Spartan HUD Alpha: a tactical augmented reality helmet for $300 (video)
On the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform , an engineer from Kanal is raising money for a tactical helmet that looks like it came out of a science fiction movie (the word Spartan in the name creates an association with the Halo games). It uses several cameras and augmented reality technology and can be used for tactical competitions or military training. Currently, the Spartan HUD Alpha exists as a prototype, and the inventor needs to raise 10,000 Canadian dollars (7,400 USD) to complete the project. The cost of one helmet starts at CAD 400 (USD 300), and the expected delivery date of the finished product is February 2025.
Here's What We Know
The developer positions its product as a tool for airsoft, tactical games, and military simulations.
The Spartan HUD Alpha turns you into a super soldier! Watch and shoot around cover, stay protected and gain tactical advantages, and access real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
The developed prototype uses a camera mounted on an assault rifle, which allows, for example, firing from protected positions or around corners.
For this purpose, we have a rail-mounted camera module that connects to the SH Alpha and can be easily mounted on many rifles and even pistols
The developer promises that users will be able to access ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance - the collection and processing of data to provide situational awareness and decision support during military operations) in real time.
Imagine a user crossing a dense forest or an abandoned village, constantly watching the signal of a drone moving ahead. The user can also switch to a teammate's point of view, share their own image with others, and record and upload any footage they need.
The use of open source software will allow users to create their own applications and connect various peripherals via USB.
Technical characteristics of Spartan HUD Alpha
The developer emphasises that the specifications are preliminary and subject to change in the process of device development
- 3.5-inch LCD display (resolution not specified)
- Processor: quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 with Mali-450 MP4 graphics
- Operating system: Linux Ubuntu or Android 9
- Software: Spartan HUD GunCam
- Memory: 4 GB LPDDR3 RAM and 64 GB eMMC
- Memory expansion: microSD up to 256 GB
- WiFi: dual-band, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Bluetooth: 5.0
- USB: 3x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0
- Additional interface: audio port, headphone/microphone, Ethernet (gigabit)
- Battery: 8.5 hours of operation
What is known about the developer
This is not the first project of James Schuback on Kickstarter - in 2020, he held a successful campaign to raise money for the development of his Spartan HD virtual reality helmet. He raised 23,775 Canadian dollars out of the required 10,000. Therefore, he already has experience of a similar, albeit less complex project.
Source: Kickstarter