That's Neat! Um, No...

"That's neat!" was my first thought as I watched this promotional video from Marathon Robotics, in which robotic Segways are used as for military training exercises. "Um, no," was what I ended up thinking. The system has an obvious advantage in that it allows for live fire training. But that's all you get!

The entire exercise could be done with normal humans, who are definitely more "realistic" and a darned sight less expensive than robotic Segways. It's amazing how easily the military types can be fooled into thinking the technological solution must be the best one. I guess they have to justify those big budgets with flashy toys.

Spy Traing Camp

Until I saw this Toronto Star article recently, I was not aware that there was a World War II spy training camp in the area. It was called Camp X appropriately enough. Ian Fleming is supposed to have trained at Camp X but the Wikipedia article debunks the story. Apparently the camp was considered the best of its kind. Nothing remains of the original camp except a monument.