Pentagon Creating Camera That Thinks

Jan 6, 2011 by James

How would you like your new video camera that you got for Christmas to tell you things? What if your camera could tell you what an object in your frame is doing or what it will do. It’s a camera that essentially can predict the future and it actually is in the works. The Pentagon is currently exploring new technology that will replace ground level intelligence operators like Army scouts or Marine force recon. The possibilities for the technology are endless and no doubt it will make it to you in the future in the form of a cheap Chinese knockoff.

The Defense Advanced Research Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is leading the charge within the Pentagon to get the ball rolling. DARPA just launched the Mind’s Eye program that aims to produce visual intelligence for unmanned vehicles and aircraft. They say that once the technology is perfected it can be used to perform various forms of advanced recon.

DARPA’s explanation of the program is,

Humans perform a wide range of visual tasks with ease, something no  current artificial intelligence can do in a robust way. They have  inherently strong spatial judgment and are able to learn new  spatiotemporal concepts directly from the visual experience. Humans  visualize scenes and objects, as well as the actions involving those  objects and possess a powerful ability to manipulate those imagined  scenes mentally to solve problems. A machine-based implementation of  such abilities is broadly applicable to a wide range of applications,  including ground surveillance.

DARPA is enlisting the minds some of the best thinkers in the country to get the technology field ready as soon as possible. DARPA currently oversees 12 research teams from colleges including MIT, CALTECH and Colorado State University. Even with a massive number of people working on the project it will still be years before we ever see an intelligent camera.

The Pentagon has been very interested in camera technology since before 9/11. The Pentagon is currently testing and combining systems into the “Future Force Warrior.” This system provides each individual soldier a view of the battlefield to their eye as well as a camera on the weapon that allows the soldier to see and shoot around corners through the same eye piece. It also gives commanders a birds eye view of the battlefield and direct communication with soldiers which in theory will make winning battles a breeze. No more maps and compasses. The Pentagon may be behind the times in a lot of areas but they’re on the cutting edge of technology for both the soldier and eventually you and I.

I’m not sure how much I want a camera that can think and predict things. On one hand it would be nice to have a camera be able to predict traffic accidents and such and change the lights but think of how the government will employ them. CCTV is everywhere and having cameras around that are “intelligent” will eliminate any chance of privacy outside of your own home unless you have an “intelligent” security system. I’m all for soldiers having them on the battlefield to make things easier and safer but I’d really like them to stay there. Knowing the government, as it is today, the project will likely be 100 million over budget and 8 years behind schedule by the time China produces one of its own.

What do you think? Do you want an “intelligent” camera? Do you want the military reliant on technology over boots on the ground?

Source: Fast Company