Visitors to the “Influencia: Living Life with Sentient Machines” exhibition at the SIGGRAPH Asia 2011 Exhibition in Hong Kong this past week were privy to some of the gadgets that mark the newest trend in computing; so-called “invisible” or “transparent” computing because the user of such a device doesn’t have to do anything to cause the device to do it’s magic. Instead, the computing application and hardware is embedded to such an extent that it’s not apparent. One such application is a coloring book that turns a child’s drawing into a three dimensional object, without the child having to do anything but draw a picture.
Many industry experts believe invisible computing is the wave of the future, and point to existing applications already in place. The modern automobile is a good place to start. Virtually every model now comes with a computer under the hood to monitor gas and air intake to optimize engine response without the driver having to ask or tell it to do so.
Other examples at the exhibition included a cell phone that vibrates allowing users to tickle one another, adding a third sensation to audio and video.
Also, demoed was a means for allowing movie goers to filter the movie they are watching simply by watching. Tiny sensors monitor body response and if certain thresholds are reached, more violent or sexual scenes are reduced or eliminated altogether providing the user a more appropriate viewing experience.
Also on display was a type of paper that changes color based on the warmth of a person’s touch, a dress that shows more or less cleavage depending on heart rate and aspiration, and three dimensional wall art.
Also piquing interest was a vibrating belt worn around the waist that offers clues about the environment that person is unaware of, such as the presence of a person hiding around a corner, or the sound of another person’s heartbeat.
Also scattered among the exhibits were various robots programmed to do various things; the most impressive of which is one that can cook a full dinner.
The presence of so many robots hints at what the future may look like as more and more useful features are programmed and costs come down. Some at the show suggest that most people will have some form of robot in their homes before the end of the decade. Robot helpers are already for sale in most developed countries they point out, all that’s needed is a better means of teaching them what their owners want done.