Kinect use on Quadrocopter

MIT's robotics has taken the Microsoft Kinect, that you use with the Xbox, and use it on a UAV quadrocopter (unmanned aerial vehicle, quad-motored helicopter). Using the University of Washington's SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping) it can do autonomous 3-D mapping and flight which comes in handy for areas that aren't compatible with GPS and does the processing on the quadrocopter itself using the sensors of the Kinect. It can also tell whether there is any movement with it's IMU (inertial measurement unit). I'm sure that because it is being sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and the Army Research Office that it's uses in the field will be invaluable as our soldiers will remain safe while mapping out dangerous areas and can tell where there are people as well.

Links for more information:
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-03/video-mits-quadrocopter-carries-kinect-autonomous-flying
http://www.geek.com/articles/geek-cetera/kinect-hacked-to-make-uav-quadrocopter-20110331/

Video of the Kinect in action on a Quadrocopter

Smartphone App turns pictures into 3D models

There is a new App, developed by Microsoft researchers, that takes your multiple pictures of an object, from all sides and angles, and "stitches" them together to create a 3D model. You can rotate the recreated image, as if it were a single 3D image, right on your phone and even takes up less bandwidth than if you were to take a video of every side of the object. The only downside is that the object can't be moving, although I'm sure they are working on that. This would come in handy for placing items online that you advertise, specific items you are selling or just want to show off, and even for those who are considering to buy an item.

Click here for more information:
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-03/new-mobile-app-builds-realistic-3-d-models-cell-phone-camera-snapshots

Click here for more information in depth:
http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/37021/?ref=rss&a=f

White-hat hackers Design Hack App

White-hat hackers (good hackers that use their knowledge for good and not for evil) Michael Gough and Ian Robertson designed Caribou, a hack app that bypasses cardkey locks for doors long enough for someone to get in the door. Although this App is not available on any smart phones and there is information about the specific cardkey lock you are trying it on that you need, like the IP address, it is both scary and great that this knowledge has been found. The great thing is that Caribou is helping the security of the car-key locks and they are already working on fixing it. It could be used like an onstar service as well, although I'm sure high security buildings would most likely not want that service.

Here is a video of it at work:
 
For more information:
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-03/video-android-app-hacks-cardkey-protected-doors-one-click

Miniature Human Cellphone

Japan is making a cell phone that has the features of a human, human larva, and, minimally, imitates the movements of the person talking to the recipient of the call. Besides being squeezable, it's body wiggles and vibrates for incoming calls and movements, with even more limitless movements to come in the future. I know I wouldn't want a pocket person for a cell phone as it seems a bit disturbing to me, but it would make an excellent gag gift.

Here is the link for more information:
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-03/video-squishy-larval-human-japan-could-be-your-next-cellphone

Video of the cell phone: