Helmet Camera Research Articles

Advanced Tactical Helmet for Military Use

Abstract: Advanced features on a tactical helmet designed for military use. Soldiers in today's military operations must have improved situational awareness, strong communication skills, and superior protection when fighting. A new generation of tactical helmets with enhanced features is required because the standard helmets now in use do not adequately fulfil these criteria. To improve army performance and survivability The helmet has several extra features in addition to its extensive ESP32 CAM for real-time data visualization, communication systems for seamless inter-squad communication, and improved ballistic protection materials. Among these characteristics include the incorporation of a helmet camera's First-Person-View (FPV) live video feed into a base station, along with the base station's face detection capabilities for enhanced identification. SolidWorks was used in the design process to produce a unique 3D-printed helmet, while ESP32 and ESP8266 were used to power a custom mainboard that effectively controlled the helmet's functions. this creative solution aims to significantly improve military operations, increase survivability, and ensure the safety of soldiers on the battlefield.

Drone cultures: encounters with everyday militarisms

ABSTRACT Militarized perception is always leaking into public culture, from the aerial prospect of balloon flight to the soldier’s helmet camera. Increasingly, the mode of militarized perception most powerfully emergent in Anglo-American everyday life is that of the militarized drone: flattened, loitering, zooming, networked. This mode of perception is enacted by a logistic assemblage that is military in origin, one in which remote sensors, signal flows and autonomous processes work across complex human-machine networks. The paper tracks this new form of everyday militarism across four scenes of cultural life: the Predator on display in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum; the DJI Spark consumer selfie drone; recreational use of drones in Sydney, Australia; and the activist deployment of drones as witnesses in Hagit Keysar’s artwork ‘No Fly Zone: Jerusalem.’ In doing so, the paper traces the forms and dynamics of drone perception to argue that an emergent ‘drone culture’ can be seen in the manifestation in everyday life of modes of perception distinct to the remote sensing apparatus of the militarized drone.

Complementary-View Multiple Human Tracking

The global trajectories of targets on ground can be well captured from a top view in a high altitude, e.g., by a drone-mounted camera, while their local detailed appearances can be better recorded from horizontal views, e.g., by a helmet camera worn by a person. This paper studies a new problem of multiple human tracking from a pair of top- and horizontal-view videos taken at the same time. Our goal is to track the humans in both views and identify the same person across the two complementary views frame by frame, which is very challenging due to very large field of view difference. In this paper, we model the data similarity in each view using appearance and motion reasoning and across views using appearance and spatial reasoning. Combing them, we formulate the proposed multiple human tracking as a joint optimization problem, which can be solved by constrained integer programming. We collect a new dataset consisting of top- and horizontal-view video pairs for performance evaluation and the experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Real-Time Multi-View Facial Capture with Synthetic Training

We present a real-time multi-view facial capture system facilitated by synthetic training imagery. Our method is able to achieve high-quality markerless facial performance capture in real-time from multi-view helmet camera data, employing an actor specific regressor. The regressor training is tailored to specified actor appearance and we further condition it for the expected illumination conditions and the physical capture rig by generating the training data synthetically. In order to leverage the information present in live imagery, which is typically provided by multiple cameras, we propose a novel multi-view regression algorithm that uses multi-dimensional random ferns. We show that higher quality can be achieved by regressing on multiple video streams than previous approaches that were designed to operate on only a single view. Furthermore, we evaluate possible camera placements and propose a novel camera configuration that allows to mount cameras outside the field of view of the actor, which is very beneficial as the cameras are then less of a distraction for the actor and allow for an unobstructed line of sight to the director and other actors. Our new real-time facial capture approach has immediate application in on-set virtual production, in particular with the ever-growing demand for motion-captured facial animation in visual effects and video games.

Beyond GPS: Improved study of bicycling exposure through added use of video data.

Bicycling has become increasingly popular in the United States in recent years for both recreation and utilitarian purposes. Yet, attributes of the bicycle riding experience and riding differences between adults and children and males and females are not well documented. Most existing data on bicycling trip characteristics are based on self-reported interviews or surveys, which are prone to recall bias. The purpose of this exploratory study was to capture naturalistic bicycling data to examine trip characteristics and compare exposure classification accuracy between GPS and video data. We enrolled 10 children and 10 adults and captured their bicycling trips for one week each using PedalPortal, a GPS-enabled helmet camera data capture and coding system developed by the authors and a team of engineering students. Overall, 261 trips, 57 hours, and 670 miles of bicycling were captured. The video data allowed for correct classification of riding location (sidewalk, bicycle lane, street, etc.), an advantage over GPS data alone. Child trips were significantly shorter in both time and distance than adult trips (p<0.01). The majority of male trips were commutes (69.8% child, 60.5% adult), while female trips were more evenly distributed among commute, non-commute utilitarian, and recreation. Adults primarily chose paved streets with no bicycle facilities, but also sought out on-road bicycle facilities (bike lanes and shared lane markings). Children rode most frequently on sidewalks. Results from this study demonstrate that the addition of video data can improve classification of bicycling exposure and differences by age and gender that can help planners and engineers better understand bicyclist behavior variations and increase safety by selecting appropriate and targeted countermeasures.

