GO!SCAN 3D Captures Accurate 3D Models, Point-and-Shoot Style

You’ve heard me talk frequently about how excited I am about 3D printing technology, but this tech is still limited in that you need to know about 3D modeling to recreate objects. But with the advent of 3D scanners, you can even skip that step, and just scan in the objects you’d like to replicate.

go scan 3d scanner

The GO!SCAN 3D is a handheld 3D object scanner, which allows you to quickly and easily grab 3D images of real-world objects, and convert them into digital 3D models. These models can then be used for everything from CGI effects to video games, to serving as models for 3D printing. It uses a bright white LED as its light source, and offers a resolution of .500 mm, with an accuracy of 0.1mm. It’s scanning area can be as large as 15″ x 15″, and it can capture as many as 550,000 measurements every second – which its maker claims is about 10 times faster than standard 3D scanners.

goscan 3d scanner 2

This lightweight (2.4 pound) scanner caputures objects with a simple point-and-shoot method – all you have to do is aim the scanner at the object, and move it back and forth until it has all of the surfaces. You can even capture objects by moving them around, since the scanner doesn’t require a rigid setup like other 3D scanners. Perhaps the best way to see how cool the GO!SCAN really can be is to see it in action:

Wow. Pretty impressive, no? I so want one of these now. Creaform, the company behind GO!SCAN 3D doesn’t list pricing on its website, but I’m betting that the device isn’t cheap. If you’re interested in purchasing one, you can request more information here.

[via Boing Boing]


GreenWave Reality ships WiFi-aware light bulbs that flick on through motion and smartphones

GreenWave Reality ships WiFi light bulbs that flick on through motion and smartphones, join the 21st centuryWe’ve seen connected light bulbs before, some more sophisticated than others, but they’re rarely as straightforward as GreenWave Reality’s just-shipping Connected Lighting Solution. Eco-friendly LED bulbs in the lineup include support for WiFi and are immediately controllable from a smartphone or tablet as soon as they’re receiving power. Basics controls like group presets and timed lighting are just the start; if you’re not worried about leaving anyone in the dark, the bulbs can respond to motion sensors and only illuminate the rooms that need attention. And while the intelligence isn’t new in itself, GreenWave would argue that sheer accessibility gives it an edge, with electric utilities in Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden skipping the retail middleman by selling directly. Don’t despair if you live in the US: the linked-up lighting is cleared for eventual use by Americans who’d like to save both energy and a trip to the light switch.

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GreenWave Reality ships WiFi-aware light bulbs that flick on through motion and smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GreenWave Reality ships WiFi light bulbs that flick on through motion and smartphones

GreenWave Reality ships WiFi light bulbs that flick on through motion and smartphones, join the 21st centuryWe’ve seen connected light bulbs before, some more sophisticated than others, but they’re rarely as straightforward as GreenWave Reality’s just-shipping Connected Lighting Solution. Eco-friendly LED bulbs in the lineup include their own WiFi and are immediately controllable from a smartphone or tablet as soon as they’re receiving power. Basics controls like group presets and timed lighting are just the start; if you’re not worried about leaving anyone in the dark, the bulbs can respond to motion sensors and only illuminate the rooms that need attention. And while the intelligence isn’t new in itself, GreenWave would argue that sheer accessibility gives it an edge, with electric utilities in Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden skipping the retail middleman by selling directly. Don’t despair if you live in the US: the linked-up lighting is cleared for eventual use by Americans who’d like to save both energy and a trip to the light switch.

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GreenWave Reality ships WiFi light bulbs that flick on through motion and smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wallbrights: A Thousand Decals in One

We’ve featured a number of awesome geeky wall decals and posters, but if you want to see something new everyday you might want to help Wallbrights become a real product. It’s a modular stick-on multicolored lighting solution that can be controlled via an app.

wallbrights bluetooth led decal concept

The concept involves small strips or hexagons that house diffused LEDs. The modules are attached to each other via male and female connectors. The idea is to piece together as many modules as you want, with one module close to a power outlet so you can connect it to its power adapter, which also serves as a Bluetooth receiver. You can then toggle the lights on or off or change their colors using an app from a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device.

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Quirky is currently conducting a survey to determine the marketability of Wallbrights. I think it’s a really cool concept, although it would be better if they could also be used to display pictures or messages.


Own Your Own deadmau5 mau5head. Holy 5hit.

