Gaming skills incorporated into Crusher’s controls

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DARPA researchers Dan Tascione, front, and Mike Sergi-Curfman drive the crusher remotely Feb. 19 from their command center at Fort Bliss, Texas. The two adapted video game controllers to steer the massive vehicle and operate its cameras.


Gaming skills incorporated into Crusher’s controls
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Monday, February 25, 2008

WASHINGTON — What’s cooler than a seven-ton battle truck that will demolish boulders, trees, cars and anything else in its way?

How about a seven-ton battle truck that will demolish anything in its way that’s driven with an Xbox controller?

Dan Tascione, one of the researchers on DARPA’s Crusher project, said the crew adapted several video game controllers for use with the $30 million unmanned vehicle.

“It really didn’t take much work,” he said. “These things are great. And all of the soldiers know how to use one.”

Technically, the crew doesn’t drive the Crusher with the Xbox joystick: That’s done with a console racing controller, complete with steering wheel and pedals, typically used for racing games. The Xbox controller is used to rotate the cameras, lift up the vehicle mast, and, if equipped, fire the vehicle’s weapons.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52794