The Future is Now

[Mark Gardner]

LOL

Lets see if the boffins find the anwsers to gravitational field displacement!

It's the "weak" force they all talk about at a ralative level.

I think our lives will be passed before this is ended.

My grandkids children might see orions belt up front...

[michaelmaclauchlan]

Anyone own a Zenn? (Zero Emissions, No Noise) all electric car?

~25 MPH top speed, 35 mile range between charges, 8 hours to fully charge (cost ~$1 to fully charge -partial charges available without battery damage). A highway/motorway version is in the works.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsBkxFS4lag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58aOO2wN ... re=related

[michaelmaclauchlan]

CNN's hologram connection -- not sure hologram is the correct term but cool technology.


http://machinist.salon.com/blog/2008/11 ... _hologram/

[michaelmaclauchlan]

"What's that Honey? F#*%! I can't hear a thing in this car"

[MrNormall]

"The Future is Now"

That's what I thougth when I tested iPhone today. Not a flying car but a rather nice thing anyway.

[michaelmaclauchlan]

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Imagine being able to build a place like this - the size of it!

[michaelmaclauchlan]

Mercedes-Benz: Driver views nav info; the passenger views entertainment (as they crash when the mobile rings). One screen, two images.

[michaelmaclauchlan]

more at http://www.terrafugia.com/vehicle.html

[michaelmaclauchlan]

Vertical take off, landing for civilian use

[michaelmaclauchlan]

by Lotus (UK). uses a modified BMW motorcycle engine, 85% ethanol fuel, 85 MPH, 40 MPG.





more at:

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/lotus-develops-concept-ice-vehicle-for-antarctic-expedition/

[michaelmaclauchlan]

"Green Racer" Concept: 122 mph, 124 miles per charge, all electric .





The 4 door sedan is available now. 0 - 60 in 9 seconds; 85 mph top speed; 100 miles per charge. $28K

[michaelmaclauchlan]

135 mpge, 100 mile+ range on electric power, 135mph, 0-60 in 5 seconds, test model not yet for sale.



more at http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/automotive/new_cars/4255349.html?page=3
http://www.fuelvaporcar.com/index.html

[michaelmaclauchlan]

more at http://www.wired.com/autopia/2008/12/scarab-a-human



1936 Stout Scarab (the first minivan)



more at: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1936-stout-scarab.htm

[michaelmaclauchlan]

First Prize in Competition to Design a New Bus for London


more at
http://www.dexigner.com/design_news/fos ... prize.html

[michaelmaclauchlan]

Odysseus: unmanned solar powered concept plant assembles itself mid-air. Purpose: surveillance for 5 years without landing.




Animation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgVJa5x-R9w

[Mr.Pab]

crazy!

[michaelmaclauchlan]

Japan plans 2020 robot Moon base.

"...the $2.2 billion project, the droids will begin construction of an unmanned base near the south pole of the moon that will be powered by solar panels..."



more at:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20006075-1.html

[michaelmaclauchlan]

Offbeat inventions slideshow:

http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacente ... entions/#2

[michaelmaclauchlan]

Touring with a hologram. The future of concerts? "pure science fiction brought to real life"





http://dvice.com/archives/2010/11/the-next-lady-g.php

[demona dragon]

You. Broke. My. Brain.

[michaelmaclauchlan]

You. Broke. My. Brain.

its pretty different...



Touring via Hologram?

How does a touring musician continue in the face of free Internet music (declining overall sales) with less travel/costs yet replicate the experience of the live show (fan interaction, quality of the sound etc)? Some famous and popular artists can play multiple shows at one venue (or in the case of Vegas, have fans fly to them and, in unusual cases play for years).

Perhaps one future – beyond web streaming where the quality of PC sound cannot be controlled- might be having the artist(s) projected as a live, real-time hologram into a sound stage/venue. Along with the projected image, all sounds would also be transmitted to the venue, that would have superior, predefined sound systems-- as to produce the same live experience - mistakes and all.

Don’t laugh too much. Imogen Heap is contemplating a music/concert (Thames?) barge. The show would be set up on a traveling barge; the barge is the venue. She would visit different towns/cities never having to leave the stage. That may work well on the Mississippi and other large US rivers too. (Rock the Riverboat!).

Could a virtual, holograph concert be that far away and coming to a town near you? Perhaps movie theatres, with augmented sound systems, may be the concert halls of the future

The living room option is probably (and eventually) the best. One problem (of probably many problems) how does a performer control the in-home quality aspects ? Each home might need to have standardized holographic projectors and quality, standardized sound systems. The holo projections could probably be proportioned to the size available.

I think due to initial consumer costs, dedicated venues may happen first (and you get the real crowd/beer on your feet experience) plus control over quality of sound and image.

This past week, I spoke about this with a local talent booking agent for a Denver venue. He knew of the Japanese hologram show and thought it interesting. He pointed out that a single performance could be played once, to a worldwide audience. One show for world-wide audience: think of the revenue !

Getting back to the programmed computerized Japanese article, unless the hologram/program had the A.I. of HAL from '2001 A Space Odyssey' , I would not want to see/hear that show. Rather perhaps I’d go to see a projected, live person hologram (but the quality would need to better than Princess Leia or the Jaws 19/BTTF Part II shark).

The future so bright, I gotta wear shades....

[Apopheniac]

Holographic popstars were one theme in William Gibson's novel Idoru which you should all read, if you haven't already done so. The protagonist is engaged as a sort of minder to a fading rock star who has begun a relationship with a virtual pop idol, the Idoru of the title. There are few writers to equal Gibson's style, IMO. Although I'll admit to being a trifle biased about this as I had dinner with him last month.

I'll tell you who I want designing my future: Luigi Colani -


Back to the Future by Head_First_Only, on Flickr

He's been a hero of mine since I saw his work in Omni magazine thirty years ago. I was lucky enough to meet him at the Design Museum in London a couple of years ago and he is an amazing guy. The stuff he dreams up is functional, but also organic and truly beautiful.

best,
Chris H

[drinian]

There are few writers to equal Gibson's style, IMO. Although I'll admit to being a trifle biased about this as I had dinner with him last month.

!!!

[MondoJohnny]

The idea of the holograms is intriguing! At least some people are trying to create the kind of future we grew up wanting in the past.

[michaelmaclauchlan]

Tele-presence robot actor:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11732995

(a robot playing a robot in a play)

[MondoJohnny]

How meta can you get.

[michaelmaclauchlan]

Got 5 million pounds? your next car:

http://www.flixxy.com/gm-hy-wire-concept-car.htm

[Dooley]

That's all very well Michael, but how many cup holders does it have?

Great link, thanks.

[Mr.Pab]

MM, just caught up on your last few posts here, and about the holographic pop star, all I can say is - we are free, we are finally free, hallelujah!! - in the future, working with female singers will be as easy as playing to a SMPTE click track!!

(to all my wonderful vocaliste friends, just kidding!)

[michaelmaclauchlan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRBR40MH9es

new vocal interface for looping.... Michael Jackson where r u?