Impact of Previous Concussion on Helmet Use and Risk Compensation

Impact of Previous Concussion on Helmet Use and Risk Compensation

Epidemiology of the Pennsic Wars 2007–2013: A Medieval Mass Gathering Event

Epidemiology of the Pennsic Wars 2007–2013: A Medieval Mass Gathering Event

The Effect of Helmet Cameras on Risk-Taking Behavior Among Mountain Bikers

The Effect of Helmet Cameras on Risk-Taking Behavior Among Mountain Bikers

First-person hyper-lapse videos

We present a method for converting first-person videos, for example, captured with a helmet camera during activities such as rock climbing or bicycling, into hyper-lapse videos, i.e., time-lapse videos with a smoothly moving camera. At high speed-up rates, simple frame sub-sampling coupled with existing video stabilization methods does not work, because the erratic camera shake present in first-person videos is amplified by the speed-up. Our algorithm first reconstructs the 3D input camera path as well as dense, per-frame proxy geometries. We then optimize a novel camera path for the output video that passes near the input cameras while ensuring that the virtual camera looks in directions that can be rendered well from the input. Finally, we generate the novel smoothed, time-lapse video by rendering, stitching, and blending appropriately selected source frames for each output frame. We present a number of results for challenging videos that cannot be processed using traditional techniques.

Describing Strategies Used by Elite, Intermediate, and Novice Ice Hockey Referees

Much is known about sport officials' decisions (e.g., anticipation, visual search, and prior experience). Comprehension of the entire decision process, however, requires an ecologically valid examination. To address this, we implemented a 2-part study using an expertise paradigm with ice hockey referees. Purpose: Study 1 explored the strategies referees indicated they used to make decisions. For Study 2, we sought to confirm the emergent codes of Study 1 and further examine referee expertise and evaluations of decision making. Method: In Study 1, 2 elite, 2 intermediate, and 2 novice referees wore helmet cameras for 1 game and participated in stimulated recall interviews, which were coded using theoretical and focused codes. Study 2 involved focus groups that each watched and commented on 2 helmet camera videotapes from Study 1; 1 videotape consisted of an elite referee's game and the other included an intermediate referee's game. The focus-group data were analyzed using the same coding structure from Study 1. Results: Combined, 3 distinct theoretical codes were identified: (a) primary referee strategies, (b) secondary referee strategies, and (c) cognitive and situational influences on refereeing. Study 1 showed that elite referees demonstrated more sophisticated knowledge of the 3 theoretical codes. In Study 2, elite referees demonstrated enhanced declarative knowledge compared with intermediate and novice participants. Conclusions: Elite referees have more elaborate knowledge bases than do nonelite referees. In the discussion, we explain our results and link them with the action plan profiles framework.

Digital video recording in trauma surgery using commercially available equipment

IntroductionAlthough videos of surgical procedures are useful as an educational tool, the recording of trauma surgeries in emergency situations is difficult. We describe an inexpensive and practical shooting method using a commercially available head-mounted video camera.MethodsWe used a ContourHD 1080p Helmet Camera (Contour Inc., Seattle, Washington, USA.). This small, self-contained video camera and recording system was originally designed for easy videography of outdoor sports by participants.ResultsWe were able to easily make high-quality video recordings of our trauma surgeries, including an emergency room thoracotomy for chest stab wounds and a crush laparoptomy for a severe liver injury.ConclusionThere are currently many options for recording surgery in the field, but the recording device and system should be chosen according to the surgical situation. We consider the use of a helmet-mounted, self-contained high-definition video camera-recorder to be an inexpensive, quick, and easy method for recording trauma surgeries.

