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Interview w/ Biofire's Lead Designer: Features and Reliability (ad-free) (Patreon)

Published:
2023-05-03 12:00:01
Imported:
2023-05

Content

When I visited Biofire, I was able to spend several hours discussing the history of the gun with its creator, lead designer, and lead engineer. We also completely stripped one of the guns down to its component circuit boards and pins - but much of this information is still under NDA until the guns are available commercially. But I did take some time to speak on camera with Bryan Rogers, who is the lead designer (and the first employee hired by the company's founder).   

One of the things that I think really separates Biofire from the other smart guns that have been attempted is the amount of time they spent studying what would actually make a useful biometric pistol. For several years they did conceptual research and interviews, and hands-on testing with a wide variety of potential users, with an early proof of concept gun based on a SIG P320 FCU. Rather than make their own assumptions about what people would be interested in, they went out and found people who wanted a gun for self-defense but had not bought one. The configuration and features of the final Biofire pistol reflect this research, and I think it's a really interesting story.

Files

Interview w/ Biofire's Lead Designer: Features and Reliability (ad-free)

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com When I visited Biofire, I was able to spend several hours discussing the history of the gun with its creator, lead designer, and lead engineer. We also completely stripped one of the guns down to its component circuit boards and pins - but much of this information is still under NDA until the guns are available commercially. But I did take some time to speak on camera with Bryan Rogers, who is the lead designer (and the first employee hired by the company's founder). One of the things that I think really separates Biofire from the other smart guns that have been attempted is the amount of time they spent studying what would actually make a useful biometric pistol. For several years they did conceptual research and interviews, and hands-on testing with a wide variety of potential users, with an early proof of concept gun based on a SIG P320 FCU. Rather than make their own assumptions about what people would be interested in, they went out and found people who wanted a gun for self-defense but had not bought one. The configuration and features of the final Biofire pistol reflect this research, and I think it's a really interesting story. Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

Comments

Anonymous

Yes that really is a refreshingly different approach.

Falling Steel

An early argument (by consumers) against Anti-lock Braking Systems accused an electronic logic-processesing component (ABS modulator) added to the mechanical system created an unacceptable failure point. In other words, they were scared “magic computer box” would fail and get people killed.

Anonymous
>>107724542

Its a valid point. But it is not that hard with ABS since it only adds something to working system. If ABS is out, you still have normal brakes. Also if we are talking about cars ABS has more advantages than disadvantages - only disadvantage is sligtly longer breaking distance on dry surface. Gun is more complicated in fact that you have to solve 2 extremes - not firing when authorized person want to and firing without authorisation. I have personaly seen an Iphone unlocked by face reco. by owners brother. Other points in guns is durability - if shocks of firing can destroy slide mounted optics, can electronics get ok with it? But it is nice idea and approach - ambi sensors and left/right handed stand would be good. Rails and better sights as well.

Anonymous

lfbmoreira @lfbmoreira • Now It's a very very bad and dangerous idea and shouldn't have been done. How long will it take anti-gun lawmakers to introduce laws requiring all guns to have similar characteristics? If the owner recognition system is so reliable and so fast that it's usable in a self-defense situation, why not do it in a safe? Anti-guns have just received a great gift. And every electronic component is susceptible to moisture, especially if it is salty. People who live close to beaches are at greater risk. And the only way to fix it is to send it back to the factory. As I said, a very, very , very bad idea.

Mark S

Electronics are very unreliable under the best of conditions and in good weather. Heat, cold, rain, etc and are all going to effect the electronics. Sweaty palms, half awake in the middle of the night, and others issues will complicate the activation sequences. After 40 years of working on electronics ranging from military systems (which are built to withstand extreme conditions) to just your basic computers and Iphones. I wouldn't trust my life to a gun with electronics built into it. I've seen failures from firearms (during that time I was also a USAF Combat Arms Instructor) in the normal course from bad primers to mechanical malfunctions. But adding electronics into the mix is another failure point the average gun owner doesn't need. I think we're a long ways from a dependable, electronic controlled, and owner operated gun. The scariest part isn't the gun, it's the idiots and politicians who'll immediately run out and pass laws to make this new product mandatory for gun owners to use or carry a gun in their states. I'm talking about New York, California, Illinois, Maryland, and others who jump on every new bandwagon to solve some issue without understanding the consequences of their actions. I.e. microstamping (a complete failure) and new gun case/ballistic matching (another failure). I'm not against owner controlled firearms, they

Mark S

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Anonymous

This is a bad idea. I commented on the first video of this series and was quickly counter replied. I noticed the same person counter-replied several other commentators who criticized the product. I asked they/it if they're connected to the company. They/it never responded. This whole thing feels like a late night Infommercial. This is a disturbing trend I've noticed in the last year or two. Understand a guy trying to make a buck but when you put your name on the line for this. I don't know. Sad.

