2011 Invention Awards: A Crime-Fighting Armored Glove

How long till there's a black market for them, do you suppose?

It is not a new idea. We can see in SciFi movies or comic books. Perhaps, it is the first one in real world, isn't?

Well is funny you should bring that up...;-)It's defiantly something that we are thinking about actively and have addressed the issue and are covering all the potential things to consider and much that you have read is still only part of what the real story is...;-) but thanks for being interested... Brian H...;-) are you looking for a black market version...?? LOL... "Maybe i can sell you one" So, I was courios why would you rather have a black market version over the real thing...?? Just wondered about the mentality of that?? Maybe you could be so kind to enlighten me...??;-)
Also if it works the way is was designed to it would have GPS and a system infrastructure that will track and monitor the user so they would have to be online, and that just wouldn't work...;-) so I guess they could build there own satellite network and hot-wire all their Fake BodyGuards...?? I might only cost 1or 2 billion dollars... If that happened I think 1/2 of that market wouldn't Be so bad, lol
Or just do it the easy way...?! Just buy ours...!!

Sincerly, With a little joking...;-) Dave Brown... Inventor of the BodyGuard
ARMSTAR.NET

And yes "P2" thanks I would say it is the first real world device of it's kind integrating technology that is here NOW.... Such as streaming video and GPS that was only dreams back when we saw it in cartoons or movies but in the case of the BodyGuard we are really just the platform that can not be dropped or taken away from you and are designed to be easy instant access to your technology no matter what you want to have in there taking all the Extra stuff out of your hands and freeing them up for other important things...;-) where should I begin....;-)
Thank you for you comment...;-)
If you have any questions please go to our websight...
Thanks, Dave Brown..
ARMSTAR.NET

I guess what I meant to say is if it was not the first I wouldn't have received a patent and we would have seen it already years ago..;-)
It's just no time better than NOW... Anyone with a Technology that you think should be in the BodyGuard please send your ideas to our websight...
post them here..;-)
Thanks Dave Brown...

I am having a flash back to the movie “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark". Indi is face to a great swordsman. The swordsman’s, powerfully, greatly spins his majestic sword. Indi shoots him, done.
Any police officer suddenly put in the position of a contest or face off; the criminal only has worse intent involved. As long as the police officer followers his training and police procedures, I say a bullet between the eyes is best to the attacking criminal. I am for the safety of the police officer. I do not want to see him spare with anyone, get hurt or killed. But hey, that's just me.

Neat idea, but as a police officer and personal protection specialist, I wouldnt want one. Couple issues I have.

1.Glove. You wouldn't be able to conceal this item so you are a constantly exposing yourself on a day to day basis and limiting your hand functions. How could you pat someone down or conduct a search on a person effectively? During this action is when people actually resist. Most officers don't wear gloves (tho they sell them of course-its not the same).

2.Heat. Much like a vest, its a long day wearing something out in the field an you get covered in sweat. Consider wearing this 8-10 hours a day in Texas weather in July and August (welcome to come try since the dates are around the corner) on top of wearing a uniform, vest, and dutygear. Unless it is weightless and has its own built in a/c, not happening. When doing ppo detail in Iraq and Afghanistan I would have thrown it away rather than worn it.

3.Force escalation. From a criminal standpoint you have to consider what this may do. Thinking from the mind of a criminal, most hardcore serious criminals on the street would rather just shoot you from a distance if they see you wearing this in public and approaching them. It also means they would escalate faster to stop you from deploying the device.

4.Tracking. Need I say more? lol from the public thinking officers want to be tracked is ridiculous. The public doesnt understand the politics in-office that officers go thru and officers dont want to be tracked by any means to be yelled at cause they stayed at the convenience store too long or wasnt driving enough. Cameras are already in cars, mounted to officers and that doesnt deter anything.

5.Abuse. Yes not all officers are honest and alot of them abuse items when they can. Much like the taser gets abused (tho it helps in many situations) so will this.

