LEXID prototype gun can peek through walls

Believe it or not, devices used to see through walls are far from revolutionary, but hey, we'll take every one we can get. Reportedly, Physical Optics Corporation has concocted a prototype gun that utilizes the same method of viewing that a lobster does to see what's ahead in murky waters. The LEXID (Lobster Eye X-ray Imaging Device) functions by "radiating objects with tiny amounts of X-ray energy," subsequently allowing its user to see behind steel, wood or concrete. According to David Throckmorton, a project manager in Homeland Security's Science and Technology division, the resulting images aren't exactly drool-worthy, but they do allow you to make out a stash of weapons or a crouching enemy. Unfortunately, completion is too far out to estimate a price, but its creators are hoping to one day make it cheap enough for exterminators and contractors to purchase and use. 'Course, we could imagine middle schoolers getting into all sorts of trouble if one of these floated into the locker room.

[Via The Raw Feed, image courtesy of POC]

[Ahmed Alzayani @ Dec 21st 2007 7:03AM]

Me to my grandson: on my time there was something we used to call “Privacy”.
My grandson: Privacy?!!

[Nelson @ Dec 21st 2007 7:10AM]

CAT scans? Who needs 'em?
MRI? That's so yesterday!

Look out for LOBSTER SCANS!

Coming to an HMO or clam bake near you

[Jack @ Dec 21st 2007 7:36AM]

I want it on a railgun so I can re-enact the docks scene in eraser

[Flashpoint @ Dec 21st 2007 7:52AM]

You beat me to it...

that was my first thought.

[Alexandre Ludolf @ Dec 21st 2007 7:52AM]

does cancer come in the package?

[Josef @ Dec 21st 2007 9:29AM]

Only if you point it at your crotch.

[Rynth @ Dec 21st 2007 7:51AM]

Reminds me of the Farsight rifle in Perfect Dark for the N64....

[Ian @ Dec 21st 2007 2:10PM]

o man did i love that gun.. sit in a corner and just pick people off! it was great

[fakeduffy @ Dec 21st 2007 8:02AM]

No way! Fiskars makes rulers now? When did that happen?!

[dreampc @ Dec 21st 2007 8:12AM]

....but it looks Wii compatible!

[engine @ Mar 26th 2008 6:06AM]

And of course by "middle schoolers" we mean "Engadget's readership"

[Jeff @ Dec 21st 2007 8:24AM]

The cake is a lie...The cake is a lie...
The cake is a lie...
The cake is a lie...

[Ian @ Dec 21st 2007 2:10PM]

portal?

[Jonathan Bergeron @ Dec 21st 2007 8:40AM]

a lobster uses x-rays to see?

[J_is_awesome @ Dec 21st 2007 8:43AM]

Looks like I can finally find that winning can of Slurm...

[NHAnimator @ Dec 21st 2007 8:52AM]

It also does an excellent job grating parmesan reggiano.

[Randy @ Dec 21st 2007 8:55AM]

Engadget, you will break the story when the Aperture Science Hand held Portal Device is made available, won't you?

Let me know. thx.

[mark @ Dec 21st 2007 9:42AM]

It uses backscatter X-rays which have lower exposure than background (

[Mike @ Dec 21st 2007 10:21AM]

Can it "peek" through clothing?

[Pilgrymm @ Dec 21st 2007 10:38AM]

I see a stalker getting arrested in the near future carrying one of these.

[Blendwire @ Dec 21st 2007 11:00AM]

Ha! Add this to the Gravity Gun and the Portal Gun and you've got yourself a weapon's list for Half-life 3.

[asdf asdfds sd @ Dec 24th 2007 11:19AM]

Lobsters DO NOT have X-ray vision.


Holy shit, did engadget writers even pass highschool?

[Hax Or @ Dec 21st 2007 11:32AM]

This is more of a scope than a gun...

[Boynamedsue @ Dec 21st 2007 12:03PM]

TANGO DOWN! TANGO DOWN!

[Mark @ Dec 21st 2007 12:09PM]

The ultimate stalking device!

[Warhorse @ Dec 21st 2007 12:49PM]

And they laughed at me when i lined my walls with lead. Who's laughing now??!! HAAHAHAHAHAHA... ha.. ug...

[Fruition @ Dec 21st 2007 12:33PM]

So will this be in the next Ratchet and Clank game? Just change the color to bright green, maybe add some LEDs, and I think it might just work.

[KRiS..! @ Dec 21st 2007 12:51PM]

just a way to make wallhacks acceptable in the future =P

[odemata @ Dec 21st 2007 1:47PM]

i wonder how good it would be for trapped earthquake victims

[Clete R. Blackwell II @ Dec 22nd 2007 1:19AM]

Alright, wallhacks! :D

[tonydatigeryo @ Dec 22nd 2007 5:25AM]

Counter-Strike players around the world rejoice as they're now able to wall-hack IRL...

[Robert Hook @ Dec 22nd 2007 6:43PM]

This would be very useful for woodworkers and carpenters. It would be ideal for looking for metal (old nails, screws, broken off staples) in timber that is being reworked and recycled (a nail through a planer is a really expensive oh-no-second), and would help renovators find the studs in the wall, and see where the electrical cables and pipes are.

[TNP @ Dec 24th 2007 2:34PM]

Ow! My sperm!

Huh, it didn't hurt that time.