Hasta La Gadget!

A team led by researchers at Microsoft’s UK-based R&D lab has crafted a system that tracks the full 3D pose of a user’s hand without the need for a pesky glove. Dubbed Digits, the Kinect-inspired rig latches onto a user’s wrist and utilizes a diffuse infrared light, IR laser, camera and inertial measurement unit to track fingertips and just five key points of a hand. Leveraging a pair of mathematical models developed in-house after studying the mechanics of the human hand, the group uses the captured data to extrapolate the position of a user’s paw. The team envisions the solution as a supplement to touch-based interfaces, a method for eyes-free control of mobile devices and as a gaming controller that could work in conjunction with Kinect or similar systems. In its current state, the device is composed of off-the-shelf parts and needs to be tethered to a laptop, but the ultimate goal is to create a mobile, self contained unit the size of a wrist watch. Hit the break to catch a video of the setup in action or tap the second source link below for more details in the group’s academic paper.

Continue reading Microsoft Research crafts wrist-worn device that tracks hand gestures in 3D space (video)

Filed under: Misc

Microsoft Research crafts wrist-worn device that tracks hand gestures in 3D space (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There’s nothing like a good ol’ fashion rocket launch to spice up a lazy Sunday evening — the SpaceX Dragon capsule is ready to soar. Following a successful docking test back in May, NASA has approved Dragon for a series of delivery missions, carting a thousand pounds of cargo to astronauts on the International Space Station. Today, at 8:35PM ET, the capsule is scheduled to ride a Falcon 9 rocket into orbit — the first of what should be a series of round-trip delivery missions. Barring bad weather or engine problems, it should be a good show — join us after the break to enjoy the launch right here.

Update: Dragon made it into orbit — check out the instant replay after the break.

Continue reading Watch the SpaceX Dragon capsule lift off, live (video)

Filed under: Misc, Transportation

Watch the SpaceX Dragon capsule lift off, live (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Oct 2012 20:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you thought that year out around Europe was an eye opener, how about 12 months on the International Space Station? That’s what’s in store for two unnamed astronauts. Currently, the maximum stay on the ISS is six months, but in 2015, one Russian, and one American will work their way through the whole calendar, in a trip that could help pave the way for deep space travel. Plenty of data has already been collected about the effect microgravity has on the body, but less is known of the longer-term implications. NASA is already considering sending manned expeditions to near-Earth asteroids and Mars in the coming decades — but the results from this excursion could prove invaluable. The names of the chosen two haven’t been revealed, and the Soyuz capsule‘s (currently unaccounted for) third-seat has also sparked talk of another person possibly coming along for the ride. Time to re-plan that gap year?

Filed under: Misc, Science, Alt

US and Russian space agencies to launch first year-long mission on the ISS originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Oct 2012 06:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alt-week peels back the covers on some of the more curious sci-tech stories from the last seven days.

Normally we try to encourage you to join us around the warm alt-week campfire by teasing you about what diverse and exotic internet nuggets we have for you inside. Sadly, this week that’s not the case. There’s nothing for you here we’re afraid. Not unless you like totally mind-blowing space videos, singing planets and AI / sports commentary-flavored cocktails, that is. Oh, you do? Well what do you know! Come on in… this is alt-week.

Continue reading Alt-week 10.6.12: supercomputers on the moon, hear the Earth sing and the future of sports commentary

Filed under: Misc, Science, Alt

Alt-week 10.6.12: supercomputers on the moon, hear the Earth sing and the future of sports commentary originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unbox that shiny new iPhone 5 only to find it marred with scratches and blemishes? Good news: Apple is asking Foxconn to adhere to stricter quality demands for its flagship handset. Not so great news: workers at the firm’s Zhengzhou factory are striking over the demands. According to China Labor Watch, three to four thousand workers stepped off the production line to protest the new standards, which only allow for a 0.02mm appearance defect. “It’s tough under such stringent quality requirements,” writes Sina Weibo user and Foxconn employee Yefudao. “A 0.02mm appearance defect is already beyond that of our vision. With such a demanding task, workers’ mental pressure becomes so immense that they have to vent it out.”

China Labor Watch reports that the issue stems not only from the higher quality demands, but the fact that workers are being asked to meet them without receiving the training necessary to do so. The situation hasn’t broken out into a riot, but a dispute between line workers and quality control inspectors reportedly sparked a fight that led to property damage, injury and some hospitalization. Production lines have temporarily been frozen by management while Foxconn deals with the situation.

Filed under: Misc, Apple

Workers at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou factory strike in reaction to new iPhone 5 quality standards originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Oct 2012 01:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Sina Weibo (login required), China Labor Watch  | Email this | Comments