If you’re a fan of deadmau5, and have a massive budget for your Halloween costume, here’s something that’ll blow all your friends away. It’s a replica of the performer’s famous light-up stage head, and it can be yours for the low, low price of $2750 (USD).

deadmau5 replica mau5head helmet

It was made by Etsy artist Jeffrey Nappi, and it has an orb-shaped helmet, covered in 168 RGB LEDs, along with electroluminescent mouse ears. It’s operated by a San Devices E680 pixel controller and Madrix computer lighting control software which can be programmed to display any imagery you’d like. While it’s not quite as awesome as this guy’s version that uses over 760 LEDs, you can’t buy that one.

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In case you’re wondering how you see out of this thing, the helmet is actually made from a see-through acrylic globe, so I can only imagine the trippy, rave-like experience you’ll get wearing this thing. Here’s a video montage showing Jeffrey’s build process, as well as the helmet in action:

And some more footage of the head reacting to music (and playing a little Tetris):

If you can’t spare the nearly $3000 to buy a pre-built one from Jeffrey, you can attempt to build your own from the parts list and source code provided up on GitHub. But for those of you with the budget, and the lack of technical skill, you can order one over on Etsy now.


Portal Gun Gets Miniaturized: Grab Yours Now!

If you didn’t manage to get your hands on a full-sized replica of the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, now’s your chance to get a mini-sized one for your desk instead.

handheld portal gun

Our pals over at ThinkGeek have just outed this darling little version of the Portal 2 ASHPD for just $59.99(USD), and it’s just darling. This mini version of the Portal gun measures about 12″ long, and fits nicely into your hands. It even lights up in either orange or blue, and makes the appropriate sound effects when you toggle between modes. It ships with a handy stand so you can display it proudly on your desk too.

mini portal gun

So if you hadn’t figured out what you’re getting that Portal fan on your holiday shopping list yet, you now know. Open up a portal now and stick your hand and your credit card through to ThinkGeek to order yours now.

Now all they need to do is to come up with a Portal gun that actually works.

 


JVC intros 55-inch BlackSapphire LCD TV with 45W virtual surround sound, SlingPlayer

JVC intros 55inch BlackSapphire LCD TV with 45W virtual surround sound, SlingPlayer

Every TV maker trying to avoid total commoditization has a special trick to keep its designs unique and worth a higher price. For JVC, that trick is sound. It’s launching the BlackSapphire line of LCD-based 3D TVs with the 55-inch, edge LED-lit JLE55SP4400, whose signature is an unusually powerful built-in audio system: the 45W system and 3D processing supposedly produces surround sound without having to line the living room with extra speakers. Odds are that the set won’t provide much competition for dedicated speakers, although JVC is promising more integration beyond this with rare built-in SlingPlayer TV streaming, just in case there’s a Slingbox in another part of the home. The all-in strategy could make the inaugural BlackSapphire more of a bargain than it looks: that $1,300 you’ll pay when the screen ships this month might be all you need to start watching.

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JVC intros 55-inch BlackSapphire LCD TV with 45W virtual surround sound, SlingPlayer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 12:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Visualized: Cubesat micro-orbiters slip into space to flash Earth in Morse code

Visualized Japan's wee Cubesat orbiters dribble out into space

Japan’s four-inch FITSAT-1 orbiters were released from Japan’s Kibo laboratory on the ISS last week to (literally) start their world tour, and astronauts aboard the station captured the wee satellites being dwarfed by giant solar arrays and our own blue rock on their way to orbit. Soon they’ll be writing “Hi this is Niwaka Japan” in Morse code using intense flashes of LED light, first to Japan and then across the globe, starting next month. To catch them floating away from the International Space Station’s cozy confines, hit the source.

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Visualized: Cubesat micro-orbiters slip into space to flash Earth in Morse code originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LCD-MF271CGBR, I-O Data new WQHD IPS monitor

I-O Data outs this morning in Japan a new monitor with the LCD-MF271CGBR. This new 27″ LED Backlight Monitor main feature is its WQHD (2560×1440) IPS Panel and its 420cd/m2 brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio and 4.3ms response time. Set for a launch nationwide at the end of this month at an announced price of 49,800 yen, the LCD-MF271CGBR comes with a pair if 2W integrated speakers, DVI-D (Dual Link), HDMI, D-SUB and DisplayPort.

The LED As We Know It Is 50 Years Old Today [Video]

Fifty years ago today, Nick Holonyak, Jr. proudly demonstrated the world’s first visible light-emitting diode (LED) at General Electric. In the process, he changed the world of lighting forever. More »