From the outside in

Friday, September 24, 2010

Augmented Reality: V.I.A. design-fiction

via Beyond The Beyond by Bruce Sterling on 9/23/10

*Hmmm, let’s see: it combines real-world and virtual data; is registered in three dimensions; and is interactive in real time. Yep, this blind guy’s nonexistent tactile chirpy “Assistant” is an Augmented Reality device.

*Too bad this “V.I.A” is just design-fiction, because some people’s realities could really do with the augmentation.

*Via Yanko, who are aces at meeting your design-fiction needs.

http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/09/21/visually-impaired-with-fine-hands/

“Visually Impaired with Fine Hands

“A new dimension of sightless awareness equipment. This is the “VIA” Visually Impaired Assistant, a pair of hand-centric devices to make the day of a visually impaired person a whole lot easier. These devices use VMD Video Motion Detection technologies, 4 mini cameras, and a voice operated GPS receiver, all to act as both a walking stick and a mapping system. All the while looking rather fabulous on the hands as sensually molded pieces of jewelry (or “super heavy-duty metal equipment” if you’re too masculine for that sensual “J” word.)

“These devices use 2 different vibration mechanisms to guide the user away from obstacles and toward their final bespoken destination. VIA is charged via a wirelessly functioning mat (that incidentally, I wish I had for every one of my other electronic devices.) Totally too perfect. Now watch the video that shows the devices in action and prepare yourself for a totally “awww, love” ending.”

“Designer: Noam Klopper”

Posted via email from The New Word Order

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