RcTruck
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Cam-wielding RC car used to investigate roadside bomb, saves lives in Afghanistan
The US military spends billions of dollars each year beefing up wartime tech, but a low-budget hacked RC car recently served as an unlikely hero, saving six soliders' lives in Afghanistan. The home-built rig, which included a wireless security camera mounted on a Traxxas Stampede remote-controlled truck, cost about $500 when it was built in 2007. Since then, Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Fessenden has used it to locate roadside bombs, until it tripped a detonation sensor during a patrol last month, in turn saving Fessenden and fellow troops from coming head-to-head with 500 pounds of explosives. Unfortunately the RC cam didn't survive the attack, so Ernie, the solider's brother who built the first model, is currently working on a replacement. Sure, a half-grand may seem like a laughable sum compared to the Pentagon's annual budget, but if the proven gadget gets enough attention, perhaps Chinese-made toys will play a role in entertaining our kids, and protecting our troops.
Video: Silverlit's Heli-Mission SWAT Truck brings your Blue Thunder fantasies to a rockin' reality
We've seen remote controlled toy helicopters and remote controlled toy cars, and they were good, but never have we seen before a product that brings the greatness of the two together. Silverlit's Heli-Mission SWAT truck is that holy union of RC, a butch-looking controllable truck with flashing lights and a cavernous cargo bay that swings open to release a three-channel helicopter. The heli is hoisted into position and can then be launched to go rescue your Transformers figurines from the clutches of your evil sister, brother, husband, wife, or pet. This wireless duo will set you back £59.95 when it releases in Europe, about $100, but sadly we're not finding it up for order anywhere else at the moment. So go ahead and relax, Brazilian prison guards -- at least for now...[Via SlashGear]
