One weapon featured at Special Operations Forces Week 2024 is the size of a softball and might look like just a toy. However, the ball is actually a throwable, 360-degree tactile camera from Bounce Imaging that has more tech than what meets the eye.
“These are 360 degree throwable cameras that are used in law enforcement, search and rescue, and — in the context this week — in special operations,” Francisco Aguilar, the CEO of Bounce Imaging, said. “It’s something that you can throw into an environment and get an instant 360 degree view of what’s going on to many people, so that you can have a better view of what’s going on in that space.”
The idea of a 360 degree camera packed into a ball took time to become a reality. Bounce Imaging started in 2012, but the technology need to complete its vision was not available until 2016
According to Bounce Imaging COO Mark Fargason, people like the throwable cameras because there’s not a lot to think about when using it.
“What folks love about this is that you can you can you take it out, turn it on, deploy it, view it on your video feed, understand it very quickly, with a very low cognitive load,” Bounce Imaging COO Mark Fargason said.
The hard rubber ball is equipped with six cameras and a two-way radio that lets people talk to each other through the ball. The audio system has become an invaluable tool for police, rescue and special force operators.
“So we know it’s making a difference, which we’re super proud of,” Fargason said. “And, you know, we hope to get it out to more folks in the future.”
Aguilar said their users are actually their best innovators.
“People have come up with really clever ways to use this to look over walls, down tunnels, inside attic spaces, around corners, in ways that they wouldn’t have been able to do,” Aguilar said. “[The ball has] a much lower demand on their thinking than with other tools.”
Furthermore, the throwable camera doesn’t require any other equipment. Users can view images from the ball on smartphones using the Bounce Viewer app.
The ball is also multi-lingual. According to Fargason, the device is preloaded with simple commands in 20 different languages. This means users not only have a clear picture, but they’re breaking down barriers as well.
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