These smartphones on soldiers' chests are becoming an important tool in the US Army's plans for a high-tech fight
At a recent exercise, US Army troops tested new systems for plotting out locations and communicating with each other on these End User Devices.
Smartphones mounted on soldiers' chests have become an important tool for the US Army in their plans for a high-tech fight. Soldiers attach these End User Devices (EUDs) to their chests and run on batteries carried on their backs. While the EUDs have proven useful for mapping and communication, soldiers have experienced connection issues and still need physical backups.
During a recent exercise, soldiers used the EUDs to access a real-time geospatial map, communicate with one another, and plan next steps. The devices are loaded with the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) application, which allows users to share map markers and photos with each other. However, connectivity problems during the exercise highlighted the tension between the Army's push for a more digital force and the need for soldiers to be prepared when the network fails.
The Army is currently deciding which soldiers should receive EUDs based on their formations and duties.
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