Emerging Technologies 1

This is my first stop-- not much is open today so this seems like a good time to check out the interactive demos in Emerging Technologies before the lines get too long.

After an initial lap, my impression was the same as last year, but more so: the name of the game is "tracking". Many Point Grey cameras (and cheapo web cams) tied to projectors, tracking engines and custom applications. The applications seem to be simple "games" which could be pushed further as "interactive art," but I see them all as the same demo.

Other interesting demos try to trick sensations. The best of these so far is the GVS-- "galvanic vestibular stimulation" system by NTT CS Inami Laboratory which delivers low current charge to the area around the ear to give the subject a sensation of left or right balance. After a minute or so, the shocking sensation is apparent, but it it still very effective.

JVC is showing a D-ILA projectors with great color fidelity. I'm not sure what the display technology really is, but the demo is of Shark Boy and Lava Girl in stereo with passive glasses. It is a full spectral anaglyphic system-- the passive glasses block very specific wavelengths, and it is as effective as passive polarized glasses.