ForgottenWeapons
>>107734006

I find it insulting that you would think I would sell out to support something like this. I have no skin in this; I think it is interesting technology that s worth knowing about. I think the assumption that smart guns will cause the prohibition of old guns is wrong; people who want to ban guns don't ha e to wait for smart guns, they can (and do) just try to ban everything already. I completely understand that lots of people do not want to buy something like Biofire themselves, and that is just fine. It's a niche product for a niche market.

Anonymous
>>107734006

Well, I'm sorry you feel insulted, but it is an observation. One you should be concerned about. I do feel someone from the company was adding to the conversations. I worked in the public affairs/public relations world for a long time. I can recognize a communication roll-out when I see one. Maybe you're not an active participant. Maybe not even aware of it. I'd give you the benefit of the doubt, but I would be careful about being used for one. Having said that-I have enjoyed your work over the years and have learned a lot. Why I support your channel. Among others.

ForgottenWeapons
>>107734006

I have no idea if a Biofire employee was commenting on the video - if they did, it was without my knowledge. They should have done so under an identifiable username, but those comments could very well just be another viewer who was annoyed at the negative comments.

Anonymous

Really exciting stuff! I enjoy your videos with the actual designers of these things. It’s interesting to hear the thought processes that go into the designs.

Anonymous
>>107734006

Got it. Thanks! I enjoy your content and expect to continue. I'm always fearful when a good thing turns commercial. Keep making great content and I'll continue to watch. Best!

Mark Trombley

Maybe I missed it. What will the retail price of the Biofire gun be?

James Nugent

I'll buy one. I think the price point is reasonable given the development and research time they put in. I like the fact that it's a ground up design for both the handgun and the electronics. The market is definitely there if marketed properly. I would prefer it if there was a light option instead of the laser. After listening to Bryan describe who they feel their core customer would be it would seem that proper target identification would be a significant factor for those users. Hopefully it becomes an option in the future.

James Nugent
>>107752333

It was mentioned in the first video. I believe it came in under 2,000. 1,300-1,500 comes to mind. don't quote me on that though.

Rick K

A gun is a mechanical device with a chemical propellant activated by some form of mechanical percussion. The time between the mechanical activation until the projectile leaves the barrel is called lock time. In order to achieve maximum accuracy, lock time should be reduced to an absolute minimum to eliminate unintended jarring while the bullet is going down the barrel. The Remington EtronicX used an electrically-activated primer to ignite the propellant. The last mechanical motion prior to ignition was the closing of a micro switch. Everything after that was just the flow of electrons, and the combustion of the propellant. No further mechanical action needed, and no further jarring of the shot. In my opinion, this is the only system that logically would lend itself to some form of electronic authorization. It already has a mechanical key switch to keep electric power out of the circuit until the authorized key holder has activated the system. An electronic authorization system could be inserted, or removed, in the pathway for the final veto on firing. All other electric firing systems use an electrical/ELECTROMAGNETIC/mechanical ignition path. Somewhere, somehow, electrical energy has to be converted to mechanical energy, to finally initiate mechanical percussion. This is usually done by activating an electroMECHANICAL device like a solenoid to release a firing-pin lock. In turn, this introduces more time delay, and mechanical disturbances. It also introduces an attack point to subvert the system. Spoof the electronics, or substitute an all-mechanical percussion system, just as a gun of that type would have originally had. It might not provide immediate access, but if you have physical possession of the gun, it could be done at your leisure. The Remington Etronix system seems foolproof, for its intended purpose. The rifle cannot fire conventional ammunition, and the electric-primed ammo cannot be fired in a conventional rifle. This system was designed to enhance accuracy, not to prevent unauthorized use. The designers assumed if you have the ignition switch unlocked, whether by key, or picking the lock, you were authorized. Biofire still has to analyze other biometric systems, such as fingerprints, RFID, and facial recognition. Anybody who is comfortable with this technology is certainly welcome to adopt it. However, I feel it adds complexity, delay, and uncertainty to a process that must be 100% reliable, due to the very reason a firearm is chosen for defense.

Anonymous

Hello, i wanted to know if you stopped the Apocrypha videos ? Thank you.

Jack Wakeland

This is not my kind of thing.But for those who want to pay the extra $500 for a portable instantly unlocking gun safe integrated into their home defense pistol: I wish Biofire good fortunes. I hope they can figure out the next steps, miniaturizing and lowering the costs for this technology.

Dennis McNamara

I think a lot of the negative comments lose sight of the main goal of Biofire - a safe weapon for a family of novice users. I doubt many currently experienced gun owners will be interested in getting one. I like the fact that Biofire is directing all that effort into making a gun that is safe for non-authorized users to fire. Is it perfect ? No it is not but it is certainly better than what is currently available.