“Even the briefest delay in presenting information from networked sensors on to an operator’s 360 degree individual display can cause discomfort and even vertigo to the wearer,” explained John Guasto, Vice President International Honeywell Defense and Space.
This “latency” issue has been a major challenge in providing efficient head and/or helmet mounted displays, particularly, for military users like pilots and vehicle operators.
Honeywell, as part of its exhibit at AUSA (Booth 2603 Hall ABC) will introduce and demonstrate its new advanced 360-degree soldier display.
The system will integrate inputs from a network of day and night electro-optic sensors on a vehicle or aircraft providing real-time imagery to the wearer. It can also accept and present other platform as well as data from external sources as desired. It allows users “to improve their reaction time and to make timely, well-informed decisions when most needed.”
Benefits of the Honeywell display include its compact profile, light weight, and ease of operator use. The system has been proven in multiple field trials with a driver effectively traversing various situations positioned in a HMMWV light tactical vehicle that has all windows blacked-out. In each case they have been able to operate the vehicle without difficultly relying only on the helmet display presented of the optical sensors mounted on the vehicle.
In fact, show attendees will be able to share that same “blacked-out” driving experience at the Honeywell exhibit.
Guasto explained “The Honeywell system is a mature Technology Readiness Level 6 technology that could readily move to production. The system could be applied to a range of operator applications from vehicles, helicopters, aircraft, and potentially even individual soldiers.
In future applications of the technology, including use in aircraft, it could be offered as a heads-up display (HUD) or wearable visor or helmet-mounted display that uses augmented reality offering a high-resolution 360-degree view of terrain and visual cues outside the cockpit.
by Stephen W. Miller
