igargoyle

Threshing Nokia's "Eco Sensor Concept" Part 1

On its simplest and hardly unique level, sensors acquire data that can be shared over networks, visualized, logged, etc. The form-factor combines a "wearable sensor unit" inexplicably detached from a "dedicated mobile phone".

The (perhaps deliberately) distracting issue with the concept is its inconsistent specificity. The concept's sidebar links to Nokia's actual sustainable practices including materials, energy-saving strategies, etc. were actually informative; while the concept itself is convoluted with seemingly random levels of detail and environmental justification. The presentation of Nokia's Eco Sensor Concept is unfortunately obfuscated by a combination of existing, emerging, and speculative technologies and heart-strings chaff.

The photo-realistic images detract from the overall presentation. They're not meant to convey anything useful, yet open themselves up to interpretation, and in this case, scrutiny and consternation. They present unexplained dummy data visualizations on button-less screens, which also counter the extinct notion of a "dedicated mobile phone". The scale of the devices is indeterminate, the only hint of a user interface is visually glazed over, and the apparent full-touchcreen is reminiscent of Nokia's aeon concept and BenQ-Siemens Black Box concept phone.

[via engadgetmobile]

(see Part 2 for sensors and wearability)

Mixed Reality Cartography Corset

A wearable device for Gordan Savicic's "Constraint City: The Pain of Everyday Life", includes: "A chest strap (corset) with high torque servo motors and a WIFI-enabled game-console are worn as fetish object. The higher the wireless signal strength of close encrypted networks, the tighter the corset becomes." Whether it is meant to be painful or pleasurable seems unclear.

I suggest exploring the link below to glean the project's conceptual background. I find its discourse reminiscent of Stelarc's. I do share the artist's interest in sensing the electromagentic waves permeating our environment; even to the extent of mapping it to haptic feedback. However, regarding the restriction of the public through normally undetectable information layers, I do not share his tenet that secure WiFi networks are as actively constrictive as this project asserts. Perhaps wireless security cameras and traffic lights are even more controling than secure WiFi, since private citizens should have the right to encrypt their networks from the public without suspicion of conspiracy.

[Link via Make:]

Lazyweb Request: Heartbeat Sensor

Dear Lazyweb:

Does anyone know where I can get a reliable, cost effective heartbeat sensor? Ideally it would be something small that would not be cumbersome like the Garmin ForeRunner, and wouldn't have to go on my fingers to get a pulse. Even if that's all you know about, please share with me, and the rest of the intarweb.

Thanks!
nym

Update:
So I guess my comment system isn't working anymore unless you're a spammer. For the meantime, please email me at igargoyle nospamplease at gmail.com.

Marke writes:

radioshack # 63-1520 $49.99
My dr was impressed with accuracy
requires a band (not pictured) worn around the chest....

Virtual Walking with Brain Signals

Using brain signals, researchers in Austria and London have been able to use the brain signals of people thinking about walking in order to control virtual reality interfaces, as well as potentially control wheelchairs and eventually exoskeletons.

Researchers from Graz University of Technology in Austria, University College of London in England, Guger Technologies OEG in Austria and the University of Graz in Austria have expanded the amount of control available via external electrodes with a means of detecting changes in brain signals when users imagine moving their feet and translating the effect into walking motion within a virtual reality environment.

The system is distinguishes brain signals produced by thinking about different types of movements, including right hand, left hand, foot and tongue, and converts the information to control signals. Three test subjects were able to move forward through an immersive virtual street scene by imagining walking.

This type of interface promises to enable those who are disabled, and could eventually give and people whose hands and voices are otherwise occupied another way to assess computers.

In a related development, members of the same research team have developed a portable brain-computer interface for use in virtual environments. The battery-powered interface, which includes a diskless Pocket PC, makes it possible for people to physically move while using brain signal control.

I'm not impared, but this is major news in my opinion- if only to improve the immersion factor of playing first person shooters.

[ Link via del ]

NASA's BioBlackBox

NASA's been developing, again, this time a biometric black box; something I think many people would benefit from. The device is said to capture "biological data, like changes in heart rate, the amount of oxygen in the blood stream, how the wearer is moving ... and much more.". Hopefully development like this will spur on the health community to make better biometric devices. Speaking of which, I think I'm going to go to McFranchise soon to get one of those pedometers they're giving away with salads.

[link via wearables.blu.org]