Flex Screen Technology

I don't spend much time on Tech issues on this blog, but I think this is important. Yes, that is a realistic photo of a proto-type of a flexible screen that HP had shown in 2004. Today, on the DOD Bloggers Round Table we got to speak to a number of gentlemen who are working this for the United States Army. Today on the round table we were joined by Dr. David C. Morton, U.S. Army Research Laboratory Cooperative Agreement Manager for the Flexible Display Center; Dr. Gregory B. Raupp, Director, Flexible Display Center at Arizona State University; and Dr. Nicholas Colaneri, Associate Director, Flexible Display Center at Arizona State University.

The US Army and the US Army Research Labs have teamed up with Arizona State University to help develop this flexible screen technology. Now I am not an expert on this, but what I did hear today that was important was this.

1. This technology could be field tested within three years, and place maps and situational awareness down to individual soldier level.
2. It has reduced power consumption 2 to 3 times from normal levels. To me, that means I don't have to lug around 10 million double A Batteries:)
3. They are working on making this touch screen capable, in order to increase user compatibility.
4. Its day light visible and night visible.
5. It could fit on a soldiers wrist or forearm and be combat toughened to withstand daily operations and survive.

To me, as an infantryman, there have been various pieces of equipment over the last decade that didn't do much for me; except add weight in batteries to my assault pack. This is not one of those projects. Talking to these gentlemen, they are keenly aware of this problem, and striving to make this a product that soldiers want and need to have. My hats off to them. This is something that would be greatly valuable to the individual soldier, and not add more useless weight in batteries to his assault pack.

Great Job Gentlemen, and I cant wait to see it in testing.

God Bless America

Bryan

Link to the transcript: Sphere: Related Content