Latest Invention: Hologram Projector to Help You Feel a Hologram

The latest invention developed by scientists from the University of Tokyo is a hologram projector that allows a person to touch a hologram with bare hands. Usually it is impossible to do so due to the fact that holograms are made only of light. However, improved technology allows a user to actually feel holograms floating in 3D space.

Researchers called their latest invention Airborne Ultrasound Tactile Display. The hologram projector takes advantage of an ultrasound phenomenon, which scientists dubbed acoustic radiation pressure. Thus, the projector is able to generate a pressure sensation on a person's hands that are identified with the help of two Nintendo Wiimotes. More great inventions can be found here at www.InfoNIAC.com - check the links at the bottom of the article.

According to Japanese scientists, the technology does not require any physical contact, which means that the quality of the hologram will not be diluted. The team of researchers led by Hiroyuki Shinoda, recently presented their latest invention at SIGGRAPH 2009 in New Orleans.

On their website the team explains: "A retroreflective marker is attached on the tip of user's middle finger. IR LEDs illuminate the marker and two Wiimotes sense the 3D position of the finger. Owing to this hand-tracking system, the users can handle the floating virtual image with their hands."

If you look at the video below you can see scientists demonstrating how a person can feel virtual raindrops that fall off the user's hand. Such technology could be widely used in video games.

Latest Invention: Doll's House that Helps Cut CO2 Emissions and Serve as Security System

The latest invention from scientists at University of Hertfordshire, UK, is a doll's house that could one day change our way of life, at least that what its developers state. The doll's house is part of a project entitled InterHome and was developed with the goal of showing that our homes could be much greener and safer if homeowners took advantage of smart technologies that adapt to people's daily lives.

Engineers included in their latest invention a network or infrared sensors that are connected to a central computer. According to the coordinator of the project, Johann Siau, the software algorithm of the house analyzes the rooms that people tend to occupy and then learns when there is a need to turn on the lights, the air conditioning or heating systems and when such actions are not necessary. You can find additional information on latest inventions here at www.infoniac.com in order to be up-to-date with the news from the worlds of science and technology.

The tests carried out by researchers showed that the technology behind the InterHouse can help reduce carbon emissions and cut energy bills by about J300 ($490) per year, reports New Scientist. In addition, their latest invention can also serve as a home security system - the lock sensors on doors and windows are connected to the main computer and whenever the homeowner forgets to lock them the system sends a text message. If the user texts back, the system automatically locks the doors and windows.

Hydrogen Powered Gadgets Presented at Solar and Fuel Cell Exposition in Tokyo

The capital of Japan housed a number of companies that presented their latest inventions in technology, but not just any technology. The exposition, entitled PV & FC Expo 2009 , held at Tokyo Bog Sight, host the largest show of photovoltaic (solar cells) and fuel cell technology, bringing together companies and investors.

Among the most impressive inventions on the exposition there was the dancing hydrogen-powered robot along with her robot dog companion.

Despite the fact that there are still debates regarding the possibility of hydrogen economy, the number of visitors, as well as the commercial interest at the exposition shows that hydrogen economy will definitely become an element of a future sustainable economy.Among other latest inventions at the FC Expo 2009, there was Yamaha's FC-dii hydrogen fuel cell motorbike. It can be powered either by fuel cell, which uses methanol, or by external li-ion battery.

Several hydrogen powered gadgets were presented at the exposition by Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. One of them was a hydrogen powered assisted-drive bicycle. Currently its price is $4,600. The bicycle features hydrogen packs that generate power when needed. These packs can be recharged.

In addition, there were a number of hydrogen powered toys along with fuel cell/energy generation learning kits, such as the H-racer 2.0, which is rather pricey, $120, but it features a solar cell and a "hydrogen station."


The popular Japanese company Kawasaki was not left unnoticed. It presented its fuel cell light rail concept.

HONDA BICYCLE SIMULATOR

This bicycle simulator was initially built for traffic safety education but due to the buzz around the product Honda have decided to bring them onto the Japanese market early next year. The simulator allows the user to cycle through a host of different conditions, without the risk of being knocked down by another vehicle. You won't have to experience the wet weather, or the cold conditons either, but can safely and warmly use the simulator from the comfort of your own home.

The simulator will come pre-loaded with a whole range of different scenarios, including 'Going to School', 'Going to the grocery store', 'Going to cram school' and 'visiting a local shopping street', as well as others. The simulator will appeal to many different organisations and people, including public offices, law-enforcement agencies, driving schools and educational establishments.

