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Welcome toWhats Next In War, a special issue where Task & Purpose breaks down whats on the horizon for the U.S. military.

Despite a year-long delay and reports that the Army still has more work to do to perfect its newest futuristic goggles, some lucky soldiers can expect to get their hands on them this year.

The Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) is expected to undergo more testing in May, according to Courtney Bacon, a spokeswoman for Program Executive Office Soldier. Bacon said that the IVAS is still on track to be fielded to its first unit by the end of the fiscal year, which ends in September.

The IVAS system, based on Microsofts existing HoloLens 2 technology, has been tested by soldiers since 2019. It has been a top priority for service leaders as the Army worked to modernize the force; in 2019, former Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy called it a signature priority in the Armys budget.

The system will provide troops with augmented reality a technology that overlays digital information onto the screen soldiers are looking through while wearing the goggles for training and on-the-spot language translations; high-resolution night and thermal sensors; facial recognition software; and the ability to see what a location or objective looks like before they get there. It will even give soldiers the ability to see outside of a vehicle before they exit, providing greater awareness of what theyre walking into.

Theres always a line between the squads and the tracks, and having this equipment is going to help tie them in so the dismounts in the back can see the actual optics of the vehicle itself and then they can seamlessly work with the crew because everyone can see around the vehicle without actually having to step outside of it, said Army Sgt. John Martin, a Bradley master gunner who tested out the goggles last February. It has countless uses like land navigation, being able to track things while on the battlefield, moving through urban complexes, moving through open terrain, its insane.

And aside from the system itself, the way it was tested was new for the Army actually giving soldiers the ability to try out the equipment theyll be using as its developed was a novel, albeit common-sense concept brought into practice by Army Future Command.

But a recent report by Bloomberg said the heads-up display was found to have not yet demonstrated the capability to serve as a fighting goggle. The Army and Microsoft, who are developing the goggles, need to improve display quality and reliability, Jessica Maxwell, a spokeswoman for the Pentagons Operational Test and Evaluation office, told Bloomberg. More information about what work was still to be done came on Thursday with the release of the annual Operational Test & Evaluation report, which said the Army needed to continue to mitigate deficiencies and complete a battery and power management plan to determine how soldiers will charge batteries in order to complete a 72-hour mission scenario.

The latest developments follow a years-long process which ran into issues almost immediately. Upon the announcement that Microsoft would be working with the Army to develop the goggles in 2018, over 200 Microsoft employees wrote an open letter to company leadership demanding that the contract be dropped.

We are alarmed that Microsoft is working to provide weapons technology to the US Military, helping one countrys government increase lethality using tools we built, the letter said, according to The Verge. We did not sign up to develop weapons, and we demand a say in how our work is used.

In response to the open letter, McCarthy told CNBC that he appreciated the employees concerns but these are the same men and women that are protecting their freedoms so they can develop this technology, And last March, Microsoft was awarded a contract for almost $22 billion to begin producing the IVAS.

While the IVAS was originally supposed to be fielded to soldiers last year, PEO Soldier confirmed in October that it was being delayed to give the development team time to enhance the IVAS technology platform and make it the best it can be for the soldiers wearing it.

The system has also raised concerns in Congress. Last year, lawmakers demanded that a portion of the programs funding be withheld until the Army could provide more answers about its development and delays.

But despite the back-and-forth, the IVAS cant come soon enough for the soldiers who will use it. The system was most recently tested by a Ranger battalion who put it through its paces, using it for land navigation, rapid target acquisition, and mission exercises.

Sgt. 1st Class Brian Hayman, a platoon sergeant in 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, said in an Army release that the IVAS essentially erases human error during land navigation. It saves time by cutting out the need to look at a compass or check a map because the compass is on the inside of the goggles.

You never have to stop to do a map check or anything like that because, with just the push of a button, you have an arrow thats in the bottom of your screen and you walk the arrow to your point, so theres no accidentally drifting left or right, he said.

Staff Sgt. Jake Croxdale, a squad leader in the battalion, echoed the same. Having the ability to access a map by hitting just one button instead of having to stop and look at a compass, map, or phone, allowed me not to stop as much as I normally would, and ultimately execute faster.

Another key component the Rangers pointed out was the ability to see where everyone on your team is on the digital map in the goggles. 1st Lt. Luke Huen said being able to see where everyones located on the battlefield at any given point in time is by far the best feature.

Ultimately, Hayman admitted that the thought process behind the IVAS is incredible.

It blows my mind that were in a day and age where the system even exists, he said.

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The Army is finally getting its futuristic heads-up display into more soldiers hands this year - Task & Purpose

The captivating art of Andrey Tkachenko creates an original universe that is gaining traction with fans from all corners of the world.

The USSR of artist Andrey Tkachenko is different from what it was in reality. In the artists version of the Soviet reality, the country was populated with aliens and mythical creatures, while Soviet people were utilizing robots and futuristic vehicles in daily life.

