…By Larry John for TDPel Media.
Ukrainian soldiers have reportedly repurposed the Steam Deck, a popular video games console often used for shoot-em-up games, for a new use as part of a remote control weapon called the ‘Sabre’.
The system allows soldiers to operate weapons remotely from long-range, without being exposed to enemy fire.
Soldiers can control anything from light machine guns and AK-47s to anti-tank rounds using the portable games console.
The Sabre project was developed with crowdfunding money raised since Russia first invaded Crimea in 2014 and is only available in Ukraine.
It was developed with the goal of saving lives by reducing the exposure of soldiers to fire.
The People’s Project, a crowdfunding website, developed the Sabre system and has also raised funds for drones and hospitals in the territory.
The Steam Deck, created by Valve, is a hybrid portable games console that can be played in handheld mode or docked with a monitor display.
It can play hundreds of PC games and uses the Steam online games library as a catalogue.
The console is available for purchase from £349 or £569 for a 512GB version, but is not designed for remotely manning live turrets.
Analysis:
The use of video game technology in warfare is not a new concept.
However, the repurposing of a popular video games console such as the Steam Deck for remote weapon control is a unique application of gaming technology.
It is interesting to note that the Sabre project was developed with crowdfunding money raised by The People’s Project, a crowdfunding website, demonstrating the potential for civilian-funded military technology.
The Sabre system is designed to keep soldiers out of harm’s way, reducing the risk of injury or death.
The ability to operate weaponry remotely from long-range could have significant implications for the future of warfare.
However, it is important to consider the ethical implications of such technology, as it could potentially lead to increased detachment from the consequences of actions.
The repurposing of the Steam Deck for the Sabre system demonstrates the potential for gaming technology to be used in unexpected ways.
While the use of such technology in warfare raises ethical concerns, it is clear that innovation in military technology continues to evolve in new and unique ways.