I see this as an excellent tool for jail sert teams and prison facilities, but not viable for street use. But I've only been a cop since 1999.

cool. i'm looking forward to this. id buy two of them (one for each arm) for home defense and upgrade it to fit my personal needs. maybe retractable claws? idk. the possibilities are vast.

there has got to be a better place to put the electrodes than the fore-arm. the reason for carrying a hand-held taser, is that you can reach out and tase someone from somewhat of a distance. with the electrodes on the fore-arm, you have to get a lot closer, and it is a lot more awkward trying to hit someone with your forearm, below the wrist, than it is to just reach out and tase them.

I do not like this device from the get go. It implies the police officer is going to compete or spar with the attacker. It also implies the police officer has to be close. I think this is way to close. This is not WWW wrestling or some kind of contest or competition. Control lands squarely with the police officer and his safety and public safety comes first. I want the police officer to follow his training, his local police procedures and the law. But after saying this, I am support of the Police, given authority and their safety first. I do not like this device. It’s a paper comic strip gadget, cartoon device. It does not belong in the real world.

I agree looks bulky and easily hungup on clothing/gear when going for something quick, also 3 lbs sounds like a lot. I got a friend who came back from the stan and said when you get there you got all this ccrazy stuff on your gun, lasers, sights, lights, etc. and after a while people just started stripping stuff off there weapons till they had the bare basics. And these items where fractions of lbs. I would take a guess and say that most of the weight is in the battery for the taser, maybe have a hip attached battery with a cord going up the body attached to the arm guard thing? Plus i agree with people, distance is key, i would not want to get in swinging range of a guy with a knife. Add a stun gun like attachment, like spider man but electrified? Seriously lol. Good first attempted. Also i saw the roadmap for future gen of these things with chemical detectors etc. etc. this equal more weight and bulk=more of a pain the arse

Well I can appreciate all of your comments, but like I've said you don't have all the infirmation on exactly how it works or how it's deployed... We have heard the heat concern plenty and have a version that is just for people who might have a problem with heat but believe it or not we have police on our team some with 45 years experience as a cop and we are addressing every single comment you have brougt up.... One important point to make is that before the dash-cam became common place, many officers were against the idea of a camera recording every time they pull over a person... But in time the camera proved to be more important for the police when being falsely accused of misconduct and then they end up loosing there JOB because it was the officers word against some criminals word... Wouldn't you like to have a 100% perfect witness with audio, video and GPS coordinates...???? So in court in front of a judge you have a truthful witness..??!! My theory is that if your an honest good working cop who does his Job correctly you would want the BodyGuard... But if the city's and counties and states realize that this could stop the Bleeding of cash from lawsuits that bad behaving cops are causing lawsuits that take away all the money from police departments so that they can't afford more quality officers and Better new technology for the department... The police won't have a choice... They must where one of the version we will make like our version for secret service.... For the most part we want the device to be seen as it would be a deterrent because the streaming video will catch them and god forbid you do have to shoot someone, as a cop would you not want to capture what happend to lead up to you shooting the someone so that later when the family of the person you shot is filed a lawsuit against YOU the police department and the city and state don't you think it would be VERY....! Important footage with audio and GPS time ect that could keep a very good COP from losing his job and possibly going to jail for doing his JOB.... RRikter...
P.S RRikter.... We have a fingerless version that if you open your mind up just a little you will see thy this was designed to help make your job safer and smarter than it is now maybe when your department buys them you will just Quit..?? And become a inventor...;-) I Think all good cops who want to do the right thing and protect and serve will love the BodyGuard...
We were just at the mock prison riot with 2000 cops testing the device and getting feedback.... From some of the best SERT teams in the world... Where were you... RRikter??? Also much of our military has had a chance to see the BodyGuard as a platform for many other applications thy would probably be way to much for RRikter to handle so I'll wait to share them but it's GOOD STUFF...;-) so get ready..;-)
Dave Brown..;-) inventor of the Bodyguard...