Pre-sale orders will begin in November this year.

VUZIX WRAP 310 VIDEO EYEWEAR

Vuzix Corporation, the leader in video eyewear for the consumer, defense and low vision markets, is thrilled to be shipping the Wrap 310 worldwide. The game-changing Wrap 310 challenges the status quo of traditional video viewing devices by looking and feeling like normal sunglasses. The Wrap 310, featuring twin high-resolution video displays and projecting a 55-inch screen at 10-feet is now available through Vuzix.com and a number of other retailers and distribution partners.

"The Wrap 310 promises to change the game in portable video and we're thrilled to officially deliver this product to the masses," said Vuzix CEO, Paul Travers. "The Wrap 310 also brings advanced features to the video Eyewear category that no product has. With capabilities to add tracking and cameras that enable augmented reality and incredible gaming experiences; there is nothing like it on the market" added Travers.

Whether you are an executive business traveler or want an immersive console gaming experience, the Wrap 310 gets the job done in style. With composite video input and optional VGA and component compatibility adapters, the Wrap 310 is the most versatile pair of video eyewear on the market. Additionally, as the first video eyewear designed for upgradeability, the Wrap 310 features an expansion port designed to provide the product with near limitless compatibility. In addition to the VGA and Component adapters available later this year, Vuzix has plans for new and exciting accessories designed to keep the Wrap 310 on the cutting edge.

The Wrap 310 also features an improved on-screen user interface, included independent focus adjustments for users with corrective lenses and still features compatibility with all major 3D video formats. Powered for up to 6 hours on just 2 AA batteries, the Wrap 310 will accept video from almost any video player, including the iPod and iPhone. The Wrap 310 has a MSRP of $249.95.

Compatible Devices Include:
• All iPod/iPhone models
• Portable DVD players
• Mobile phones with video output
• PCs and laptops*
• DVD/Blu-Ray players
• Portable media players
*Requires optional VGA cable adaptor

MINI SOCCER SHAPED FAN (4 COMMENTS)

For soccer fans everywhere, looking forward to the World Cup next year in South Africa, there have been a series of soccer shaped fans manufactured. These solar powered fans are soccer-shaped and provide a touch of relief from the warm Summer weather. This clever, solar-powered Soccer-shaped fan circulates the air to help reduce the temperature without the need for standard electricity. It is handy and easy to use. The blades will spin as long as the round fan is opened and the sunlight...

Latest Invention: Robot That Tests Visual Implants for Blind People

The latest invention of researchers from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a remote-controlled robot that was developed to emulate the vision of a blind person who has a visual prosthesis implanted in the eye, for instance an artificial retina (aka retinal prosthesis). The latter is made of a silicon chip that has several electrodes, which directly stimulate the nerve cells found in the retina.

Scientists believe that their latest invention, dubbed CYCLOPS, could provide blind people the possibility to freely walk around different spaces, avoiding various barriers. CYCLOPS represents a mobile robotic platform and is considered to be the first in the world that can simulate the vision of a blind person who has an artificial retina. The description of the device and its possible uses were published in the journal Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine.

To be able to capture images the artificial retina makes use of an internal or external tiny camera. The pictures that were captured are then processes and transmitted to the electrodes in the silicone chip, which, in its turn, directly stimulates the retinal ganglion cells in the eye of the patient. These cells carry the information about the image to the brain's vision centers.

This latest invention can also be used to help researchers determine the level of resolution in an array of 50 pixels or 16 pixels in a retinal prosthesis, and identify which one is better. It is worth mentioning that the camera on the device is gimbaled, thus it is able to simulate left-to-right and up-and-down head movements. Real-time image processing is carried out by the computing platform inside the robot. Using a joystick, the platform can be controlled from any part of the world using wireless Internet connection.

"We have the image-processing algorithms running locally on the robot's platform - but we have to get it to the point where it has complete control of its own responses. We can run many, many tests without bothering the blind prosthesis carriers", said Wolfgang Fink, a visiting associate in physics at Caltech.

With the help of their latest invention researchers from Caltech hope to make the living environment more accessible for visually impaired people with certain vision prosthesis. In addition, the robot could help researchers decide whether a specific visual implant is really worth testing in blind people.

If you like this invention then vote for it here.

Vulture - Unmanned Aircraft

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of United States is working to develop an unmanned aircraft that is able to stay in air for a period of 5 years at a time. It is one of the most recent inventions of world.

