Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Head-mounted AR trainer is another Star Trek prop come to life (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/17/head-mounted-ar-trainer-is-another-star-trek-prop-come-to-life/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/17/head-mounted-ar-trainer-is-another-star-trek-prop-come-to-life/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/17/head-mounted-ar-trainer-is-another-star-trek-prop-come-to-life/#comments
Those of you familiar with the Dominion headsets from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine will probably guess exactly what this wearable AR system does from the picture alone. Japan's institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology is putting the finishing touches on a device to help newbies through complex and dangerous jobs. A head-mounted GoPro Hero 2 HD relays a picture back to an expert, who directs the action while wearing colored gloves. Using color separation, just the hand movements are sent back to the user, processed by a Toughbook in a backpack and overlaid onto the Shimadzu Data Glass HUD. There's nothing special about the tech, but that's what makes it so likely we'll see this making the leap to reality -- more so, because all of the components are off-the-shelf. The only issue is with the unit's software calibration, which takes far too long, but AIST hopes to remedy this over time. Just be careful if you see a backseat driver with blue gloves -- they could make your life miserable.

Continue reading Head-mounted AR trainer is another Star Trek prop come to life (video)

Head-mounted AR trainer is another Star Trek prop come to life (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Advanced Industrial Science and TechnologyAdvancedIndustrialScienceAndTechnologyAISTARAugmented RealityAugmentedRealityGoPro HDGoPro HeroGoproHdGoproHeroHead Mounted CameraHead Mounted DisplayHeadMountedCameraHeadMountedDisplayHMCHMDPanasonic ToughbookPanasonicToughbookRemote GuidanceRemoteGuidanceShimadzuvideoThu, 17 Nov 2011 14:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese researchers weave capacitive touch into large-area textiles, want to make them wearable (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/japanese-researchers-weave-capacitive-touch-into-large-area-text/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/japanese-researchers-weave-capacitive-touch-into-large-area-text/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/japanese-researchers-weave-capacitive-touch-into-large-area-text/#comments Conductive fibers, yo, they're the future. Japan's AIST is back with yet another quirky idea, this time integrating capacitive touch sensors into 1-micron thick nylon fibers. The results is a big old cloth that can sense your loving touch and inform nearby computers of what you're up to. Initial uses envisioned by the research outfit include implementation in hospitals to monitor bedridden patients, but the ultimate goal is to make this extra-sensitive array a wearable accoutrement. Wouldn't that be lovely?

Continue reading Japanese researchers weave capacitive touch into large-area textiles, want to make them wearable (video)

Japanese researchers weave capacitive touch into large-area textiles, want to make them wearable (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 06:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aistcapacitiveclothfabrichealthhealthcarejapanmedicalnanotechnanotechnologyresearchsensorsensorstextiletouchtouch-sensitivetouch-sensitive materialsTouch-sensitiveMaterialsvideoFri, 04 Mar 2011 06:35:00 EST<![CDATA[AIST shows off full-color night vision camera, well lit Bullwinkle figurine (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/02/aist-shows-off-full-color-night-vision-camera-well-lit-bullwink/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/02/aist-shows-off-full-color-night-vision-camera-well-lit-bullwink/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/02/aist-shows-off-full-color-night-vision-camera-well-lit-bullwink/#comments You might know them for seemingly ridiculous innovations like Segway shoes or the HRP-4C pop star robot, but the folks at AIST have put away the gimmicks for their latest invention -- a full-color night vision camera. Produced by Nanolux, an arm of AIST, the camera uses a series of algorithms to read and process wavelengths reflected by objects lit with infrareds, allowing it to successfully reproduce reds, blues, and greens in the darkest of conditions. The company hopes to make the device available by the end of 2011 at a price point lower than conventional night vision cameras, and says they will work with different lenses to improve long-range photography for the device. Such an invention could have serious implications for fields like surveillance and wildlife observation, but fear not, AIST hasn't lost its sense of humor -- the company used a Bullwinkle figurine rotating on a Lazy Susan to demo its latest invention at Printable Electronics 2011. Check out the video after the jump.

