Posted on June 23rd, 2010 by Marcela.
Categories: new, Products, versus is vs, useful technology, more, not 24 hours, education.
Honda developed the Bodyweight Support Assist device to help support bodyweight to reduce the load on the user’s legs while walking, going up and down stairs and in a semi-crouching position, such as these associates demonstrate in Honda’s Saitama Factory in Japan.
Some of you may recall our piece on Honda’s Body Support Assist prototype last year. As a quick update to that story, those of you in the New York area will get a chance to see it in person as a part of the “Why Design Now?” exhibition at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Honda’s unique device lightens the load on the user’s legs and helps maintain a center of gravity via special mechanisms developed by the company. Walking, crouching, climbing stairs - all become easier with help from Body Support Assist. Needless to say, there are plenty of use cases for such a product, not the least of which would be helping people afflicted with mobility issues or leg problems. Honda has a promo video (included below) demonstrating how the device is worn and operated.
The exhibition will feature a variety of innovations and designs intended to have a positive impact on our world, spanning the fields of engineering, energy, and conservation to name a few. If you can’t make it to New York in person, stay tuned to Cooper Hewitt’s YouTube channel for updated videos clips featuring smart design.
‘Why Design Now?’ Event Details:
The show will run from May 14, 2010 to January 9, 2011 at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum on 2 East 91st Street, Manhattan. More information is available via their website, cooperhewitt.org.
Source: Honda
REMEMBER :Honda’s prototype walking assist devices to go on show in the US
With increasing numbers of post-war baby boomers beginning to face old age, devices assisting people remain mobile as they grow older will become big business. Honda, which started out making motorcycles, has anticipated the needs of an aging population and invested heavily in mobility robotics research. The company is planning to demonstrate its prototype walking assist devices as part of a technical exhibition at the 2009 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress, at Detroit’s Cobo Center, from April 20 to 23. Prior to the Detroit event, Honda plans to put the devices through their paces for media in New York.
Posted on May 4th, 2010 by Marcela.
Categories: new, Products, Technology, useful technology, more, not 24 hours, Screens, 3 d, education, corporative, events, media, Markets.
MIT Technology Review names 10 technologies that will change the World
Here we are in the Information Age. Never before has the flow of ideas, innovation and new technologies been so strong, so much so that it’s hard to imagine what the world will be like in 10, 20 or 50 years time. So which of today’s fledgling technologies will have a fundamental impact on the way we live our lives in the future? MIT’s Technology Review has turned its attention to this question with the release of its annual list of 10 emerging technologies and it makes thought provoking reading.
Technology Review 2010 TR10 - technologies likely to change the world
Solar fuel. Joule Biotechnologies’ Noubar Afeyan has created genetically engineered microorganisms that can turn sunlight into ethanol or diesel — a feat that could allow biofuels to compete with fossil fuels on both cost and scale. http://www.technologyreview.com/video/?vid=563
Mobile 3-D. Recent box-office hits like Avatar and Up have added to the growing popularity of 3-D movies. Julien Flack of Dynamic Digital Depth is leading the charge to take 3-D mainstream not only on TVs, but also smart phones and mobile devices, through a technology that can convert existing 2-D content to 3-D on the fly. http://www.technologyreview.com/video/?vid=559
Dual action antibodies.Genentech’s Germaine Fuh has found a promising way to fight conditions like cancer and AIDs through dual-action antibodies that give patients two drugs for the price of one, offering the promise of drugs that work better and cost less. http://www.technologyreview.com/video/?vid=560
Real-time search. Amit Singhal is leading Google’s quest to mine social networks for up-to-the-second search results that offer the same relevance and quality of traditional Web searches. http://www.technologyreview.com/video/?vid=556
Light-trapping photovoltaics. By depositing nanoparticles of silver on the surface of a thin-film cell, Kylie Catchpole of the Australian National University has found a way to boost the cells’ efficiency — an advance that could help make solar power more competitive with fossil fuels. http://www.technologyreview.com/video/?vid=558
Engineered stem cells. James Thomson of Cellular Dynamics and the University of Wisconsin has potentially revolutionized the way we screen drugs and study disease by providing a way to make — in the test tube — any kind of cell from patients with different diseases. http://www.technologyreview.com/article/25152/
Social TV. People are already trying to combine their social networks with TV, using laptops and smart phones to comment on live events like the Oscars or the Olympics. MIT’s Marie-José Montpetit is working on social TV — a way to seamlessly combine the active experience of social networks with the more passive experience of traditional TV viewing. http://www.technologyreview.com/video/?vid=564
Green concrete. The production of cement is responsible for about 5 percent of global carbon emissions. Novacem’s Nikolaos Vlasopoulos has created a cement that is a carbon “sink” rather than a source. His innovation could greatly reduce the global carbon emissions that result from cement production. http://www.technologyreview.com/video/?vid=562
Implantable electronics. Tufts University’s Fiorenzo Omenetto is developing implantable electronic devices that can be used to deliver drugs, stimulate nerves, monitor biomarkers, and more. And once they’ve done their job, they almost completely dissolve away. More info here or http://www.technologyreview.com/video/?vid=557
Cloud programming. At the University of California, Berkeley, Joseph Hellerstein is creating better software for building cloud applications, and this could herald a new wave of applications for social media analysis, enterprise computing, or sensor networks monitoring for earthquake warning signs. http://www.technologyreview.com/video/?vid=561
More info on each of the 2010 TR10 (and previous years) is now online and will be featured in the May/June edition of Technology Review.
