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Heads-Up Wearable Display
selfsealingstembolt writes "Looks like the guys at NASA are trying to combine some existing technologies into a wearable computer. At the moment it is designed as headset combined with a small box to wear at your belt or so. The interesting part is, that they are looking for new technologies at outside sources (companies, educational institutions, ...). The design is still subject to change, but the general idea is great."
Why can't they make these things look more like a nice pair of sunglasses rather than a Techno-Cowlick?
The design is still subject to change, but the general idea is great.
Yeah, it's a great general idea, but it's CERTAINLY not a new one. wearable computing has been around for how long now?
That said, it's great that it's getting some government funding, as that seems to be the only way to get something going in these lean times lately. And the display unit looks to be a new design, perhaps a new idea, but they say nothing useful about it in the article.
"You worthless post!"
-Shakespeare, 2 Gentlemen of Verona, 1. 1. 147
From the article:
"It's kind of like having your computer with you all the time," said Devereaux.
Well, no shit Sherlock! I thought that was the point of a wearable computer...
It's not the "cool" factor -- really, it isn't. You wear a wearable computer on the subway to work, and you deserve to be beaten down.
It's not the portability factor -- palmtops can provide a reasonable amount of punch too.
There are some niche uses -- say you're a mechanic -- it would be handy to have schematics right at your fingertips, er, eyeballs.
But more often than not, a wearable computer is really a wearable invitation for a well deserved ass kicking.
Admittedly, the article focuses on the use of wearable computers by astronauts and such, but as for use by the common man on a daily basis outside niche markets, its not going to happen.
This stuff is kind of cool to read about, and I definitely think it qualifies as "News for Nerds," so I'm glad to see it here. However, I don't think we will ever see so-called "wearable" computers really take off.
Consider the average computer user, Joe Sixpack. Mr. Sixpack doesn't ask for much out of his 56kbps (or, these days, even DSL or cable) connection. He reads email and checks sports scores through yahoo, types up the annual Christmas newsletter in Word, and maybe plays a few low-intensity games. He is not interested in "augmented reality," and has no reason for wanting any more power than can be had in a $200 generic PC.
I think we've reached the point where personal computers are as powerful as anyone really needs. Mainframes and servers will continue to improve in certain niches (especially as we see more stuff like the Final Fantasy movie (hopefully with that same hot chick from it)), but for the vast majority of desktop users, CPUs in the GHz range and 256MB of memory are more than enough.
Furthermore, people largely feel antagonistic towards their computers. The computer is a tool, a dangerous tool that often fails. People have them for the things (email, the web) that are considered essential in modern life, but they are a necessary evil at best. Yes, there are a few nerds (most of whom are probably reading this site, actually) who express physical love toward their computers, but they are an inconsequential minority. The idea that anyone would want to strap a computer to their face is right out of science fiction, with the emphasis on "fiction."
Like it or not, "wearables" just don't appear to be in our future.
Karma: Good (despite my invention of the Karma: sig)
Now those geeky enough to splurge for such a device can look even more "approachable" to women.
Can you imagine? Keep the "How to Talk To Women" e-book on your display as you peruse the club scene. That'll do the trick.
I'll wait until the model that doesn't block the vision from one of my eyes. I'm kind of keen on that whole depth-perception thing.
Why not project onto the inside of a partially-reflective sunglasses lens?
Seems like great technology, but it's hamstrung by a fairly simple interface issue.
No, I will not imagine a beowulf cluster of these things
Xybernaut already has wearables for sale. They've already got contracts with branches of the U.S. military, so swinging a deal with the space jockeys shouldn't be too hard.
Come to the University of Mars! Classes starting soon!
this looks like something that should be used to frag an opponent.
... people ...
The voice- activated wearable computer allows easy, real-time access to
Hmm, "attack co-worker with rocket launcher".
My other sig is an import.
I'd always end up walking round going.. "We are the Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your ships........" In fact - I think I'd buy it JUST for that reason. But then that's just me..... :D
RoseColor red={0, 0xffff, 0x0000, 0x0000};VioletColour blue={0, 0x0000, 0x0000, 0xffff};find / -name *mybase*|chown you
but I don't want to be a gargoyle.
My $0.02 will always be worth more than your â0.02, so
They can send a man to the moon, then can even build a tiny personal computer, however the most critical task to trying to figure out what it looks like? Hmmmmm...
"I bet I'll get blamed for this." --Mayor Quimby
With wearable computers comes wearable porn.
"What do you use your computer for?"
"Oh, data entry, keeping track of appointments, records, all that and more. What about you?"
"Portable porn. Check it out! It's hands free!"
you thought playing the virtual boy was disorienting.
how do you expect to be able to reach a usible ammount of contrast on a semi translucent screen? im minority report, who would want a clear monitor. it would suck if your were running around fragging and people just kept walking behind your screen, talk about distracting.
long story short, if its not a HUD or something, keep it opaque, if it is a HUD make it translucent.
I want 2D games back.
Or just walk around zombie like wearing a Windows T-shirt....
thats gotta be one strange gaming experience.
I want 2D games back.
For those of you with spare cash.
Emagin has a developer kit available to make your own wearable displays.
It's not the "cool" factor -- really, it isn't. You wear a wearable computer on the subway to work, and you deserve to be beaten down.
I'm sure we would have thought the same thing several years ago about portable phones. Yet I see those bloody things (rather, I hear them) all over the place.
Admittedly, the article focuses on the use of wearable computers by astronauts and such, but as for use by the common man on a daily basis outside niche markets, its not going to happen.
You make a reasonable point here about no absolutely necessary reason for people to have a portable computer but how is that much different from today's cell phones? I always roll my eyes skyward when people tell me about how essential a cell phone is for today's lifestyle. There are plenty of times I've heard a cell phone go off in the movie theater. And while I've struggled to keep from throwing tomatoes at those morons who feel the need to chatter on their cell phone while grocery shopping, I'm not promising I'll hold off indefinitely. But of all the times I've overheard people gabbing on their cell phones (and there have been many such times), I cannot for the life of me remember one conversation that struck be as being essential to carry on at that moment.
I'm sure I'm inviting a slew of angry replies to this and probably some Troll or Flamebait mod points, but my point is that cell phones have florished in spite of the fact that the majority of people using them do not have a vital need for them. Rather, their "need" has simply been invented because the technology exists. So will it be with wearable computers.
GMD
watch this
Personally, I thought this article was presenting nothing new, or spectacular till I realized what was meant by the summary posted on the main page. What is really interesting about the article is that the JPL group is looking to outside resources to develop its applications. As a designer I find this very inspiring. To be selected for a project working with those engineers would be a fantastic opportunity. On top of that the JPL gets to recruit new people in a slightly different field which they would have had no previous experience. Whether or not this device looks good, its still important to maintain a connection with the end-user of the application. Face it, not all engineers have been capable of doing this! Involving the organization with outside organizations such as small business or educational facilities can only be a good thing.
You can get a set of glasses (Model EG-7) with a prism built-in so there is no bulky object hanging in your field of vision. There is a bump on the side of the glasses for the screen itself, and a wire runs down behind the ear, easily concealable under a shirt.
You can already walk down the street with an earphone/microphone on, because you probably have a cellphone.
You can use a Twiddler for input, along with speech (maybe in the future). Perhaps soon we will have a Bluetooth Twiddler, allowing you reduce the number of wires.
In fact, incorporating Bluetooth would be a great way to improve the portability/functionality of your wearable. Connect to your cellphone with Bluetooth instead of using a cable or having a separate cell modem. Connect to a printer (Bluetooth or 802.11 for this application) and print something out on your way to the meeting. Your microphone/speaker could be Bluetooth, so there are even fewer wires (though the battery/communications module is a little bulky still).
With some dynamic networking you could have your system use Bluetooth to the phone while you weren't in range of a wireless network, and switch automatically, setting up NFS/VPN/SSH/etc connections as the network conditions change.
That what was all this school was for... to teach us how to solve our own problems. -- janeowit
People complain enough about having to carry laptop cases with a strap over their shoulder, I can't wait to see what they have to say about wearing something ON THEIR HEAD...
Did somebody say sunglasses?
... unfortunately, they eventually got him in trouble.
