Hannah Kaye - Novel Interfaces

AINT101 - Plymouth University

[hkaye-3]

Xbox Kinect controls Korean Border

     Today's news claims that an adapted version of the popular gaming technology is being used to monitor security around the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea. This no-man's land is 2.5 miles wide and 155 miles long and has accidentally become a wildlife park.

     It is the Kinect's ability to differentiate between human and animal movement that is being utilised, i.e. so that the South Korean military can detect if a North Korean soldier is attempting to cross the border or if it's just a deer. Existing sensors do not have such differentiations. This measure has been taken due to recent security breaches, despite the country being on "high-alert".

     Currently their version of the Kinect detects sound, movement and direction. Last year, Microsoft added the ability to monitor heart rates and body temperature to the Xbox One's version; South Korea wish to do the same to theirs.

     Gaming is often the testing point for many new technologies, for instance touchscreens, robotics and movement detection; it's no longer the wider technological market or even for medical use where such technologies are being implemented. We have truly reached the age where gaming and war could combine. Isn't this what gaming skeptics have been warning for years: the lines will become blurred?

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/personal-tech/gaming/Xbox-Kinect-sensor-used-to-guard-Korean-border/articleshow/29956379.cms

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Project Holodeck

projectholodeck.com

     Star Trek: a reality? Ok maybe not the intergalactic travel and getting stuck the wrong side of a wormhole, but some of their technology (again perhaps not the medical scanner as of yet) could be on the brink of emerging onto the market. A group of students from the University of Southern California have embarked on this project, which is a part of the ever-advancing gaming area of virtual reality (VR).

     The last few years have seen the emergence of VR gaming technology , such as the Oculus Rift and PlayStation (PS) Move. Project Holodeck aims to not only track the head, but also the entire body; current technologies do one or the other.

      Gaming devices that track body motion, such as Nintendo's Wii and Xbox's Kinect, have been around for a number of years now. On the other hand, the Oculus Rift is still in the development stages and is possibly the only current technology that allows users to feel as thought they are actually inside the game, although it only tracks the head. Project Holodeck combines the Oculus Rift headset with PS move sensors and Razer Hydra Sixense motion controllers, in order to combine both the movement and vision elements for the entire body around 360 degrees! The team have talked about adding fans for wind effects, maybe other 4D elements will be implemented later? Players can also play with others, although it is unclear at this stage how this works. Presumably it will be similar to nowadays where all players have a separate controller with access different parts of the game.

     The team has been talking to Disney as well as several games companies. This means that even though the product is still a long way from making us look like fools wandering around our houses fighting monsters, that can't be seen by "outsiders", one day talking to people who "aren't there" could become a reality! What's more the team's aim is to make the technology affordable (An affordable new technology!?), so look out for this one appearing on every kid's Christmas list in years to come.

http://www.stuff.tv/project-holodeck-bringing-vr-back-vengeance/news

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Sony's Mirrorless Camera

      People have been taking photos for around two centuries now and it's safe to say the technology has changed somewhat since. Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras (MILC) are the latest leap. The main components of a basic camera - the mirror and prism system - have actually been removed: the optical reflex viewfinder is missing in this new breed.

    Although this technology may appear impressive on the surface, it does not seem to have any practical use or advantage over the current designs. Thus, I cannot see this particular camera making its way onto the mass market, even as an alternative to (as opposed to a replacement for) the current SLR range.

http://techglimpse.com/a5000-specifications-price-release-info/

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Babolat Play - Connected Tennis Racket

     Going one step further than consoles, such as the Wii; which utilised motion sensors in order to keep fit; Babolat's latest racket is specifically designed for professionals. They have been working with the International Tennis Federation, to extend their reach beyond the humble racket, thus ensuring that such devices may now be used in competitions.

      Players receive information about swing power, endurance and ball impact. An app - available on both iOS and Android - receives the data and aids in analysing game performance. The software can produce game progression graphs and detailed overviews of recent sessions; thus allowing players and coaches to easily and effectively track performance.