Posted on April 28th, 2010 by Marcela.
Categories: new, Technology, more, not 24 hours, education, critical decisions, Markets.
The idea of tailoring architecture to the requirements of a prison is by no means new - most famously the Panopticon design by English philosopher and social theorist Jeremy Bentham has been the blueprint for many prisons since the late 1800s.
A new Vertical Prison concept is not as draconian in its ambitions with its aim of rehabilitating prisoners by allowing them to remain a part of society and allow them to contribute to it, while using height as a wall to separate them from it.
The Vertical Prison was designed by Malaysian architecture students Chow Khoon Toong, Ong Tien Yee, and Beh Ssi Cze, and took first place in eVolo Magazine’s annual Skyscraper Competition. Their project examines the possibility of creating a prison-city in the sky, where the inmates would live in a “free” and productive community with agricultural fields, factories and recycling plants that would be operated by the offenders as a way to give back to the community and support the host city below them.
Recognizing that many prisons are nothing more than a school for criminals, the prison design aims to rehabilitate inmates by invoking a sense of community. In allowing the prison to become a part of the community and form a symbiotic relationship with the it, the designers also believe that the social stigma of a prison would be softened resulting in greater acceptance of inmates and a better chance they will be given another opportunity upon re-entering society after their incarceration.
The Vertical Prison employs a modular design to maximize flexibility. A girder box structure is used to house a variety of different units and form a communal space. Inmates are housed in Cell Units that themselves can be customized with different “loopholes” or openings appropriate to the behavior or level of danger of the inmate. Depending on its location within a city the prison could include Agricultural Units to grow food for the city, Industrial Units to help in the recycling of industrial waste or Juvenile Units to scare kids straight.
Transport to and from the prison is via various pods that travel along the frames supporting the prison. Transport Pods are the primary transport vehicle and can also be used for daily surveillance. Heavy Lift Pods serve as vertical lift transport for delivering cargo to market or to transport other pods to the ground. Armored Riot Control Pods are armed with both lethal and non-lethal weapons as well as airdrop capabilities for keeping prisoners in check. Medevac Pods are equipped with airlift capabilities and paramedic equipment, while the Fire Rescue Pod also has air lift capabilities and fire-fighting apparatus.
Given the cost of such a system, not to mention the difficulty any city would face in trying to convince nearby residents a prison with no walls above their neighborhood is a good idea, it’s probably not likely we’ll see any Vertical Prisons appearing on city skylines anytime soon. But kudos to the designers for giving some serious thought into an equally serious problem.
Recidivism rates among prisoners suggest the system – in the US at least and the many countries with similar systems – is not working. In California, which has the highest recidivism rate in the US, seven out of ten prisoners return to prison within three years. That translates to a tremendous burden on the taxpayer. So if the new prison concept was found to be successful, ideas like it might not be as expensive in the long run as they first appear.
Posted on January 18th, 2010 by Marcela.
Categories: new, Products, Technology, dlp, l c d, lcos, useful technology, education, corporative, events, media, Home Theatre.
Event horizon
In his annual round-up, Dr Geoff Archenhold looks back at a momentous year of developments in LED technology and suggests that this is the dawn of a new era.
The lighting community finds itself in interesting times lumbered with the challenges of the economic credit crunch on the one hand and the disruptive change that LED technology is forcing upon established lighting manufacturers on the other. Over the last few years I have listened to many statements from all parts of the lighting supply chain stating that LED technology is not yet mature enough to be considered as a mainstream lighting technology. However during 2009 the numbers of LED doubters have dwindled significantly which proves one thing - 2009 was the year that LED technology was adopted as the future lighting technology for the global lighting industry - it was an event horizon!
Figure : The high performance Cool, Neutral and Warm White LED array from Bridgelux
It is clear that 2009 has been a year of significant change for the lighting industry with many of the major lighting brands producing financial results to send shivers down the spine of most analysts.
