Visual Technology

‘Tele Scouter’ retinal-display translation glasses

Posted on December 5th, 2009 by Marcela.
Categories: Products, Technology, l c d, more, Screens, education.

I see what you’re saying - NEC’s ‘Tele Scouter’ retinal-display translation glasses

The days of a Universal Translator like the one that made communication between alien species a non-issue in Star Trek might be some way off yet. But a new device from NEC is definitely a step in the right direction for those of us on planet Earth looking for a way to communicate with other language speakers that doesn’t involve a human translator or a well-thumbed phrase book. The prototype device called a “Tele Scouter” is a glasses type display that translates the foreign language being spoken by a partner and projects the translation onto a tiny retinal display.

The device mounted on an eyeglass frame consists of the retinal display, front-mounted camera and microphone, but doesn’t perform the translation itself. Rather the microphone picks up the conversation and transmits it to a portable computer worn on the user’s waist. This computer in turn transmits the information to a remote server, which is responsible for carrying out the heavy processing of converting the speech to text, translating it and sending it back to the wearable parts of the system to be displayed on the retinal display.

This configuration allows for a device that is small and lightweight enough to be worn comfortably, without chewing through battery power. And since the retinal display projects the text into the user’s peripheral vision they are able to maintain eye contact with the person they are talking to. Also, because the wearer doesn’t have to focus their eye on the displayed text, the device can be worn for extended periods without eye strain.

At present the device’s translation abilities aren’t sufficient for real world applications, so NEC plans to initially market the device as a wearable hands-free data display that could be used to show engineers and on- and off-site technicians user guides and manuals while installing or repairing hardware. The system would also allows instructions from a single expert to be delivered to multiple personnel wearing the devices, while recording the repairs is captured by the front-mounted camera.

NEC is aiming to begin shipping the Tele Scouter system in 2010, with a system to suit the needs of 30 users estimated to cost around 750 million yen (approx. US$8.2 million at time of publication). Even at that price NEC is hoping to have sold 1,000 systems in three years.

Via Pink Tentacle, Slash Gear.

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Anti-paparazzi

Posted on December 3rd, 2009 by Marcela.
Categories: new, Products.

Anti-paparazzi clutch bag gives pushy shutterbugs a taste of their own medicine

Celebrities looking for a way to combat those pesky paparazzi that doesn’t involve fisticuffs and a less than flattering mug shot will want to hope this new “anti-paparazzi device” makes the jump from concept to commercial availability. The concept is basically an LED flash built into a clutch purse that emits a photo ruining flash of its own when it detects the flash from a camera.

The device uses a photo cell that reads light to detect jumps in ambient light caused by camera flashes. Currently the photo cell can detect a flash being fired from up to a 45 degree angle each way. This is connected to a computer-programmable micro-controller, which controls three small LED lights that flash for 1/15th of a second and wash out the photograph.

New York University graduate student Adam Harvey originally developed the device as a way to combine his interest in photography with a physical computing class project. He wasn’t able to perfect the device for class, but has continued to refine the design so that currently the wiring and batteries fit in a ladies clutch. It is activated by powering it on and then tilting the clutch, meaning you can control whether you want the flash to go off or not with a tilt of the wrist.

Since that’s great for the ladies, but not so great for your average male action movie star, Harvey aims to reduce the size of the device further so that it could be worn on something as small as a pendant or tiepin.

The device works up to ISO 800 at f/4 and its use is therefore limited to low light situations such as night or inside. It will work at shutter speeds up to 1/125, but is much more effective on low light shots with long shutter speeds.

Harvey is continuing to refine the design of the anti-paparazzi device and is currently working on a patent for it. He has announced a limited release of the clutch bag will become available in early Spring 2010.

Source: AHProjects via pdn Gear Guide.

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Solar forest

Posted on December 2nd, 2009 by Marcela.
Categories: new, Products, Technology, useful technology, more, not 24 hours, corporative.

Solar forest charging station for electric vehicles

Designer neville mars has developed an electric vehicle charging station that takes
the form of an evergreen glade of solar trees. the photovoltaic grove serves a dual function,
acting as a go to source for clean renewable energy while providing a shady spot for cars
to park as they charge.

aspects of urban life are caused by cars, for both driver and the city itself. Large sweltering expanses of tarmac in cities contribute heavily to the urban heat island effect, whilst cars also become unbearably hot in summer sitting in these urban deserts.