     We already record information such as ball speed and career averages in professional competitions. Now the "racket's" performance can also be tracked. I truly believe that this invention could revolutionise the way in which players train, providing the most accurate information that they have ever been able to attain. However, my only concern is how players themselves are identified: must you log into your racket, or is it one racket per player? In either case, it would be easy to skew a player's record simply by using their Babolat Play. If it's developers were able to use, for example, fingerprint recognition to detect who has picked up the device, this would fix such issues. 

http://techglimpse.com/connected-tennis-racquet-babolat/

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C-Max Solar Powered Car

     Electric and even solar powered cars are nothing new. However, this particular car, well looks like a car and drives like a car. Before the world's gets too excited about banishing the inefficient, UFO-style solar powered cars to the past; even developers feel that this model is likely to remain ever a concept and out of the commercial market.

     The solar panels are well hidden on the roof, manufactured by SunPower. Its contractor lens absorbs sunlight (much like a plant) in order to fuel the car. Ford say that this new model has the same mileage range as their conventional (plug-in to charge) electric car: 620 miles, more than enough for the average driver. Although we all know of Britain's problem with a lack of sunlight, therefore this car is unlikely to ever reach the full charge necessary; thus a charge port is still supplied.

      Could this be the solution to the current green energy crisis? Unfortunately, this invention may be confined to this year's CES conference in Las Vegas: forever a dream...

http://techglimpse.com/concept-car-21-miles-fuel-sunlight/

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Samsung Flexible AMOLED Display

     Ever sat on your phone and cracked the screen? Had to take your it out of your pocket when you sat down? Wished you could fold it in half to fit into a smaller pocket? This invention is the answer!

     The technology is so new that very little is known about it: not approximate price nor possible release date; not even an indication of how it might work. All that can be sourced is that, yes, it is still a touchscreen.

     Samsung's latest phone is a huge step up from the Galaxy Round - it can bend at almost any angle: even in half! A 5.68" prototype was developed for CES 2014 (just mere days ago), many secrets still stroud this product in mystery. Just one thing is known for sure: Samsung are keeping their cards very close to their chests with this one!

http://techglimpse.com/ces-samsung-bendable-display-technology/

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Phorce - "Smart Bag"

     Nowadays, we're all looking for easier and more convenient ways to charge our ever-multiplying devices. Perhaps Phorce is the answer: the user simply places, for example, their tablet into the bag and it charges anytime, anyway (so long as there is enough charge in the bag itself).

     The bag is completely waterproof, with special pockets; both of which help to keep the user's devices safe and sound. With technology opening up to an ever more diverse market every day, fashion is now also a key aspect of technology. With this, as well as practicality, in mind the bag can be worn as a shoulder bag, a backpack or even a suitcase!

     An especially handy feature of the Pharce bag is its ability to connect, via Bluetooth, to any smartphone. This pairing allows the user to monitor the power left in their bag; or as a pseudo-tracking device. One possible use of the latter function is that the user's phone will alert them if they stray too far from their bag, i.e. if it is left on a seat, or under a table.

     One possible problem that I can see with this final function is whether each bag can be uniquely identified: will the user be alerted when they wander past another person's bag? Also, can the alerts be disarmed, for instance if the user wishes to leave their bag at home and take their phone with them - a very common occurrence. Furthermore, can multiple devices and multiple bags be connected together? This may be used in the case of a family or people borrowing Phorces; an alternative is where a user owns multiple devices. A promising product nevertheless.

http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/smart-bag-to-charge-all-your-gadgets-295903

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Samsung Smart Home

     Is 2014 the year where those "Homes-of-the-Future" from old films become a reality? The new Smart Home - following on from LG's "HomeChat" - allows homeowners to manage all their appliances from one place (yes that includes the fridge!).

