Okaya Electronics rolls out new concept vending machine in Japan. Full HD transparent screen with facial recognition to display ads according to demographic. I can see promotions syncing with cell phones via nfc/rfid in the near term and facial recognition applied for custom notifications to your email/social network shortly thereafter.

Video courtesy of DigiInfo

Despite all the technological advances in the last several decades, input technology has yet to evolve as we still rely on a keyboard and mouse interface for computer interaction. The evolution of gestural interface is upon us with the release of Gmail Motion, an innovative and ground breaking accomplishment by the google team to capture the natural non-verbal communication skills intuitive to humans and translate it to a seamless email composition experience. The Universal Gesture Recognition Technology (UGRT) was not done of course without the expert direction of paralanguage and movement specialist who makes an excellent observations such as the fact that “we are graspers, we are killers.” Print out the handy motion guide and begin practicing your gesture actions as you evolve into a new paradigm of computing.

We love Google’s dedication to April fools while bringing to light a relevant aspect of immersive technology in the area of gestural computing. Make sure you also check out this video in Youtube’s 1911 mode for an added whimsical touch. In dedication to Gmail Motion, I will be driving the rest of the day using the appropriate DMV hand signals.

This video is copyrighted by Google: www.google.com

Here is another conceptual video created by Corning Incorporated in “A day made of glass.” It goes through what would be your typical day scenario waking up at your beautiful luscious estate, by your wife with model good looks, as the photovoltaic glass reveals yet another perfect day in pleasantville. Followed by various interaction with every piece of glass you encounter throughout the day being touch sensitive, electronic enabled displays. This is a novel idea and as for as long as I can remember has been a common representation of the future where all surfaces are interactive. While the concept was focused around the future of glass, I would’ve loved to see some other future elements incorporated into the video like hovering cars that drive themselves, holographic communication, or omelet ready hybrid bell peppers with infused eggs substitute. How soon do you think this glass future will be a reality, and what future elements would you like to include?

The system in question, which was designed by graduate students at the Universität Konstanz in Germany, has been dubbed the NAVI, or Navigational Aids for the Visually Impaired.

NAVI works something like this. The infrared camera from a Kinect system is mounted to a helmet that can be worn by a bilnd person. The visual data from that camera is turned into a set of audio instructions that are then transmitted to the wearer via a wireless headset. The system also features a standard camera added as well, allowing for a kind of three-camera stereoscopic vision. Certain items, such as door, will trigger events, such as a countdown, to prevent users from walking into the aforementioned door, in a kind of augmented reality.

The goal is to be able to give a blind person warnings about potential obstructions and directions to navigate in set spaces, at a longer distance than the current systems in place. Though this Kinect will be much more of a supplement to seeing eye dogs than a replacement for them.

The system is also paired with a vibro-tactile arduino system in the belt, that will most likely act as a warning system, should an obstacle come perilously close to the user. No plans for commercial release of the system have been mentioned at this time.

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This video is copyrighted by University of Konstanz: hci.uni-konstanz.de

Capacitive screens has now become a commodity for touch screen devices. Screen technology is now taking the next leap and the coming years imagination is the only thing stopping us. We will soon have dual screens, malleable screens, screens built into wifi connected mirrors, desks or backside of gadgets clothed with e-ink screens, tactile feedback, color screens with great contrast in sunlight, holographics/stereoscopic screens, color e-ink touch screens, or screens actually knowing where they are in relation to other screens thanks to ultrasonic emitters and microphones.

TAT wanted to show some of these things in an “experience video”, that shows a normal day in a couple of years when all these technologies are affordable enough to be used everywhere. This video is the result of our experiment with open innovation, read more about their experiments at their website.

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This video is copyrighted by The Astonishing Tribe: tat.se

Experience is the new reality! This video isn’t your everyday typical video. It take a look into how communication has changed in the past and how it could change in the future. You will see elements of different kinds of immersive technologies coming into play as communication advances. Selling of memory and experiences become an everyday thing. Live a thousand lifetimes by purchasing experiences. We could even one day save the lives and experiences of our great thinkers, famous leaders, or the horrors of war experience and be able to learn from them without having the need to make mistakes ourselves. My favorite part of the video is where they say “Google Buys Microsoft” Ha! The future will be interesting, I wonder how close it’ll turn out like this video. Take a look!

The world’s first ever Immersive Technology Summit will be held at the Los Angeles Center Studios (LACS) on October 21st, 2010.

