How Microsoft Helps John Deere Supply Vehicles To The US Army

Well, there’s a headline I never thought I’d have to write.

But behold! John Deere, masters of agricultural vehicles, have made the R-Gator, a small “utility” vehicle for the US Army that looks like a golf cart in olive green. It’s like a regular Gator, only this time the “R” stands for “Remote”, as it can be operated remotely with no need for an on-hands driver (though it can be driven by humans if the need arises).

Operators can either rely on GPS and the vehicle’s on-board AI to get around, or they can grab a wired Xbox 360 controller and, using a mounted camera, do the job themselves.

It may look like a mini Warthog, but I don’t think it handles quite like one.

This is far from the first time a military vehicle has used a 360 pad for input, showing you all that there are still markets out there that prefer the stability and reliability of a wired controller.

[thanks Dane!]