Robodocs

Robotic technology is the next step in advancing today's surgeries. Virginia Mason Medical Centre acquired robotic hospital equipment in 2002, contributing to the readily evolving robotics revolution. A machine referred to as the DaVinci Surgical System uses a computer to translate a surgeons finger and hand movements, which are outside of the patients body, to small tools inside the body. This "EndoWhrist" allows surgeons to work more precisely and accurately. With this system they have 3D vision, 3 arms that don't tire, hands that don't tremble and enhanced dexterity. It's also a benefit for patients, as they would have reduced bleeding, less pain, fewer complications, smaller risk of internal scarring and a shorter recovery time. This robotic technology creates small ports rather than large incisions reducing trauma for the patient. I can only see this technology growing in popularity and becoming a large part of our lives.

Are you sure this is a Cell phone?! The New Nokia N80!!!

The brand new Nokia N80 is going to revolute the entire cell phone industry! As a cell phone, it has more than what it needs. It's a perosnal organizer, MP3 player and 3 megapixel camera with the GSM 3G device to check emails! Be sure to check out this amazing new cell phone!

The Oral B Pulsar

People take pride in their appearance. That's human nature. We are also self-conscious about our mouths and how they appear to others. From plaque to bad breath to tooth decay, dental care is a worry for most. Allow me to introduce the ORAL B PULSAR! Uninteresting? Not so. I have found that the yellow bristles are the first of their kind to have "micropulse action!" They pulsate as they stimulate your gums and remove the gunk while you manually use the brush in your typical teeth brushing motion. The brush also takes to the contour of your teeth with the "split head" movement and is powered by one AAA Duracell battery. I think we underestimate how unique and useful a special little brush is…

Forecasting Umbrella

Ambient Devices Forecasting Umbrella has a handle that pulses blue light when there's a good chance of rain. The device is connected to Ambient's proprietary network which allows it to know where it is and then download the local weather report. Next time you head out the door just glance at the umbrella and it will let you know if you should bring it along.

i can't wait to pee on a tree

this is a tree you pee on. what else do you need to know?



also, check out this program called Chatsum.



this is basically an add-on to Firefox that allows you to chat and leave messages while surfing any website. others can chat with you as well as long as they have the program and are on the same site. it's an interesting idea. it kind of creates a blogging atmostphere on every website you go to, which could be either great or incredibly annoying, depending on your stance on blogging. it's a shame though for mac users that you're forced to use it with firefox... not my first choice to say the least.

Prof Martha Ladly's Class - Post A Recent Innovation ie The Sony Paperless Reader

So how does it work? The Sony Reader’s display uses E Ink - a significant improvement over CRT and LCD technology. Instead of rows of glowing cells, E Ink microcapsules actually appear as either black or white depending on a positive or negative charge determined by the content. The result is supposed to be a reading experience that’s similar to paper - high contrast, high resolution, viewable in direct sunlight and at a nearly 180-degree angle, Sony says it requires no power to maintain the clarity of the image. This product, which also involves a flexible product called electronic paper technology, provides clarity and high resolution for the print. The 6-inch screen is supposedly as easy to read in full daylight as indoors, and can be viewed from nearly any angle. I think that this sort of electronic readers could revolutionize the way that we design, produce, print, market, buy, archive and read the printed word. But don't go out and buy it yet (if you can find one) - Sony say there will be a colour version out soon!

What is the recent innovation that you think will make a difference to our lives? The effect of an innovation on society can be either positive or negative (this is the nature of an 'effect'). The interaction does not necessarily have to involve technology; it could be social, or systematic. The innovation should be contemporary; we are looking for news.

Post it here with a short explanation.

My object is the STAEDTLER® Mars® technico 780 C lead holder. I have 4 of them. One I've had since 1996, and the rest I've acquired later. In each I keep a different weight of lead: 6H, 4H, 2H and HB.

Affordances are subtle yet clear. The knurled end gives a tactile indication of where to best hold the lead holder; the clip keeps it secure in my pocket protector (ha, ha). As we expect, the end serves as a push-button to advance the lead. More unusually, it also serves as a sharpener, a possibility subtly suggested by its size (the same as the lead) and clarified by a diagram on the Staedtler website.

When the end is depressed, the lead advances. One potentially problematic aspect of the design is that unlike most lead holders, the lead does not advance incrementally. Instead, the push-button opens the jaws at the end that grip the lead, allowing the lead to potentially fall out of the pencil (an expensive error, at 2 bucks a lead). Once learned, it becomes natural to guard against this with your other hand when advancing a lead, and the infinite adjustability allows the lead to be sharpened to both a sharp and rounded tip, but perhaps a physical constraint could be introduced that prevents the lead from falling out completely.

There's no way to automatically differentiate between the different weights of lead, as the only available colour is blue. I've added an ugly label made of masking tape to each, which provides crude visible feedback, but it's an ugly solution at best.

Incidentally, the lead holder is yet another victim of the inexorable advance of digital technology. My supplier tells me that Staedtler will stop producing all drafting products in 2007. Another dinosaur, like film, which Kodak will stop producing in 2007. Perhaps the lead-holder (and the associated skill of hand-drafting) will experience a vinyl-like renaissance. In the meantime, I'll hold on to mine, beautifully constructed reminders and remainders of another age.