A round-up of the latest technology news from around the globe.
EYES ON THE ROAD: The Eyetracker can be installed in any car. Two tiny cameras mounted on the dashboard track a driver's eye movements. They evaluate up to 200 images per second and sound an alarm if a driver seems drowsy. The system includes its own hardware and software, so no separate computer is required. Smile, you're on camera. More at Fraunhofer.
IPAD A CAB: The experimental driverless MadeInGermany cab can be
called up by phone or iPad. GPS tells the Volkswagen Passat where you are. It works out the best route to reach you then finds its own way there. It uses LIDAR, RADAR, cameras, GPS and a computer in the boot. At last a cab whose driver doesn't chat constantly. More at Technovelgy and video on YouTube.
MAGIC FIT: At Macy's Herald Square store in New York customers can try on garments without changing their clothes. A 1.8 metre multi-touch mirror interacts with a multi-touch tablet to superimpose clothes on the customer's reflection. The images can be sent to Facebook too for Likes. Social clothes shopping. More at Dvice.
DIMINISHED REALITY: Oh, no! Your video accidentally included that annoying object on the table; you'll have to re-shoot. Or not, if you use the Diminished Reality software to remove unsightly objects from movies. German software reduces the resolution of the unwanted object, removes it, then builds up the image again in each frame. Results are available in real time. Do we still trust documentaries?
Details at Kurzweilai and video on YouTube.
SCREEN PULL: TeslaTouch screens use electrical impulses to simulate friction and texture. 2 layers of glass, electrode and insulator respond to small electrical fields. When a user touches the glass they sense a pull towards the screen interpreted as friction. Dragging an icon may give the file apparent 'weight'. That was a really heavy movie, man. More at CNN and video on TeslaTouch.
- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz
