Homeland Security’s latest non-lethal weapon: the pukelight

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Someone in Homeland Security’s R&D department must have a sense of humor, because the agency is hoping to soon deploy an LED flashlight that causes uncontrollable vomiting. The light, which is being developed for DHS at Intelligent Optical Systems, first shines a high-intensity beam to stun the target and then begins flashing a series of pulses that change color and duration — inducing “psychophysical” effects that that include nausea, vertigo, and vomiting. While the concept isn’t that far-fetched — similar symptoms have been seen in helicopter pilots affected by sunlight strobing through spinning blades — you’ve got to wonder how many thousands of dollars have been spent developing a weapon that can be defeated by simply looking away.