InnovationLab
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Google fuels the entrepreneurial spirit by launching Tech Hub Network in seven cities
Innovation, man. You either have it, or you don't. And, in the case of Google, you stand to gain all sorts of long-tail revenue if you help fuel the aforesaid fire. Google for Entrepreneurs was just the start, and now the company is branching out to partner with existing technology hubs and incubation labs across the world. Rather than crafting hubs of its own, Google is announcing a Tech Hub Network that'll launch with seven partners, initially located in North America. 1871 (Chicago), American Underground (Durham), Coco (Minneapolis), Communitech (Waterloo), Galvanize (Denver), Grand Circus (Detroit) and Nashville Entrepreneur Center (Nashville) have made the starting lineup, and if you're near one, you might want to consider dropping by. Google is committing to "providing each hub with financial support alongside access to Google technology, platforms and mentors, and ensuring that entrepreneurs at these hubs have access to an even larger network of startups." And, of course, being that much closer to Google Ventures can't hurt.
Dreams, curiosity and a passion for what's next: picking the brain of Innovation Lab's Mads Thimmer
Innovation. According to one Mads Thimmer, it's a word that held a great deal of mystery some 10-plus years ago, but today, "it's thrown around as a cliché." When you really get down to it, though, the art of innovating is a hugely delicate and complex one, fraught with frustration and a curious passion for never settling on the here and now. In covering the world of consumer technology, I've come to form my own understanding of what innovation is, what it isn't and how companies are embracing (or outright shunning) the idea. After an evening with the cofounder of Innovation Lab, however, I was rightfully ready to toss my own preconceived notions aside.
Barobo iMobot teddy bear learns from your commands, will definitely make varsity (video)
Barobo's iMobot modular robotics system just launched earlier this year, and the folks behind it just started shipping the first kits last month. Turns out, they were on hand here at NEXT Aarhus with a bona fide demo, and we couldn't resist a quick demo. The actual kit is being hawked primarily to universities -- we're told that each $2,000 robot can be programmed to do just about anything, and if you stock up on a couple, you can produce full-on humanoids, a camera-toting rescue snake or something else that'll undoubtedly take over the world in just a few centuries. Each robotic piece is equipped with WiFi and Bluetooth, and aside from mounting points used for connecting family members, there's a couple of sensor ports that allow for rangefinders and proximity modules to be stacked on as well. The real show, however, happened when Elmo's long-lost cousin made an appearance. We're told that the creature is strictly a prototype using miniaturized versions of the robotic pieces that are on sale now. Those minis aren't up for order per se, but cutting the right check might land you with more than a smile. As you'll see in the video past the break, the software program written for the bear allowed it to "learn" movements that were dictated by the human holding it, and once the latest cheer was burned into its cotton-filled brain, a simple button press played things out in fantastical fashion. Have a look. You won't be disappointed. %Gallery-131980%
An inside look at ESPN's Innovation Lab
When we heard ESPN was testing 3D at its new Innovation Lab at the newly rebranded ESPN Wide World of Sports, we just had to see it for ourselves. But while the fact that ESPN was testing 3D during a Globetrotters game caught our attention, after we arrived we discovered that ESPN did more than just change the name from Disney's Wide World of Sports. No, ESPN built a lab and a full production studio that is tied into its main one in Bristol via ESPN's fiber network -- so no need to bring in satellite trucks. There were new video boards erected around the facility and enough fiber was run through out the place to support more HD cameras then ESPN even owns. In addition, permanent HD cameras were installed throughout the facility which Disney hopes to leverage to eventually let you bring HD recordings of your little league tournament home. Now of course the lab and 3D was of the most interest to us and in there we found lots of HDTVs and of course a 3DTV, all with access to the main control room as well as all the cameras in the facility. We did get to check out the very same footage of 3D gold that evidently helped persuade The Masters to go 3D -- and we can see why, even the casual golf fan can easily see how much an extra dimension adds to the production. Overall we learned that ESPN is serious about testing out new gear and technology at this new facility, and the rebranding of the park is about more than just changing the signs. %Gallery-88620%
ESPN opens 3D Development Center
How long has it been since you thought about the impending launch of ESPN 3D? Days, hours, seconds? It's certainly on someone's mind, as the network has announced its Innovation Lab at the ESPN World Wide of Sports Complex in Orlando to do 3D production testing year round in preparation for its World Cup, NBA, NCAA and X Games coverage planned over the next year. The Innovation Lab has previously brought to life the Ball Track and Snap Zoom features used in Home Run Derby and Monday Night Football broadcasts, we'll see if all that testing pays off once the new channel launches this summer.
Siemens refrigerator gets hacked, adds RFID communication
Although we'd prefer at least a few things in our domicile remain non-intelligent, hooking our refrigerator up with a mind doesn't sound like a half bad idea. Sure, Samsung's already on the ball, but anyone interested in receiving SMS alerts about how out of date their milk is, which peanut butter not to buy, and whether Sally's favorite sherbet is all but empty isn't down with waiting another year. Thanks to Kim Otto of Denmark's Innovation Lab, along with RFID labels / readers, copper wiring, a PragmaSoft-enabled computer, and a (previously) TV-equipped fridge, the task has already been accomplished. Reportedly, the Siemens smart fridge prototype can judge all sorts of facts from foodstuffs that are tagged with RFID, and considering that it's also connected to the internet, it can be made to beam out emails or text messages to alert you of dwindling supplies or warn you of recalled produce. Best of all, the folks even took the time to video the newfangled creation, so be sure to click on through for the not-even-for-sale fridge of your dreams.[Via BoingBoing]
Innovation Lab busts out pixel-infused concrete display
Companies have been lighting up (and drawing attention to) simple brick walls for some time now, and while hitting up a game of Tetris is indeed novel, we're thinking the real profit resides in lightweight screens we use in front projection. This rock-hard display consists of not-so-average concrete with "embedded optical fibers, arranged as pixels, capable of transmitting natural as well as artificial light." When light is projected from the rear, the pixels illuminate to display imagery, which could certainly transform a vanilla office building into an ad-filled poster board. While we're not sure when we can expect these things to start popping up around here, Innovation Lab claims that orders are already backing up, and of course, there's always the live action video after the break to tide you over for now....[Via We Make Money Not Art, thanks Naser A]