At the same time, subtle details of everyday life in the USSR familiar to many people who witnessed the epoch find their way into the artists paintings.

The end result is a curious mix of sci-fi and Soviet entourage, which captivated the attention of Tkachenkos fans and social media followers.

Using his Instagram page, website and print materials, Tkachenko creates what he calls a Parallel USSR, a country that has never existed, but which is no less fascinating as a result.

It is my fantasy. I was a kid growing up at the time. For me, the USSR is not a political system. Instead, its warm memories from my childhood. I remember vehicles and the people who surrounded me and I use these memories to create paintings today, Tkachenko says.

The artist works full-time as an industrial designer. In his spare time, he indulges in fantasies featuring aliens, mythical creatures, and sci-fi vehicles.

Tkachenkos art seems to have no boundaries: there are mobile Russian folk huts moving on tank tracks, biomechanical creatures escaping from secret Soviet laboratories, robots living in the Russian countryside, Goliath in Siberia, Baba Yagas hut running on gasoline and mermaids casually observing flying saucers, to name a few.

I really like the novels of Arkady and Boris Strugatsky and other Soviet science fiction. My drawings reflect this passion. I write background stories for my pictures myself. Sometimes I have an image or a story in my head and then I transfer it on paper in the form of a drawing, Tkachenko says.

The artist dreams of getting into the filmmaking industry and applying his talent there. Tkachenko already has experience working for a Hollywood film studio.

I was chosen to be a car designer in the animated movie Fast & Furious: Spy Racers by DreamWorks Animation Television, based on the Fast & Furious franchise, the designer says.

Yet, his ambitions seem to be bigger. I would like to work with [Russian film director] Fyodor Bondarchuk, because he has had experience with movies based on Strugatskys work. I am open to all offers, Tkachenko says.

The prospect of getting into filmmaking might not be too distant for the artist, who is just as popular in Russia, as he is abroad. Tkachenko explains this by fresh ideas underpinning his world of the parallel USSR.

As one foreign fan told me, this is something new. If you take the plots of Hollywood movies, they are sort of set in stone, everything is clear. There are clichs that go from a movie to a movie. The parallel USSR is something new [for a foreign audience]: its a new time and a new country for them, which I portray in a new light, the artist concludes.

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Artist populates USSR with aliens, mythical creatures, and futuristic vehicles (PHOTOS) - Russia Beyond

HOMES where robots do chores were a sci-fi vision in US cartoon The Jetsons in the Eighties. But smart homes are now a reality, less crazy-looking, and can save both money and the environment.

Theres an outlay for kit but often you more than recoup it and, from day one, you cut CO2 and plastic waste. A smart thermostat turns off heating if youre out, a smart washing machine uses just the right amount of water and LED lights are a bright idea, using a fraction of the power normal bulbs do.

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There are smart blinds, ovens and even loos too. Here are some of the options.

Aqualisa Quartz Classic, from 714,wolseley.co.uk: You know how it is... youre waiting for the shower to warm up to just how you like it, leaning in to test the water for ages. With this shower, LED lights show when it reaches your individual setting (no more getting scalded when you shower after someone else).

In some systems, a proximity sensor reduces the flow when you move away from the shower an instant water saving. And it works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so you can control everything simply with your voice.

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Washloo Supreme, 1,995,washloo.co.uk: This toilet is genius. It has a heated seat, night light, will wash and dry your bum and even deodorise the loo.

This eliminates the need for loo roll saving money and the environment.

Too pricey? The Washloo Classic, on sale for 399, does all this and bolts on to your existing toilet.

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Boxt boiler, from 1,520,boxt.co.uk: On average, a new boiler will save around 300 per year at current gas prices.

Boxts website is very smart, giving you a fixed price as soon as you answer a few questions.

Choose from Baxi, Vaillant, Ideal and Worcester Bosch.

Then, you can add smart accessories such as thermostats and smoke alarms and theyll fit them for free while the boiler is installed.

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Quooker tap, from 1,150,quooker.co.uk: This is an expensive tap at first.

But as well as hot and cold water, it will give you boiling water instantly and more efficiently than kettles. Quooker reckons it costs just 4p a day to run.

Add an accessory called a Cube (1,150) and you can get sparkling and chilled water from the tap, too.

This will save money in the long run and helps the environment by reducing the amount of plastic bottles being used.

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Bosch Home Connect Serie 6 Washing Machine, 699, John Lewis: Control this from anywhere, via the app on your phone. Enter the type of laundry and soil level and it uses just the right amount of detergent and water.

Bosch Home Connect is also in ovens, hobs and fridges which you can control with your voice.

Thats great for turning the fridge down to save money while youre away or making sure the hob is definitely off.

