Non-planar devices promise downloadable hardware, interactive soda cans

Scientists have been up to some wacky (and amazing) stuff in the world of flexible computers and organic user interfaces. Putting our standard concept of computers aside, researches at the Human Media Laboratory at Queen's University in Canada are developing what are called "non-planar" devices: computers that can change shape while using three-dimensional and touch-driven interfaces. The "tank top" user interface is a smart fabric based around two-handed, multi-finger touch sensing. Paired with flexible displays and computers that can change shape to achieve different computing outcomes, you have what they call the computer of the future: computers that can download (and turn into) new hardware, foldable paper computers, and interactive / disposable product designs, because, you know, the advertisers won't be able to wait to get their hands on the first interactive soda can.

[lanceschindler @ Jul 4th 2008 4:16PM]

Pretty neat. Any videos on this?

[xSTEx @ Jul 6th 2008 9:02AM]

That is amazing.

[thedesolate1 @ Jul 4th 2008 4:17PM]

I want to turn a banana into a cell phone... I wonder if this will help.

[Echo1 @ Jul 4th 2008 7:31PM]

♫Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Banana Phone♫

[thedesolate1 @ Jul 5th 2008 11:30AM]

Thanks for echoing that out to me...

[ybd @ Jul 4th 2008 4:20PM]

Please no. I love gadget just as much as the next guy, but this makes me a bit technophobic. Do we really need to change everything so radically and quickly?

[BigD145 @ Jul 5th 2008 1:52PM]

I'd love to get rid of all coatings on all bottles and cans. This 'interactive' can would be less recyclable than what we already have.

[Rick @ Jul 4th 2008 4:20PM]

Give me a break! More Unobtanium!

ow can they deliver stuff like this when MSI, ASUS, etc., can't even deliver their vapor-ware UMPCs in the USA?

[Rick @ Jul 4th 2008 4:22PM]

And, how many people want ads on their Coke cans? Who is going to pay for this technology. Imagine the recycling headaches with cans like this?

[GatgetMan @ Jul 5th 2008 5:32PM]

"License and registration."

"What seems to be the problem Officer?"

"You were seen drinking from a beer can while driving, Please step out of the car"

(Downloads new firmware)

"But Officer, you can clearly see this is a Root Beer can"...

[B3astofthe3ast @ Jul 4th 2008 4:22PM]

Makes me glad Im young enough to see these things change our world...mankind has come far within the past 100 years.

[peekinde @ Jul 4th 2008 4:31PM]

sNNAAAKEEEE1!!

[Irwin @ Jul 4th 2008 4:23PM]

Does that mean I can torrent the next and greatest video cards : |

[Keith Myers @ Jul 4th 2008 4:31PM]

Sorry, This just looks like a Waiste of resources... Dows this mean that Soda Machines will start taking $50.00 bills for a can of Coke?

Keith M
http://pAsM-Networks.com

[Josh @ Jul 4th 2008 5:27PM]

Depends quite a lot on what they put on it if you think about it.

If they put advertising on all their cans, then the ad companies will front a lot of the payment in return for the publicity. In reality you might only be paying $10, which is still loads, but if it can be made to be reused, then it's quite worth it.

It's the usual "smart objects" spiele, take a bottle of whisky with a display on it that will tell you in real-time how to mix drinks using the contents.

[Ashwin Narasimhan @ Jul 5th 2008 9:51AM]

Once it is mass produced, costs will fall dramatically. This can essentially be printed onto the surface of the soda cans, so it will eventually cost pennies to do so.

[GatgetMan @ Jul 5th 2008 7:14PM]

With the continuing weakening of the almighty $dollar$ by the time this is released $50 for a coke will be the norm.... Or .0001GBP if you are overseas...

[Jack @ Jul 7th 2008 9:38AM]

will it enable me to download re-fills? would my downloaded coke have DRM?

[oops @ Jul 4th 2008 4:40PM]

"Scientists have been up to some wacky (and amazing) stuff in the world of flexible computers and organic user interfaces. Putting "STANDARD OUR STANDARD" concept of computers aside, researches "ARE" the Human Media Laboratory at Queen's University in Canada are developing what are called "non-planar" devices: computers that can change shape while using three-dimensional and touch-driven interfaces. The "tank top" user interface is a smart fabric based around two-handed, multi-finger touch sensing. Paired with flexible displays and computers that can change shape to achieve different computing outcomes, you have what they call the computer of the future: computers that can download (and turn into) new hardware, foldable paper computers, and interactive / disposable product designs, because, you know, the advertisers won't be able to wait to get their hands on the first interactive soda can."