Think of an iPhone guys it's a very simple application that is software so it doesn't have weight... But I can't expect you to know everything and the version I'm wearing in the picture is a prototype..;-) just wait for the production model...;-) and for all the skeptics we are building multiple versions depending on the customers requirements..:-) and the new versions should be under 2 pounds..;-) also this was not designed to attack it's designed to be a defensive weapon and shield for things like a knife of baseball bat and for when you are doing a pat-down if they resist you are spontaneously armed with a weapon that can not be dropped so that the guy you were trying to arrest doesn't get your gun and shoot you with your own weapon... That would not be good..;-)

sorry but the wink emo cons are annoying, look we are just trying to give our opinion, i know it sucks to have people crap all over your brain child but sometimes its helps, call it a burndown, like i said i don't have all the info, we can only go off what we are shwon and our personal experiences. And sorry but marketing people will tell me it will cure world hunger to sell a product, we have to take a grain of salt with everythign said. What the article makes it seem it this devise is for personnal defensive protection rather than a tool for recording and information, i can also give a you a product that has GPS, video, and voice recording and make it a hip/belt appliance(easiest places for weight distribution)

The stun guns that shoot, great idea! A stun gun is a great deterrent to an extreme violent response. But this device is about, close up fighting, a hand to hand brawl. It should never get that close in the first place. And if the police officer gets into a hand to hand fight, I like to see all his police buddies jump on top the bad guy. ALL OF THEM! The police always maintains the order, control of the situation, always! Oh yes, the police cars can have cameras and GPS, great idea too.

Why does this make me think that it's something Batman would have in his armor? LOL

Sorry, Mr. Brown, but Troy Hurtubise came up with this technology LONG before you did, and implemented it not only in his famous grizzly-bear proof armored suits, but especially in a lightweight, ballistically protective full suit of armor (which includes a glove a lot like yours)designed for military and law enforcement. You can see numerous videos showing his technology and his armor in action on YouTube (search for Hurtubise) or can also read about his development of this technology in "Bear Man: The Troy Hurtubise Saga", a new book available at booksellers, etc.

If anyone should receive an invention award for his efforts, it's Mr. Hurtubise- especially since he's done this work for decades using his own funds and resources, with no need for celebrity endorsement.

This looks remarkably like Troy Hurtubise's invention. Troy's was part of a larger invention — a suit of armor meant to protect against grizzly bears. See www.improbable.com/2011/05/31/invention-priority-hurtubise-brown-and-their-arms/

I like the hat of the guy in the photo. Where can I buy a hat like that?

Well, since the inventor of this equipment is trying to market his ideas to PopSci readers I might as well add that you, Mr. Brown, need to take criticism of your invention very constructively, especially with where your invention is concerning profitability at the moment. Can you truly afford to disrespect potential buyers before your product even hits the market?

What Is Science but A Continual Lesson of The Challenge To Studying The Entire Known Existence of Everything.

-Truth-

BubbaGump:
"But this device is about, close up fighting, a hand to hand brawl. It should never get that close in the first place."

Well guess what... it does happen, a lot. The designer has clearly stated this device is not to be used as such; See a criminal, run up to said criminal, club criminal with forearm/taser.

I can visualize this perfectly as a last ditch defensive tool... As in; Surprise! The guy you're trying to handcuff decides to swing around and punch you in the face.

Or,

Surprise! A mountain lion (or jogging trail rapist) jumps out from cover and tackles you to the ground.

Of course there are issues to think about, and I'm sure the inventor is considering many of these comments seriously (or not). Either way, it's his invention and if people like it and have the cash, they'll buy it.

Personally, I only see weight and temperature being issues, which with proper materials and design features could be easily managed.

A+ Ranger Brown, I like it.

Hi Ranger Brown,

How to say this...?

Has anyone ever suggested that you get a PR person to do the comments? Y'know, like they do in the film industry?

No offence, but your sales style could use some work.

Rule number 1 is: don't make manic announcements about how "The police won't have a choice... They must where one of the version we will make like our version for secret service.... " while telling people "you don't have all the infirmation"

Ranger Brown, you sound like... a guy locked in the woodshed, screaming about how he's going to build a robot arm for Kevin Costner. That's not a good image.

Also, "canterol" ^ is your sockpuppet, right?

Condensed read:
> "Well guess what... I can visualize this perfectly ...
Surprise! A mountain lion tackles you to the ground.
... could be easily managed. ... A+ Ranger Brown, I like it."

Jesus Christ, man. Do not go on the internet unaccompanied.

Love, your agent.

