It seems that the conventional hand dryers that have dutifully served our gas stations and McDonald's for years could soon be forced into retirement. Mitsubishi has started releasing its Jet Towel hand dryer stateside. The Jet Towel, which has been in widespread use in Japan for over ten years, thoroughly dries your wet hands in around 5 to 6 seconds. You simply place your hands in the unforgiving white plastic jaws of the dryer, and both gravity and the machine work in unison to remove every bit of moisture. Although it speeds up hand drying, it doesn't appear to be any quieter, so you can still use your keen ear to keep that comprehensive list of people who don't wash their hands after they spend an hour in the restroom.
Gelbing is a company that specializes in clothing with hidden warming pads. They offer a wide array of heated clothing styles, including liners, jackets, gloves, and socks that can all be powered by a battery hidden somewhere in the clothing. If the battery is drained, they also sell adapters and cables that will let you plug yourself into a various outlets and car batteries. The different articles of clothing can also be interconnected so they draw power from a single energy source. In my eyes, this heated clothing is a lot like an electric blanket, except instead of covering yourself with a potential fire hazard, you are completely draping yourself in one. Fires are warm, though.
Researchers in Berlin are currently developing an interface that will allow people to operate computers using their thoughts. The interface processes the user's thoughts and translates them into cursor movements and text. This type of input can allow even completely paralyzed people to use computers. While it is still in its early stages, it takes around ten minutes to write a sentence and 128 electrodes must be strategically placed directly on the scalp, it is clear that this has extraordinary potential. I do have to say that writing an email would be a lot harder when your brain keeps slipping in random thoughts. Not that it's not hard enoHUNGRYugh as it is.
In a move that would've amazed the public in 1993, Hammacher Schlemmer is now selling the "First Inline Skate Speedometer." The system is basically a special wheel that wirelessly communicates with an included watch. The system can tell you how fast you're going in miles or kilometers as well as the total distance travelled... or bladed. There are a bunch of problems with this system, not the least of which is that the special wheel will totally clash with your neon pink ones. Also, your uncle's career as a professional rollerblade DJ is an embarrassment. He needs to get a real job.
Hitachi has added a new robot to their lineup with magnificent new abilities and technology. This robot can "move about" indoors on its "wheels." It can also "avoid obstacles" and take images with its "surveillance camera." The article literally states that "the robot can detect more things as compared with one with a surveillance camera fixed onto one spot." Wow, that's quite a revelation, Hitachi. Whether or not this robot can handle getting knocked over by a little girl is left up to the interpretation of the reader. Hey Hitachi, a robot that rolls around and takes pictures just doesn't cut it anymore. Now, replace that camera with a machine gun or a tray of hamburgers and we'll talk.
The German Volkswagen website describes a joint project with Microsoft that revolves around placing Microsoft Media Center, GPS, and a bunch of LCD screens into their cars (one in the console in the front, and two touch screen monitors in the headrests). The setup will supposedly have full PC functionality, DVD playback, and internet access. From the picture, it appears that any kid sitting in the back seat can have complete control over the navigation system. That's great because no matter how many times you try to get away, you'll always end up right back at Chuck E. Cheese. That's pizza and a show.