2014 is the year of the mad rush in the development of wearable computers. Spurred by the development of Google Glass and powerful smartphones, both the civilian and military sectors are fast developing such wearable computers that can provide real-time information and even more capabilities in small and compact devices.

For the military sector, it's about being able to receive from and send intelligence quickly to the soldiers in the battlefield. Apart from the information need, threats are immediately displayed in front of the soldier whilst allowing him/her an unimpeded view of what's ahead. BAE Systems are leading the way with their Q-Warrior Helmet Mounted Display (HMD).

The Q-Warrior HMD is an adaptation of the Q-Sight HUD developed by the company for military pilots and the LiteHUD for vehicle drivers. The advantage of having these HMDs is that it allows the soldier to keep an eye ahead whilst information is being displayed, removing time lost peering over a computer when every second counts.

With the built-in Infrared camera, the Q-Warrior HMD also does away the need for mounting Night Vision Goggles (NVGS). With the IR Camera, the soldier will be able to use heat for vision during night and day. Other information that is displayed on the HMD are navigational information and if the HQ will allow it, real-time video information from drones flying above. The question now is how to provide enough bandwidth given such information in the battlefield.

We do not know yet if the camera system also has super zoom capabilities which are already normal fare in many civilian commercial cameras. But having such capability allow real time information gathering that is quickly sent to HQ for further evaluation. It also lessens the risk for the operator of losing intelligence on the way back to the base, especially with the enemy in hot pursuit.

Right now, the system is being tested by US Forces according to The Telegraph. A more comprehensive story about the system is available at The Telegraph with a video below: