J.J. Snow discusses some of the research into the unique technologies that can be found in the world of "Gunship" In the world of “Gunship” merging the virtual world with the real world is an everyday occurrence thanks to the use of advanced Augmented Reality Software (ARS). From the ship’s HAILE system (Holographic Automated Intelligence Linked Ethernet) to the latest in recovered ISU technology incorporating ARS into a contact lens for use by special operators defending the galaxy isn’t a nice to have, it’s a must have if you want to stay ahead of the bad guys.
In 2013 this technology is already being developed and tested by researchers at the University of Washington, Google, Innovega Optik, and DoD’s DARPA. Initial models have been demoed on Youtube for the public to check out. The potential for this technology is tremendous. Eventually, researchers believe they will be able to mass produce contact lenses that will allow a person to view the real world with full augmentation.
Imagine being on a battlefield and being able to get a virtual overlay of the local buildings accompanied by real time overhead from a UAV to help you identify where the target is, where the bad guys are, potential infil and exfil routes, chokepoints, and where all of your teammates are in relation to your current position. All of this information without the need to carry additional weight in your rucksack and freeing up your hands so you can focus on using your weapon instead of trying to open up a screen and push buttons while your buddy has your back.
Or how about a lens you can wear that can detect changes in body chemistry? Your doctor could monitor your health and alert you to changes in your glucose levels that could save your life. No more needles or blood tests to measure specific chemicals in your bloodstream. And this information would be available to you to monitor your own health as well. Nanotechnology, microlasers, advanced polymers, solar and RF power are all part of this new capability and truly the options are limitless. Who knows? Maybe the next iPhone will really be an EyePhone.
Here is an excerpt from Gunship on ARS. Want More? Download Gunship today from Amazon, iTunes, B&N or Vook for your eReader or PC!
Reilly found Ty and Skeeter in the cargo bay, dirty and tired, and surrounded by open crates and boxes.
“What the hell is all this?”
On one side of the bay a virtual military arsenal had sprung up. The HEAT grenades, crate of battle rifles and breacher charges had now been joined by several other significant items including heavy battle blasters, high grade ammo and armor for around forty souls, field deployable defensive shields like the one they had encountered at the building on Vervian 813, a variety of communications equipment with encryption, and four new Bofurs laser turrets complete with tantalum rounds and rail gun inserts with rapid generation capability. This was probably where Welch was planning to get that Bofurs from for their deal. Reilly made a mental note to inform him that the price of the job had gone up since he hadn’t felt the need to fully disclose that his brother was a security psycho with eight enforcers on his payroll. She could use those turrets for her ship.
The opposite side of the bay had crates of items she had never even seen before. One crate held ledgers that appeared to be written in a strange code. Another held bars of some kind of bluish green metal. A third crate bearing radiation warning signs held foot long glass batons that looked like they had some kind of fog and white lightening inside.
Ty walked to one crate and pulled it open. Inside was a pair of fingerless gloves that had a round disc on the palm. “Watch this” he said.
Ty strapped a glove on his hand and then touched his index finger to the disc. And then he was gone.
Reilly gaped openly in surprise. Ty continued to talk and she could hear his footsteps but even with those aids to help her she still couldn’t be sure of where exactly he was. Skeeter laughed at her look.
“It’s a portable holograph designed for one person,” Ty explained “When you put it on it reflects the light and stuff around you back out so it looks continuous, like you’re not even there. I tried to find the kid earlier with the thermal goggles. That bounces back too so there must be some kind of refractive layer of light that interferes with the heat signature of whoever is wearing it. Or maybe a heat dissipater or something – I don’t know, I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
She jumped as Ty reappeared right next to her. “So this might come in handy on some of our future jobs – it’s like having an invisibility shield that no one can penetrate.” He grinned wolfishly.
Seth held up a second small box for her inspection. “These are really cool!”
Inside were a number of contact lenses. Reilly picked one up and examined it, then placed it on her eye and blinked once. Instantly she saw what appeared to be a twenty inch computer screen. Seth handed her a small key board with a touch pad. Reilly navigated the screen, exploring the software and the various options which included a targeting folder, personnel tracker, GPS locator, a biometrics program and even a few star maps. She clicked out of the program and blinked slowly once more to shut the software down, then carefully removed the lens from her eye.
“I ain’t seen software like that in a while,” Ty commented as he took the lens and set it back in the box again, “Welch has around forty pairs in here just waiting for someone to set them up. The processors are just above the size of an atom and use tiny lasers to transmit the screen directly to your retina so your eye can see it. Looks like you can have them implanted too if you want it to be more permanent. They look like a step up from what we used to get issued for ops.”
Seth chimed in, “Half of them have augmented reality software too.”
Ty and Reilly looked at him in surprise. Augmented reality software was fairly high tech and only elite mission units were given access to such specialty tools. This meant that the contact lenses would allow the user to monitor their surroundings 360 degrees, see through objects or locate hidden objects or create three dimensional environments for operational planning purposes. The wearer would be able to view both the real world and the virtual world at the same time, a critical ability especially when dealing with current technology where enemies could employ both in defense of their objectives.
Next issue I’ll delve into portable holographs and some of the weapons you’ll see in Gunship and that will be featured in Book II of the Reilly Campbell Chronicles.