Officials of DARPA has revealed that this aircraft will be known as VULTURE due to its Persistent Pseudo-Satellite Capability . It means that this aircraft will be able to fly over a single area, communicating or performing analysis for years at a time.

Major Obstacles in Project:

Even this project looks appealing to many of you, but there are some serious problems or you can say obstacles in achieving this project.

1) First challenge in front of designers is to figure out some Way to Supply Power to this aircraft during long missions.

2) Another problem is that this aircraft will carry a 1000 pound (450 kg) payload in winds at an altitude of 60,000 to 90,000 feet.

3) Designers have also to sort out the problems regarding Deterioration of Materials during their long-time exposure to stratospheric flight.
In addition to this there may be many challenges during designing of this aircraft.

Daniel Newman: The Man Behind VULTURE

Daniel Newman is the Project Manger of this ambitious project of NASA. In his words: "We want to completely change the paradigm of how we think of aircraft. Aviation has a perfect record - we've never left one up there. We will attempt to break that record". It looks that its time to get out of the traditional "launch - recover - maintain - launch cycle of aircrafts."

Concept Behind Vulture:

Basically Aircrafts operates just like satellites, but the major difference is that these are not regulated by orbital mechanics. You can understand Vulture as a Pseudo-Satellite, which operates in the stratosphere and not in the low Earth orbit. This would provide a 65 dB upgrading in communications capability and will increase onboard sensor resolution.




When Will it Become a Reality?

Well, right now NASA has not mentioned any time table when the aircraft will be ready. But for now NASA has worked on the probable design of Vulture (see picture).

New Blackberry Curve

BLACKBERRY LATEST MOBILE PHONE:

Blackberry Curve (8300) is one of the most popular latest phones since its launch. But since its launch, mobile industry has experienced many advances in technology. So to keep them update wit latest technology Blackberry family has launched its latest edition called BLACKBERRY BOLD.

WHAT'S NEW ?

Blackberry Bold is a blend of greatest features of Windows Mobile and the quality and reliability specific to Blackberry brand.

With the help of new Blackberry Bold now it is possible to edit your Microsoft Word and PowerPoint documents. These updates can be moved over onto main PC or Mac. So now you can update and improve speeches and presentations during practice runs or when still on the road.




SOMETHING MORE INTERESTING:

Blackberry Bold is one of the most media-friendly release yet with the inclusion of Wifi which allows you to access the Internet from virtually millions of locations worldwide (the GPS and mapping functions can help you locate a site). And even outside of hot-spot areas, the Blackberry Bold utilizes HSDPA technology to access nearly 3G download speeds.

In new Blackberry Bold streaming videos are also available, complementing the mp3 player. And with the Media Sync application, you can easily transfer media files from itunes to your handset very easily.

4G Technology

Fourth Generation (4G) mobiles

4G also called as Fourth-Generation Communications System, is a term used to describe the next step in wireless communications. A 4G system can provide a comprehensive IP solution where voice, data and streamed multimedia can be provided to users on an "Anytime, Anywhere" basis. The data transfer rates are also much higher than previous generations.

The main objectives of 4G are:

1)4G will be a fully IP-based integrated system.

2)This will be capable of providing 100 Mbit/s and 1 Gbit/s speeds both indoors and outdoors.

3)It can provide premium quality and high security.

4)4G offer all types of services at an affordable cost.

4G is developed to provide high quality of service (QoS) and rate requirements set by forthcoming applications such as wireless broadband access, Multimedia Messaging, Video Chat, Mobile TV, High definition TV content, DVB, minimal service like voice and data, and other streaming services.

4G technology allow high-quality smooth video transmission. It will enable fast downloading of full-length songs or music pieces in real time.

The business and popularity of 4Gmobiles is predicted to be very vast. On an average, by 2009, this 4Gmobile market will be over $400B and it will dominate the wireless communications, and its converged system will replace most conventional wireless infrastructure.

Data Rates For 4G:

The downloading speed for mobile Internet connections is from 9.6 kbit/s for 2G cellular at present. However, in actual use the data rates are usually slower, especially in crowded areas, or when there is congestion in network.

4G mobile data transmission rates are planned to be up to 20 megabits per second which means that it will be about 10-20 times faster than standard ASDL services.

In terms of connection seeds, 4G will be about 200 times faster than present 2G mobile data rates, and about 10 times faster than 3G broadband mobile. 3G data rates are currently 2Mbit/sec, which is very fast compared to 2G's 9.6Kbit/sec