Researchers at the 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, are testing Google Glass to see if it can be used by Air Force special operators.
The technology is being tested by the Battlefield Air Targeting Man-Aided (K)nowledge, or BATMA(N), research program to help soldiers on the battlefield, according to NBC News.
"It was commissioned to build advanced wearable technologies in a wearable ensemble, so in essence, we are building a Batman suit to improve effectiveness in the battlefield," said Gregory Burnett, chief engineer for BATMAN.
Based on Google's Android operating system, Google Glass has both hardware and software features, along with the same capabilities of most smartphones. The device is light and lets users operate the technology without hands, Military.com reported.
"Its most distinguishing feature is that its screen sits above the user's right eye," said Andres Calvo, a software developer and civilian contractor with the 711th HPW. "What that means is that the screen is off by default. Whenever you need to access the information, you either look up, or you touch on the trackpad and only then will the screen turn on."
Calvo said the technology could be used for the military branch's Pararescue Jumpers (PJs), who are usually the first medical workers that arrive to help injured soldiers, and are presented with the difficulty of keeping track of multiple patients on the field. Calvo said PJs could use Google Glass with Android smartphones and tablets to treat small injuries, while keeping track of the vitals of patients in critical condition simultaneously, NBC News reported.
BATMAN looks to make sure displays do not distract soldiers while walking or driving before Google Glass can be used in the field. Different military teams will share the research in order to create an "integrated heads-up augmented reality" system that could be used by members of the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy.
The capability and safety of soldiers is BATMAN's primary mission, Military.com reported.
"Our internal motivation is to better equip the warfighter so they can come home safely," Burnett said. "At the end of the day, we know the work we're doing is directly impacting the survivability of our warfighters in the field. That is very motivating to us ... when we really distill it all down to the basics, it's about us caring for the human (aspects of missions) and their challenge set."
