attention from multinational corporations [2] to tinkerers who build Kickstarter projects [3] in their basement. In fact, the 2013 Emerging Technologies Hype Cycle released by Gartner in August 2013 mentions “Augmenting Humans with Technology” as one of six highlighted technologies [1]. Gartner speculates that narrowing the gap between humans and devices will result in productivity gains due to the workforce having quicker access to information.
Currently, Google’s Glass product is the only WAR device that has been publically announced. But con- sidering recent WAR patent applications from Microsoft [23] and Samsung [24] we can see that competition is heating up in this new space. These companies all have enormous research and development budgets which they are using to develop WAR devices to augment their present services. There also are more independant developers which utilize crowd funding to develop their product. Oculus Rift [25] and castAr [26] are great examples of these companies. While these devices do fall into the category of WAR, they currently are mainly targeted at video game users.
If WAR devices become widepread, their use will create a shift in information consumption, mirroring the same sort of shift created by smartphones. Thanks to smartphones, humans now have access to more information at a given time. They can schedule meetings more efficiently, query a...
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...s at their disposal in public has raised some eyebrows. In March a Seattle dive bar banned the use of WAR devices in their establishment [22].
When considering the positives and the negatives, we would like to conclude that the gains outweigh the ethical concerns and that this technology will probably be an important part of if not all, but some of our lives. We would like to advise NTV to invest in this product. This investment should cover companies that are performing rigorous research and development which they plan on patenting, as these patent portfolios will become very important in the future. They should also invest in companies that are building basic functionality apps for WAR devices, and companies that are developing necessary hardware for WAR devices as these companies will probably be bought in the future by larger corporations like Google or Samsung.
Virtual worlds such as Second Life and IMVU — which show a 3D environment on a 2D screen rather than immersing the user inside a room or by using an HMD — and the more recent rise of Oculus Rift have all contributed to the rekindled interest in VR. However, major technology and usability advances are still required for a low-cost, broadly used immersive virtual environment. In the meantime, growing popularity of 3D entertainment using 3D glasses — and, increasingly, 3D smart television screens and projections that do not require glasses — may relegate immersive VR to permanent niche status. Currently, augmented reality applications (which superimpose information on the user's view of the real world rather than blocking out the real world) or mixed-reality scenarios (where HMDs and context-aware software are used in a hybrid augmented/virtual environment) are more popular technology approaches to the problem of marrying immersive VR to a consumer
Furthermore, in a few years there will be ten times the amount of internet connected devices as there are humans on the planet. This means that anywhere where you are, you are going to be observable (AUSA 2016, 13). In the future, leaders will not need to be flexible because higher headquarters can always monitor and give guidance for every tactical move. Thus, leaders will not need to think critically which will hinder their adaptability. General Milley counters his argument through his statement that in the future, “there is a high probability, a certainty really, that anything electronic will come under cyber or EW attack, and that we will be operating routinely in a partially or significantly degraded environment” (AUSA 2016, 17). As technology progresses, internet connected devices will become ISR platforms but the technology to counter that will also exist. If this happens, it will remain critical that units in the future remain extremely flexible and able to adapt to their operational
As decades and centuries pass, technology evolves. Machines become more efficient, and communication between locations becomes easier. Due to this, the process of doing things changes. With the advent of the Internet, it is important to understand and look deeper into the effects of technology on society, as it is “complexly woven into the circumstances and rhythms of social life” (Gasher, Skinner and Lorimer, 2012, p. 155). For this reason, there are various perspectives on technology.
To conclude, while most of these technologies would most likely have been discovered and improved upon without the influence of war the process was sped up to meet the urgency presented with conflicts. Everyone is affected by at least one of these technologies on a daily basis whether it is derived from the materials, weapons, transportation, medical, or communications sectors. Technology allows Americans to live easier lives and although the many soldiers who have served their country did not actually create the technology, their sacrifices that led to the funding and need for improvements. Everyone should think about where their cell phones and computers came from and what others did to give everyone the freedom to use these devices.
As a veteran of the Air Force I’ve had a chance to both witness and work with some of these technologies that I will be discussing throughout this paper. I had a chance to be trained for using a CMOS based program for planning loads on aircraft. The program was very user friendly and fast. This program handled the mathematical part of loading planes such as weight, size, and balance capacities. It also served as logistical database for tracking what cargo increments would be deployed, where they needed to go, when they could be expected to leave, and the estimated time of arrival at the destination. I was also trained on how to plan loads on paper with both graphical and mathematical problem solving in the event of computer failure. Let me tell you, this was a chore and if it wasn’t right the first time I simply had to start from scratch again with the equations. The luxury of the computer was that I could make changes and receive real time reflective information while I made the changes. My skills with this program were called upon during operation DESERT THUNDER. We were able to plan and mobilize over half of the 2nd largest Air Force base in the Unites States in only two days. This helped deter a war with Iraq by proving just how fast we were able to move on any threats that they had against the U.S. This is an example of how technology helped to deter a threat by simply “flexing our muscle”, a term the D.O.D uses to describe deterrence through readiness and firepower. Without the technological advances of our advanced logistical support systems this process could have easily taken 6 to 10 times longer and operation DESERT THUNDER could have resulted in a wa...