And the English language cringes in the dark hole it had been shoved into.......

[andres @ Jul 4th 2008 4:45PM]

but i can still beat you, with a crowbar

[raptor87 @ Jul 4th 2008 4:51PM]

oooh multi touch tanktops o_0

[GatgetMan @ Jul 5th 2008 7:18PM]

Just think... actual knobs to twist!

[Andrew Lazetera @ Jul 4th 2008 5:25PM]

why does it look like they are using a projector, or is the can growing a hand and using its own interface. im so confused, i mean, shit, I can project images onto a can and interact with them, look at some of the stuff people have done with graffiti, projectors on the side of buildings and laser pointers.

[naz @ Jul 4th 2008 5:51PM]

Coke will release that as there new can and everyone will hate and then they'll go back to the old can and call it "Coke Classic Can" and there share price will go through the roof.

[naz @ Jul 4th 2008 5:52PM]

Coke will release that as there new can and everyone will hate and then they'll go back to the old can and call it "Coke Classic Can" and there share price will go through the roof.

[Matthew @ Jul 4th 2008 5:54PM]

This is more concept garbage that won't see the light of day in our lifetime. Anyone remember the coffee mug that shows the weather forecast, stock quotes, etc? What happened to that one?

[w00t @ Jul 4th 2008 6:11PM]

They realised you would spill the contents in your lap trying to read the damn thing and decided to avoid the lawsuit.

That and you can get all that info on your phone :)

[Deed @ Jul 4th 2008 6:00PM]

Sit down and be quiet about things you know nothing about.

[Deed @ Jul 4th 2008 6:12PM]

Oh I see what you did there.

[andres @ Jul 4th 2008 6:19PM]

i dont hate apple product's, if they work for you, congratulations. i hate fanboys who bring apple products into completely irrelevant articles. and ive been to hell, thats where i first met clippy.

[57OI\IY @ Jul 4th 2008 8:22PM]

I WONDER IF BEER CANS WILL BE ABLE TO TURN INTO VIRTUAL ROAST BEEF SANDWICHES WHEN YOU FINISH

[Haikibutsu @ Jul 5th 2008 12:41AM]

Apple symbols? Must be Clak

[Dennis @ Jul 5th 2008 1:23AM]

wait wait wait...
"interactive soda can"
"that can change shape"

I hope they warn you to finish your drink first!

[jon @ Jul 7th 2008 8:46PM]

Johnny Lee has something like this using the Wii Remote.

Check YouTube for videos. He shows interactive touch responsive display ... on a fan, umbrella, etc, etc.

Cool stuff.

[Armoured @ Jul 5th 2008 1:59AM]

Hardware piracy anyone?

[teopak @ Jul 5th 2008 10:00AM]

hasn't Johnny Chung Lee already done stuff like this?

see his videos at http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/

he's already demoed foldable displays with multitouch sensing via IR and a projector. he's also the guy doing all that wiimote multitouch stuff...

[Roel @ Jul 15th 2008 9:56PM]

Paperwindows, which first ran in the summer of 2004, was published at CHI 2005 in April. Johnny did replicate our work, and designed some beautiful origami interfaces that have been popular on youtube.

[Shadowfox952 @ Jul 5th 2008 6:17PM]

Fap while you drink.

Ingenious

[Jake @ Jul 5th 2008 9:22PM]

That scene in minority report with the singing cereal box comes to mind.

[Jeff @ Jul 6th 2008 2:41PM]

you give all other apple users such a bad name.

...maybe he's doing it on purpose...

[Jeff @ Jul 6th 2008 2:43PM]

so the future of computing is an image projected on a blank soda can?

Johnny Lee should have patented!

must be nice to be a science fiction writer pretending to be a scientist.

[ShadowKain @ Jul 6th 2008 5:32PM]

Youtube and pron on our lunch time Coke cans? Eh... well how bout the morning news...ah now thats more appropriate.

[Josh @ Jul 7th 2008 2:58PM]

This can be compared to haptic technology, which has been used for a while now - "telehaptics" if it's online. Haptics (if you hadn't heard the term before) is bi-directional "touch" technology but with a different application (that originally thought). Having it sense your pressure and act accordingly (in numerous ways). You can find some info about it at http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=562&doc_id=144673&f_src=flffour