The US National Security Department wants portable devices that can detect nuclear and radiological threats. The "Human Portable Tripwire" program involves the creation of small devices that passively analyze the environment.
Worn as if it were an "i-Watch", the detector warns the user that it is near nuclear or radioactive material. The Department of Homeland Security has been working on this technology for more than a year and aims at standard integration for all the American armed forces.
Last September, the Department of Homeland Security awarded a contract from 24 million dollars to FLIR System, a design and manufacturing company in Oregon, for the development of a prototype still covered by military secrecy.
Federal agencies have considered other potential uses for wearable devices. Tests are in progress on some iphone models, for example, to detect infrasounds that would highlight potential underground nuclear tests.
Last August, the Department of Defense funded projects for 75 million dollars for flexible and wearable electronic devices.
(in the photo an Apple Whatch)
