I decided to contact a couple of the people who I have researched so far, to gain more insight into their findings and ask a few questions about paths I might take with this project. I emailed Kevin Warwick (professor of Cybernetics at the University of Reading), whose work implanting microchips into his arm for experimentation I had found very interesting.
I asked him if he had ever looked into sensory substitution and he replied promptly sending me a paper he had written on experimentation he had done entitled “An Attempt to Extend Human Sensory Capabilities by Means of Implant Technology”. I found this section of the paper very interesting:
“As a result, in a witnessed experiment, the recipient, whilst wearing a blindfold, was able to move around successfully within a cluttered laboratory environment, albeit at a slower than normal walking pace. The sensory input was “felt” as a new form of sensory input (not as touch or movement) in the sense that the brain made a direct link between the signals being witnessed and the fact that these corresponded in a linear fashion to a nearby object. The extent of this perception was also such that when an object was rapidly brought into the recipient’s line of (ultrasonic) sight, this had the effect of frightening the recipient."
I also decided it would be a good idea to do some primary research testing the free downloadable vOICe software from www.seeingwithsound.com. This software turns images from a webcam into sound waves which, after a while, can be interpreted by the brain.
Unfortunately I couldn’t get the software to function with my webcam so I emailed the creator of the software, Dr. Peter B.L. Meijer, asking if he could help me with the software problems I was having, and also asking a couple of questions about my project. He replied, and ended up editing the software itself so it would work with my webcam drivers! He also sent me detailed responses to all of my questions.
I haven’t done any major testing of the software yet but I think it’s fantastic you can download it free from his website. You can also download a Java version of the software to use on some camera phones, also for free. He has been such a great help and I intend to keep him posted on the progress of my project.
Sunday 28 October 2007
Thursday 18 October 2007
Development
Over the past week I’ve been developing my ideas and looking into wireless networks as well as sensory substitution and also cognitive maps for the blind. I would like to focus my ideas on helping disabled people.
I’ve been going through my research, sketching and collating everything. I also went to the library and got out a couple more books, one of which has been very helpful and may also be helpful to others as it covers subject from Virtual Reality to Brain Downloads, check it out:
Cyborg: The Man-Machine
by Marie O'Mahony
I’ve been going through my research, sketching and collating everything. I also went to the library and got out a couple more books, one of which has been very helpful and may also be helpful to others as it covers subject from Virtual Reality to Brain Downloads, check it out:
Cyborg: The Man-Machine
by Marie O'Mahony
Wednesday 10 October 2007
Sensory Substitution
After speaking to Mike Blow on Monday he suggested I look into sensory substitution; continuing with the idea of augmenting and improving the human body.
I am also interested in the idea of using new technology to help the disabled so this subject seemed to be an appropriate progression of my research.
“Sensory substitution means replacement of one sensory input (vision, hearing, touch, taste or smell) by another, while preserving some of the key functions of the original sense.”
From - http://www.seeingwithsound.com/sensub.htm
This means, for example, using a camera to map your environment and then transferring this image to a set of vibrating pins or sensors to map the image onto your skin. After a while, this sensation will be able to be read buy your brain as an image. The same can be done with images transformed into sound waves.
I also found a term paper written by Mike on this subject, which you can read here
I am also interested in the idea of using new technology to help the disabled so this subject seemed to be an appropriate progression of my research.
“Sensory substitution means replacement of one sensory input (vision, hearing, touch, taste or smell) by another, while preserving some of the key functions of the original sense.”
From - http://www.seeingwithsound.com/sensub.htm
This means, for example, using a camera to map your environment and then transferring this image to a set of vibrating pins or sensors to map the image onto your skin. After a while, this sensation will be able to be read buy your brain as an image. The same can be done with images transformed into sound waves.
I also found a term paper written by Mike on this subject, which you can read here
Saturday 6 October 2007
Top Ten Cybernetic Upgrades Everyone Will Want
From www.acceleratingfuture.com/michael/blog/
"Ever wanted to send someone a message with nothing but your mind, or have a neural implant that gives your brain direct access to Google? Hundreds of corporate and academic labs across the world are working on projects that generate progress in this area. Check out the Berlin Brain-Computer Interface, which lets you move the cursor around on a screen with only your EEG waves and 20 minutes of training. Miniature fMRI will allow us to continue increasing the bandwidth between brain and computer, eventually allowing for a “mental typewriter” that converts thoughts into text. A tiny transmitter could send this to a bone-conduction device on the receiving person, letting them hear the message without sound. NASA is also working on a device to transcribe silent, ’subvocal’ speech. Like many transhumanist upgrades, these will probably start as efforts to help people who are handicapped, then evolve into powerful tools that can be used by anyone bold enough to adopt them."
