Video: An Augmented-Reality Bananaphone, With a Real Banana (or Anything Else)

By Dan Nosowitz Posted 11.22.2011 at 2:10 pm 9 Comments

Invoked Computing, With Banana DigInfo

Researchers at the Ishikawa-Oku lab at the University of Tokyo have gone one-up on augmented reality with a system they call "invoked computing." Basically, that means computers will be embedded everywhere in your daily life, and you'll "invoke" operations, so everyday, non-computerized objects--like a banana--can be given computer-like capabilities. This is all leading up to a real-life bananaphone, obviously.

The concept of invoked computing is one we've heard before, and seen in some concept videos, notably in Microsoft's latest "this is the future" video. The idea is that computers as we know them--distinct screens in specific places--won't really exist. Instead, everything around us will be imbued with computerizing: walls, appliances, tables, floors, furniture.

Invoked computing, a term I haven't seen before, seems to refer to the ability to give, through targeted audio/video movement, electronic attributes to non-computerized objects through intuition. This demo has the demonstrator pick up a banana and hold it to his ear like a phone. The embedded systems in the room see what he's trying to do, and blasts a narrow beam of sound at his ear with a parametric speaker, so it seems as if the banana works like a phone. Of course, at that point, there isn't really a need for an object at all, but it's pretty amazing that the system could figure out what was needed and provide it.

[Researchers' website, PhysOrg]

Previous Article: Archive Gallery: The Best of What Was New

Next Article: Remotely Operated Via Kinect, Handy Robot Cleans Your House

9 Comments

Link to this comment

Nonapod

11/22/11 at 4:41 pm

That is pretty bananular... although it isn't actually using the banana as anything more than a focal point.

Link to this comment

JediMindset

11/22/11 at 5:51 pm

i want an "apple" phone instead LOL

_________________
The people of the world only divide into two kinds, One sort with brains who hold no religion, The other with religion and no brain.

- Abu-al-Ala al-Marri

Link to this comment

laurenra7

11/22/11 at 5:55 pm

I can't wait to get my hands on a Maxwell Smart shoe phone.

Link to this comment

ghost

11/22/11 at 6:38 pm

cellular modular interactiveodular. . ..

to mars or bust!

Link to this comment

Quasiplasma

11/22/11 at 10:08 pm

Once upon a time they taught computers to understand our language. Now they are teaching computers to sense our intended physical responses, so if I grab a fish out of the fish tank and hold it to my ear and begin to speak to its mouth, the computer in the room will respond with a speaker voice asking me, what call I wish to make.

Ok, I get it.

...............................
I am just so Qurious!

Link to this comment

bgdavison

11/23/11 at 9:16 am

@ghost: LMAO

@Quasiplasma: Maybe ask what you would like translated?

Link to this comment

CarolynB

11/23/11 at 10:31 am

Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring banana phone...

Link to this comment

Quasiplasma

11/23/11 at 7:21 pm

bgdavison,
The computer observes your physical movements and interprets or translates your gestures into what it believes is your desired action, then acts upon it.

...............................
I am just so Qurious!

Link to this comment

Smitelight

05/04/12 at 2:08 pm

Quasiplasma: I realize this is a late response, but I think bgdavison was making a joke about the babel fish, a fish that when placed in the ear, would translate anything you heard into audio impulses that made sense to you. A Hitchhiker's Guide joke, in other words.