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Can someone explain how this works?

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mpjesse   02-23-2007 at 09:14:12 PM

http://www.flightglobal.com/articl [...] ntrol.html

Quote :

The US Army's Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) plans to demonstrate the use of a 7.5 million candlepower (7.3 million candela) strobe floodlight system mounted on board an unmanned air vehicle as a non-lethal crowd-control system.

The project will see a Peak Beam Systems Maxa Beam searchlight adapted to operate as a strobe capable of inducing physical effects, such as short-term paralysis, in humans.



Does the strobe overwhelm the brain or something? I'm curious to understand how this works. I know flashing light can cause seizures in some people, so I'm assuming this works in the same way? Any ideas? It sounds pretty frikin cool.

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VBDude   02-23-2007 at 10:07:32 PM
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Physical effects in humans? What does it do to animals? [/stand back llama/chimp/fish/wingding and let the dino be the canary]

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Riser   02-23-2007 at 10:25:06 PM
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Quote :

The system uses a xenon-based searchlight that "can be pulsed with a unique modulation [strobe] effect that results in immobilisation to those within the beam. This effort will transition the lamp from a handheld/vehicle mounted system to an airborne platform."



I'm guessing its more like being in a strobe light that is a hell of a lot stronger.

If you're blind, you probably won't move.. even when you're in a strobe, you move slower.. making it more intense of a light would result in paralyzing someone I suppose.. when the light goes off, you won't see anything anyhow.

Reply to Riser
fishmahn   02-23-2007 at 10:35:52 PM
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Like Riser, I thought at first it was just a simple "deer in headlights" effect. I know I can break that effect in an instant so I doubt its usefulness. In reading the article it says it uses a certain frequency, so maybe the strobe effect hits a 'magic frequency' that actually shuts down the consious for a few seconds - or the duration of the strobe or...

*hides behind smoking dino for test*

*sniff-sniff* Hey! I thought you didn't do that sh!t!


Mike.

Reply to fishmahn
mpjesse   02-24-2007 at 01:37:15 AM
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I can wait to see the demonstration. That'd also be a great law enforcement tool... like a taser or something.

It's refreshing to see the military investing in less-than-lethal stuff.

Reply to mpjesse
dwellman   02-24-2007 at 08:08:06 AM
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Quote :

The project will see a Peak Beam Systems Maxa Beam searchlight adapted to operate as a strobe capable of inducing physical effects, such as short-term paralysis, in humans.



Hey look! I'm a robot. . .OW my head!

Reply to dwellman
audiovoodoo   02-24-2007 at 02:03:23 PM
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Some torches have had a 'Tactical' strobe feature for a while now. They are designed to disorientate and confuse crowds or assailants. I'm sure SureFire did one but I can't find a link.

Reply to audiovoodoo
strangestranger   02-24-2007 at 08:09:39 PM
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not sure how it works but did anyone else automatically think of bruce springsteen's blinded by the light when they read it?

EDIT: oh and what haapends when people are wearing sunglasses?

Reply to strangestranger
dwellman   02-24-2007 at 08:25:43 PM
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I can try to explain it:
strobing effect overwhelms the optic receptors, confusing the brain and can cause disorientation, siezures, pain, and loss of conciousness. Migraine sufferers and those sensitive to light can relate. Not all individuals are equally susceptible. I'd be susceptible if the effect were in my periphial vision. . . I've experienced moderate discomfort (mild siezures) while driving along tree lined byways (sun through the trees has a similar behaviour as a strobe) and while working with with CRTs with insufficient refresh rate-- magnified if under florescent light.

Make sense?

Reply to dwellman
tool_462   02-27-2007 at 04:26:10 AM
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Quote :

Like Riser, I thought at first it was just a simple "deer in headlights" effect. I know I can break that effect in an instant so I doubt its usefulness. In reading the article it says it uses a certain frequency, so maybe the strobe effect hits a 'magic frequency' that actually shuts down the consious for a few seconds - or the duration of the strobe or...

*hides behind smoking dino for test*

*sniff-sniff* Hey! I thought you didn't do that sh!t!


Mike.



Like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_note

Reply to tool_462
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