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jeffhoard jeffhoard
 
M$3 March 11, 2009 05:20 AM

What is your initial opinion on this "Game Changing," "Sixth Sense" Technology?

Check out this first TED Talk from Pattie Maes showcasing Pranav Mistry idea
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/pattie_maes_demos_the_sixth_sense.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ-VjUKAsao
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easyeboy easyeboy
 
 March 11, 2009 05:50 AM
Phenomenal, but a little far fetched for someone to carry around. This is a step back in technology, not necessarily a step forward always. This is what I would call a half way point invention. Something is missing, and I have invented the other missing part in my mind and on paper. For instance, another invention that is a good half way point example is like the electronic typewriter, as we have the computer. Sometimes these work for a while, yet something else will quickly come out and replace it. In theory and on paper this product sounds and looks good, yet in practice this will never work, as there are inventions that I believe already have surpassed it, such as things like the Plastic Logic Reader. Granted, you do not need to carry something around, yet people feel a need to hold something tangible, and not always will the perfect flat surface be a roll of paper towels that you can easily project a beam of light onto. The lighting has to be perfect as well for it to work, and any time someone has to squint to make this work, this product will be further challenged by something else. What do you do when the product just does not have a surface? Do you pull out another flat surface or take out a piece of paper? There you have it, you see a flaw, not in this invention, yet in the product it works with. I believe if it were to work, it has missed its time, and there are gadgets that will work better for certain applications.

However...

This is very interesting. I can see applications where this is applied to, and certain industries, or very niche industries where this product will work. So, I would not count it out.

This would work great in museums like the MOMA and provide a great new interactive experience.


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jeffhoard jeffhoard
 
March 11, 2009 06:07 AM
I think this is version 0.01, I am sure by version 1.0 we'll see a pretty sleek looking consumer device.

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thelastsci... thelastsci...
 
March 11, 2009 06:07 AM
Give it time... they will refine it and they will do it with something like glasses. Project the image on a HUD like a pair of specially designed sunglasses. the sensors could be in the frame and the points of reference could be stylish rings. By using a hud on glasses you also use less power and it all runs though your 600 dollar gps cell phone. It's going to happen and I find it disturbing. Once again I found ways around the limitations in 2 minutes. There has to be more advanced and stylish models in production.

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easyeboy easyeboy
 
March 11, 2009 06:28 AM
It's like adding virtualization in the real world, which is pretty much a challenge to teaching children the difference between what is real and make believe. It's very abstract, and it's kind of the antithesis to material world. So, if you can draw your own watch, what kind of watch would you draw? Just like the Kindle aspires to rid our world of paper books, this could rid our world of metal watches. The good part about this is that you never have to worry about losing a watch. It goes to show that watches serve no real purpose, other than a fashion piece that tells times. Virtualization would not be able to replace the functionality of an accessory like sunglasses. Just imagine a virtual beam of light shining to protect you from the suns rays. I would get together with her student and show him a thing or two, because something is missing. I think they are missing crediting me for this invention.

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263236 263236
 
March 11, 2009 05:43 AM
"Sixth Sense" Technology is just amazing I really enjoyed the video. The person who has invented this is really on to something big.

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jasonmarsh... jasonmarsh...
 
March 11, 2009 05:47 AM
Simple access to (meta-)data about the world around us that we're interacting with will clearly be game changing. I think they've done well in identifying some of these applications, although I think the UI needs some work. I actually don't see a huge advantage that the projected (virtual) computer system which was demoed in the video has over a (perhaps slightly souped-up or several-generations down the line) iPhone like device. But this is certainly very interesting and very cool stuff.

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thelastsci... thelastsci...
 
March 11, 2009 06:02 AM
I think there is a massive potential for abuse and loss of privacy. Scanning items based on tags is using RFID and the ability to walk up to a person and access all the data on a person screams "papers please." to me. I think it is a more socially acceptable means of pushing a national identification system. And why stop there we can program them to racially profile people you walk past to pin point possible terror targets based on the way they walk, hair style, skin color, how long they stood in one place. We could assign the colors of the terror watch list to it. Then you could socially network that information to everyone in the area with a similar unit. Watch out for the Muslim looking guy, black man, white hippie... Heck tie it into the CIA and FBI so that all the people are in one data base then when you walk down the street you can see who is on the terror watch list. Oh wait is that not unlike wearing a star on your shirts, coats and dresses? These are things I came up with off the top of my head in 5 minutes don't tell me the people in government,industry and security have not thought of it already. That is what I think about it.
Source(s):
1984


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jeffhoard jeffhoard
 
March 11, 2009 06:06 AM
Yes, certainly valid points. It is a technology breakthrough and perhaps just another slip on the slippery slope to an Orwellian world.

With that said, by making a circle on your wrist you can see a watch!

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thelastsci... thelastsci...
 
March 11, 2009 06:13 AM
It's a slippery slope for sure and I was being dramatic. I did that intentionally to make people pause and consider the "What if" of it all.

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jasonmarsh... jasonmarsh...
 
March 11, 2009 06:37 AM
The problem is that this sort of thing will be developed no matter what since technology (thus far) hasn't been developed with the morals of its applications in mind. It's a bit of a chicken/egg thing: it's great when your chicken lays eggs until a ferocious descendent chicken emerges from one of them (if that makes any sense). I'm not sure what can be done about it, and I agree that aspects of these developments have disturbing potential.

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anneaparey anneaparey
 
March 11, 2009 08:17 AM
I don't see how a national id card is any more acceptable to those who are concerned about privacy issues. Also, one does not need a piece of technology to aid in racial profiling, people have been doing that on their own for some time now. I think the benefits outweigh the risks. Really education is at the root of the problem, far too many people do not know how to use computers or cover their tracks online, especially younger people. I've known people to post their phone numbers on Craig's list. This is really no different, the responsibility of guarding one's information is up to the user.

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jacob peac... jacob peac...
 
March 11, 2009 08:17 AM
This is going to change everything.

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drmatt drmatt
 
March 11, 2009 03:21 PM
As with any technology, there is potential to do some great things and terrible things.

I think the form-factor is going to be an issue, but that will change easily (the video was a kludged together piece of hardwares anyway). With nanprojectors, this will be a small, iPod-sized thing you wear around your neck. No worries! The problem for me might be the finger caps. Wearing those all the time or painting my finger tips is not going to work for me.

And at a $350 price point! Wowzers. I'll buy one with that functionality. The potential is awesome.

In general, this is genius. Being able to access information at any time! That's what it's all about. (or is that the hokey pokey)

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easyeboy easyeboy
 
March 11, 2009 04:50 PM
It would be great for your industry, especially doctors. I see amazing applications. This device does not impress me, as I've invented and filed patents on cooler devices, just have not made the prototype like they have.

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rachel1919 rachel1919
 
March 11, 2009 05:57 PM
It is mind blowing and exciting. I love the picture taking feature. I think it is going to be very big in the near future. I am a little scared of it because it seems like you would have to be a genius to be able to use it to it's full potential. I am not sure if the average person could handle all of the information it is constantly spitting out. I can't wait to see how they develop it and bring it to the public.

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