Thinks

Brain-machine-brain interface lets monkeys not only control a virtual arm but also get ‘tactile’ feedback.

I think the claim to ‘sensing texture’ could be misleading because although they are getting sensory feedback about the object, the sensory feedback is quite different to the sensation of feeling texture. Nevertheless, the potential to get any sensory information directly into the brain from an artificial limb is pretty amazing.

The published paper.

(via Monkeys Use Brain Interface to Move and Feel Virtual Objects - IEEE Spectrum)

Fantastic video from Greg Tran, a recent graduate from Harvard Graduate School of Design. This is his thesis concept on augmented architecture, here is his presentation text entitled Mediating Mediums - The Digital 3D presentation

The way AR can change the way spaces operate is most interesting, although I suspect health and safety will have to get involved as soon as people start walking into walls or off balconies.

Following a Google Map into a busy road is the users’s responsibility; however, if the environment is being augmented then the publisher might have to take some responsibility.

(via Weekly Linkfest « Games Alfresco)

Word Lens from Quest Visual is an excellent example of AR put to good use. It translates text on-the-fly in video streams, like a vision-based Babel fish.

It only provides simple dictionary translation but does it with great elegance. I love the way it translates in-situ; overlaying the translated text in matching colours. Maybe matching font style in the next version?

(via Quest Visual showcases Word Lens)

Home 3D printing is more affordable and faster than ever. Currently the fastest is the Ultimaker (above) based on the MakerBot lineage; From the RepMan lineage there are other variations such as the RepMan Pro.

(via Incredibly fast 3D printing with the Ultimaker - Hack a Day)

Bloke who can’t stop bouncing up and down in a dress in his livingroom and at one point appears to be sporting virtual breasts. This lasting impression detracts from a reasonably interesting tech demo that uses a Kinect to help realistically map clothes onto your body.

(via Arbuzz – hompage » Wirtualna przymierzalnia)

“3 Dreams of Black”, an impressive interactive music video written entirely in HTML5, mixing 2D animation, video and 3D graphics using WebGL. All the source is available to look at and learn from, along with plenty of interactive tech demos on the tech page.

On my machine, Google Chrome was the only browser to be able to properly render the HTML5 content; but it is early days for this technology so not too surprised. 

There are many more cool examples of HTML5 around, many using Box2DJS - the javascript port of the popular Box2D (as used in Angry Birds)

(via ROME | Tech)

Strap-on elasticated electronics to enliven everyday objects with robotic qualities.

(via It’s Plick: Somebody Call Mattel And Get This Guy An Interview (Video) | TechCrunch)