Site is a truly commendable project from inventor Jim Ruck. With the aim of helping blind people to solve a long standing food-related problem, the Site device offers a crucial service, and does so in an extremely practical, modern and effective way. Something tells me this bad boy will go far.
…. On its face,
or throat, as is the case, the tattoo is innocent enough, but an optional
use for the tattoo includes the exhibit of galvanic skin responses to reveal whether one is "nervous or speaking falsehoods…." This widens
the application to include everyone from criminals to politicians to
cheating spouses to, well, just about anyone whose truthfulness one
may want to test!
Last year we found out about a new material that could be used with 3D printers to make simple electronic sensors. If that tinkled the tinkerer in you, wait ’til you see the EX¹ 3D printer. Made by a group of young geniuses calling themselves Cartesian Co., EX¹ prints circuit boards, and does so on a variety of materials.
EX¹ prints a circuit board using two chemicals that react to leave silver nano particles on a surface. Cartesian Co. claims they have successfully used this process to print circuits on a variety of materials, including “plastic (many types), glass, wood, ceramic, silicone and even fabric and paper.” They’re also working on a coating that can make any surface compatible with the EX¹.
Pledge at least $1,499 (USD) on Kickstarter to get an EX¹ printer – plus cartridges and substrates to print on – as a reward.
[via Gigaom]
A new company called VRcade aims to revive the idea of a gaming arcade with the help of virtual reality. Whereas VR headsets like the Oculus Rift need to be wired to a computer to work, VRcade’s headset has a wireless transmitter. Why? Because VRcade isn’t just a headset, it’s an entire room. Or even an entire floor. When you move in the real world, you move in VRcade’s virtual world.
Aside from its wireless headset, VRcade uses motion capture cameras and a modular motion capture suit. In addition to the suit, there are also markers on the headset and whatever prop you have – like the gun in the image above – that the cameras can use to track your movement. In other words, while other VR headsets can track only your head, VRcade tracks you.
VRcade has several advantages over what VRcade CEO and co-founder Jamie Kelly calls “virtual sit down gaming.” VRcade’s games will encourage player movement: walk, run, sneak or jump in the real world and you do the exact same thing in the virtual world. As far as controls go, it doesn’t get more intuitive than that. For instance, VRcade claims that the tester in the video below has no experience with first person shooters, but she still figures out how to navigate in the virtual world:
The correspondence between movement and virtual output also reduces the risk of motion sickness, unlike when you’re experiencing VR while confined to one spot. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is that extra layer of immersion that users will get from being able to physically feel their movement. Here’s Kelly explaining the basics of VRcade:
VRcade seems really promising: the second coming of the arcade shop, but more inclusive and possibly even healthier. In addition, VRcade can also adapt their system for non-gaming purposes, such as giving virtual tours of structures that have yet to be built.
But of course nothing is perfect. As Ars Technica notes, VRcade has a chicken-or-egg situation when it comes to attracting game developers. Obviously the company needs developers to make games for its system, but because a VRcade game has to be tailored to a particular space, they need to already have that space rented or bought. But how will they know the dimensions of the space a game needs if the game doesn’t exist yet? Hopefully VRcade can figure that out.
[VRcade via Ars Technica]
Has your wife been drinking your chocolate milk? Or was it the dog? This new spy camera may help you settle this issue once and for all.
iRobot has introduced its latest Roomba vacuum, the Roomba 800 Series. With this latest iteration of the cordless, self-operating vacuum, the company has elected to get rid of bristles in favor of AeroForce technology, which is said to pick up 50-percent more dirt and other trappings than previous Roomba models. There are two rotors in […]
Laptop looking tired? Desktop feeling left out when it comes to Windows 8.1′s finger-friendliness? Time for a refresh with the best deals around in tech. Whether you’re updating your home office or looking for a new laptop for school, we’ve got you covered, complete with a bonus for those wanting to supercharge their downtime instead. […]
Remember Corning’s glass-filled vision of the future? A company called Posh View was inspired by the Gorilla Glass maker’s concept video and is trying to make one of the devices in that video real. Posh View’s iMirror is an Internet-connected touchscreen device that happens to have a mirror as its display.
The iMirror is a lot like today’s consumer touchscreen devices. It has apps for things like the weather, Facebook, Twitter, Google Maps and more. It also supports voice commands, although I don’t know how well it can recognize your voice when you have a toothbrush in your mouth.
Here’s a more straightforward demo of the iMirror:
I’m surprised they don’t have a Magic Mirror app yet. Sadly, the iMirror is going to cost you. You have to pledge at least $2,749 CAD (~$2,624 USD) on Kickstarter to get the device as a reward. I wonder if Apple’s going to spin the glare of their glossy displays into a feature.
[via DudeIWantThat]
I’m a big fan of the whole 3D printing phenomenon, and really excited about the rapid development and growth of the technology. While most 3D printers work on the same principal – a moving print head that melts plastic – the Vader printer will be able to print using metal.
Scott and Zackery Vader (yes, that’s their actual last name) have developed the Vader – a liquid metal based 3D printer. This printer actually prints directly with molten metal, similarly to 3D printers that output plastic. Its thermal chamber melts down aluminum, then extrudes the hot metal onto a moving, magnetized printing bed. One interesting differentiator is that the Vaders say they’ll be able to build a version with a multi-nozzle print head, similar to those which work on ink jet printers. This could substantially decrease print times.
There are print methods that can use metal today, but most of them involve printing a wax mold, then pouring molten metal into the cast. There are also laser sintering techniques which fuse metal powder into a shape. As far as I know, the Vader is the first 3D printer to print directly with molten aluminum. This method allows for 100% metal density, as well as parts with hollow areas inside.
At this point, the team has an early prototype, which has all of the components – except the all-critical print head, but they say they’re confident in their invention. They intend on completing R&D of the liquid metal jet process and a working prototype by the end of the year. After this, they expect to produce a small business version, priced “between $10,000 and $50,000″ and down the road they hope to release a prosumer grade Vader printer for under $10,000.
[via Tom’s Guide and Inhabitat]
An English company called Tamicare is gearing up to make disposable underwear using 3D printers. While we’ve seen 3D printed clothing before, that example was made of nylon mesh. Tamicare on the other hand claims that its underwear will feel just like woven fabric, thanks to its Cosyflex printing technology.
Tamicare uses Cosyflex to print a hybrid fabric by mixing polymer “such as natural latex, silicon, polyurethane and Teflon” with textile fiber such as cotton. The resulting textile is said to be very stretchable, comfortable and can be printed in a variety of colors.
The best part? Tamicare’s 3D printers can make one pair of disposable undies in just three seconds. Three freakin’ seconds.
Tamicare also said that Cosyflex can be used to make other types of clothing, such as bandages and sportswear. Imagine having bespoke clothing in minutes, if not seconds. 3D printing is the bees’ knees.
[via Tamicare & Bloomberg via Ecouterre via Inhabitat]
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
