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Message no. 1
From: steven mancini <mancinis@******.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
Subject: Sensors Question
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 13:38:50 EST
I have been toying around with the idea of creating some
commander archtype(s). What I have in mind is someone who
stays behind the "lines" feeding his team info, as well
as co-ordinating their assaults, etc.

One idea I have for this commanders archtype are helmets
that are also "drones." By drones I mean they have tech
that allows the commander to monitor the situation via
these helmets. What I am proposing is installing some
Sensors packages in the helmets. I have also considered
the concept, since such things do not exist and the rules
for drone construction are so vague, of adding cybersenses
(eyes/ears) to the helmet that are linked to the sensors.
- Do you folks think it is feasible to install a sensors
package in a helmet?
- What sort of information could the commander/rigger derive
from this info if he/she is "jacked" into these helmets?
- If you linked some eyes/ears to the sensors, could they
be employed? (I know this is sorta etheric as far as technology
goes, but there are very weak rules for this sort of thing IMHO).
- How about some sort of medkit linked to the sensors to
monitor the lifesigns of the team member?

I have also contemplated the notion of adding an Encephalon
to the commander archtype so that he can "multitask" in such
a way that allows his to keep focused on several members of
his team.

This is merely the beginning of an idea- all suggestions
are welcomed and encouraged...

Da Minotaur
Message no. 2
From: "Seth A. Buntain" <enthar@***.EDU>
Subject: Re: Sensors Question
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 13:37:16 -0600
Putting the technology of cyber into a helmet is very very easy. In fact, from
an engineering standpoint, it is easier than putting the same tech into a
living body. So, from an engineering point of view, its hilariously simple,
for Shadowrun technology.

This the same basic argument for armored exoskeletons. And the only real
problems behind having such a setup is that its fairly obvious looking. Thus,
for straight military situations, a helmet with 'cybereyes' and 'cyberears'
that just so happened to send thier data to a remote station would be a
intelligent method of coordinating your team. (cf Aliens for an example.)

However, if you need to infiltrate, or walk past guards, or use various
undercover methods to penetrate the security, then they would be bad for
obvious reasons.

Of course, if you wanted to put _sensors_ into a helmet...

I say, you could, but only those sensors that take (or could be made into)
0cf. So you would most likely have to pay out the nose to miniturize a
security I sensor so that it could fit into a helmet. Feasible, but not
neccesarily the best idea.

If your team is already cybered up (with eyes and ears and what not) you could
add just add simple sensenet rig (external) to the helmet that only transmits
the data from their cybersenses (thus cutting down the complexity and size of
the transmissions). It should be cheaper as well. Add scrambling to it and
it should be fairly secure to...:)

My favorite example is the 'grunt' mercenary. He gets cybereyes, radio with
crypto (the comm grunt for the squad gets a channel for each member of the
squad plus 2 or 3 more), wired 1, and then relies on heavy armor, weapons,
team tactics and what not to achieve the mission parameters. He spends
~80,000 =Y=, instead of 200,000 =Y=. Of course he gets what he pays for...:)

Oh boy. Got carried away again... Ill end this longwinded blurb...

--
Seth Buntain | (Space available for nifty quote)
Enthar the Eternal email:enthar@***.edu |
(V 1.01) GE d -p+ c++ l u e+(*) m(++) s/- !n h- f+ g- w+ t+(++) r+(++) !y
"It's a damn poor man who can't spell a wyrd in more than one way!"
-Thomas Jefferson
My opinions, comments and even facts are all mine.
Message no. 3
From: Dave Sherohman <esper@*****.IMA.UMN.EDU>
Subject: Re: Sensors Question
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 1994 09:18:25 -0600
> - Do you folks think it is feasible to install a sensors
> package in a helmet?

Throwing any of the standard sensory implant options would be a piece o'
cake. (Very) short-range radar would definitely be an option, as would
ultrasonic sights and the equivalent of smart goggles (yes, I'm thinking
in terms of things that could also be routed to the trooper at the same time
as they're transmitted back to the commander). I don't really have much of
an opinion on vehicle "sensors" for the simple reason that they're defined
too nebulously. (If you've got GURPS Vehicles, you can just design it as a
.5-1 cf or so vehicle.)