Professor Mann has had sunglass-mounted gear for years (well, except for the battery pack, HD, and other controllers), and they eventually
Come to the University of Mars! Classes starting soon!
Or lie on the floor in a Tux t-shirt saying "they've promised to write drivers for my legs by 2008!"
The wearable offers you what you can't get out of a PDA. Instant access.
The PDA has an appointment book, but if you want to check it, you have to pull it out, open it up, turn it on, go to the appointment book, and then look at the days. This takes time. A wearable is already on, you just have to bring up the appointment book. The alaram feature reminds you when a meeting is going to happen. Your wearable could keep your next 2 appointments in view, and with GPS and access to MapQuest or something similar, could tell you about how long it would take, with approximations for traffic.
Pulling out your PDA and trying to take notes in Graffiti is painful - it's very hard to keep up with a conversation. But with a wearable, you can type instead of write. Bringing a keyboard may not be an option, but a Twiddler allows you to type quite quickly with one hand, far better than Graffiti, anyway.
Imagine access to financial reports at the meeting with the boss without a laptop. Imagine in-view access to directions as you look for a client's office. Imagine sending someone an e-mail when you remember to do it. Imagine updating your to-do list while on the phone on the subway, without fear of dropping something. Imagine making changes to the database while the meeting is going on. Imagine never worrying about forgetting the CD you burned becuase you have the data with you. Imagine never worrying about someone else using your computer and messing up your settings.
If none of these things interest you, how about: Imagine reading slashdot during the meeting. Imagine reading slashdot on the subway. Imagine looking for new jobs while during the new policy meeting. Imagine being able to correct people by getting actual data at your fingertips. Imagine watching the Simpsons while you stare at a monitor covered with Excel sheets. Imagine organizing your MP3 collection during business hours. Imagine EverQuest.
That what was all this school was for... to teach us how to solve our own problems. -- janeowit
It's all about convenience - hardly anything ever invented has been pure "necessity." The wheel and the aqueduct are convenient inventions, but are by no means necessary. They're at least as "annoying" as cell phones - lord, those wheels are noisy rumbling down the road... and those aqueducts! What an eye-sore!
But all of these things, cell phones included, improve our lives more than just superficially - cell phones can be used to call your sorority sisters... or to call for an ambulance. If the benefits, both for convenience and for improving quality of life, didn't outweigh the annoyances that accompany a technology, it wouldn't survive.
All that musing aside, the bottom line is that, while you're at home denying the march of technological progress, I'll be e-mailing and calling my friends using my portable hardware and meeting everyone at the movie theater. To each his own, I guess.
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Spiral out... keep going.
If you want leg drivers, write them yourself.
DNA just wants to be free...
The reason is quite simple - as in any computer product, most of the time all money is spent on technology and advertising, leaving no money for proper visual design. Some big companies, such as Apple and Sony actually spent time and money making sure the product looks good.
Oh, and many technical managers are good at mechanics/development process and lack visual creativity that professional designer have; but in most cases that would refuse to agree to that and think they know better.
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The biggest problem with wearable video is the fact that it moves with your head and can cause vertigo.
I want a head mounted display that lets me decide if I want the display to move when I move my head or if I want the display to stay where it is while I look at other things....
42 - So long and thanks for all the fish.
I loathe the rude behaviour of some mobile phone users, but i tend to believe these people would be just as inconsiderate even if they did not have mobile phones. (I would advocate the use of mobile phone jammers if members of the Emergencey Services could still be gauranteed reliable communications).
But more to the point i like the notion of a head sup display embedded in a pair of sunglasses, and many people already carry around mobile phones which are in effect wearable Computers (more powereful than a Kray supercomputer from the 70s). If you are going to have a chunky digital watch it may as well be a Dick Tracey style Linux powered video camera (as featured in Linux Journal and featured on slashdot previously).
The walkman/diskman/minidiskplayer/mp3players/hearing aids that people carry around can and will be adapted to have more features like supporting FM radio and dictation. On of those pen sized scanners (with dictionary and machine translation, nifty) might come in handy too.
The geeky stupid looking wearable computers might not catch on but the existing electronics many of use carry could become a lot more integrated and usable, i have little doubt this stuff will catch on just not in the cheesey and ugly implausible ways suggested by most Science Fiction.