"Ever wanted to send someone a message with nothing but your mind, or have a neural implant that gives your brain direct access to Google? Hundreds of corporate and academic labs across the world are working on projects that generate progress in this area. Check out the Berlin Brain-Computer Interface, which lets you move the cursor around on a screen with only your EEG waves and 20 minutes of training. Miniature fMRI will allow us to continue increasing the bandwidth between brain and computer, eventually allowing for a “mental typewriter” that converts thoughts into text. A tiny transmitter could send this to a bone-conduction device on the receiving person, letting them hear the message without sound. NASA is also working on a device to transcribe silent, ’subvocal’ speech. Like many transhumanist upgrades, these will probably start as efforts to help people who are handicapped, then evolve into powerful tools that can be used by anyone bold enough to adopt them."
Amazing Brain/Computer Interface
I've found a couple of videos on Youtube showing technologies I would like to research further for this project. Take a look:
My Rough Working Structure For This Project
I believe research to be a large/important component of this project.
Therefore I have decided to:
- Research many different avenues
-other people’s visions of the future, emerging futuristic technologies; and furthermore, elements of these ideas which I am particularly interested in - Perform a detailed analysis of this research
- Brainstorm and generate ideas
- Perform a process of elimination upon these initial ideas and begin to focus the project on what I would like to present
- Decide upon and research my chosen audience/user-group
- Develop my final ideas(s) and perform further research if necessary
- Create my final pitch /presentation
- Fine-tune this presentation and generate extra resources for my presentation/pitch
I would like to create a concept website, involving HTML/CSS/Flash for my final presentation.
I may try to use 3D elements within that which may involve me having to use 3D Studio MAX.
Initial Thoughts On This Brief
The task is...
The development of a concept that addresses the future
It must...
- Be generated through clear consideration of existing technologies and contain an element of realism
- Have a clearly defined audience/user group
- Be presented through a screen based presentation- “pitch”
- Consider socio/political context and impact
- Be clearly communicated to the audience
The Brief - 01:Design Futures
This is the brief we have been given for our first project on the BA (Hons) Digital Media Design Course:
This brief is concerned with the development of a concept that addresses the future and use of new technologies or technological services. That is to say, how technology might manifest itself in years to come and what direct impact it would have on our everyday lives. The basis of this project is to develop a ‘bluesky’ concept working on the principle of ‘what if’. The concept per-say could be derived from a product in as much as tool or for that matter a service. The concept should clearly have a defined rationale behind it and should be generated through a clear consideration of existing technologies and or related services, A clearly defined audience / user group should help to shape the conditions of the language used concerning the sonic, visual and physical elements along with the technical parameters, modes of delivery etc. Considering the time allocated for this project, students will have the opportunity to create a screen based presentation of the concept a ‘look and feel
Your concept has to include an element of reality and be informed by any emerging or current technology. It must be based on a sound and reasoned set of principles. This is an extremely good opportunity to network your ideas and research into a single concept whilst thinking ‘outside the box’ and to create an imaginative, dynamic and above all original concept. There are no barriers to any considerations given. The concept might refer but no be exclusive to mobile technology, 3D TV, on-line commerce, gaming, interactive clothing, product design etc.
Your concept should be delivered through a screen / interactive / motion graphics based presentation. This mechanism of delivery should be seen as part of a presentation technique developed to ‘pitch’ the concept to a company such as a venture capital organisation who would front the research and development process. Your method of explanation concerning the concept, its user, the socio/political context and the impact of the concept should be clear in its communication using a variety of means by which to successfully accomplish this.
The time constraints of this project are limited and subsequently will require students to think conceptually, think on their feet and above all work in a focused and directed manner.
Your workbook in addition should be able to clearly show the sources / influences that have informed both the direction of your thinking and the outcomes derived from the research.
This brief is concerned with the development of a concept that addresses the future and use of new technologies or technological services. That is to say, how technology might manifest itself in years to come and what direct impact it would have on our everyday lives. The basis of this project is to develop a ‘bluesky’ concept working on the principle of ‘what if’. The concept per-say could be derived from a product in as much as tool or for that matter a service. The concept should clearly have a defined rationale behind it and should be generated through a clear consideration of existing technologies and or related services, A clearly defined audience / user group should help to shape the conditions of the language used concerning the sonic, visual and physical elements along with the technical parameters, modes of delivery etc. Considering the time allocated for this project, students will have the opportunity to create a screen based presentation of the concept a ‘look and feel
Your concept has to include an element of reality and be informed by any emerging or current technology. It must be based on a sound and reasoned set of principles. This is an extremely good opportunity to network your ideas and research into a single concept whilst thinking ‘outside the box’ and to create an imaginative, dynamic and above all original concept. There are no barriers to any considerations given. The concept might refer but no be exclusive to mobile technology, 3D TV, on-line commerce, gaming, interactive clothing, product design etc.
Your concept should be delivered through a screen / interactive / motion graphics based presentation. This mechanism of delivery should be seen as part of a presentation technique developed to ‘pitch’ the concept to a company such as a venture capital organisation who would front the research and development process. Your method of explanation concerning the concept, its user, the socio/political context and the impact of the concept should be clear in its communication using a variety of means by which to successfully accomplish this.
The time constraints of this project are limited and subsequently will require students to think conceptually, think on their feet and above all work in a focused and directed manner.
Your workbook in addition should be able to clearly show the sources / influences that have informed both the direction of your thinking and the outcomes derived from the research.
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