> - What sort of information could the commander/rigger derive
> from this info if he/she is "jacked" into these helmets?

Whatever information the sensors are designed to collect.

> - If you linked some eyes/ears to the sensors, could they
> be employed? (I know this is sorta etheric as far as technology
> goes, but there are very weak rules for this sort of thing IMHO).

Etheric technology? Whaddaya mean? Just slam a minicam on the side of the
helmet and a couple mikes on the sides. There's your eyes and ears.

> - How about some sort of medkit linked to the sensors to
> monitor the lifesigns of the team member?

I'd stick the medkit into the armor instead of the helmet.

> I have also contemplated the notion of adding an Encephalon
> to the commander archtype so that he can "multitask" in such
> a way that allows his to keep focused on several members of
> his team.

Why bother? Either run 'em through a remote control deck (ya know, the
magic box that lets a rigger run as many vehicles/drones as it has ports)
or else have someone work up a modified MIIS (thats Multiple Image Integration
Software) package for you.

Last time I put together a security team, I used a similar idea... Here's
my version:

4 Security Troopers: Light Security Armor/Security Helmet (Thermo, Flare
Comp, and Ultrasonic faceplate. Low-power radio (nominal range 50m - this
is to limit interceptability), Commlink 3 (1 channel audio, 1 channel
Vidcam transmission with biostatus readout encoded in hammerhead (that's
where conventional TV puts closed-captioning text, among other things), 1
channel Vidcam reception (allows troopers to display their squadmates'
video feed on their HUD - "Hey, Joe, take a look at this...")), headmount
Vidcam. Homing Signal 2, Signal Locator. (Lets everyone know where his
friends are.) HUD Vidplayer, Kamikaze Autoinjector (holding 2 doses), Map
Chip, Smart Goggles, AutoDoc (skill 3), Crypto-Circuit), HK227, Stun Baton,
2 Defensive Grenades.

1 Officer: Demal Plating 2, Muscle Augmentation 2, Wired Reflexes 2,
Smartlink, Heavy Security Armor/Security Helmet (Extras as Troopers, remove
Autoinjector and Smartlink, upgrade to Commlink 9 (squad audio, audio to HQ,
4 Vidcam reception (display biostatus only), 1 Vidcam reception (full video),
Vidcam transmission, phone). Also upgrade Crypto-Circuit if necessary.),
HK227 (yes, I'm a 227 fan...), Stun Baton, 2 Defensive and 1 Offensive
Grenades, Metallic Disk Bearing Corporate Logo (and Anchored Treat Deadly 6;
Activation Link: On contact with dying body; Temporal Link: 20 turns), 1
Force 4 Earth Elemental, 1 Force 6 Fire Elemental. (No, he's not a mage.
The elementals were summoned by a wagemage who then "transferred" their
bindings per SR2 p. 141.)

External gear includes security cameras (if defending a prepared position)
which can also be displayed over the Vidcam links (this allows a trooper to
stand sentry duty and watch the securitycams at the same time) and a relay
station (normally in the squad's vehicle(s) or on a prepared defensive site -
the important thing is that it's within 50m) which collects all of the squad's
transmissions and relays them (under heavier encryption) to HQ via satellite
uplink (when possible) where they're monitored by Central Operations Control,
who can dispatch reinforcements and whatnot if necessary.

Oh, I forgot to mention that the HK227s all mount Serious Recoil Comp, Smart
Adapters, and Ultrasonic Sights.

esper@***.umn.edu
Message no. 4
From: The Reverend <mdb0213@******.TAMU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Sensors Question
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 1994 16:29:34 -0600
]Etheric technology? Whaddaya mean? Just slam a minicam on the side of the
]helmet and a couple mikes on the sides. There's your eyes and ears.
Multi-player DOOM, Anyone? Heh, heh, heh...


Rev

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