At the July Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Conference, LTG Ostrowski, the Army Acquisition Executive Lead, conveyed the Army’s need for future network solutions. It was also shared in the FY16 Presidential Budget that the Army has several budget requests for Communications systems and upgrades totally over $1.2B (Keller, J. , 2015). This is an opportunity for the Comms BU to expand its customer base in the U.S. Army market place. Northrop Grumman was ranked in the Top 5 of Aerospace and Defense Companies in Forbes America’s Best Employers list (2017). They were ranked over larger companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Their commitment to their employees, diversity, their customer and even the environment drives their culture. Northrop Grumman’s competitive advantage is leveraging the technology already developed and tested for the services (Air Force and Navy). Their experience with the Army is via services work where our people have gained the expertise to be the right people for working with the Missile Defense Agency. After analyzing both the internal and external environment of Northrop, their competitors and the analysis of their financial position, Northrop has developed a sustainable competitive advantage. They have done this through the use of product differentiation. The value they receive, the knowledge they gain and patents they own by acquiring other companies expands their portfolio to offer products and services not comparable to their competitors. Their respective strategic position establishes a value to their customers that is differentiated amongst their competitors, allowing them to offer a higher premium for their products and
One of the latest and most controversial topics that has risen over the past five to ten years is whether or not drones should be used as a means of war, surveillance, and delivery systems. Common misconceptions usually lead to people’s opposition to the use of drones; which is the reason it is important for people to know the facts about how and why they are used. Wartime capabilities will provide for less casualties and more effective strikes. New delivery and surveillance systems in Africa, the United Air Emirates and the United States will cut costs and increase efficiency across the board. Rules and regulations on drones may be difficult to enforce, but will not be impossible to achieve. The use of drones as weapons of war and delivery and surveillance systems should not be dismissed because many people do not realize the real capabilities of drones and how they can be used to better the world through efficient air strikes, faster delivery times, and useful surveillance.
A lot of countries all over the world depend on technological advances to fight against their opponents. This reduced the risk of having a soldier wounded or dying in a war by making it easier with using these technologies when it comes to head to head combat. Even though using technologies are a great idea but many ethical issues arise from it. One of the main issue is the use of these Drones. This technology is developing more and more. In a recent study showed that there are over 700 active drone development all over the world and these programs are controlled under companies, research institutes, and the government. United States is mainly using these drones to fight against so called “terrorist” but some other countries use them as well. It is immoral and unethical to use these drones because it cause psychological disorders, violate privacy, cause deaths of innocent lives, and increase terrorism. (Reardon)
Wearable computing is the next step to the computer revolutionary world. At MIThril lab, they are working on a wearable computer. Like a sleeveless winter coat or a sweater, they are working toward they goal. With the complicated project, they don’t know the finishing line yet. But with every step the MIThril team takes, they freely document and post on the web for worldwide access. The name MIThril derives from the fictional classic The Hobbit and Lord of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. As comfortable and unnoticeable as the Dwarves’ ring-mail tunic, MIThril’s team promises our gifted society the future clothes of electronic.
Every day the world is evolving, different types of technology are being made for different kinds of uses. Some people in the army want to use drones to carry out different types of missions, in other places in the world. Using will help soldiers carry out missions, quicker, easier, and much more efficient. 60% of Americans agree on the usage of drones for army purposes. Many people say that the army should not use drones because drones will increase the number of terrorists, drones can kill and injure innocent civilians, and that drones will “...allow the United States to become emotionally disconnected from the horrors of war” (ℙ8, Drones). There are many advantages with having drones aid military bases, because
Since 2008, the smartphone, a device that combines a normal cell phone with a computer, typically offering Internet access, data storage, e-mail capability, etc. all in your hand was deemed as ground-breaking technology and created one of the largest and most competitive markets in terms of technology to date. Their increased popularity continued to grow and today, it is very hard to encounter someone without a smartphone. These devices allow people to disconnect from reality and grant them access to the world as a whole. People use these devices to manage their daily routine, dictating what they should do and when they should do it.
The world today is a result of centuries of evolution; one of the major adaptations is technology, specifically the invention of the smartphone. The smartphone is a cellular phone that has the capabilities of performing similar functions to that of a computer (Oxford Dictionaries’ online dictionary, n.d.). The smartphone is owned by youth for the most part; however, adults and seniors are also turning toward using this device. This in turn demonstrates the popularity of this marvelous device, and is the reason why it is constantly monitored by its users. The continuous evolving of the populations' wants and needs such as communication, searching of information, entertainment and recording, makes owning a smartphone essential, and beneficial as it is portable, reliable and efficient.
The future has a good outlook for new technology in the military. Many possibilities include the unmanned war, where all the fighting will be done by robots and computers. Other possibilities include, space travel, new fuels, vehicles, and more.
Everywhere I turn, I see someone on a cell phone, either talking or texting. Every car next to me in traffic has a GPS on the dashboard, including my own. It seems that everyone needs some help from technology on a daily basis. It both surrounds and intrigues us. Technology can be helpful, fun, and entertaining. Much of technology is created to assist with making projects faster or daily tasks more efficient. However, the collaboration of technologies in our lives has a few negative effects and I think we need to scale back a bit on our use of these much adored technologies.
By better understanding digital technology, we improve our control over such information. Consider the impact of digital technologies on your daily life. The cell phone is one of many digital devices that have drastically changed people’s lives in terms of connectivity and productivity. You probably use your phone throughout the day to communicate with friends and business associates, look up information on the Web, check your friends’ Facebook statuses, snap photos and post them online, send e-mails, plan your evening, play games, watch movies, and listen to music. Technology has transformed the world.