Dinner in the oven but youre delayed coming home? Alexa can pause the oven for you - lowering the temperature until youre ready so your meal isnt ruined.

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Tado smart thermostat, from 199.99,uk.shop.tado.com: If nobodys home, this thermostat knows and reminds you to adjust the heating.

If you open a window, it knows youre too hot and turns the heating down.

It also sends you energy savings reports so you know youre spending less cash.

And, with the right smart speaker or app, you can control it with your voice.

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Duette smart blinds, prices vary, duette.co.uk: Duettes blinds can be battery-powered, so there is no fiddly wiring. And there is voice control say Alexa, Good Morning and theyll open.

Duettes honeycomb design keeps heat in better than regular blinds or curtains. They reduce heat loss by up to 46 per cent. In the winter, this cuts heating bills by up to 12 per cent.

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Philips Hue, from 69.99,philips-hue.com: Philips Hue is the leader in smart lighting and it shows.

Choose from white bulbs or those with literally millions of colours. You can control the lights from a smartphone or with your voice.

The starter kit includes a bridge that connects to your broadband and means you can turn the lights on whether you are at home or not. LED bulbs save a lot of energy, too up to 80 per cent less electricity.

SAY WHAT YOU MEAN

Though some of the smart appliances here have physical controls, such as the Quooker tap, others work when you talk to them.

If you have an Amazon device, such as the Echo Show 15 which works as a smart home hub, you can simply say Alexa, turn the heating up and the appropriate smart device will respond.

In most cases, the same will work with Google Assistant (say, Hey, Google...) and with Apples Siri virtual assistant (Hey, Siri).

Much easier than flipping switches.

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From smart loos to futuristic blinds the home tech that can save cash and the planet... - The Sun

The elements of this years three SYFY Movie Nights films include giant ants, mutants and the consequences of communicating with Marseach film is from the 1950s, and in addition to the classic sci-fi plotlines, the movies are tied together through a theme of nuclear war.

The series is hosted by Richard Codd and Nora Shepard, who first got the idea in 2020. The couple is passionate about science-fiction moviesparticularly classicsand thought itd be fun to have free town movie nights devoted to the genre. They partnered with the Moab Arts and Recreation Center and the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission to put on the series.

Codd and Shepard decided the theme should be nuclear war and its unavoidable, disastrous consequences, which drew them to films from the 50s.

Back in the 1950s, during the Cold War, there was so much emphasis in thinking about nuclear weapons and nuclear war, Codd said. I remember as a kid, practicing drills for if we were under nuclear attack, we would run down into the basement of the school.

Codd and Shepard picked out three movies to screen.

The series will kick off with the giant ant saga Them! (1954) on Friday, February 4. The movie follows investigator Ben Peterson, FBI agent Robert Graham, and scientist Dr. Harold Medford as they look into a series of mysterious deathsand find that the incidents are all due to giant ants that have been mutated by atomic radiation. The film is considered both science-fiction and horror, and is well received: on Rotten Tomatoes, it scores a 93% on the tomatometer, a measurement of positive recommendations.

The following Friday movie lovers can watch the 1956 film World Without End, in which a group of astronauts returning to Earth are caught in a time warp and propelled into a post-apocalyptic earth in the year 2508. But the planet isnt how they left it: its populated by atomic radiation mutants, both monsters and humans. The film is science-fiction but also has moments of romance, as some of the humans arent mutated.

To round out the series, Red Planet Mars (1952) will screen on Friday, February 18. The film follows the story of an American scientist who makes contact with Mars after suspecting the planet is home to intelligent life. He makes contact and learns that the intelligent life forces on Mars claim that the planet is a utopia, as they are technologically advanced and have eliminated scarcity. The life forces of Mars inform earth that the people of earth can become a utopia if they return to the worship of God. This has devastating effects on Earth, causing political and religious schisms.

Were hoping COVID is under enough control that we can get local folks out again for a fun evening, Codd said. In February in Moab, its a quiet time, people are looking for something to do. And we just thought this would be a fun event.

The movies will be screened at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center (111 E. 100 North). Doors open at 6 p.m., movies begin at 6:30. Costumes are encouraged, and there will be door prizes, along with a few other surprises, Codd said.

Last time we did SYFY Movie Nights we had an alien show up, said Bega Metzner, film commissioner at the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission. Who or what will make an appearance this year?

Metzner said shes excited to partner with Codd again to bring another round of three classic, awesome and hilarious sci-fi films to the community.

Here on our very own Red Planet Mars on a World Without End, you might just be lucky enough to encounter Them! she said.

There are a few health and safety protocols: masks are required, and capacity is capped at 40 people. To reserve tickets, go to http://www.moabarts.org. Tickets are free.

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Giant ants, mutants and futuristic utopias: SYFY Movie Nights returns with three films from the 1950s - Moab Sun News

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