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How Tech Is Changing the Outdoor World

By | Rayanne Morriss

Technology has been altering the outdoor world for years and will change it even more. As technology helps us blend the virtual with the real, tablets and cell phones are changing how we hunt or fish, snowboard or climb, and hike or explore. Many outdoor companies use technology to enhance the outdoor experience and increase revenues. Here are some ways in which technology is changing the outdoor world.

1. Smart Devices for Extreme Sports

Smart devices like smartphones and tablets tell consumers how loose terrain can pose hazards or how a cliff can make a fall fatal. The latter is important in extreme sports like skiing or climbing. Safety must always be priority number one in an athlete’s mind before they even think about performing stunts or jumps. In addition, once the competition is over, many extreme athletes use their smart devices to record and share videos of their adventures.

2. Tech for Hunters

Archery and bow hunting is growing in popularity, which means there are always new shooters and those who continue to try to improve. Archery training is made easier these days by employing tech and using simulators for archers to practice their shots at home and find their perfect draw. There is even new tech that allows hunters to determine how far away their target is, adding to the ever-growing list of technological advancements for hunters. 

3. Snow Plows for Motor Vehicles

This technology is not just for airplanes or helicopters; snow plows are also used on cars and trucks to help others on snowy roads avoid accidents. The car plow is equipped with an onboard wireless modem and video camera that transmits information like the car’s location to a large installation on the roof of a building, where a map shows the location and speed of every vehicle in the area.

4. Smart Cameras for Fishing

Fishermen are using smart cameras to help them catch more fish. Smart cameras like fishfinders have helped fishermen to get photos of underwater fish that they would have otherwise missed. They can use a smartphone app or tablet computer to identify fish or marine life in photos taken from the smart camera. Other uses for smart fishing include helping anglers optimize their fishing lines and bait, reduce boat costs and help find locations for new fishing spots.

5. Portable Thin Drones for the Military

The military is using the technology of thin drones to survey areas, collect intelligence and establish surveillance. The military also uses a portable drone with a high-definition camera to maintain surveillance during a crisis. When the aircraft takes off, it also shoots video, which can be transmitted to a command center. The aircraft can stay in the air as long as needed and may even be guided by remote control.

6. Smart Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles are already popular but have yet to be truly powered by smart batteries. Smart batteries can sense how much power a car is drawing and recharge themselves automatically. The technology is even used on forklifts to begin charging when the battery is nearly depleted automatically. This can ensure owners have a good range of movement on their jobs and reduce the cost of maintenance.

7. Trekking Poles

Trekking poles help walkers and backpackers to keep their balance. Some trekkers use internal sensors in their trekking poles to help them measure the number of calories they burn on a hike. After walking for a few hours, the sensor will record the time and how many calories were burned. Another way some trekkers monitor how much they have walked is by secretly putting sensors on their hiking shoes. So if your favorite hiking shoe brand is sold with an accelerometer, you can track its usage with a smartphone app.

Conclusion

These are just a few ways technology has helped the outdoors around us. Technology is broadening our horizons, and that is a good thing. As we become more familiar with the outdoors, we can embrace it in ways we never thought possible. Technology has already changed hunting and fishing by adding new features like smart bow sights or buzzers to help guide archers. It has also helped us find new places to hunt, fish, and explore.

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