Continue reading AIST shows off full-color night vision camera, well lit Bullwinkle figurine (video)

AIST shows off full-color night vision camera, well lit Bullwinkle figurine (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AISTcameracolorcolor night visioncolor photographyColorNightVisionColorPhotographyfull colorfull color night visionFullColorFullColorNightVisioninfraredIRlow lightlow light photographylow-lightLowLightLowLightPhotographyNanoluxnightnight timenight time photographynight visionnight vision cameranight vision videoNightTimeNightTimePhotographyNightVisionNightVisionCameraNightVisionVideophotographysurveillanceSurveillance VideoSurveillanceVideovideovideo cameraVideoCameravisionWed, 02 Mar 2011 12:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Choreographing a humanoid robot's dance routine is as easy as click and pull]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/03/choreographing-a-humanoid-robots-dance-routine-is-as-easy-as-cl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/03/choreographing-a-humanoid-robots-dance-routine-is-as-easy-as-cl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/03/choreographing-a-humanoid-robots-dance-routine-is-as-easy-as-cl/#comments You may not be able to build an HRP-4C fembot in your average garage, but the programming would practically take care of itself -- not only does the AIST humanoid sing using off-the-shelf Yamaha Vocaloid software, its dance moves are click-and-drag, too. Roboticist Dr. Kazuhito Yokoi gave IEEE Spectrum an inside look at the HRP-4C's motion trajectory software, which works much like 3D animation tools: you position the limbs where you want them to start and when you want them to end up using keyframes, and the software takes care of the rest. The system's intelligent enough to generate a 6.7 second sequence from just eight keyframes, and it compensates for hazardous instructions, too -- if your haphazard choreography would tip her over or send limbs flying, it'll automatically adjust her moves. See how it works in a video after the break and hit up our source link for the full interview.

Continue reading Choreographing a humanoid robot's dance routine is as easy as click and pull

Choreographing a humanoid robot's dance routine is as easy as click and pull originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AISTbehind the scenesBehindTheScenesdancedancingdancing robotDancingRobotHRPHRP-4chumanoidhumanoid robotHumanoidRobotKazuhito YokoiKazuhitoYokoikeyframekeyframingrobotrobotsvideoWed, 03 Nov 2010 09:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Actroid-F: the angel of death robot coming to a hospital near you (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/27/actroid-f-the-angel-of-death-robot-coming-to-a-hospital-near-yo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/27/actroid-f-the-angel-of-death-robot-coming-to-a-hospital-near-yo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/27/actroid-f-the-angel-of-death-robot-coming-to-a-hospital-near-yo/#comments It's been a few years since we checked in with Actroid, a bot we first saw way back in 2005. What you're looking at above is Actroid-F, Kokoro Co. Ltd. and ATR's latest iteration of the creepy humanoid robot that can mime the operator's facial expressions and head movements with unbelievable (but not quite human) accuracy. Her current job is to act as "as an observer in hospitals to gauge patient reactions." We guess that's one way to get around euthanasia laws. See what we mean in the video after the break.

Continue reading Actroid-F: the angel of death robot coming to a hospital near you (video)

Actroid-F: the angel of death robot coming to a hospital near you (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 02:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actroidactroid-faistatrkokorokokoro limitedKokoroLimitedvideoWed, 27 Oct 2010 02:18:00 EST<![CDATA[HRP-4C dances and sings her way into the Uncanny Valley (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/hrp-4c-dances-and-sings-in-the-uncanny-valley-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/hrp-4c-dances-and-sings-in-the-uncanny-valley-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/hrp-4c-dances-and-sings-in-the-uncanny-valley-video/#comments AIST's HRP-4C fashion robot has dramatically improved since we first saw "her" strut her stuff on the runway. She's so mesmerizing in fact, that we bet you'll barely notice the quartet of scantily clad dancers around her. Watch her tear it down in a pair of videos after the break. Shame about the man-hands.

