meta AR glasses to offer gesture control of 3D virtual objects

It’s been a staple of science fiction for decades, but now the idea of augmented reality (AR) enhancing our lives by way of hi-tech wearable glasses is finally becoming a reality for consumers. Google's Project Glass may be getting the lion's share of attention, but prototypes and new ventures abound with any number of goggle-like devices offering immersive 3D gaming through to simply capturing your everyday life for sharing online. Now a start-up called meta has joined the fray, partnering with Epson to create AR glasses that allow virtual objects to be controlled in 3D space using hand gestures.

meta was founded by Meron Gribetz in December 2012 and has been helped along by Professor Steven Feiner, an experienced developer in the field of augmented reality technology. The stated aim of the meta project is to go one step further than other augmented reality prototypes that simply offer superimposed digital readouts with limited control.

The two-part setup consists of a pair of modified see-through 

meta was founded by Meron Gribetz in December 2012 and has been helped along by Professor Steven Feiner, an experienced developer in the field of augmented reality technology. The stated aim of the meta project is to go one step further than other augmented reality prototypes that simply offer superimposed digital readouts with limited control.

The two-part setup consists of a pair of modified see-through Epson Moverio glasses with a Kinect-like 3D camera mounted on top. The camera features low-latency motion tracking software that tracks a person's hands in 3D space so they can interact with virtual objects using hand gestures.

with a Kinect-like 3D camera mounted on top. The camera features low-latency motion tracking software that tracks a person's hands in 3D space so they can interact with virtual objects using hand gestures.

meta is set to throw down the proverbial gauntlet to potential developers with the imminent release of a developer kit – so it remains to be seen just exactly what kind of applications we can expect to see running on the glasses, or even when the glasses will be released. Though, in keeping with the promise of augmented reality in general, Anna Jen, Director of New Business at Epson America, says “We’re excited about the effects on productivity, media entertainment, retail, and of course, an amazing new class of games entering our real world.”

A promotional video giving an idea of the glasses' potential uses can be viewed on meta's website via the source link below.

BlackBerry Z10 vs. Galaxy S3

 

Great companies evolve. In 2007, Apple redefined the smartphone with the release of the iPhone. Google then responded quickly with the iPhone-inspired Android OS. But BlackBerry (known then as Research in Motion) stood still. Six years later, the company is finally embracing keyboardless, multitouch handsets. Does the new BlackBerry Z10 stand a chance against Samsung’s record-breaking Galaxy S III? Let’s see how their specs – and harder-to-define intangibles – compare.

Size

The Galaxy S III is longer and wider – but also a bit thinner – than the BlackBerry Z10. Three years ago, both handsets would have looked enormous. Today, they both look smallish next to 5-inch behemoths like the Droid DNA and Xperia Z.

Weight

Despite being smaller, the BlackBerry Z10 is a bit heavier than the Galaxy S3. You can find lighter phones, but neither one of these is ridiculously heavy.

Display

Take your pick: the Galaxy S III gives you an extra 0.6 inches of (diagonal) screen real estate, but the BlackBerry Z10 gives you more pixels.

Processor

The North American version of the Galaxy S III has the same processor as the Z10. Both phones – as well as the quad-core international S3 – have plenty of power under the hood.

RAM

Random-access memory (RAM) is also equal in the Z10 and U.S. Galaxy S III, while the global S3 lags with just 1 GB.

Storage

Samsung gives you more choice. Like the Z10, the S3 sells in a 16 GB model, but Samsung’s phone also comes in 32 GB and 64 GB flavors. Both devices support microSD cards.

Wireless

If your local carrier provides LTE, both phones will deliver.

Cameras

On paper, cameras are nearly identical. The BlackBerry camera, though, has a new Time Shift feature that snaps multiple frames and lets you choose the best.

Battery

The Galaxy S III has a higher-capacity battery. Many factors influence battery life, but with identical processors, the S3 could potentially have the edge.

Intangibles

BlackBerry 10 has a groovy new predictive keyboard. It’s similar to Android’s SwiftKey, but with a twist: tiny suggested words float above corresponding letters. Swipe up to select, and save yourself some keystrokes.

Keyboard innovation is nice, but can it make up for a dearth of great apps? The Z10’s BlackBerry World is but a newborn, while the Galaxy S III’s Play Store is mature and thriving. If app selection is your priority, then forget BlackBerry: it can’t compete with Android, and won’t anytime soon.

Wrap-up

Three years ago, the BlackBerry Z10 could have been a revolutionary phone. But back then, RIM was still doubling down on 2005-looking phones and drowning with their failed PlayBook. We have to tip our hats to BlackBerry’s big comeback attempt, but the odds are long that the platform will ever post Samsung-like sales.

If you want to size the Z10 up to Apple's finest, check out our BlackBerry Z10 vs. iPhone 5 specs comparison.