Unbelievable. So,what I hear you saying is you are in business supplying fascists with new tools to destroy our civil liberties? Good job, idiot. why not just make something that shoots enough voltage to kill and be done with it? That's what we are moving to, thanks to police all over the country.

And shame Popsci,for promoting this useless piece of shit as an "invention".It's three pieces of gear lashed together. And what next? Articles on the 'science' of Abu Garib and Guantanamo?

shipofthesun:
Guess what, man? They already have something like that. It's called a gun. The whole point of this is to deliver non-lethal force to violent resistors.

You're an idiot. Come live in the real world.

fangdangerous, I'm just an engineering physics student who saw this on article surfing popsci during work, and thought it was neat.

I like reading articles about the implementation of composite materials and human/anatomical integration with tools and/or weapons.

Put plainly, it's something I haven't seen before and think it has interesting potential, whether it's Ranger's design, or a DARPA super arm. And if you don't like it so much that you would ridicule anyone who does, make one yourself troll.

Correction:
Nowhere in your post do you say that you dislike the design, only Ranger's promotional skills. And while I agree that he sounds pushy and idealistic with his sales pitch, he still doesn't sound like half as much of a douche as you.

I don't know this guy who invented the thing and I am not here to defend him, but some of the comments just seems short sited.
Black market version. What are you going to walk around the mall with a gaint carbon fiber (looking or real stuff??) tazer arm. Who cars if its black market or not, its going to be illegal and impossible to hide. and beside its not a MISSILE launcher or Lazer gun. its a protective glove with a tazer. just like the first prototype you can go make one in your basement now.
"I do not like this device from the get go. It implies the police officer is going to compete or spar with the attacker. It also implies the police officer has to be close. I think this is way to close. "
HUH!!! this is not to replace EVERY other tool an officer has. They would still have a gun! His VOICE! a car! a can of mace. This is something that would supplment all those thing. think about if a dude takes a swing at you with a pipe. is it easier to try and grab your batton or put your arm up to defend your face from getting smashed in!

its a prototype. I am sure if it ever becomes main stream there will be about 1000 different version and models.

I think 90% of the comments here are hating just to hate.

@fangdangerous
do you have ANY idea how many small companies and universities have DARPA contracts and none of them have PR guys! your just being a dick.. I guess cause you cant help it.
This guy is walking the path of a true everymans inventor out there. Making a prototype in garage and trying to sell it to the world. (to me THAT is the American dream)
Henry Ford was an ### hole. Probably the biggest ### hole in all the world of inventors. He didn't have a PR guy and he only sold the assembly line to the human race.
You and henry ford seem to have a lot in common except you wont amount to anything.

I am not defending this guy. I just don't like all these dumb comments. I don't know how you can go from one article filled with well articulated and intelligent comments to a bunch of people posting short sighted and rude comments. even in the recent evolution article the religious creationism fanatics posted articulated calmly composed (somewhat intelligent) comments.

"sorry but the wink emo cons are annoying,"
really!???!?! thats what you have to add to the discusion.
Maybe rangerbrown doesnt like your dumb looking hair!!!!
What ranger brown is attempting to do is set the tone of his message. He is trying not to call half you close minded $$$$ headS like I just did!

Not to mention this dude has probably smoked more spliffs with Snoop Dog and Kevin than you have hairs on your ####s.

Junk! With years of experience in law enforcement I don't expect to EVER see this in practical use. Tazer units alreadt in existance allow the officer to maintain a safe distance while attempting to control a situation. This device puts the officer in harms way. I understand how a person raised on comic books and transformer movies could convince themselves that this is good. I don't expect professionals to line up for this product.

I'm entirely sanguine about this product.

What does get me passionate, however, is the fast-failing quality of the English language.

Please, folks, take the time and effort to spell properly. I'm not going to even ask for correct grammar (let's start with small steps, yes!?)

Websight? Really? No! WebSITE...

Infirmation?

If you are shortening YOU ARE, the correct spelling is you're, not your!

Come on folks, put some effort in. Do you not have spell checks on your computers?

Tsk.

@ tuburkeulosis

You are a loser. I am not going to shed a tear for anyone who has robbed, raped, assaulted, murdered, or in general acted as a living piece of human excrement.

