From: mjh@zurich.ai.mit.edu (Mark Hood)
Subject: Re: military information systems (LONG)
Date: 8 Jul 91 22:10:27 GMT
Organization: M.I.T. Artificial Intelligence Lab.



Well, some non-textual ways to represent military information seem obvious.
For instance, we could have skulls to represent enemy deaths, and little
flag draped coffins for patriotic deaths; the flags for the latter should be
custom configurable for sale of the military information system to other
countries.  Non-fatal casualties could be represented by human figures with
legs or arms missing, as appropriate.

Of course all these icons could be mapped onto a 3D representation of the
battle theatre to indicate exactly where the losses were occuring.  You
should be able to zoom in and out of any target to inspect the damage as
reflected by reports from the field.  Several levels of security must be
provided so that the generals can get the full story, while being able to
filter out views of civilian deaths and other sorts of collateral damage for
release to the press and outside observers.

Well, this is only a small start.  I'm sure as a group we can come up with
lots more ways to apply VR technology to make the dirty job of war more
efficient and effective.  Let's see some more!

--

Mark Hood
mjh@zurich.ai.mit.edu
"Wouldn't it be FABULOUS if ZIPMAN was in charge?"