As crude as Fallout‘s post-apocalyptic technology seems, it’s proven quite hard to replicate the game’s PIP-Boy in real life. We’ve seen one prototype that looks exactly like the PIP-Boy 3000, but it appears to have no real world application. Meanwhile here’s another prototype that does have practical features but leaves a lot to be desired in terms of appearance.
As you can see this prototype looks nothing like any of the PIP-Boys from the Fallout games. Except for its user interface that is, which is the most important part of the gadget anyway. Made by Instructables vault dweller Aleator777, this prototype has a GPS navigation system, an RFID reader (with which it can track tagged items, thus mimicking an inventory), a flashlight (i.e. the screen with its brightness turned up) and most appropriate of all, a Geiger counter. Almost all of these functions are rudimentary, but nonetheless they are there.
Those of you with high stats in Repair and Science should check out Aleator777’s guide on Instructables to see how you can make your own PIP-Boy prototype. Perhaps Aleator777 and MyMagicPudding – the dude who’s working on the other prototype – should combine their skills to come up with a better device. We might need it soon; it is 2012 after all.
[via The Verge]
