Kevin Lepton

Neurogaming – the Future is Almost Here

 Neurogaming  Comments Off on Neurogaming – the Future is Almost Here
Jun 042013
 

The first Neurogaming Conference and Expo was held in San Francisco, May 1 -2, 2013. Developers of neurogames use sensory-motor, behavorial and cognitive technology to engage gamers in exciting and compelling experiences.

According to Forbes, “Recently developed platforms like Xbox Kinect and Nintendo Wii don’t require the motor skill to use complex gamepads, so it’s common to see three year olds and even seventy-three year olds showing those teenagers a thing or two about Nintendo Wii tennis. The next step for game designers is to introduce psycho-emotional inputs measuring anything from heart rate, facial analysis, voice measurement, skin conductance, eye tracking, pupil dilation, brain activity, and your ever-changing emotional profile. These games will know the user at a subconscious level and deliver an experience that could forever blur the line between virtual and reality.”

So, if you’re a lazy lump sitting for hours in front of your Xbox, it’s time to get in shape. Besides left brain and right brain skills, neurogaming will also rely on physical skills such as coordination, timing and perhaps even endurance to give you the ultimate in augmented and perhaps even virtual reality.

 

References:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/singularity/2013/06/03/the-future-of-gaming-it-may-be-all-in-your-head/

http://www.neurogamingconf.com/

 

First Smart Rifle Hits the Marketplace

 Future Weapons  Comments Off on First Smart Rifle Hits the Marketplace
May 202013
 

Just a couple of years ago this story was science fiction and now, today, this is science fact. The first Smart Rifle, by a company called TrackingPoint, has hit the marketplace.

The TrackingPoint sniper rifle connects to a mini iPad so that kill shots can be immediately uploaded to Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites. The smart gun is accurate up to 1,200 feet.

What makes this rifle so intelligent is the smart scope on top which has WiFi, its own server, stabilization, lasers, ballistic calculator and tracking engine. It is also password protected. The rifle is being promoted as a way to ethically depopulate animals.

But misuse of the TrackingPoint smart rifle is easy to imagine as now any geek may become a sharpshooter or Deadeye Dick without military training.

Watch the smart rifle video and judge for yourself.

Recent News in 3D Printing – Aha!

 3D Printing  Comments Off on Recent News in 3D Printing – Aha!
Apr 252013
 

It’s not news in the tech sector that 3D printing is an emerging disruptive technology that is coming on like a storm (and by this I mean a good storm and not an F5 tornado that takes down everything it its path except the guy in his in-ground home shelter sitting on the toilet who decided to ride it out). And, in particular, 3D printing will be most disruptive when it hits the consumer marketplace with affordable prices. Well, folks (not to be confused with Folkd or That’s all, folks), it’s almost here.

Let’s review some of the latest news stories in 3D printing.

Forbes says: My Kindergartner Can 3D Print. So Can Yours. – http://www.forbes.com/sites/kaifalkenberg/2013/04/24/my-kindergartner-can-3d-print-so-can-yours/

PC Magazine reviews the Cube Systems 3D printer listing for $1,299 retail – http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2418103,00.asp

Mark Brooks, the publisher of Motley Fool, says to invest in 3D printing now – http://www.fool.com/fool/free-report/18/sa-3dprintingaudio-short-310997.aspx?source=isaspodft0000542

A 3D gunsmith is getting snarky about his 2nd Amendment Rights – http://mashable.com/2013/04/24/3d-printed-handgun/

The road to ruin with 3D printing – http://www.policymic.com/articles/37825/10-products-that-3d-printers-will-ruin

The future of 3D printing will involve everything from creating designer drugs, to pinky toe replacement to creating a new pair of underwear on demand. Need a part for your car, your lamp, your phone, well future 3D printing will be able to solve your problems. And let’s not even talk about fixing your future robot-wife … 🙂