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Filed under: Digital Cameras, Misc. Gadgets

As the military industrial complex surges forward, so do advances in technology for the public sector. At least that’s how the cold-war wisdom goes. Case in point: QinetiQ is developing a lens-less, mirror-less, battlefield imaging system with some help from your DARPA’s deep pockets. The LACOSTE project (Large Area Coverage Optical Search while Track and Engage) aims to set aloft high-altitude (about 20km) drones and air-ships fitted with a special, thousand-strong microscopic sensor array (a “first of their kind,” according to QinetiQ), a “mask,” and image processor to decode the scene and extract an image of the quickly changing conditions on the battlefield or, you guessed it, city streets. The resulting lightweight and highly-durable system should feature a “super resolution” mode with the ability to “detect and simultaneously track large numbers of moving vehicles in dense urban areas with a high degree of accuracy, 24-hours a day.” And here you thought CCTV was intrusive.

[Via BBC]

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Source: Thomas Ricker

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Okay, let’s get this straight. If D-Link is marketing its new $499.95 Internet Surveillance Starter Kit (and $399.95 Expansion Kit, for the hardcore snoopers) as a method for spying on someone residing within your domicile (save for your infant), you probably need a family counselor — not a gimmicky IP camera. Now, if D-Link is hoping to tickle the fancy of geeks who’d rather check out a room in low resolution rather than taking four or five steps down the hall, we’re pretty terrified about the fate of humanity. Still, the weird(est) part about this thing is the D-Life website which it ties into. Video of your home piped through someone else’s servers — need we say more?

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Around this time last year, we got wind of CCD-based projectors and cameras from Olympus that were outfitted with a curious “axial symmetrical free curved surface lens.” Now, said company is finally providing a few details about its current prototype, which essentially enables 360-degree photographs to be taken. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on perspective), the sensor isn’t quite ready to be pushed out into the world, but as you can certainly imagine, it’ll likely make a B-line for surveillance outfits just as soon as it’s ready.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: Robots

We didn’t even flinch when we heard that hovering drones employed by Big Brother were going to work in the UK, but somehow those buggers have managed to wander over to America’s east coast. Granted, the pilotless drones — crafted with good intentions by Honeywell — that are slated to report in to the Miami-Dade police department aren’t exactly the same, but they are expected to be used for similar duties. More specifically, they’ll be loosed in order to oversee “urban areas with an eye toward full-fledged employment in crime fighting.” According to a department spokesman, the fuzz are only looking to use it in “tactical situations as an extra set of eyes,” but don’t be shocked to see flashing lights from a vehicle without wheels next time you’re rolling (a little too) quick down South Beach.

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Not only is the British army hoping to make tanks and troops invisible to the naked eye, but it’ll soon be honing in on targets way before the mind would normally allow. In a $58.8 million deal, Thales UK has been selected to supply the troops with new Surveillance System and Range Finder (SSARF) technologies, which will reportedly “enable quick identification of enemy locations along with the ability to determine the best mortar or artillery firepower the situation on the ground requires.” Best of all, the handheld system will feature integrated GPS, thermal imaging and a five kilometer range, but unfortunately, it won’t be giving any Britons in the field an edge until 2009.

[Via MOD]

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

The Chinese government, long-renowned for its tolerance, unobtrusive law-making, and general good vibes, has announced plans to begin outfitting its citizens with a new kind of ID card; one with an embedded chip that will include the holder’s name, address, work history, educational background, religion, ethnicity, police record, medical insurance status and landlord’s phone number. The cards will also carry reproductive history information, to further aid authorities in enforcing China’s “one child” policy. Ostensibly, the cards will keep track of the large influx of peasants moving to cities, though Michael Lin, VP of China Public Security Technology, went on (in Orwellian fashion) to say; “If they do not get the permanent card, they cannot live here, they cannot get government benefits, and that is a way for the government to control the population in the future.” Additionally, authorities are aggressively installing new security cameras around cities like Shenzhen, which utilize sophisticated recognition software co-developed by US companies like IBM, HP, and Dell. When reached for comment at the Ministry of Truth, the Chinese version of Big Brother was unavailable, as he was busy rationing out Soylent Green, Soma, and Ludovico technique treatments.

[Via Techmeme]

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Source: Joshua Topolsky

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Filed under: Transportation

Shortly after the Navy announced its intentions to utilize unmanned combat aircrafts, the US Air Force is making sure it doesn’t get left behind by taking delivery of “its initial BATMAV micro unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).” Among the diminutive crafts is a legion of Wasp IIIs, which have a wingspan of 29-inches, weigh in at just one-pound apiece, and carry integrated forward and side looking electro-optical color / infrared cameras. The backpackable devices are meant to be hand-launched and aim to provide “real-time video imagery to a handheld controller used by tactical units” in reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions. Now, if only these things had an ultra-lightweight chaingun strapped under each wing and were available at the local BX, we’d be sold.

[Via The Raw Feed]

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: Digital Cameras, Household

Here in America, we don’t take our home security systems lightly, but for those in Japan, it appears that they haven’t resorted to installing sensor-triggered weapons in their windows just yet. The HC-1000 camera can be controlled via the internet or a FOMA mobile, and allows users to take a peek at what’s going on without actually being on the premises. The device sports a three-megapixel CMOS sensor, Ethernet port, 802.11a/b/g, 2x digital zoom, and a QVGA video mode to boot. Additionally, a “defense support” system can enable the piercing siren to let loose a wail, and the built-in microphone / speaker can even open up two-way communication between you and your home-wrecker (or faraway relative). The HC-1000 itself will run you a modest ¥29,400 ($247), but those looking to totally lock down their dwelling can spend up to ¥141,750 ($1,191) for an elaborate whole home system.

[Via CScout, thanks Mike]

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Source: Darren Murph

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