"You can suck the biggest of my 3 ....."
WTH does that even mean you illiterate douche. Isn't there a ski-mask website you can be looking at instead of pop-sci?

@ Bubba

Please read your comments at least twice before posting. Most don't hold any water at all.

To the haters,

This product, contrary to what some of you might think, does in fact have a practical use as a force-multiplier. Sure it may not have the range of most conventional tasers, or fire-arms, but you don't always have the ability to use said options. Especially when attempting a soft take-down, where you have to be in close proximity to the target in question. The ability to use a taser that a target would not be able to wrench out of your grip is an amazing asset to have. A basic idea I see behind this product, is to provide law-enforcement a means of bringing a weapon into a fight that you have can maintain control of. Sure it would be easy to spot in day to day situations, but what cop isn't? I mean seriously. If you can't spot a police officer as it is, I doubt this is going to make much of a difference. Besides I doubt, if adopted, that uniforms would be taking this to the streets. It seems that it would be something geared more towards S.W.A.T. (And yes, S.W.A.T. does make soft take-downs.) As to it being to hot to handle? Service men and women in the middle east, wear upwards of eighty pounds of gear in 130 degree heat, for 12-24 hours a day. That's your undergarments, uniform, boots, IBA, LBV, ammo, water, Kevlar Helmet, your weapon which can be anywhere from 7.9-25 lbs. (depending on how lucky on may or may not be) and then your back-pack, or ruck that usually carries thirty lbs. of food/water/misc gear.

And to the self-proclaimed "felon". Just because you're too stupid to live life as a law-abiding citizen, doesn't make police officers the bad-guys. Actually, I'm pretty sure that makes YOU the baddie in this situation. Oh? What's that you say? A Cop gave you a ticket once where it wasn't needed? Well guess what, sometimes you meet dicks in this world and sometimes they're in positions of power. But guess what? That's the way of the world. Cops are dicks, Therapists are dicks, Senators are dicks, I'm a dick, You're a dick, And your parents were probably dicks(doubtful you'd tell them to suck one of your three "dicks" which anatomically is incorrect, but that's another discussion)... I mean seriously, does it irk you that much? Are you that much of a child that you can't just suck it up and follow the rules? Apparently not, because you're the "felon" apparently.

BTW, the point I was attempting to make by listing the gear, that most soldiers carry around when deployed, is that if they can do it 90% of the year then our cops can wear this 12 hours a day. Unless they're just wimps.

The more gear you add, the more the Officer needs to train. When you start to overlap too much on gear (for their intended uses) it takes an Officer longer to make a decision - and the right one - under duress in a critical force-on-force incident on which tool to use at the time.

I don't doubt that the product is borne out of good intentions, and in the hopes of not only saving lives but bringing in a steady revenue with Military and Law-Enforcement contracts and Government funding (think TASER International).

This product has a LONG way to go, years worth of refining before it ever becomes acceptable for daily and prolonged use. I can see it in correctional facilities or where firearms are not permitted (indoors primarily). One has to ruggedize the product from rain and persperation, hard scrapes and hard-core impacts (although it does make a nice impact-weapon).

GPS and cameras may be redundant features when these are already available from dash-cams to TASERCams. The concept is good, the execution less so (right now). You need to consider how you are going to align the camera on the threat when the arms are the most mobile appendages on the human body (arms and hands move very quickly)? I'd hate to watch the video evidence to be honest, which would likely end up as little more than a blur mojority of the time, let alone make a jury sick.

Police Officers also don't need more tracking or armchair critics to judge them who have no street experience and who have never had to fight for their life in a brawl that could turn deadly. Monitor its use to make sure it coincides with evidence/statements, fine, TASERs already hold users accountable, but to overdo it, there is a very fine line.

Are there (limited) viable applications for this? Yes. Every day carry for 12-hour Patrol units and to curb Officer's farmers tans for every Police Officer world-wide? No (realistically speaking).

Understand that there is no one product that can do everything. If used within its given limitations and intended uses (and with the appropriate level of training and in designated segments of the market/operational environment), could it succeed? Yes. Over time.

