TED Talks - TED Ideas Worth Spreading

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Browse to Ted Talks and you will find a presentation - Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry demo Sixth Sense.

http://www.ted.com/talks/pattie_maes_demos_the_sixth_sense.html

Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry demo SixthSense

Filmed Feb 2009 • Posted Mar 2009 • TED2009

This demo -- from Pattie Maes' from MIT is accompanied by some video exerts by a co-designer Pranov Mistry who has spearheaded the design technology presented. Essentially the technology was for a wearable device that has a touch and gesture based recognition system and which can also project information onto various surfaces. Even though this was apparently presented back in 2009 I feel it is still cutting edge technology somewhat ahead of todays technologies found in handheld devices like smart phones.

In further assessment of the technology introduced in the ted talk by Pattie Maes' from MIT, it would be easy to realize that many social aspects of such devices may come into play. For example, with a wearable device, until the technology is refined it could be cumbersome and clunky to actually wear and use the device, thus there would be resistance by the population during implementation. Socially would it be acceptable to be broadcasting information or interacting with items in a public setting. Additionally gesture based recognition may seem a bit odd at first to new users or observers. Thus hesitancy and reluctance may be an influence. However Technological forces also come into play here as well. Since we are generally social people who tend to want the latest and greatest gadgets, as long as they are practical, useful, and affordable, this type of technology is desirable. However, this type of technology is still somewhat in it's infancy and due to limitations in the hardware and the cost off development, it may be some time yet before it is realized by the users. This begs to question the value of the use of the device as a heads up display and haptic interface for information use versus the social use and impact it that it may have. So until further design considerations are incorporated into such a device which would make it more portable while still keeping it user friendly, and which make it affordable, there will be resistance and hesitancy from those that are targeted for it's use and adaptations.