Close-quarters vibrators?

Think of that vibrating cell phone. The one that causes you to stop in the middle of a crosswalk, dig into your pocket and start talking amongst the crowd. Now, MIT is working on doing the same thing to soldiers and possibly other occupations who need to have information passed to them in a noisy and often confused environments.

A vibrating vest that writes messages on its wearer's back is being tested by researchers in the US. In future, it could be used to send important commands to soldiers or fire-fighters, warning them of imminent danger when ordinary radios cannot be used, for example.

The vest is made from black spandex and fastens around a person's lower torso with Velcro. An array of 16 small vibrating motors is embedded in the back of the vest and connects to a control unit on one side. This unit contains a wireless transceiver linked wirelessly to a controlling computer.

Hmmm... sounds like a good idea on the surface except that it is yet another item for the poor infanteer to strap on before going to work. The other thing is that it's jammable as is any radio signal.

Commands sent from the computer are translated into patterns "displayed" – like Braille-on-the-back – by the vibrating motors. The wearer's back was chosen to receive messages because it is a relatively large area that is also less likely to sustain damage.
The US army is part-funding the research: "They are interested in a way to communicate simple commands in situations when the hands are doing other things, or radios can't be used," explains Lynette Jones, the MIT engineer leading the project.

OK. I wonder is Lynette aware of this program? The Land Warrior program integrates several systems onto the body of a dismounted (moves on foot) soldier. One of them is a communications system. A problem with both the "soldier" and the "leader" radio is that the effective range is about 1300 meters. More range would certainly help, but if the soldier is being sent maneouvring signals does that not mean he/she is within visual range?

Right now the US soldier using a Land Warrior system carries 92.5 lbs. of gear (including weapon) into close combat. That is expected to be reduced to 84 lbs. That's one helluva combat load.

Eight of the symbols are derived from hand signals already used by the US military. "They communicate things like stop, look left, run, proceed faster or proceed slower," explains Jones. When four corners of the array vibrate, for example, this means stop. And a vibrating column, moving from one side to the other, means turn left or right.

This system looks to be one-way or "simplex". The current Land Warrior system offers two way communications, a global positioning system, a computer and monocle viewer.

There is also the question of vibrating motors under a load carrying harness... ouch!

Although... a little soothing back massage in the middle of a close-quarters battle would actually be kind of... you know... exciting relaxing.

(I told you this was coming)