Heads-up tactical situational awareness – ARC4

The ARA-developed ARC4 is outdoor on-the-move augmented reality (AR) technology that delivers heads-up situational awareness to the dismounted warfighter. Rather than looking down at a 2D map or smartphone device, the soldier sees virtual icons (e.g., navigation waypoints, blue forces, aircraft) overlaid on his real-world view. ARC4 is an AR fusion engine that incorporates advanced head tracking sensors and algorithms, network management software, and an intuitive user interface to overlay iconic information on the user’s environment. ARC4 integrates with daytime see-through displays and night-vision goggles.

Challenge

Traditional dismounted information systems require soldiers to look down at maps or smartphone devices to access tactical information. In so doing, their head is ‘down’ and their attention is drawn away from what is happening directly in front of them. ARC4 enables the soldier to acquire time-critical tactical information with their ‘head-up’ and ‘eyes-out’ on the environment.
Solution

The ARA-developed ARC4 is outdoor on-the-move augmented reality (AR) technology that delivers heads-up situational awareness to the dismounted warfighter. Rather than looking down at a 2D map or smartphone device, the soldier sees virtual icons (e.g., navigation waypoints, blue forces, aircraft) overlaid on his real-world view. ARC4 is an AR fusion engine that incorporates advanced head tracking sensors and algorithms, network management software, and an intuitive user interface to overlay iconic information on the user’s environment. ARC4 integrates with daytime see-through displays and night-vision goggles.

ARC4 enables leap-ahead AR applications in:

Defence: Presents heads-up tactical information for on-the-move operations
Consumer Products: Object tagging and sharing for social networks
Team Coordination: Shared awareness for emergency response
Logistics & Operations: Tracking assets, personnel, and tasks for worksites
Immersive Training and Gaming: Virtual avatars and effects embedded with live operations

Impact

The ARC4 technology enables small-unit teams to perform their missions with high awareness of their surroundings, with enhanced safety and speed, and in close coordination with team members.

Instead of looking down at a map and overlay while orienting it to the ground truth in front of you, ARC4 places the information from ATAK, day or night, within your field of view. Your head is in the battle space where it belongs.

Look at an area and you will see floating icons above targets, friendlies, routes, waypoints, and more in your field of view and they track 360 deg as you scan the horizon.

This COTS system integrates GPS, accelerometer, gyro, magnetometer, barometric presssure sensor as well as an EO camera. Output is via Day HUD or clipon for Visual Augmentation System, including Optics1’s ECOTI/ECOSI.

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