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This video is copyrighted by Casaleggio Associati: www.youtube.com/edugiansante

What is Virtual Reality (VR)? The Meddling Geniuses at ImmersiveTech break it down and explain it in plain simple English. There is more virutal reality around than you think. Granted we still have quite a way to go but every journey begins with a first step.

Virtual reality is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that simulate places in the real world as well as imaginary ones. It takes your ~current~ reality and ~replaces~ it with a virtual one. The first widely accepted ~digital~ virtual reality was created by the US Air Force in 1966 as part of their flight simulation training, however traces of attempts to ~replace~ reality predating digital computing can be found as far back as the 1860′s when 360 art through panoramic murals began to appear.

The world’s first ever Immersive Technology Summit will be held at the Los Angeles Center Studios (LACS) on October 21st, 2010.

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We are all starting to see simple applications of augmented reality (AR) becoming available on our smartphones these days but here is one that comes to our desktop. No… not our desktop computer, literally our desktop. Joon Moon has created a fun AR program where the AR layer is not merely displayed to the user but actually allows the user to interact with the AR. Simply put, this is totally cool! This is certainly more entertaining than playing solitaire and I am sure more than half of us would get a real kick out of playing with this for hours!

It is interesting to consider the implications of AR that can be interacted with. Traditional AR has always been an overlay of digital information on top of our existing reality while interaction has remained largely in the world of virtual reality (VR). Now with interactive AR the two (AR and VR) are starting to have increasing areas of overlap. The future is going to be interesting indeed!

The world’s first ever Immersive Technology Summit will be held at the Los Angeles Center Studios (LACS) on October 21st, 2010.

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This video is copyrighted by Joon Moon: joonmoon.net

What are Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs)? The Meddling Geniuses at ImmersiveTech break it down and explain it in plain simple English. Who knows? You might learn something new, get a good laugh, and even share with your friends!

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs), which is sometimes called a direct neural interface or brain-machine interface, is where the brain communicates directly with an external device. Sounds like science fiction? It’s not! Granted we are still a long way to go for BCIs and with future development, BCI will be another way how innovation makes our world an easier, better, and more fun place to be.

The world’s first ever Immersive Technology Summit will be held at the Los Angeles Center Studios (LACS) on October 21st, 2010.

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Improving the limitations of current scuba diving system, designer Adam Wendel has come up with a futuristic device named the “Immersed Senses” that changes the way the diver sees, hears, and breathes underwater, allowing them to become a part of their surrounding environment. Immersed Senses is the future of underwater diving and exploration. Featuring a LED flashlight to let the diver to observe the dark depths of the ocean, the mask also includes a large OLED glass display to offer a panoramic view of the surroundings. The OLED enclosed helmet also allows the extracted oxygen to flow freely throughout the helmet, as if you are breathing on land without any breathing apparatus.

While an interactive OLED display gives access to underwater GPS maps, therefore allowing the diver to navigate efficiently throughout the ocean’s landscapes. The OLED also offers software that can identify all species of fish, coral and other ocean dwelling creatures that diver is currently viewing. With Immersed Senses, experiencing the underwater world is now fully interactive. In addition, the OLED screen depicts important info such as oxygen toxicity, nitrogen levels and even body heat to keep the diver well informed and safe.

Made in haptic glass, the device concept touts futuristic technology to the core. An optically clear glass with microscopic pours keeps water molecules out, yet it allows sound waves to pass through. Sound travels six times faster underwater than on land, however it is nearly impossible to interpret where the sound is coming from. The haptic glass interprets the sound wave orientation then displays the source and direction on the OLED display.

Water leakage is eliminated with the use of a silicone lining that seals the helmet to the skin. The silicone’s flexibility affords the diver to explore with comfortable movements. The orange side panels assist in internal circulation of the extracted oxygen. The rear of the helmet contains an electrolysis reactor that extracts oxygen from saltwater. The breathable oxygen is circulated throughout the helmet, creating a revolutionary underwater breathing experience.

Immersed Senses operates by a battery that utilizes a centrifuge mechanism to pull oxygen from seawater that begins the electrolysis reaction. Saltwater is extracted into the bottom reservoir that reacts with hydrogen gas. The saltwater is then charged by a positive and negative anode/cathode that generates breathable oxygen. Two internal devices help to circulate the oxygen to the diver’s mouth and nose.

The diver then breathes in the oxygen and out carbon dioxide, which exits the helmet. The battery and stored hydrogen can keep a diver submersed for up to 8 hours. The Immersed Senses revolutionizes how a human can breathe underwater, as well as interact with the OLED display offering a panoramic view of the deep sea.

[Thanks Adam]