How The Sony Playstation Helped Weaponize DIY Tanks For Syrian Rebels

How The Sony Playstation Helped Weaponize DIY Tanks for Syrian Rebels

From a distance, it just looks like a big rusty metal box. But a closer inspection reveals the latest achievement in Syrian rebel technology: The Sham II. The homemade armored tank is built from the chassis of a car and other spare parts. The rebels proudly tell anyone who will listen that the Sham II is "100% made in Syria." The tank is named "Sham" after ancient Syria. But inside the tank is a surprising hack using game joysticks from a Sony PlayStation.

From a distance, it just looks like a big rusty metal box. But a closer inspection reveals the latest achievement in Syrian rebel technology: The Sham II. The homemade armored tank is built from the chassis of a car and other spare parts. The rebels proudly tell anyone who will listen that the Sham II is “100% made in Syria.” The tank is named “Sham” after ancient Syria. But inside the tank is a surprising hack using game joysticks from a Sony PlayStation.

PlayStation Tank: Lethal Steering Wheel

As impressive as a DIY tank might be, the best part is the steering wheel. The rebels found a way to hack a Sony PlayStation controller and use it to control both the acceleration and movement of the tank, as well as its weapons.

More DIY Innovation?

War is nasty business, but this Sony PlayStation tank hack is very impressive. So what’s next from the hardware hackers in Syria? Maybe the Sham III will have a mobile hotspot so the driver can remote control the tank from a safe distance. Viva the Joystick Revolution!!!

Via Russia Today