     Users will be able to control everything from the heating and washing machine, to their new automated vacuum cleaner with the "Integrated Service Platform". Smartphones, smart TVs, tablets and the new wearable devices will all be connected to a "Cloud-Based Server" (similar to systems already in place). The two systems will be linked together in constant communication, acting as one.

     There is customisable device control available from an app on one of the devices. For example, the voice command on a smartwatch of "Going out." can switch off any or all of its associated home appliances, so as to save energy. If built-in cameras are available on one of the user's appliances, the home can be viewed in real-time: the optimal anti-burglary system? Users can even get notifications when their appliances need cleaning or servicing!

     Of course, any system on such a scale will take several years to become fully implemented into households; assuming the wider population take to it at all. Even assuming this does not prove to be a problem, as with current systems, compatibility will be an issue: a user will most likely need all Samsung products, or so-called "partner products". I believe that the only solution to this issue would be if all new appliances were designed under the same system (as was the aim of the Android OS).

gadgets.ndtv.com/others/news/samsung-smart-home-service-for-home-devices-to-be-showcased-at-ces-2014-467431

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Wearable Smart Devices

     By now we've all heard of Google Glass and the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch, but I want to focus on the new wave of apps set to hit the market for such devices. Both technologies are moving away from touchscreen technology, that has exploded in recent years; voice control is set to take its place. GPS, gyroscope, compass and Wifi will all also be key features in the new devices. Sound vibrations also replace speakers in Glass' sound system, for ambient sound.

     Glu have developed a classic word puzzle game for Glass' prototype, "Spellista", whereby voice commands and head movements allow users to complete the game in a truly unique fashion. A combination of the 5MP camera and voice command allows gamers to create and share puzzles with friends: a now compulsory part of any gaming experience. All of which could prove rather comical for any onlookers. But, who knows: perhaps one day such quirks will become the norm, just as talking into invisible earpieces is today?

     Another company condemning humanity to apparent lunacy is Mind Pirate with "Global Food Fight". The game has been designed for the new age of gamer, who would rather a sprint-style game than the marathons of yesteryear - games will last between 30 and 90 seconds in length. Again, multiplayer functionality is a key aspect of this app; as is the recent 3-D boom, that is yet to break into the mobile market. Could this be the start of a new wave of 3-dimensional technology?

     Head movements and taps on the glass touchpad (demonstrating that touchscreen is not dead yet) allow players to throw virtual tomatoes and pies at each other, from across the globe. Users may also build obstacle courses for their opponents, in order to avoid being hit by projectiles.

     As was shown with Angry Birds for tablets and Wii sports for the new generation of games consoles, or even the humble card game Solitaire for Windows OS; apps can prove to be the making of new technology. The key is to utilise that particular technologies new and most impressive features.

     Practical uses, such as fitness, are also major contributors to success. Qualcomm Inc and Fitbit hope to boost the smartwatch market with this particular usage. Single and binocular lenses could also form part of the future for smartglasses.

http://profit.ndtv.com/news/industries/article-app-developers-see-wearable-devices-as-next-big-thing-376747

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Brain Port - Paul Bach-y-Rita

(Photos courtesy Wicab, Inc.)

     Ever wondered what a tennis ball or a tree look like? What about your own friends and family? Some people with severe visual impairment have never seen these sights, or at least not for a long time. With the help of Brain Port, they can see light and even edges, using their tongues!

     Often the retina of such a person is damaged or malformed, hence why they are unable to see. The Brain Port uses the tongue as a replacement "retina", the signals from its camera are then sent to the brain and processed, as in any other person. The device combines visual augmentation (such as in glasses) with visual substitution (such as in Braille).

     A secondary use for the Brain Port is for those who suffer from balance troubles, due to an inner-ear disorder. A similar technique to that of the visual aid is implemented, whereby the wearer's brain receives information from the Brain Port's tongue sensors - by way of an accelerometer - as opposed to from the inner ear.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/brainport.htm