Optimizing the heliostatic photovoltaic panels ultimately resulted in their leaflike shape. Although never intentionally conceived to mimic the form of a tree, the panels rotate to follow the path of the sun throughout the day – much like sunflowers – absorbing light whilst also providing optimal shading for cars. Although all parked cars can benefit from shading, electric vehicles can directly charge their batteries by plugging into the ‘solar trees.’

Solar Tree is unique among anti-auto pollution designs in that it empathizes with the anthropomorphized automobile, but particularly with the electric car, providing a place for overworked, spent cars to regain their lost torque, to relax beneath the trees, to gain back their juice in an optimal stress-free environment.

Video of the Solar Tree in motion on Youtube: SOLAR FOREST
Or as embedded movie SMALL or MEDIUM

http://burb.tv/view/Solar_forest

www.ecofriend.org/entry/eco-architecture-solar-forest-keeps-your-ev-cool-and-charges-it-as-well/

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Solar powered LED Cap brims with light

Posted on December 2nd, 2009 by Marcela.
Categories: new, Products, Technology, l c d, useful technology, Screens, education.

The Solar Light Cap won’t let you get caught in the dark

New Zealand-based company 2C is selling a range of solar powered LED caps that charge up during the day to provide light at night. All the energy gathering, light-emitting technology is located in the semi-flexible pre-bent beak of the caps including the solar panel and the NiMH battery used to store it.

The two LED’s on the beak of the Solar Light Cap project light at a downward angle up to six feet in front of the wearer, so it wont blind anyone you look at. Angling the cap upwards extends the range, with 2C saying the light can penetrate up to 10 meters (32 feet). The single button, also located on the underside of the beak, controls all the lighting functions. One press will turn the light on or off, while a double click cycles through different modes including a blinking mode and SOS mode. Pressing and holding the button controls the dimming of the LEDs.

The cap initially takes about three days of daylight to reach a full charge, after which one day should be enough. A full charge will provide five hours of use on full beam or 36 hours on low beam. A special mode that turns off the cap before the battery drains completely ensures there is always something in reserve to provide short bursts of light with every press of the button until the power is finally exhausted.

The Solar Light Cap is available in a range of styles and colors, ranging in price from USD$39.90 to $44.90.

Via DVICE

http://www.solarlightcap.com/index.html

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The first commercial Brain Computer Interface

Posted on December 2nd, 2009 by Marcela.
Categories: new, Products, Technology, useful technology, education, media.

The first commercial Brain Computer Interface

The Computer-Human Interface has a new contender technology. Though we’d like to think we’ve come a long way with computers, the keyboard and mouse remain the predominant way we interface with them. We’ve had the unfulfilled promise of handwriting and voice recognition and hope that something better will come along sooner or later. Perhaps this is it - brain computer interface technology pioneer Emotiv Systems will have its EPOC neuroheadset to market before Christmas 2008. The lightweight US$300 EPOC is, worn on the head but does not restrict movement in any way as it is wireless. The set detects conscious thoughts, expressions and non-conscious emotions based on electrical signals around the brain. It opens up a plethora of new applications which can be controlled with our thoughts, expressions and emotions.

The Emotiv EPOC will be the first high-fidelity brain computer interface (BCI) device for the video gaming market when it becomes available to consumers via Emotiv’s Web site and through selected retailers in late 2008 for a recommended retail price of $299.

The company is also opening its Application Programming Interface (API) and providing a range of development tools to enable developers to integrate neurotechnology into their applications. The initiative will spur the adoption of brain computer interface technology in video gaming and other industries, enabling consumers to experience an entirely new form of human-machine interaction.

The Emotiv EPOC detects and processes human conscious thoughts and expressions and non-conscious emotions. By integrating the Emotiv EPOC into their games or other applications, developers can dramatically enhance interactivity, gameplay and player enjoyment by, for example, enabling characters to respond to a player’s smile, laugh or frown; by adjusting the game dynamically in response to player emotions such as frustration or excitement; and enabling players to manipulate objects in a game or even make them disappear using the power of their thoughts.

Yet another direction enabled by the EPOC is that of live animation using the unit’s facial recognition sensors to mimic the wearer’s facial expressions in an animated avatar.

We look forward to exploring this one further. Very exciting possibilities.

LabFloria

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