Project long-term goals. Look at the development of TASERs and the time and effort involved (and how they started), not to mention the funds that it took to get them where they are now, and you'll have a good idea of what you are looking at.

You want to trouble shoot, talk about real-world applications, things to avoid, drop me a line. Sounds like you need an R&D & T&E advisory committee if you don't already have one.

I'm not sure if I particularly care for the design. I just don't think it's practical for the "taser" (Thomas A Swift's Electric Rifle) usage. Maybe if it incorporated an optional probe system that fired quite like the TASER internation gun, I could see this being useful. As for the GPS system, I am actually in favor of that. A couple of you mentioned that they did not want to be tracked by "the man" or whoever you are referring to. It all boils down to when you need it the most you will wish you had it. For instance, you get in a foot chase with a suspect into a wooded area or even an area that didn't have street signs (which isn't uncommon for the more rural areas) with the GPS your back-up and dispatch can find you're out of shape, breathing heavily over the radio, butt a whole lot easier. Maybe that doesn't sway you, let's say, you flip your patrol car and become disoriented or even unconscious, GPS is your friend. More times than others if you don't want to be "tracked" you are probably doing something you aren't supposed to be doing. Kind of my feelings on the whole airport body scanner, why complain if you aren't doing anything wrong? If you're getting on MY AIRPLANE you better be danged sure that I'm violating your privacy.

Pop Sci ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Cool concept.I think it can really work. But, I'm afraid it will only remain a concept.

This product is a joke. Too big, bulky, heavy and looks ridiculous. No cop in his right mind would wear it.

It uses old stun gun technology which means it is only a pain compliance device. It will not likely be effective on persons who can resist/tolerate pain (ie: drunks, druggies, emotionaly disturbed persons, etc).

No mention of any medical studies on the electrical output. I would be leery of using an untested electronic control device on a human. TASERs have been extensively studied and have been shown to be safe (contrary to what Amnesty Int'l. and the ACLU say).

This has no advantage over TASER technology which allows officers to confront suspects from a safe distance. A TASER also incapacitates, even those who are impervious to pain.

I guess being a famous actor doesn't translate into having a clue what cops want/need in the way of weaponry.

FUNNY THIS GUY "ZAPMAN" MUST WORK FOR TASER....... LOL...!!
WHAT IS THERE STOCK AT RIGHT NOW....?? I REST MY CASE..... AND NOBODY HAS SEEN A REAL ONE YET....!! ONLY PROTOTYPES....
HELLO RICHARD.......;-) HEAR I COME....;-)

NICE DAMAGE CONTROL TASER BUT IT WONT WORK PEOPLE ARE JUST TO SMART.... IF YOU TAKE THE WEAPON OUT OF YOUR HAND THE GAME IS OVER THE GUY WITH 2 HANDS WILL ALWAYS WIN THE 1 HANDED GUY WHO HAS ONE SHOT..... SORRY TASER...... LOL

Sounds like this was designed independent of feedback from the police. End user requirements are critical in product design. I think you have good intentions but this concept seems like one of those "good on paper, bad in practice" concepts.

Anyways, on another note, is it just me or do this year's Invention awards seem more like paid adverts than last years? I'm for one disappointed in the content and complete lack of demonstrations in the videos.

Feels like some venture capitalist has their hand in PopSci's pocket rather than genuine best of the best selections.

@RANGERBROWN
You really need to stop talking lol, your digging yourself a deeper hole, I agree with zapman and I am not from taser, been on this website for like 3 years, all we have to go from is a prototype.....and it looks silly, its bulky, it looks unweidly, the 'taser' part is in an awkward area. the enthusiasm is awsome but the cocnept is a little off. I sit around with my buddeis drinking beer and talk the 'what if....' but bear calvary and napalm spitting blimps aren't good concepts either. I think it was a mistake for Popsci to put this up here, looks like there are a lot of kinks to work out (you self admitted it)so when you do get those worked out call Popsci and aske them to do another article. But when ever i give criticism i like to give advice, like i stated before, hip/belt attached battery pack, cuts down on the weight, probably by half if not more, replacement of the taser prongs, not sure where or at the very least make them smaller if possible, instead of a full arm cover kevlar/whatever material, make it into a grid/mesh like a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch gaps, makes it more breathable and lighter, hell its cheaper too.....

