1) The hunter marks his prey. 2) The ballistics computer determines where the shot will land in current conditions. 3) The hunter corrects his aim and fires.
Courtesy TrackingPoint
The most inaccurate component of a rifle is the human behind the trigger, but starting Wednesday hunters can turn to drone-inspired vision for a little help. Provided they have $22,000 on hand for a new rifle, that is.
The rifle works by incorporating a ballistics computer, 14-megapixel camera, a Linux-powered scope, and a special heads-up display that lets the shooter tag a target in the system before firing. The augmented aiming system calculates how humidity, air temperature, and barrel incline will affect a shot, and then adjusts the crosshairs on the display accordingly.
Of course, given Moore's Law and interest from other gun manufacturers, expect this not to be a one-off novelty item but instead the shape of things to come.
[NPR]
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