Continue reading HRP-4C dances and sings her way into the Uncanny Valley (video)

HRP-4C dances and sings her way into the Uncanny Valley (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aistdanceDigital Content ExpoDigital Content Expo 2010DigitalContentExpoDigitalContentExpo2010HRP-4Cjapanman handsManHandsrobotsingvideoTue, 19 Oct 2010 04:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Impressive HRP-4 robot will make you bow in deference (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/17/impressive-hrp-4-robot-will-make-you-bow-in-deference-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/17/impressive-hrp-4-robot-will-make-you-bow-in-deference-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/17/impressive-hrp-4-robot-will-make-you-bow-in-deference-video/#comments
Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) is back with the mighty impressive HRP-4 humanoid. Created in partnership with Kawada Industries, this 151-centimeter (5-feet) tall, 39-kilo (86-pound) walking followup to the HRP-4C, HRP-3 and HRP-2 robots (pictured in the background) was developed to help take over manufacturing duties from a rapidly aging Japanese work force. The highly mobile HRP-4 features 34-degrees of movement with AIST proprietary control software running on a Linux core. Things get weird at the 5:30 mark of the video embedded after the break when a human enters the stage for a good ol' fashioned stare down. Probably has something to do with his hot wife.

Continue reading Impressive HRP-4 robot will make you bow in deference (video)

Impressive HRP-4 robot will make you bow in deference (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 06:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AISTHRP-4humanoidhumanoid robotHumanoidRobotkawadakawada industriesKawadaIndustrieslinuxrobotrobotsvideoFri, 17 Sep 2010 06:29:00 EST<![CDATA[AIST's i3Space tactile 3D interface: destroyer of (virtual) worlds]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/aists-i3space-tactile-3d-interface-destroyer-of-virtual-worl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/aists-i3space-tactile-3d-interface-destroyer-of-virtual-worl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/aists-i3space-tactile-3d-interface-destroyer-of-virtual-worl/#comments Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST, to friends) is responsible for a good many innovations that the denizens of the year 2030 take for granted, and the new i&sup3;Space certainly won't tarnish the institute's record. Built on the foundation of AIST's own GyroCubeSensuous for tactile feedback, the i&sup3;Space tracks the motion of the operator's two index fingers in 3D space, and sends back "illusionary tactile and kinesthetic sense" through the controllers. Details are still a little thin, but AIST plans to show the full rig off at CEDEC next week, with eyes on reducing the size of the system of courting gaming, design, and medical applications in the near future. Hopefully they throw in this Earth-prodding simulator for free, we always wanted to have a good go at Greenland.

AIST's i3Space tactile 3D interface: destroyer of (virtual) worlds originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aistgyrocubesensuousi3spacejapantactile 3dtactile 3d interfacetactile feedbacktactile interfaceTactile3dTactile3dInterfaceTactileFeedbackTactileInterfaceThu, 26 Aug 2010 21:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Lightweight robot arm connects to your wheelchair, stoops in your stead (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/01/lightweight-robot-arm-connects-to-your-wheelchair-stoops-in-you/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/01/lightweight-robot-arm-connects-to-your-wheelchair-stoops-in-you/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/01/lightweight-robot-arm-connects-to-your-wheelchair-stoops-in-you/#comments Japan's latest robot arm won't flip pancakes or do dishes, and you'll have to control its every move via remote, but it enables a surprising range of motion that some disabled individuals just can't manage on their own. The RAPUDA (Robotic Arm for Persons with Upper limb DisAbilities) is a modular, wheelchair mounted device that weighs just thirteen pounds, yet extends over three feet to pick up objects (up to one pound) from a nearby table or floor. Its relative sloth and noise may irritate some, but it's all nostalgic to us -- it sounds just like the Radio Shack Armatron that graced our childhood. Now, where did those D-cells go... Video after the break.

