Product Inspiration

This T-shirt has a graphic that changes depending on how close you are to a wireless network. Here’s what I really like about it

• It is a wearable piece of technology that serves a useful function
• It is another great example of how dynamic displays can be built into clothes
• Its another step in the ongoing trend of geeky stuff becoming mainstream

I hope this type of stuff gets cool before I’m too old to wear T-shirts. The lack of wireless networks in my rural area, and a fleeting grain of pride, will keep be from buying this. For now.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/generic/991e/?cpg=cj via gizmodo

This phone is stuffed full of all kinds of different sensors which provide lots of information on your bodily health. It has a pedometer, pulse recording sensors, ‘bad breath’ sensors, and an obesity calculator. It would be nice if Uncle Sam would subsidize this type of stuff to get our collective butts back in shape.http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20071004/140249/

A conventional DVD drive has been modified to scan laboratory samples through some simple hardware and software modifications. The huge cost savings this provides seems to suggest that there may be much cheaper ways of making this type of laboratory scanning equipment WITHOUT all of the hardware hacking.

http://www.hackaday.com/2007/09/25/convert-a-dvd-r-drive-into-a-lab-sc anner/

Technorati : DVD drive hacks, laboratory scanner

Some eggheads at MIT are working on a smart paper which has wires, sensors, and computer chips embedded inside the paper. There are multiple other entities working on this type of technology to provide cheap, flexible, and intelligent electronic devices (effectively eliminating the bulky size of our phones and ipods), but MIT’s method of using conductive ink seems to really be able to make much bigger strides in reducing cost and complexity.

http://technology.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn12663

Technorati : printable electronics

In the last year or two, there have been quite a few advanced sensors aimed primarily at improving the performance of professional athletes.

One such technology was a pill which the sports hero swallowed at the beginning of the workout. During the workout, the pill could transmit the athlete’s core body temperature to the sideline trainers. This let them optimize the athlete’s performance and reduce his (or her) risk of injury by picking the best times to have them take a break.

More recently, a device came out which monitors various other parameters, and clips to the back of the ear.

Another such technology uses GPS monitoring to track the athlete’s movement during practice and actual games.

While these previous features only record diagnostic information, the following device (and others) actually enhances the athlete’s performance. It provides rapid cooling of your body by putting a very cold pad on your veins, chilling your circulating blood, and rapidly bringing your body temperature down. This could really extend a player’s endurance.

Given the recent controversy surrounding the use of video eqiupment for cheating in the NFL, it will be interesting to watch how each sport’s governing bodies control and regulate these technologies which give players an advantage over others.

Technorati : sports technology

Facial recognition seems like it has been that science fiction technology which is always ‘right around the corner.’ You see it on Discovery Channel specials, and hear about scientists doing all kinds of cool things with it in the lab, but rarely see it in real products. Recently, this technology has finally been brought into some new products for average consumers. First, some new consumer cameras incorporated this technology to improve focusing on the faces of the subjects, and to check and make sure everyone is smiling.

Then, Lexus created this system which employs facial recognition for a much more practical use. It uses a set of cameras, remote controls, and computer-run algorithms to make sure you are paying attention to the road. The driver-facing camera is coupled with a camera which looks in front of the vehicle for upcoming obstacles. When both an inattentive driver and an upcoming are sensed, the system kicks into action, sounding a buzzer, pre-tensioning the seat belts, and even applying the brakes.

Applications such as these show that facial recognition may finally be turning the corner, and may be giving the average consumer some cool new functions on a wide variety of products.

via gizmag

Technorati : facial recognition, smart cars

Here’s a slick software analysis tool which turns previously unreadable digital fingerprints into useable data. It works by checking each minute detail of the print, and converting them into a standard coordinate system. The high amount of detail this provides also opens the door for previously impossible analysis, such as the locations of individual sweat pores and instantaneous results for matches.

http://www.physorg.com/news110454467.html

Technorati : fingerprint analysis, scanning