Oh BTWs Caps lock is on.

@Nullpoint
I thought the prostetic arm was pretty cool, and great concept, but this and the glass i totaly agree

@lanredneck
I had forgotten about the prosthetic arm. I agree it was the gem of this bunch.

@rrikter, your reasoning makes no sense considering how the inventor said it could be used. Addressing each of your concerns:

1.Glove. You would obviously put it on when needed, to deter a criminal or suspect, you want it seen. Of course unless you're one of those trigger happy policemen that would rather kill a person than stop them. It would not have to be standard issue either, just for certain situations such as mental patients.

2.Heat. Why you would even consider wearing this all day baffles me as well. It would obviously be on your dominant hand, which would mean you couldn't be the trigger happy cop you may want to be.

3.Force escalation. Man, I don't know what city you live in, but I would guess that hard core criminals would shoot a cop for wearing a gun before shooting him for wearing a glove. Oh, by the way, how and why do you think like a criminal.

4.Tracking. Let me get this straight, you don't mind tracking the citizens you are sworn to protect (and paid to protect), but you don't want your whereabouts known by your superiors? No wonder you think like a criminal. IMO policemen should not mind being tracked, especially when they are on the clock (paid by citizens).

5.Abuse. This was no surprise considering the way you think and don't want to be tracked by your superiors, of course some of you guys will abuse power and authority, you're not exempt from being human.

And finally, if you are a good cop, thanks for serving and protecting, keep up the good work, if not you're a pinhead with a badge, get off the street before you hurt someone or someone hurts you.

Don't see anything about medical safety testing on this device. 300,000 volts? Not likely. The electrodes are not far enough apart to generate that amount of voltage. What is the amperage, since that is the controlling factor in human safety? I would be leery of using an untested electronic control device on a human.

This uses old stun gun technology which is simply a pain compliance technique. It does not incapacitate like a TASER. And yes, I am a TASER trainer so I know a little bit about ECD's. I am not a TASER employee.

Your intentions may be good but before you go to market you need to conduct extensive medical safety testing, like TASER International has done. I wish you luck but doubt this will generate much interest from law enforcement.

I've been a cop since 2001, and this device would be amazing to have out on the street. All of the wrestling matches that I've been in in the past 10 years could have been either prevented from starting in the first place with the intimidation factor of this device, or resolved quicker through pain compliance. Drive-stunning someone with a taser is not as effective as using the wires, as a drive stun only achieves pain compliance like this device would, and doesn't immobilize someone as a wire strike does, but drive stunning is very effective at taking the fight out of someone.

This device is a great idea, and is a lot handier (no pun intended) and more readily accesible than drawing a taser. If you are searching someone or handcuffing them and they start to resist, this device allows you to have a drive-stun taser already in (on) your hand as you are cuffing or searching them, instead of havign to disengage and draw the taser. Great idea, I hope it pans out in the field tests and that we see it on the streets soon.

I can only talk knowledgeably about the "camera" issue.
About 7 years ago there was a shooting in my state of a collage student by a SWAT team member who probably shouldn't have been shot. I had been kicking around an idea for a "black box' for a rifle, a basic video cam ( under 200.00, weight under 9oz) that would record what the rifle was pointed at. I got the backing and with a company on the west coast modified their sports camera to be recoil proof. Spent tens of thousands to build, R&D and promote it. As I traveled to law enforcement trade shows across the US for three years I was very surprised at the animosity that regular street cops and even federal agents had towards having the camera on their gun. I was at the same show that I first saw the Arm guard at (FPED 08, I still have the challenge coin) when 4 DEA agents got into a huge tizzy about my camera, swearing at me and telling me that they would never have a camera anywhere near them. My backer in the project also thought that we could make them like it, and spent a lot of money going after the CALEA group trying to go from the top down, that didn't work either. I have a little background in selling to the LE market (about 25 years of it)
5 total years and a lot of money later it died.
I wish the inventor all the best of luck, If you would like any of the info I learned in those years, contact me, I will pass it on to you for free!

