Headband Gives Wearer "Sixth-Sense"

An anonymous reader writes "New Scientist reports on a headband developed at the University of Tokyo that allows the wearer to feel their surroundings at a distance — as if they had cats whiskers. Infrared sensors positioned around the headband vibrate to signal when and where an object is close. There are also a few great videos of people using it to dodge stuff while blindfolded."

Interesting new verb

[colourmyeyes]

"There are also a few great videos of people using it to http://www.k2.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/perception/HapticRadar/index-e.htmldodge [u-tokyo.ac.jp] stuff while blindfolded."

How do I go about http://www.k2.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/perception/HapticRadar/index-e.htmldodging [u-tokyo.ac.jp] stuff?

Incredibly useful for construction

[Guido del Confuso]

This will prove invaluable on construction sites. I can't count the number of times I've had to duck a board being swung wildly by my co-worker Curly, only to have the board hit me on the back of the head on the return trip when he turns to face the other direction. This device would completely prevent this type of common construction accident.

You're doing it wrong

[MooseMuffin]

I once thought I had a sixth sense while wearing a headband. It turns out it was just on too tight.

Re:Interesting new verb

[Anonymous Coward]

How do I go about http://www.k2.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/perception/HapticRadar/index-e.htmldodging [u-tokyo.ac.jp] stuff?

Haven't you seen the movie http://www.k2.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/perception/HapticRadar/index-e.htmldodge [u-tokyo.ac.jp] ball? There's a popular quote from there:

If you can http://www.k2.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/perception/HapticRadar/index-e.htmldodge [u-tokyo.ac.jp] a wrench, you can http://www.k2.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/perception/HapticRadar/index-e.htmldodge [u-tokyo.ac.jp] a ball.

It's quite humorous because he starts by throwing an http://www.k2.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/perception/HapticRadar/index-e.htmlwrench [u-tokyo.ac.jp] at the man requiring him to http://www.k2.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/perception/HapticRadar/index-e.htmldodge [u-tokyo.ac.jp] it unexpectedly.

Wonderful!

[SpectreBlofeld]

Now shrink it, and implant it in my cranium. I'll also take my embedded GPS and compass, accelerometer, laser rangefinder, light spectrometer, infrared/thermal vision, visual magnification, cochlear implant that records everything I hear/say, wireless Internet connection, and optical nerve tie-in for the interface. And hardened ceramic teeth that can be polished clean with fine-grit polishing compound. You have your mission, scientists. Go.

Re:Augmentation of senses

[UbuntuDupe]

Not to mention, that thing seems like a barrel of fun :-) I want one.

It would also go a long way to debunking the claims of the so-called "Jedi Knights", whose powers on closer inspection, always turn out to be parlor tricks. For example, the captain of a small, private interstellar cruiser has been circulating a video where some kids puts on a blast shield helmet -- the kind that makes it so you can't see anything, and he's none the less able to block a few randomly fired shots from a floating probe.

Now, it's not very impressive to begin with (he fails to block the first two shots!), but this device can help explain why he was able to sense the shots even while he was blinded.

Missing the real question?

[punxking]

OK cool, but... how fashionable a headband are we talking?

Dodge stuff?

[Anonymous Coward]

"There are also a few great videos of people using it to dodge stuff while blindfolded."

Cause if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.

Sixth Sense?

[Jabbrwokk]

Does it let you see dead people?

Misleading Title

[Loadmaster]

This device doesn't allow you to see any dead people. Not even a little bit.

Swi

To do that, you just need

[geekoid]

a shovel.

Re:Augmentation of senses

[Flyskippy1]

It's especially helpful if you're blind and want to fight the criminal acts of the Kingpin.

Does it come with a red suit and little horns?

-Chris

Re:Already have that

[User 956]

A sixth sense, that is. It's called the sense of balance.

No, the sixth sense is when you think you're alive, but you've really been dead the whole time.

This post is a waste of reading: undoing a mod

[autocracy]

Apparently, the "f" key goes straight to "flamebait" and submits... commenting to undo a moderation that should have been done as funny...

Re:Well, almost good enough

[realthing02]

XML is the answer.

Re:Augmentation of senses

[Anonymous Coward]

I had to wear one of these until I was hit on the face by a radioactive cylinder from a truck when I was a kid. Now I don't need one. Unfortunately it still doesn't prevent me from making bad movies.

Re:Extension of Principle

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe it would even be possible to make a device that could let you dodge bullets.

I'm saying that, when the time comes, you won't have to.

Re:Wonderful!

[Spy der Mann]

I'll also take my embedded GPS and compass, accelerometer, laser rangefinder, light spectrometer, infrared/thermal vision, visual magnification, cochlear implant that records everything I hear/say, wireless Internet connection, and optical nerve tie-in for the interface.

*grabs calculator*
That'll be... six million dollars, sir.

Fallout 2

[Jabbrwokk]

You receive the grave-robber perk! That's a -5 to karma, BTW.

You might not see dead people...

[Kesch]

But it will help you dodge one thrown at you.

Re:Wonderful!

[SpectreBlofeld]

Well, if I don't have to worry about cavities anymore, the fine grit can be sweet, sweet sugar! I do exercise regular tooth-brushing... I just wish my teeth cleaning appointment could be substituted with a DIY dremel job. And the accelerometer's not for me, it's so my other gadgets know which way is up!

Re:To do that, you just need

[Your Pal Dave]

I'm only one skull short of a Mouseketeer reunion!

Re:Well, almost good enough

[CopaceticOpus]

I won't call you when this is ready, I'll wurzle you. You don't know what that means yet, but you will, trust me.

Re:Already have that

[curmudgeous]

I see dead comments...

A Big-Ass Afro

[StCredZero]

Big and fluffy enough, it would enable you to dodge objects blindfolded. If it's big enough, you can stick monofilaments into it, so if you spun around, the filaments would whip around, allowing you to detect (and annoy) others around you. You'd be the whirling blind-sighted disco king!

http://www.afrosamurai.com/ [afrosamurai.com]

Re:Augmentation of senses

[ross.w]

I find your lack of faith... disturbing.

Re:Augmentation of senses

[suitepotato]

there is a very interesting project running through the Office of Naval Research using Navy Seals and a tongue prosthetic designed to impart sonar information to the tongue using electrical stimulii.

"Next time Jones, swim at least ten meters to my port or starboard. I swear this stupid thing let me taste your ass from five meters and really, that's the last thing I need before a mission."

Re:Augmentation of senses

[josephpate]

Or you could use a flashlight.

Re:Augmentation of senses

[fractoid]

Why are you even here? If giving yourself spidey sense isn't cool to you you must not be a nerd. :P

Re:Augmentation of senses

[jjarv]

Actually, I used to work at the company where those floating probes are made. They deny that the problem exists, but, despite being marketed as silent, the probes make a distinct sound when charging for a blast. And then there is the *whoosh* it makes when moving. That's even audible in the video you mention!

I'll bet that after the first two shots, the whiner figured out that if he just shut up for two seconds he could hear where the next shot was coming from.

Anyway, I call a fake!

Re:Augmentation of senses

[Patrik_AKA_RedX]

I was thinking about a whole-body suit. If blind people don't buy it, I suppose there's stil a market in the sex-industry.

Re:Augmentation of senses

[dintech]

Sexual arousal?

Yes great! I can use one on my girlfriend to find out if it's worth going to bed or instead stay up playing xbox. :)