[dorkbotsea-blabber] MIT researchers design a digital ’sixth sense’

[Heurihermilab]

[Sounds like an inspiring example from MIT.  --cj.]



http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2009/02/05/mit-researchers-design-a-digital-sixth-sense/

MIT researchers design a digital 'sixth sense'
February 5, 2009 | By Dave Jeyes

Researchers combined a mobile projector with a webcam and mobile phone
to create a device that draws information from the environment. The
wearer can also interact with the sixth sense device using touch
gestures on nearly any surface.

The researchers showed off the sixth sense device at this year's
Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) conference. While the
gadget is not being primed for mass release, it represents a
forward-thinking way of blending technology with our environment.

The sixth sense gadget's projector can turn anything into a touch
screen and captures input via the webcam. The wearer can draw a circle
on his or her wrist and the device will project a digital clock face.

The gadget can also take pictures of the wearer's surrounding with
very simple prompts. All the user has to do is frame out an area and
the webcam will snap a frame.

MIT's latest device can also provide additional information about a
wearer's surroundings. The gadget recognizes products on store shelves
and can provide product and price comparison information.

The device can also retrieve flight information simply by viewing a
plane ticket to let the wearer know about delays. When reading
magazine articles, the device automatically pulls up related
information from the Web.

The sixth sense device was cobbled together from common parts costing
just $300. At the heart of the device is a smartphone that uses an
Internet connection to retrieve information.

In addition, the device turns nearly any surface into a touch screen.
If nothing else is available, the wearer can even project a screen
onto a hand.

MIT researcher Patty Maes says, "it can really let you connect as a
sixth sense device with whatever is in front of you." Even better it
lets people leverage the power of technology in ways that are
lightweight and very natural.