So seriously, when will this item become available for purchase?

I'm a motorcycle rider and I can see a good use for this.

I've had my motorcycle stolen once, and this would have made it impossible for the robber, as they usually jump onto you on a red light. All you need to do is move your arm a few inches while they're coming onto you, or while your getting off the bike.

This would also provide protection in case of a fall, and could very well indeed hold a GPS system on it.

One more notches above the Nintendo Power Glove!

THANKS FOR ALL THE NICE WORDS EVERYONE.... I DONT EXPECT EVERYONE TO GET IT..... LOL (AND YES I KNOW MY CAPS ARE ON... I'M ON A SOAPBOX) TRYING TO SAVE LIFE'S..!! I DONT PROFESS TO BE A GREAT SPELLER OR EXPERT ON GRAMMAR OR THE GREATEST INVENTOR ALIVE BUT IM JUST TRYING TO DO SOMETHING GOOD... AND MAYBE FEED MY FAMILY... I LOST MY HOUSE LAST YEAR AND ITS NICE TO HAVE SOME GOOD THINGS HAPPENING FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE.;-) MAYBE THE HATERS HAVE TRIED AND GAVE UP ON SOMETHING...?? IM NOT SURE...?? YOU NOT UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT IS THE ONLY REASON WHY YOU DONT LIKE IT.... THE PROTO-TYPE... I AGREE LOOKS BULKEY AND HOT BUT SADLY YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE NEW VERSION.... YOU WILL SOON..!!
HOPE IT MEETS YOUR STANDARD.;-)

P.S. STEVENS PLEASE GO TO OUR WEBSIGHT AND SEND ME YOUR CONTACT I WOULD LOVE TO PICK YOUR BRAIN... ALSO THERE SHOULD BE MY INTERVIEW ON CNN FROM WEDNESDAY ONLINE SOON THEN YOU WILL SEE THE DEMO;-)

I guess if your going to hang with Snoop it might be a good idea to have one of these. LOL. And if your gonna wear one wouldn't you want another one for your other arm incase the lion/prisoner/rap star/motorcycle thief comes from the other side? And if your that afraid maybe just go all the way and get the full ironman suit.

it's interesting that the inventor is comparing it to TASER a product that is routinely abused by most of it's users. TASER should have a new slogan, "Made by Cowards for Cowards"

And the weirdest thing of all - why does the gov spend/waste money on a annual MOCK prison riot? Is the prison riot industry that big that they need to have a fake riot every year to test all the new anti-riot products. Maybe instead of PopSci this should be in Prison Riot Magazine on the centerfold.

I don't think rage and snoop dog would approve.

turn the caps lock off! <--- See proper way to express excessiveness.

echo=troll <*(((<

Look Rangerbrown, if you went into a corporate room with this same pitch on this website, this is the same criticism you might get, take it with a grain of salt, learn adapt, become stronger, adjust your product and i might see it the next time i get pulled over.

Awesome idea and implementation. In my opinion, I think this has a lot of potential, especially when it comes down to compacting equipment. An officer could have the bare essentials before entering a conflict right at his finger tips. Have you ever thought about incorporating some kind of voice communication equipment into the glove? I would love to see a demonstration video of some kind in the near future.

Will this product be available to the ordinary citizen on the street? Or will it be available only to law enforcement personnel?

great, a device very versatile, i like it
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So Dave,
How long before The BodyGuard becomes a purchasable product for police departments and contract security agencies?

this is my top three favorite inventions (1/3)

this looks kinda like the forearm tazer used in final fantasy advent children in the fight with tiffa

I have just got to say this is a fantastic idea, i love this invention David Brown and without a doubt it will be extremely useful, just one question of curiosity...this may have been asked above but can't be bother reading it all haha, is the BodyGuard flexible, can you still move your arm and hands easily? If so i would love for this to be available to buy at some point though i know that may be unlikely because of the complication of anyone being able to buy it and you wouldn't want the wrong people using such a device, if i was ever wanting to ask you about would like to talk to you personally. Love the creation and idea of it all and would like to say "go you" as we need people like you thinking more broadly :)

A.C hidden blade, perhaps?