Most long term readers will be aware that I have an interest in technology and research. This is a hangover from my working life in academia. The climate, environment and electronics are amongst my main interests, though as usual I have been known to go off on a tangent.
Do
you remember those spoof advertisements in the comics for 'xray
spectacles'. Well, a new bit of research has created the equivalent
to xray specs. In a way its very much like the laser pen brought
about the other popular item from scifi films on television – the
ray gun!
This
is a new form of 'X Ray' vision without the need to actually use
xrays! Essentially two or more small robots can be deployed. The
robots will then communicate with each other. They carefully plot
their respective positions on the ground. You might think that there
is nothing new in that. However, now the robots have the effective
ability to see inside buildings for instance and plot the internal
structure. At the same time the signal passing between the robots is
used to map the terrain. Is also analysed to detect the tiny
variations in the signal. The tiny variations can be used to plot
internal structures through other structures such as external walls.
But
the robots can also detect internal movement and they can also detect
differences between flesh, brick and wood for instance. This
technology offers many opportunities for use. Such as searching in
buildings that have collapsed in an earth quake. It can also be used
for security within buildings and on vehicles passing through our
ports.
The
technology uses everyday WiFi signals which many of us have access
to, through the smartphone we carry in our pockets. The robots can
also plot the location of other WiFi sources within the immediate
area. Which will help with locating people trapped in buildings.
I
now know who to ask next time I can't find where I put my phone! I'm
also looking forward to the arrival of the ultimate form of
transportation from Startrek the 'particle transporter'. Beam me up
Scottie.
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