Continue reading Lightweight robot arm connects to your wheelchair, stoops in your stead (video)

Lightweight robot arm connects to your wheelchair, stoops in your stead (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Aug 2010 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AISTArmatrondisabledISRIJapanRAPUDArobotrobot armrobot armsRobotArmRobotArmsroboticsRobotsvideoSun, 01 Aug 2010 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[AIST shows off see-through display prototype on video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/aist-shows-off-see-through-display-prototype-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/aist-shows-off-see-through-display-prototype-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/25/aist-shows-off-see-through-display-prototype-on-video/#comments Face it, folks -- the days of windows being just windows are behind us. Before long, our panes will double as widget displays or makeshift televisions, and AIST has the prototype to prove it. The demonstration seems to utilize technology that's far different than that seen in Samsung's iceTouch PMP, but it's certainly no less exciting. According to DigInfo, AIST is developing florescent glass suitable for excitation by near-UV LEDs, and by combining this [borosilicate] glass with LEDs, it's possible to obtain transparent, flat light sources." Better still, we're told that the prevailing thought is that this here technology could be used to develop see-through displays as well as "light sources and displays that use solar cells without modification." Anxious to see what a transparent LCD could do for you? Hop on past the break, mash play and let your imagination run absolutely wild.

Continue reading AIST shows off see-through display prototype on video

AIST shows off see-through display prototype on video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AISTdisplayjapanlcdLEDpanelprototypesee-through displaySee-throughDisplayvideoThu, 25 Feb 2010 20:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan and AIST partner up to make foot-sized Segway shoes, enable first tracks all year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/nissan-and-aist-partner-up-to-make-foot-sized-segway-shoes-enab/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/nissan-and-aist-partner-up-to-make-foot-sized-segway-shoes-enab/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/nissan-and-aist-partner-up-to-make-foot-sized-segway-shoes-enab/#comments For the northern half of the world it's almost ski season, and thus a curious time to debut a pair of devices that allow skiing in the summertime. Nevertheless Nissan and Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology are introducing this pair of two-wheeled, self-balancing devices. Lace up your fresh New Balance kicks, grab onto the handlebars, then hop on to go for a ride. Each one detects weight shifts and motors itself in the direction you want to go -- or at least the direction you're leaning. They don't look particularly stable nor safe, but they could enable some sweet concrete hot doggin' in the summertime -- and some sick splits if you don't have your snowplow perfected.

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Nissan and AIST partner up to make foot-sized Segway shoes, enable first tracks all year originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced industrial science and technologyAdvancedIndustrialScienceAndTechnologyaistjapannissansegwayself-balancingskiski shoesskiingSkiShoesTue, 27 Oct 2009 07:20:00 EST<![CDATA[AIST unveils flexible display created with microcontact printing]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/10/aist-unveils-flexible-display-created-with-microcontact-printing/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/10/aist-unveils-flexible-display-created-with-microcontact-printing/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/10/aist-unveils-flexible-display-created-with-microcontact-printing/#comments
Fresh from its efforts to disguise solar cells as plant leaves, Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (or AIST) is now boasting about some advances it's made in flexible displays, which it says will offer a whole host of benefits for e-paper-based devices. The big deal with this one is that all the processes needed to fabricate the organic TFT were done with microcontact printing, which allowed 'em to achieve a pixel pitch of 127μm even in its their initial 6x6-inch prototype, with the display also working effectively over its entire surface. That doesn't mean that it's quite ready for commercial use just yet, however, although the institute is promising to have A4-sized prototype ready by 2010, with actual e-paper products set to follow sometime around 2015.