An uncommon finding of subtle Simon’s bleedings in a fatally injured skydiver

A 36-year-old male skydiver with 10 years of sky-diving experience was found dead at a local airport after having performed a jump. The aviation inspectors’ investigation showed that it was his third jump of the day, from a height of approximately 1,500 m, which he had made from a Cessna 182 sports airplane. For the jump he used an ‘‘Icarus Crossfire 2-119’’ parachute. He was carrying a digital instrument for height measurement (among other items) and wearing a camera attached to his helmet during the jump. Thus, his altitude and jump were recorded. He jumped from the plane at a measured altitude of 1,480 m, and the parachute activated successfully at an altitude of 780 m, 18 s after commencing the jump. The landing maneuver (called a ‘‘swoop’’) proved problematic as it included pulling back the edges of the parachute’s ‘‘risers’’ in order to level its dome horizontally. Unfortunately, as seen from the the helmet camera recording, his left hand slipped from the riser (Fig. 1a, b), causing the right hand to sharply deactivate the parachute only 10 m above the ground (Fig. 1c), leading to sharp acceleration. Consequently, the skydiver impacted the ground almost horizontally while leaning to the right (Fig. 1d). Due to the extremely high speed of impact he died at the scene of the accident. An autopsy was performed the following day. It noted that the deceased was 181 cm tall and weighed approximately 90 kg. The external examination revealed multiple small excoriations, hematomas, and skin contusions of the face and the anterior side of the neck. Multiple hematomas were observed on the outer and anterior part of the right thigh and the inner part of the left thigh, matching the stitching of the clothing the sky-diver had been wearing. Multiple hematomas and excoriations were also found on the anterior section of both knees and the upper third of the lower legs. The knees were also smudged with dirt (Fig. 2b). Examination of his clothing showed that the skydiving suit’s bottom section, which would have been covering the knees and the right inner thigh, was also torn and covered with dirt (Fig. 2a). Internal examination showed bilateral hematopneumothoraces, containing approximately 2,000 ml of partially clotted blood. The most prominent finding was complete rupture of the aortic isthmus in two places, 0.8 cm apart) (Fig. 3). There were also multiple contusions and lacerations of the lungs, as well as numerous rib fractures, which were more prominent on the right side. Significant pelvic injuries were also present with complete right and an incomplete left sacroiliac joint separation, fracture of the right acetabulum where the head of the right femur was driven into the pelvis, bilateral fractures of both rami of the pubic bones; and complete separation of the pubic symphysis (a so-called ‘‘open book’’ fracture of the pelvis). There was also an incomplete bilateral knee ligament rupture, without any fractures. Hemorrhages beneath the anterior longitudinal ligament of the intervertebral disks in the upper lumbar vertebrae were also noted. Although the hemorrhages were not very pronounced, they were clearly visible (Fig. 4a). Information obtained from the family showed that the skydiver had had a previous history of drug abuse (cocaine and marijuana), but a toxicological analysis of the blood, urine, and vitreous humor showed no traces of either drugs or alcohol. V. Živkovic (&) S. Nikolic Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Belgrade School of Medicine, 31a Deligradska str., 11000 Belgrade, Serbia e-mail: vladinmejl@yahoo.com; vladimir.zivkovic@mfub.bg.ac.rs

Defining Critical Safety Behaviors in a Point-of-view Video Observation Study of Tree Fallers at Work

This study aimed to characterize the use of five critical safety behaviors by tree fallers at different skill levels, and to test the feasibility of using a helmet camera to observe work activities directly in a remote environment. Small cameras were mounted on standard hard-hats. Video data were obtained for pairs of fallers at four different skill levels, from beginning students to professional fallers. Critical action steps during tree episodes were coded and compared. Critical action steps for fallers were successfully distinguished during work activities. Notable differences were observed among fallers in different skill categories and between individual fallers. This study found that the helmet camera worked well for observing faller work behavior, and that point-of-view video observation may be used to evaluate student loggers and training programs. We also found that professional fallers may have been exposed to increased hazard; care should be observed with helmet cameras designed for professionals.

Timber harvester operators’ working technique in first thinning and the importance of cognitive abilities on work productivity

The working environment of timber harvester operators has changed dramatically over the past fifteen years. The operator’s physical workload has decreased while the proportion of mental load has increased, as a consequence of the increased responsibilities involved in the cutting work. The decision making during the work has also increased and speeded up considerably. Therefore, the importance of the operator, with regards to harvester productivity, has been emphasized as a result of the equalization of the different harvester brands. For this reason, more and more attention is paid to the operator with the expectation of reaching certain productivity levels. This also places extra expectations on the operator’s training; especially in demanding cutting conditions, such as in first thinning, where the operator’s abilities are tested the most. The principal objective of this research was to discover and describe a productive working technique for harvester work in first thinning and to improve harvester operator training by highlighting the problems of harvester simulators and determining the important cognitive abilities needed in harvester work. The work of six professional harvester operators was studied using numerous data collection methods: time study, working technique observation, helmet camera video recording, virtual harvester simulator cutting and psychological tests. In addition, 40 harvester operator students participated in the psychological tests. The results indicated that when working productively, in first thinning conditions, the moving distance of the harvester head is minimized. In positioning the harvester head to a removable tree the positioning distance should be short. In felling a removable tree, the tree should be moved only the distance that fluent boom work necessitates. The work should be planned so that reversing is avoided and non-productive time, such as clearing of small trees, is minimal. From the fluent boom working point of view the results showed the operators’ consistent method to locate the harvester optimally according to the edge trees of the strip road. Based on this a productive working technique for harvester work in first thinning was created and described. A productive working technique can increase productivity by 10 to 15%. In addition, the handling of trees located in different places around the harvester was theorized. The results also indicated that the virtual harvester simulators are applicable for harvester training when the trainees are conscious of the limitations of the simulators. From the point of view of harvester operator training and operator selection the psychological tests indicated that productive and skilful harvester operating is not solely explained by one cognitive ability, instead, the mastering of different kinds of abilities appears to be more important. By combining the productive working technique with the operator training and taking into account the cognitive challenges faced in harvester work, for example, work planning and perception, the graduated students are likely to be more productive and ready to meet the challenges of working life.

The Physics Exhibition 1969

A special helmet camera for sporting parachutists, a portable see-in-the-dark telescope, a typewriter that is worked by talking to it, and apparatus for storing detached, complete, bodily organs for transplants are among the more obviously attractive examples of physics in the 1969 Physics Exhibition. The helmet camera takes 16 mm film and has its power pack, motor and gearbox balanced on the other side of the helmet.