Wallets help you manage your money

[gallery] Researchers at MIT's media lab are exploring ways in which technology can be embedded into our wallets to help us manage our spending habits.

"The widespread adoption of credit and debit cards means, for many people, the cashless society is already a reality. However, this means the simple system of checking how much cash you’ve got in your wallet before making a purchase is no longer an accurate reflection of your finances, making it all too easy to succumb to temptation and overextend yourself financially. The Proverbial Wallet project at MIT is looking at “un-abstracting virtual assets” with wallets that provide tactile feedback that reflects a person’s current financial state."

There are three concepts:

  1. Bumblebee. A wallet that uses a vibrating motor to ‘buzz’ whenever the bank processes a transaction on the user’s account
  2. Mother Bear. A wallet designed to promote saving featuring a hinge that keeps the wallet shut tight when the user goes over budget
  3. Peacock. A wallet that grows and shrinks relative to the user’s bank balance

Here how it works:

Continue reading on Gizmag. Images from Gizmag.

Exploring the relation between technology and intimacy

[gallery] The Intimacy series is a project by Daan Roosegaarde, Maartje Dijkstra, Anouk Wipprecht, V2_ Lab (Simon de Bakker, Stan Wannet, Piem Wirtz) and the team of Studio Roosegaarde (Peter de Man, João Carneiro). It consists of a growing number of gorgeous and evocative projects that investigate the relationship between technology and intimacy while considering the worlds of fashion, wearable technology and the electronic arts. The projects have already achieved international exposure and are often showcased in events and museums, helping to feed the ongoing dialogue about our contemporary technology-driven society.

The first of the series, designed by fashion designer Maartje Dijkstra titled Intimacy White, is made out of white e-foil that turns transparent to reveal the body based on your interactions with it (such as your proximity to the wearer).

The second dress, designed by fashion designer Anouk Wipprecht titled Intimacy Black, uses a newer version of the e-foil that transforms from black to transparent.

"The project[s] consist of high-tech garments made with wireless, interactive technologies and smart foils, which can become transparent. The distance towards the garments determines their level of transparency, creating an intimate experience and a sensual play of disclosure." continue reading on V2_Lab.

Images from V2_Lab.

Nikes tracks your marathon progress

[gallery] I've always been a fan of the combination of sports, technology and footwear. There is so much potential to integrate technology in meaningful and useful ways in sports gear. Designer Michael Robinson envisions doing just that with his concept titled Nike+ 26. It includes a series of 26 lights embedded in a pair of running shoes. After each mile you run during your marathon, a light turns on giving you ambient feedback on your progress.

NIKE78 - Michael Robinson | ‘NIKE+ 26′ from NIKE78 on Vimeo.

Continue reading on fastcompany.com. Images from fastcompany.com.

A smart scarf helps people affected by speech dysarthria

[gallery] Interactive media student from the University of Dundee in Scotland, Calum Pringle, has created  a project that helps aid people affected by speech dysarthria called Subtle Subtitles. Inspired by his mother, who suffers with slurred speech, the scarf helps provide additional context of the conversation while preserving the intimacy of the exchange. It uses an iPhone placed in a pocket and through a system of filtration that Pringle has developed, and existing speech recognition technologies, only the vital words in a conversation are subtitled and displayed on the iPhone.

Images from Subtle Subtitles.

A 1930's prediction of the future of clothing

This fantastic 1930's video predicts what our clothes will look like and how they will function in the distant future: the year 2000. Some of the prediction are not too far off! In fact, some of them have been and are being realized today. Predictions include:

  • a dress that can be adapted to morning, afternoon or evening wear
  • a dress that explores new materials such as transparent knit and even glass
  • shoes will have cantilevered heels
  • an electric belt will adapt the body to climatic changes
  • clothing that "scientifically" keeps the right atmosphere for the wearer
  • an electric headlamp to "help her to find an honest man!"
  • a suit for him that includes a phone, radio and pockets fo coins, keys and "candies for cuties"

Truly fantastic.