Diesel engine concept gets go-ahead from UK Ministry of Defence

 Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that it is continuing funding for a new diesel outboard engine for the Royal Navy’s rigid inflatable craft. Currently under development by Cox Powertrain, the prototype marine engine concept uses opposed pistons. It is part of a policy adopted by NATO countries for converting to heavy oil wherever possible, to simplify logistics and reduce the use of petrol at sea.

Naval forces need a wide variety of fuels to operate. There’s heavy diesel for the ship’s engines, aviation fuels for planes and helicopters, and petrol for small boats. The problem is that these different fuels mean different supply lines and a logistical nightmare during a large deployment, that might see a warship on station without any petrol for the boats.

Worse, petrol is notoriously dangerous to use at sea, with an ever-present hazard of fire or explosion below decks. For this reason, the Royal Navy is joining other NATO countries in converting as much as possible to a single heavy fuel for all vessels.

The Cox Powertrain concept is being developed in collaboration with the engineering R&D firm Ricardo. The project has already attracted £6.7 million (US$10.1 million) in private investment, in addition to previous MoD funding. The concept is based on an invention of Cox Powertain’s founder, former F1 designer David Cox, and is specifically designed for outboard use.

 

The concept uses opposed pistons, which means that the super-charged. two-stroke 3.6-liter motor has eight pistons housed in four cylinders. There’s no cylinder head, but rather each cylinder uses a centrally-placed injector, and the piston pair compresses the fuel/air mixture in the middle. Meanwhile, a Scotch Yoke crankshaft converts the reciprocating movement of the pistons into rotary motion.

With this layout, the Cox Powertrain concept achieves 350 bhp (261 kW) per engine module, yet is half the size of an equivalent conventional diesel engine. It can also be configured in multiple modules up to 700 bhp (522 kW).

The Cox Powertrain concept has completed its detailed design phase and the first firing is expected this month at Ricardo. The companies also foresee the development of variations for civilian applications and UAVs.

Magnetic Spirit shelving system creates practical, adaptable art

The Magnetic Spirit shelving system is a concept design from Benoît Bayol and Christophe Bricard. Lying somewhere between carpentry and Cubism, it uses a patented magnetic fixing system to allow the creation of different layouts – and to change the layout at will depending on your mood at any given time.

There are four separate parts to Magnetic Spirit. All are made from hot-treated lacquered steel that is 100 percent recyclable.

The bases make up the background, canvas, or picture frame depending on your point of view – there are four different designs which can be pieced together to form original and unique geometric shapes. The components are the shelves themselves, which come in a variety of sizes, both with closed-in and open designs. Each one can carry a maximum of 16 kg (35 lbs). The skins are the patterns which are available to decorate the surrounds of the components. Finally there are accessories such as a coat hook.

Magic Spirit is merely a concept at present, with the designers having no immediate plans to take it into production. However, their website features a catalog, as well as a design tool allowing you to forge your own creation. The video below shows the thinking behind the concept.

X-ray device traps airborne pathogens and neutralizes them

Help may be on the way for people with compromised immune systems, severe allergies, or who otherwise have to be wary of airborne nasties. A team of scientists have created something known as a soft x-ray electrostatic precipitator, or an SXC ESP for short. It filters all manner of bacteria, allergens, viruses, and ultrafine particles from the air – plus, it kills everything it catches.

Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) already exist, and work by applying an electrical charge to airborne particles, which are subsequently drawn to an oppositely-charged metallic collection plate. According to the researchers, however, ESPs aren’t very efficient at trapping smaller particles – specifically in the submicrometer and nanometer size range.

HEPA filters are also very commonly used, although they require relatively frequent cleaning, and become energy-inefficient if those cleanings are missed.

To create the SXC ESP, the scientists added a shielded soft x-ray emitter to an ESP. This resulted in a two- to ninefold increase in its ability to capture ultra-small particles – additionally, by irradiating and photo-ionizing captured bacteria and viruses, it was able to neutralize them.

In lab tests of the device, it was able to protect immunocompromised mice from a wide variety of airborne pathogens.

It is now hoped that commercial SXC ESPs could be used in public buildings and in homes. Its cost would reportedly be in line with that of conventional high efficiency air cleaners, yet it would be much more effective, and easier to use.

According to team member Pratim Biswas of Washington University, St. Louis, its possible applications could include “indoor protection of susceptible populations, such as people with respiratory illness or inhalation-induced allergies, and young children; protection of buildings from bio-terror attack; protection of individuals in hospital surgical theaters, for example, during open organ surgery; protection in clean rooms for semiconductor fabrication; removal of ultrafine particles in power plants; and capture of diesel exhaust particulates.”

Scientists from the University of Cincinnati and Saint Louis University also took part in the study. A paper on their research is scheduled to be published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, and can currently be accessed free of charge online.