Playstation Controller Runs Syrian Rebel Tank 232
A reader writes "As Syria's rebels work to overthrow the tank-equipped Assad regime, they've learned that it helps to have tanks of their own. They deserve bonus points for integrating video game technology. This is no exaggeration. Have a look at the opposition forces' "100 percent made in Syria" armored vehicle, the Sham II.
Named for ancient Syria and assembled out of spare parts over the course of a month, the Sham II is sort of rough around the edges, but it's got impressive guts. It rides on the chassis of an old diesel car and is fully encased in light steel that's rusted from the elements. Five cameras are mounted around the tank's outside, and there's a machine gun mounted on a turning turret. Inside, it kind of looks like a man cave. A couple of flat screen TVs are mounted on opposite walls. The driver sits in front of one, controlling the vehicle with a steering wheel, and the gunner sits at the other, aiming the machine gun with a Playstation controller."
Novel (Score:5, Interesting)
Novel, but let's hope there's no electrical failure or a single wire in that video system that comes loose, otherwise they are sitting in a dark metal box without a single port or window. Military tanks have multiple methods the driver can see outside in addition to any electronic systems - optical periscopes, a hatch directly above the driver that they can raise their seat and literally stick their head out while driving, etc.
Gamepad not Playstation Controller (Score:5, Interesting)
Judging by the buttons 1,2,3,4 I'd say this is a generic pc gamepad not a playstation controller.
Does this mean that gaming controllers (Score:5, Interesting)
are going to be on the ITAR list?
Seriously though, the gap between technology available to consumers and that available to the military only has narrowed drastically over the last decade or two. And I think it's a good thing - it helps to level the playing field between oppressive regimes, (or would-be oppressive regimes), and citizens.
Anything that puts power into the hands of the otherwise disenfranchised is probably, on the whole, a good thing.
Re:I, for one, (Score:4, Interesting)
My guess is that something would penetrate, keep on going, penetrate out the other side, then explode. Hell, the occupants might be safer for that...