Video description:
This video details the SixthSense, a wearable device that allows for easy access to available metadata. The device is made of a simple webcam and a lightweight mirror based projector all linked to a cell phone that provides the internet connection. The beauty of the system is that it is dead cheap.
“Think Thank” Study areas:
Image recognition a.k.a computer vision
Gesture driven computing
Driving forces:
Potential or should I say technological:
In my opinion, this technology has a lot of potential is a low cost solution for mobile computing. For starters as stated in the video, this device will be made with readily available low cost materials amounting to about $350. In todays world having such a low cost computer would not only bring low cost computing to the masses but it will also lead in my opinion to a drop in the prices for many already on the market mobile devices. Additionally given the low production cost one can only imagine the uses of this system especially in less developed and developing countries where mobile computing is one of those things that is showing a lot of potential for low income people.
Ecological:
I am also very much impressed by the amount of material that is used in the making of this device. Not only does not use low cost readily available materials, but also the fact that it uses very few components as opposed to the conventional computer (desktop and laptop) means that it will leave a very small ecological footprint. In today’s world, when computers are no longer needed, a problem arises in what to do with them. Putting them in land fills or shipping them to other countries does not really solve the problem as the end result is that they always end up in the ground which not only pollutes our water ways but also the ground.
Additionally, and I know most would not agree with me on this is the fact that this system as shown in the video gives us the opportunity to make ecologically sound choices when it comes to shopping. Imagine being at the store and you can get up to the minute information about what you are about to buy. Not only will we be able to buy products that are friendly to the environment but at the same time we should be able to reduce our dependence on desktop and laptop computing thus reducing the need for this forms of computing and in so doing reducing the need for disposing of these devices when they are not needed
Impeding forces:
Financial
Though this system is a low cost option to mobile computing, it will in my opinion be impeded by its dependence on the mobile communication networks that are need to get the data. We are all very aware of the fact that many if not all telecom providers charge an arm, a leg and then some for data usage. If this should become a viable mobile computing option, there is need for a reduction in the cost of data usage. This is made even more apparent when one considers data usage in third world and developing countries. For one thing, most of these places either do not have the necessary infrastructural hardware needed to provide consistent data and for that matter voice connectivity and even when this is present the prices only prevent or impede use.
Social or should I say societal:
Much as this system provides us with up to the minute information on a variety of subjects, it raises the question of privacy. Just as one will be able to find information about ecologically friendly toilet paper (and please do not ask why I chose toilet paper) one could just as easily just find information on any one just by looking them. It is thus not hard to see what malicious uses could be drummed up by those bent on stirring up trouble. It could be argued that any information that could be gotten by using this system could just as easily be gotten by the use of the use of a laptop or desktop computer. Much as this is true, I am sure that some people will safe knowing that whatever information one may have about them could not be used in their presence …false sense of security but hey that is the world we live in.
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