Do androids dream of electric sheep?
And if they do, would they want to shear them and make the wool into glow-in-the-dark carpeting? We don’t know if she’s an android, but an Estonian designer has come up with a fiber that absorbs daytime light and emits it back at night. Might have wayfinding applications for seniors and people with low vision.
Magic Carpet: Runway Lights for Late-Night Jaunts
Draw–win or lose?
Logitech has released a set of hardware and software to facilitate use of Creative Suite 2 and Photoshop on a Macintosh. Features of the hardware include three buttons that “provide instant access to commands, modifier keys, and tooldial menus.” The software allows users to access command shortcuts and build custom toolbars. Could facilitate graphic design for individuals with some types of dexterity impairments.
Praise Bob
Technology the kids definitely won’t request for Christmas. Bob is a device that can be programmed to permit access to a computer (or a TV, or a video game player) for a given number of hours per week. When time’s up, Bob turns off the power. Given the epidemic of repetitive strain injuries–a prestigious local university is accommodating more 18-year-olds with RSI than any other disability type–this may just help prevent the need for assistive tech down the road. Wouldn’t be a bad thing for some adults, too.
Photo watch
The Digital Photo Frame watch can hold up to 26 pictures (and yes, it also tells time). Might be very helpful for people with cognitive or some types of communication disabilities. For example, they could have it display a picture of their house or other target location, and then show it to people to get directions, or use it to remind themselves where they want to be.
Text pain
Another survey confirming all that text messaging is injuring thumbs and fingers, and may not be so great for social skill maintenance either.
Trash talk
Wave a piece of trash over the Touchless Trashcan’s infrared sensor, and it eagerly opens to receive whatever you want to put in it. Useful for some people with dexterity disabilities, or service dogs could probably be trained to operate it–and get out of the way until it finishes opening. But why are two buttons required to open it manually?
The first real desktop computer
The Powerdesk integrates a CPU into a desktop. This will probably be of particular interest to wheelchair users, since it eliminates the possibility of accidentally wheeling over cords (and, for the rest of us, tripping over them) and comes in an adjustable version. Starts around $3,000.