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Wearable Antenna for Soldiers Won't Make Them Look Like Ant Warriors
Posted by Addy Dugdale at 6:00 AM on April 14, 2008
Five years in the making, Pharad's wearable antenna is aimed at troops in covert operations, and, I guess, undercover cops and agents. Waterproof and flexible, the wearable antenna, which is made out of dielectric material, supports and is aimed to be integrated into body armour vests and helmets, and there's even a snug-fitting undershirt that wouldn't look out of place on one of Bouncy's backing dancers, which you can see below, alongside more information.
The wearable antenna supports a whole host of communications standards, including EPLRS, 800 MHz radios, cellular/GSM, GPS and WLAN. While the design is currently aimed at the military, there's no saying where Pharad's Flextenna might end up—in the quest for constant connectivity, expect smart clothing companies to sniff around this one. For the moment, though, this will be used to keep track of special op forces who are deep undercover in parts of the world with patchy mobile phone coverage—Afghanistan, perhaps. [Pharad via Talk2MyShirt and PR Inside]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Leonard Nimrod
Posted 6:46 AM 14/4/08
@frigg: There aren't even stereo bluetooth headsets that will play music that work with the iPhone.
Leonard Nimrod
ab3
Posted 6:34 AM 14/4/08
Looks more like a bra for a person with only one right boob.
ab3
yablunk
Posted 6:22 AM 14/4/08
seems to be a real slow weekend here on gizmodo
yablunk
frigg
Posted 6:11 AM 14/4/08
It looks like it'd make a nice bikini.
But more to the point DOES IT WORK WITH THE IPHONE??? /pant pant pant
frigg
Gary_7vn
Posted 6:08 AM 14/4/08
There is definitely a consumer market for this. Almost anyone could use one of these, but it would be especially useful for road warriors, camping, and of course, covert operations at Best Buy.
Say no more.
Gary_7vn
Gonzie
Posted 7:40 AM 14/4/08
[www.ecosherpa.com]
i have to get me one of those *garble garble*
Gonzie
SigmundTheSeaMonster
Posted 7:39 AM 14/4/08
I have to see my doctor about these skin lesions under my arm...
SigmundTheSeaMonster
nospamsam
Posted 7:35 AM 14/4/08
Why hasn't anyone else questioned the possible negative effects of transmitting electromagnetic energy against the skin for prolong periods of time?
What frequency and power are these things rated for?
It doesn't look like its shielded and I would also be very interested in actual long term exposure data.
I imagine that getting cancer from your radio is the least of the life- threatening problems a solder faces but before people start strapping these things on everyday I would suggest that you wait a little while. You never know when a situation like those first radar guns giving cops cancer is going to happen.
nospamsam
jackfrost132
Posted 8:14 AM 14/4/08
@ab3: Is that opposed to a person with two right boobs?
jackfrost132
nospamsam
Posted 8:03 AM 14/4/08
and another thing...
I do not like this approach to the problem of increasing the reliability of comms. Developing smaller and more sensitive receivers will increase function and decrease power requirements for both the transmitter and the receiver. People have always added bigger antennas on their equipment.
I don't want something more bulky. I want something the size of a coin that goes 5 years between charges and ALWAYS works.
nospamsam
strider_mt2k
Posted 7:53 AM 14/4/08
Who the hell is "bouncy"?
strider_mt2k
akmarksman
Posted 9:15 AM 14/4/08
@frigg: who cares about the iphone?
akmarksman
Addy Dugdale
Posted 1:16 AM 15/4/08
@strider_mt2k
Beyonce.
Addy Dugdale
SSRPaulO
Posted 3:08 AM 15/4/08
When you consider that one of the top priority targets in an ambush is the Comm guy… you try to start with him so they can't get support or ID their position then work your way down the list of people barking orders. Personally, I think this is a hell of an idea. Not to mention it makes walking through an urban environment with low doors and whatnot, much easier.
SSRPaulO
jackfrost132
Posted 4:46 PM 15/4/08
"Is that an antenna in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?" "Actually, I'm just happy to see you, the new antennas don't stick out."
jackfrost132