In a recent post I discussed the potential impact of Kinect's motion-detecting controller on the design process; today, I found this update:
This is the next big breakthrough. Not just for the construction industry, but for the way we use computers. And, since computer tech is getting so small and light, potentially the way we interact with all our tools and devices.
One of the products we considered for our annual Top Ten list was the Norton Trinity "Intelligent Door Closer". It did not make the final cut, but only because we realized we were more excited about the implications of this type of technology than the actual product. Trinity is a door closer with a self-powered on-board computer that monitors room temperature and adjusts door closure rate to compensate. In and of itself a very cool advancement, but the bigger story is the computerization of such a small, background piece of equipment. This is not a computer hooked up to a door so it can open, close, and lock remotely; this a computer in the actual door.
Now combine that with Kinect-style motion controls, and an ever more sophisticated library of gesture recognition.
Imagine a sink that can see you pull your hands away in shock from scalding water, and adjust the temperature to compensate.
Imagine lamps that increase lighting when you pick up a book, then turn it down when you lie down to sleep.
Imagine phase-change windows that become opaque or translucent based on your gesture.
Imagine...
[h/t ReadWriteWeb]
PrimeSense, the leader in sensing and recognition technologies, and ASUS, a leading enterprise in the new digital era, announced today that PrimeSense Immersive Natural Interaction™ solutions will be embedded in WAVI Xtion, a next generation user interface device developed by ASUS to extend PC usage to the living room. WAVI Xtion is scheduled to be commercially available during Q2 2011 and released worldwide in phases.There is also a software development kit for designers wanting to create 3D-sensing applications to be distributed through an online App Store.
This is the next big breakthrough. Not just for the construction industry, but for the way we use computers. And, since computer tech is getting so small and light, potentially the way we interact with all our tools and devices.
One of the products we considered for our annual Top Ten list was the Norton Trinity "Intelligent Door Closer". It did not make the final cut, but only because we realized we were more excited about the implications of this type of technology than the actual product. Trinity is a door closer with a self-powered on-board computer that monitors room temperature and adjusts door closure rate to compensate. In and of itself a very cool advancement, but the bigger story is the computerization of such a small, background piece of equipment. This is not a computer hooked up to a door so it can open, close, and lock remotely; this a computer in the actual door.
Now combine that with Kinect-style motion controls, and an ever more sophisticated library of gesture recognition.
Imagine a sink that can see you pull your hands away in shock from scalding water, and adjust the temperature to compensate.
Imagine lamps that increase lighting when you pick up a book, then turn it down when you lie down to sleep.
Imagine phase-change windows that become opaque or translucent based on your gesture.
Imagine...
[h/t ReadWriteWeb]