Tactile Rendering of 3D Features on Touch Surfaces. In this project, we develop and apply a tactile rendering algorithm to simulate rich 3D geometric features (such as bumps, ridges, edges, protrusions, texture etc.) on touch screen surfaces. The underlying hypothesis is that when a finger slides on an object then minute surface variations are sensed by friction-sensitive mechanoreceptors in the skin. Thus, modulating the friction forces between the fingertip and the touch surface would create illusion of surface variations. We propose that the percept of a 3D “bump” is created when local gradients of the virtual bump are mapped to lateral friction forces. Source

Kinect for Windows Retail Clothing Scenario Video. This scenario video shows how a Kinect for Windows-enabled digital sign application makes it easy for shoppers to engage with products, try them on, and purchase while also using social media for additional marketing reach. Source

Kinect for Windows Toy Store Scenario Video. This scenario video demonstrates how a Kinect for Windows application engages with two people at once—welcoming them into an immersive real-time experience with the store’s merchandise while also showing the Kinect Fusion scanning features that can be used as part of this and many other retail experiences. Source

Kinect for Windows Ski Shop Scenario Video. This scenario video shows how a Kinect for Windows application attracts new customers by providing them with a good understanding of a resort thru an enjoyable and easy-to-use experience, while also providing customers with an offer to receive a discount on future stays. Source

First mind-controlled bionic leg a ‘groundbreaking’ advance. After losing his lower right leg in a motorcycle accident four-and-a-half years ago, 32-year-old Zac Vawter has been fitted with an artificial limb that uses neurosignals from his upper leg muscles to control the prosthetic knee and ankle. The motorized limb is the first thought-controlled bionic leg, scientists at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago reported Wednesday in The New England Journal of Medicine. Source

Welcome to the future people. This shit is kinda creepy. Introducing WildCat. WildCat is a four-legged robot being developed to run fast on all types of terrain. So far WildCat has run at about 16 mph on flat terrain using bounding and galloping gaits. The video shows WildCat’s best performance so far. WildCat is being developed by Boston Dynamics with funding from DARPA’s M3 program. Source

Dyson engineers build flying machines - Challenge Dyson 2013: Airborne. Dyson engineers are problem solvers and when they’re not working on new Dyson technology, they occasionally take on other engineering challenges after hours. The latest challenge was to build a machine that could fly through an obstacle course built from spare Dyson parts.

More than 100 Dyson engineers entered in both the UK and South-East Asia to compete. Balloons, planes, helicopters and several machines that defied description took to the air. Here are the results. Source

Biological Adjustments. This installation reveals the biological aspects of the reindeer such as its food/nutrition, fur, nose, muzzle and tongue, bone and blood, hooves, horns and it’s natural ability of avoiding other animals. An interactive stand gives a visitor the option of inspecting the various biological aspects of the animal. When selecting a topic of interest, an illustration of a given subject appears on the deer’s figure. Animated visualizations appear on a stand-a-lone reindeer when users select a topic to view.