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Figure 1: The Xicato module based on remote phosphor technology
Figure 2: Cree’s online Product Characterization Tool
Figure 3: The Sharp Zenigata 6.7W LED array
However the economic crisis has offered significant opportunities with large numbers of smaller companies focusing specifically on LED technology. These companies have taken advantage of the technology disruption and brought highly innovative solutions to end-users. I believe many of the smaller and more innovative lighting companies will develop the skills and understanding of the new technologies faster than traditional brands and the market will see competition that makes for an exciting time for end-users and the lighting market in general. Competition means both lower prices and higher innovation.
There are several reasons why LED lighting have become more readily accepted:
• Consumers are aware of the climate change issues with significant weather events that were supposed to happen once in a 1000 years happening within decades.
• Energy prices are high and set to go much higher so return on investment is key on customer priorities.
• LED performance has significantly improved in both efficiency and colour quality making them the light source of choice.
• LED fixtures are digital and the integration of controls is straightforward compared to traditional light sources.
• Standards for LEDs are now in place.
• The cost of LED emitters have dropped significantly during 2009 making LED fixtures more affordable.
• There is a greater choice of LED manufacturers and LED component suppliers.
others LED projects:
What to expect in 2010.
Steve Landau, Philips Lumileds suggests the following:
• Power LED products are still not generic and what’s true for one product is not necessarily true for those from other manufacturers. This means that there’s significant due dilligence that must be done by the engineers to understand how each product will perform in an application before making an LED selection. The LED manufacturers must continue to provide more, better information that allows this work to be done as easily and quickly as possible. Without that effort and understanding of the differences, it’s likely that some will make the wrong choice and the impact on their business success and customer perception could be impacted.
• Understanding system reliability will take centre stage. Without truly understanding system reliability, warranty, TCO and payback, assessments cannot be accurately calculated. System reliability does not equal lumen maintenance of the LED. It is actually a calculation that considers the following elements: electrical, connections, LEDs, optical, thermal, and mechanical. Strongly related to this is the notion that LEDs don’t fail. They do, as do all electronic components. In LED solutions, the typical approach is to use an array of LEDs. Understanding the lumen maintenance and catastrophic failure probabilities will become critical. Lastly, a clear understanding of these metrics allows systems to be optimised.
• From a product perspective we expect to see significant expansion of the product offerings available to the illumination markets where light output, CRI, and CCT are more finely defined, binning continues to improve and shrink and colour uniformity and quality get significantly better.
Conclusions
2009 has been a stunning year for Solid-State Lighting that has witnessed LED technology leapfrog CFL lighting in terms of performance and LED driver technology become even more sophisticated and flexible. LEDs have again increased the performance bar with a record 249 lumens per watt efficiency in the Nichia laboratories and CREE achieving over 132 lumens per watt for production LEDs.
2010 will be a significant growth year for LED lighting manufacturers, despite the economy, and we will see a major proportion of traditional lighting companies begin to adopt LED technologies as consumers decide to move to a greener lighting solution.
Next year will see a whole raft of colour tuneable white light products launched on the market enabling users to command the lighting environment. The use of LED technology will also see the incorporation of intelligent controls within fixture designs without significant cost surplus making the energy efficient gap between traditional light sources and LED based products extend significantly.
Of course, LED emitter technology will continue to be enhanced but this is now a secondary concern as focus shifts to high CRI LED products and lower cost systems.
Geoff Archenhold is an adviser to the UK Government on LED technology and helps LED companies raise investment from the finance community. He is an investor in an LED driver company and an LED fixture company, a Lighting Energy Consultancy and euroLEDs Events LLP.
Posted on January 4th, 2010 by Marcela.
Categories: new, Products, Technology, dlp, l c d, useful technology, Screens, plasma flat panel, rear projection, education, corporative, media.
1.The EVGA Interview™ Display
2.NEC Curved Monitor
3.iView (experimental)
1.The EVGA Interview™ Display is redefining today’s face to face business interaction. With two displays capable of 1440×900 resolution, along with a 1.3 megapixel webcam and three port USB Hub, the EVGA Interview™ Dual Monitor System is not just another display.
The innovation does not stop there however. Both displays are capable of being rotated independently vertically and horizontally. When the display is flipped 180 degrees vertically, the screen intelligently flips so you can effectively share documents, images, and files with ease. This is the ideal monitor for anyone and everyone who communicates face to face.
Now when sharing information with friends, colleagues or employees, never again will you need to worry about poor viewing angles, knocking over items on your desk as you attempt to rotate your existing display or huddling around a single monitor. The displays rotate smoothly, and auto-flip the image without interruptions, even outside of the operating system!
Of course more displays mean more desktop space, and more desktop space means improved productivity. The two 1440×900 resolution displays can be set up as a clone (same image on both), or a span (extended desktop mode) with a supported graphics card. The revolutionary EVGA Interview™ Display will change the way you interact on a daily basis!
