I’ve seen many things in the tech and gadget world, but this one’s a first. A robot research team at Tokyo Institute of Technology has developed a “virtual reality”-based hair cut simulation system. Aptly named Air-Hair, the system makes it possible to imitate the process of cutting a person’s hair using a manikin and a pair of physical “scissors” that’s connected to a screen showing the head of… → Read More
Remember when virtual reality was all the rage? It had a good run, especially during the 1990s, and perhaps culminating with Second Life in the decade which just closed. But virtual reality is old in the tooth. People are a lot more interested these days in “augmented reality,” or at least they are on Google where it surpassed “virtual reality” as a search term sometime last summer (see… → Read More
This is the Virtual Cocoon, a British device that promises to allow “armchair travelers… hear the roar of lions on safari, smell the flowers of an Alpine meadow or feel the heat of the Caribbean sun on their face – all from the comfort of their sitting room.” Because that’s what we need, to discourage people from exploring the world beyond Facebook, YouTube and whatever junk is on their DVR. → Read More
Walking: fun. Leaving the house: not fun. Enter the virtual reality treadmill, a project by geniuses at Japan’s University of Tsukuba (go Panthers!). Alas, this apparatus appears to be for hospital-use only, as it’s aimed at rehabilitation programs (stroke victims, mostly). Still, I’m sure this setup might not be impossible to replicate with five or six HDTVs arranged in a semi-circle. I’d… → Read More
Yesterday I attended the 16th Industrial Virtual Reality Expo in Tokyo to find some cool tech to cover for CrunchGear. However, a lot of what I saw was just boring stuff. Advanced maybe, but boring: motion capturing systems, VR games, 3D projectors etc. → Read More
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how this is scientifically possible, take a moment to read the following quote: “The researchers say their findings could have practical applications, such as helping take video games to the next level of virtuality so the players feel as if they are actually inside the game.” Wow…so this is what Wii 2 will be like. → Read More
The University of Tokyo has developed a robotic hand capable of transmitting feeling back to its human controller, in effect taking cybersex virtual reality and remote scientific exploration to a whole new level. Users wearing the glove will be able to sense the shape, temperature, and stiffness of objects. It’ll eventually be used to shop online and even shake people’s hands remotely. → Read More
Cingular and Verizon Drop Kiddie Phones Sony Patents 3D Virtual Reality Controller For The PS3 Konami Characters And Their 1980s Counterparts The AudioFile: Apple and the Long (Mc)Fly Ball The Great Skype Contest of 2007, Day 5 → Read More
Sony has patented a 3D controller for the PS3 and Vaio PCs that responds not only to your wild, flailing movements, but also to your hand grip and applied pressure. As the drawings so wonderfully illustrate, the controller’s held in the palm of your hands. There’s a tactile response, too, so you’re able to feel the game, so to speak. I bet Sony’s real happy it finally… → Read More
First off, forgive me for saying the word Jiggy. Now, apparently this game/Second Life/whatever you call it is getting really big. One of my favorite clothing companies, Lacoste, has struck a deal with Linden Labs to create a virtual modeling contest. Alligator & Co. are looking for 100 “remarkable” avatars to appear in Second Life and model Lacoste clothing. Six of the winners… → Read More
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