Everyone could soon have the powers of Doctor Octopus

Doctor Otto Octavius may have been a power-mad scientist bent on world domination and the utter ruin of his nemesis, Spider-Man, but the guy had some surprisingly cogent thoughts on prosthetics development. And although mind-controlled supernumerary...

Everyone could soon have the powers of Doctor Octopus

Doctor Otto Octavius may have been a power-mad scientist bent on world domination and the utter ruin of his nemesis, Spider-Man, but the guy had some surprisingly cogent thoughts on prosthetics development. And although mind-controlled supernumerary...

Keio University’s Kinect-based Haptic VR system lets you roll your own face flat (video)

Keio University's Kinectbased Haptic VR system lets you roll flat your own face

A research team at Keio University has built a fun haptic virtual reality system that enables you to manipulate pictures with a rolling pin. A vertically mounted Kinect takes a 3D image that is then displayed on the projection surface. Using the rolling pin, the image can be rolled over and flattened as if it was dough -- with a series of motor cranks inside the implement to replicate the necessary feedback so you can feel what it'd be like to iron out your own face. It's been designed as a modern-day update to the penny-squashing machines you found in theme parks, except with slightly more grotesqueness. You can watch the face-mashing in glorious color after the break.

Continue reading Keio University's Kinect-based Haptic VR system lets you roll your own face flat (video)

Keio University's Kinect-based Haptic VR system lets you roll your own face flat (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 10:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keio University democratizes facial recognition technology for Avatars everywhere (video)

Keio University develops low entry requirement facial recognition technology for Avatars everywhere video

If you liked the look of that facial recognition technology on its way to Everquest II, but aren't so sure on your Froglok allegiance, then a Keio University group may have you covered. A project led by Associate Professor Yasue Mitsukura has developed a similar technology using just an ordinary PC and webcam. The software uses an algorithm that updates in line with the motion of the face, which the makers claim make it very fast and precise. The researchers hope that this real-time, low hardware requirement, system could find its way into the hands of amateur CG animation creators, or -- like the SOEmote solution -- into game controls. So, expect a glut of pimped-out Numa Numa remakes in the not to distant future.

Continue reading Keio University democratizes facial recognition technology for Avatars everywhere (video)

Keio University democratizes facial recognition technology for Avatars everywhere (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jun 2012 07:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japanese researchers show off ‘interactive’ plants: real leaves, artificial emotions

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Looking for a little more companionship from your household plants? Then a team of researchers from Keio University in Japan may have just the thing for you. They've developed a rather elaborate system that promises to lets plants react to you and display a variety of different emotions (see "anger," pictured above). Yes, that's a real plant sprouting up out of the box, which contains sensors and microphones that monitor its surroundings, as well as some actuators that are connected to the plant itself with some fine cords. Lest you worry about the safety of the plants themselves, the researchers say that they've had plants rigged up like this for nearly a year and none have wilted. Of course, there's no indication of a commercial version just yet, but you can get a glimpse of the current state of things in the video after the break courtesy of DigInfo TV.

Continue reading Japanese researchers show off 'interactive' plants: real leaves, artificial emotions

Japanese researchers show off 'interactive' plants: real leaves, artificial emotions originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Add-on turns a smartphone camera into a joystick (video)

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One of the more irritating aspects of touchscreen gaming is almost certainly the inevitability of blocking the screen as you play -- particularly with smaller devices like smartphones. A new peripheral being developed by Keio University takes an interesting approach to the problem -- using the device to transform the gadget's camera into a three-axis joystick of sorts by detecting the movement of markings on the add-on. According to its creators, the accuracy of the joystick depends largely on the precision of the phone's hardware. Check it out in action after the break.

Continue reading Add-on turns a smartphone camera into a joystick (video)

Add-on turns a smartphone camera into a joystick (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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