I first heard of the Sixth Sense Device a good while ago through the amazing talk by Pranav Mistry on TED as shown below.
I was excited for two reasons. Firstly, the technology is out of this world, within the next ten years will completely revolutionize how people interact with the environment around them. Secondly, Pranav’s aim isn’t to make money on this but instead to see the 6SD reaches its true potential and indeed change our lives, this is now looking like it could soon be a reality with the release of the open source code and step by step guide of how to make your own for around the $350 mark. This can all be seen and downloaded here.
Everyone seems to be talking about the next generation of smartphones and how they will change and adapt, but I just cant see them competing with the likes of this. As the tech for the 6SD becomes smaller, the images become crisper and in HD and they are kitted out with 4G these things will dominate the consumer marketplace because there is little barriers to what can be done with these devices.
I’m sure the likes of Apple, Nokia etc. have already jumped all over the open source code for the 6SD and it will be interesting to see when they will hit the marketplace and for how much! With there being no patent issues in the way of this they could be knocked out by both the smallest tech developers and the biggest, the price could vary from $400 to $2000 (if you want a little silver apple logo on it…) which is very exciting stuff!
Either way this goes I’m loving the philosophy of getting these devices out to the masses within the next few years and I cant wait to get my hands on one.
Seems like a nice bloke but I can’t see it happening. Firstly, there aren’t always plug sockets outside when you need one. Secondly, unless you’re the lead singer of Coldplay, it’s not cool to have little rubber things on your fingers all the time. Also not many people want to walk around with a camera helmet on, would just get annoying. Joe what would you use this for on a typical day?
Tom
Yeah I agree to an extent mate, but this isn’t the finished product as of yet. I think once the big companies and their R+D departments get a hold of this it will be come a lot smaller, more powerful and come with a better battery life.
I do agree with the coloured rings though, but there must be a way of working around that. Either way I think if they were mainstream it wouldn’t really look out of place. It will all depend on the development and marketing I think, personally.
I would use it a lot, it would negate the need for my phone so there’s that. I would use it a hell of a lot at work as well for moving things between screens, sharing data and info. I think the scope is massive to honest
Joe
I agree with Tom that at this stage the technical implementation is what’s lacking, however the important thing is the strength of the concept and its implications.
I remember this project from its early days at MIT labs and it’s progressed since those early stages, I’m looking forward to what happens next.
ETA: From an implementation perspective, this technology would be useful to replace the coloured rings:
http://uhdspace.uhasselt.be/dspace/bitstream/1942/8058/1/3255.pdf
(a few years old now but shows manufacturers are researching this area)
Yeah I just hope they develop it sensibly and keep it at a reasonable price point.
That’s pretty interesting, never thought of the concept of using motion to control it. I suppose that throws up other implications when using it in public but I’m sure that could be easily solved. I know Google have patents for image recognition from a load of years ago for reading the content of images such as text etc. maybe this could be adopted too for recognition of fingers etc.
It could be something like this (if you really really wanted it!) http://www.iamdann.com/2012/03/21/my-magnet-implant-body-modification
You should do a guest post for me mate!