According to L3 Communications, there are improvements on the horizon for black box technology. Reportedly, some form of cockpit video recorder will be developed. Such a recorder would be able to store video images in solid-state memory.

Other Uses for Black Box Technology
Currently, black boxes aren't just taking flight -- they're being grounded as well. Several automobile manufacturers are utilizing black box technology in their automobiles and a few have been doing so for quite some time. According to an article titled "Black boxes in GM cars increasingly help police after accidents" General Motors has been using black box technology for over a decade. The manufacturer has been installing a Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) on thousands of its cars, including the Corvette. Furthermore, this article reports that "industry insiders say as many as a dozen other manufacturers install similar technology under different labels."

So, black box technology has moved from airplanes to automobiles -- where is it headed next? It could be on you. Right now it's just a prototype, but soon the SenseCam could provide you with an incredible amount of information about -- well, you!

Let's say you attended a crowded convention last month. Because you forgot your PDA, you were forced to scribble dozens of phone numbers and emails down on random cocktail napkins. You made plans with several colleagues, but much like the random napkins in the washing machine at home, your memory just didn't hold up. But, all would not be lost -- if you were wearing a SenseCam. According to its manufacturer, this badge-sized wearable camera reportedly captures up to 2000 VGA images within a 12-hour day and stores it in a 128Mbyte flash memory. So, most every scribbled note and every promised meeting would be recorded for you to look at later.

For more information on black boxes and related topics, check out the links on the following page.