Graphics and multimedia analyst, Dr. Jon Peddie of Jon Peddie Research did a multi-monitor usage study and found an increase in productivity from 50 percent or more. “EVGA now enables in a single system what used to be called a ‘partners’ desk, traditionally facilitating teamwork between two executives while facing each other. Now users can flip the EVGA monitor over and both see the same thing. Doctors can use it in a patient-doctor relationship for reviewing X-rays with patients, teachers can use it for one-on-one tutoring, engineers can use it where they want to have a collaborative discussion on a design…and you can use it yourself for having more screen real estate because the more you can see - the more you can do.”
More information
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxh_FKKBZig
2.NEC Curved Monitor
NEC was showing off their curved monitor model CRVD-42DWX+ at CES 2008. It’s a 42-inch 2880×900 resolution 32:10 aspect-ratio 10000:1 contrast-ratio LED-backlit DLP display with a 0.02ms response time – great for 3-D gaming and widescreen & immersive apps. Same (?) as the Alienware Curved display also seen at CES…it’s made by the same folks, namely little-known ODM Ostendo Technologies Inc.
CRVD Technology
CRVD. Pronounced “curved.”
CRVD is Ostendo’s revolutionary new scalable technology that allows us to build curved-screen displays that offer unparalleled performance and immersion. The CRVD’s smooth curvature along with its vivid LED colors and blazing fast response time draw the user in and create an experience unlike that of any other monitor.
Vivid LED colors.
The CRVD uses the latest LED technology to deliver bright, accurate colors that are excellent for graphics and video work, or just to impress.
Blazing fast.
The CRVD has a blistering fast response time of less than .02 milliseconds, so there’s no ghosting in moving images and animation.
No special hardware needed.
CRVD displays work with existing graphics cards and games, so there is no need for special hardware or software. Check the compatibility list for further details.
The CRVD’s seamless curved screen engages 75% of the Human Visual System (HVS) peripheral vision, creating an unmatched immersive viewing experience. Whether it’s work or play, prepare to be engrossed.
Be more productive.
Curved screens offer additional productivity benefits above and beyond what flat monitors can offer. Research has shown that screen curvature increases productivity and reduces frustration when compared to multiple flat monitors.1
Improved ergonomics.
In multi-monitor usage, eye strain is often experienced because the focal distance varies across the displays. The CRVD eliminates eye fatigue because the screen is curved and the user’s focal distance remains constant across the screen.
With its roomy 2880-by-900 resolution, the CRVD will expand your desktop and give you extra space to be more productive. In fact, research has shown that wide desktops improve productivity more than 30% compared to a single monitor.2
See what you’ve been missing.
The CRVD’s ultra-wide 32:10 aspect ratio is 180% wider than 16:9 displays and 240% wider than 4:3, letting you see more of what’s important.
Like having two monitors in one.
The CRVD has all the benefits of multiple monitors without all the hassles. Say goodbye to disjointed desktops, split windows, multiple input cables, and that unsightly gap between monitors.
More information
3.iVIEW
The iView curved monitor, designed by Nuno Teixeira, is both compelling and definitely not post-iconic…a kind of stretched and curved double iMac all-in-one desktop computer.
The LCD iView, as it’s officially called, is unfortunately just a concept and so not many details are available. The iView has a curved panoramic double LCD screen on the front and a smaller one on the back to benefit your colleagues. It has two video cameras, one in front & the other at the back with which to monitor those self same ‘colleagues’. Bluetooth also.
…nicely done…the iView dates to Feb 2007 & was perhaps the inspiration for the NEC/Alienware curved monitors that cropped up in CES 2008.
iView – from Nuno Teixeira’s Portfolio on Behance
—Concept year: 2/2007
The next step in LCD for professionals “the LCD iView” the first screen with two distinctive characteristics: a double panoramic screen with a unique curvature accompanying the natural eye curvature and movement.
Eliminate the use of two screens to achieve a larger work area. The use of dual screen, strategically put together side by side, originates areas where the visibility is hindered, not only by the proximity, but by the high perspective created by the curve-free plans, as well. With the iView you will get no undesired reflections, remarkably increased working flow and with the presence of all the commands and working plans in one big area, you can now drag them around or zoom them in or out, without any of the usual unnecessary physical interruptions or adjustments.
Get “another” view of you project. The large double screen iView comprises in its back another practical innovation - an extra LCD - extremely useful for both colleges and assistants. It allows them to follow your work in progress, without any effort, which instantly increases the creative exchange.
Other Characteristics:
Image by bluetooth
Wireless, it only uses electric cable
Two web-cams, one at the front and another at the back.