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AIST unveils flexible display created with microcontact printing originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aiste-paperflexbile displayFlexbileDisplayflexible displayFlexibleDisplaymicrocontact printingMicrocontactPrintingTue, 10 Jun 2008 15:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese consortium disguises solar cells as leaves]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/04/japanese-consortium-disguises-solar-cells-as-leaves/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/04/japanese-consortium-disguises-solar-cells-as-leaves/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/04/japanese-consortium-disguises-solar-cells-as-leaves/#comments
We've already seen a number of attempts to more seamlessly integrate solar cells into everyday environments, but none have quite gone as far as this latest prototype from the folks at Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Mitsubishi, and Tokki Corp. As you can see above, they've come up with a solution that shouldn't look too out of place nestled in with some actual foliage, with a special protective film encapsulating each of the solar models to ensure they stand up to the outdoors. The institute (no stranger to unique concepts) apparently isn't stopping there, however, saying that it also has plans to expand its use of organic thin-film solar cells into other areas where design is important, including walls, windows, clothing, and livingware, to name but a few.

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Japanese consortium disguises solar cells as leaves originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AISTsolarsolar cellsolar powerSolarCellSolarPowerWed, 04 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[AIST turns transparent glass into mirrors to conserve energy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/01/aist-turns-transparent-glass-into-mirrors-to-conserve-energy/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/01/aist-turns-transparent-glass-into-mirrors-to-conserve-energy/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/01/aist-turns-transparent-glass-into-mirrors-to-conserve-energy/#commentsWe've seen two-way displays and undercover mirrors before, but the latest two-faced invention to come from the depths of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) can pull double duty in regard to purpose and save a little energy in the process. The "switchable glass" has certain reflexive properties created by the twin coatings of "40-nanometer-thick magnesium-titanium alloy, plus a 4-nanometer-thick layer of palladium," which allows for the mirror to become transparent when a small amount of hydrogen is introduced between the two panes. Alternatively, tossing in a bit of oxygen forms a reflecting mirror, allowing users to "switch" the glass by injecting gases. Contrary to other commercialized approaches, this rendition can purportedly result in up to a "30-percent savings in energy costs" by having to run your air conditioner less, but there's still work to be done. Scientists at the AIST are still toiling away as they try to fight the relatively rapid deterioration that occurs from "frequent switching," but if they can add a dash of durability and get the price down to a respectable level, we could all be living in a house of mirrors before too long.

[Via PlasticBamboo]

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AIST turns transparent glass into mirrors to conserve energy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 04:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aistcoolingearthefficientenergyenergy efficientEnergyEfficientglassgreenheatinginventionjapanmirrorpolymerscienceswitchableswitchable glassSwitchableGlassTransparentThu, 01 Feb 2007 04:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Promet's little bro, the HRP-2m "Choromet" humanoid robot]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/30/promets-little-bro-the-hrp-2m-choromet-humanoid-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/30/promets-little-bro-the-hrp-2m-choromet-humanoid-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/30/promets-little-bro-the-hrp-2m-choromet-humanoid-robot/#commentsIt's no secret that we love us some humanoid robots around here, and while their skiing, fighting, and temp skills are always impressive, all we really wanna do is watch the little guys dance. Unfortunately for us, most of the dancing bots we see around here are crazy expensive -- see the Partner Ballroom Dance Robot, for example -- including the HRP-2m "Promet" model that costs over $70,000-a-year just to rent. Well apparently Promet's manufacturer, Kawada Industries, haven't found much of a market for their pricey life-sized bot, so they've teamed up with Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and three other firms to build a smaller, cheaper version of the HRP-2m called the Choromet. Powered by Linux, this 35-centimeter tall version can perform most of the same tricks as its big brother (such as standing on one leg, or delivering a killer Voltron impression) at a much more reasonable $4,450, and is being targeted towards the academic and research communities (which is where Promet originally learned to shake his groove thing).

[Via I4U, thanks Bram V.]

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Promet's little bro, the HRP-2m "Choromet" humanoid robot originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 May 2006 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aistbotschorometdancinghrphrp-2mhumanoidjapankawada industriesKawadaIndustrieslinuxNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and TechnologyNationalInstituteOfAdvancedIndustrialScienceAndTechnologyprometrobotsTue, 30 May 2006 15:07:00 EST