Your Telemedicine Future
Vashti, your telemedicine apparatus is almost ready, thanks to physicians and Internet technicians. (re: E.M. Forster) |
Nanoparticle Tattoo Monitors Blood Glucose
An 'ink' of nanoparticles suspended under the skin could save millions of people the pain of daily needle pricks, and improve monitoring. (re: Paul Di Filippo) |
SmartIris IDs People In Crowds
Surveillance of public spaces just got easier, thanks to this DARPA program. (re: Stephen Spielberg) |
Japan's Humanoid Robot Moonbase Plan
Now settlers on the moon will have robotic neighbors - a famnextdo. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
SmartCap Detects Fatigue
Although I think it needs a buzzer for home use, this device could save lives. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
SCRAM Anklet For Lindsay Lohan
This ankle bracelet uses transdermal alcohol monitoring to keep track of miscreants. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Robotic Butterflies For Parks Near You?
Among the synthetic trees, unliving turf and flower-holograms in the parks of the future, we will have robotic butterflies. (re: Roger Zelazny) |
First Person Infected With Computer Virus
It's not quite the Snow Crash Metavirus. But they're working on it. (re: Gregory Benford) |
Artificial Heart Recipient Goes Home With Freedom Driver
Take heart, Tin Man. No, really; it's a mechanical heart that is fully portable, thanks to its new power source. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
bebionic Myo-Electric Hand Launched
Can I see a show of hands? Robotic hands? Here's a video to help you make your own show. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
And DARPA Shall SMITE The Wicked
Predicting future crime is always a bit tricky - especially when you plan to do it without the usual three precogs. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Little Dog Robot's Uncanny Walk
Everybody's talkin' 'bout a new way of walkin' - do you want to lose your mind? (re: Various) |
Google Adjustable Television
Google wants you to have the greatest possible freedom of choice in selecting programming. Philip K. Dick also wanted you to have freedom of choice _within_ programming. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Google Android Language Rectifier
Hugo Gernsback wrote about it a century ago; now a major phone platform offers it for free. And it works! (re: Hugo Gernsback) |
PoBot Has Your Back - For 25 Cents
PoBot is happy to perform its nominal functions for you. For a small fee, of course. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
SASI Sarcasm Recognition A Really Useful Invention
Better watch what you say around automated voice recognition systems the next time you call customer service. (re: Arthur C. Clarke) |
Voyager 2 Hijacked By Aliens
The aliens probably got the idea for this from Star Trek. (re: Gene Roddenberry) |
I-Fairy Robot Minister Performs Wedding Ceremony
This is not, as claimed, the first wedding ceremony performed by a robot. However, the wedding video might make roboticists cry. (re: Robert Silverberg) |
Micromasonry 'Biological Legos' Building New Organs
New technique for putting 3-dimensional structure in artificial organs. (re: Larry Niven) |
Autofac - Real-Life Nanoscale Assembly Line
Remarkable experiment demonstrates that a nanoscale assembly line can actually work. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
DreamROBO Climbing Robots
Climbing the walls like dedicated salarymen. (re: Michael Crichton) |
3D Printing In Ceramics - The Vitraglyphic Process
A new way to fabricate glass and ceramic objects. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Invisible Dress: Your Fashion Future
Essential couture for the technologically fashion-minded. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Autom, Your Robotic Weight-Loss Coach
Sticking to your diet and exercise plan may depend on health-conscious robots. (re: Clamp) |
Robots, Knives and Soft-Tissue Injury
I certainly hope that robots can learn to be careful with knives, especially when human beings are nearby. Oh, and no running with scissors. (re: Various) |
XM-25 'Judge Dredd' Rifle For Special Forces
According to reports, the Lawgiver may soon be seen in action in Afghanistan. Or a near real-life equivalent. (re: Various) |
Spray-On Skin With Skin Cell Spray-Transplantation
Remarkable research may make Philip K. Dick's 'art-derm' possible for use with burn victims. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Artificial 'Muscle' Has Elasticity
Forget those mushy muscle-cell-only artificial muscles; this new material should give them some stretch and some pop. (re: Larry Niven) |
Google Goggles Translates Pictured Text
The Goggles application just gained a new feature that could be a big hit in European restaurants. (re: Hugo Gernsback) |
Laser Thruster 'Tractor Beams' For Space Junk
Here's a suggestion for removing space junk; is it more or less far-fetched than some of the ideas of sf writers? (re: Arthur C. Clarke) |
Family Nanny Robot
We're still waiting for helpful nanny robots - it's been more than fifty years already. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
'Healing Blade' Game Of Sorcery And Modern Medicine
Amazing new table-top card game by two physicians teaches medical strategy in a world of apothecaries and lords of pestilence. (re: Various) |
Perching Project Drones Wait For You
A surveillance officer's dream, flocks of these little drones may be perching in cities near you one day. (re: Raymond Z. Gallun) |
Nanopatch Delivers Vaccines
Interesting new way to deliver vaccines may solve problems using much less active agent. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Tweet Sleeve Displays Your Emotions
Insights into your heart, one hundred and forty characters at a time. (re: Murray Leinster) |
Cellphone Inventor Cooper Trails Heinlein Again
RAH called this one too, almost sixty years ago. (re: Robert Heinlein) |
3D Input Interfaces For Gesture-Controlled Phones
This would be one way to avoid all those smudges on the screen of your cell phone or mobile device. (re: Douglas Adams) |
Robotic Arm Plays Chess In Our World
It's always fun to watch chess pieces manipulated by software and robotics. (re: Ambrose Bierce) |
Robot Sketch Artist In China
Robots continue to push the envelope, developing their creative talents. (re: Various) |
US Teens Embrace ASCII Text
I knew they'd come around sooner or later. (re: Various) |
Underpant's Amperometric Biosensors Don't Chafe SF Fans
SF fans have already eased at least one leg into this concept, thanks to Rudy Rucker. (re: David Keller) |
Artificial Skin From Spain
Artificial skin is an sf favorite - now, researchers have got you covered. (re: Robert Heinlein) |
Rubber Mouth Robot Learns To Speak
This robotic device is capable of learning human speech autonomously. On a personal note, it's also capable of seriously creeping me out. (re: Various) |
Festo Biomimetic Bionic Handling Systems
Oh, those guys at Festo are doing more than just dreaming about tentacle arms! (re: H.G. Wells) |
NASA Manned Landing On Asteroids?
Landing on asteroids could lead to mining of asteroids. There are a lot of needed materials up there. (re: Robert Heinlein) |
Winscape Plasma Monitor Windows
Amazing display is almost totally convincing; Phil Dick made sure you were convinced, in his version. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Conservation Of Tweets
Think carefully when you tweet - future generations are waiting for your 140 character masterpieces. (re: Frank Herbert) |
Still Dreaming Of Tentacle Arms
Beware the 'long, flexible, glittering tentacles...' (re: H.G. Wells) |
Solar Impulse Solar-Powered PlaneFlies!
First flight test for this plane. (re: John W. Campbell) |
NewOrgan Prize From Methuselah Foundation
Sounds like an effort that the science fiction community could get behind. (re: Robert Heinlein) |
Implantable Device Security
I'd rather not have medical device hacking on the table. (re: Robert J. Sawyer) |
Samurai Robot Waiters In Thailand Video
Unique robotic food delivery experience in Thailand's most roboticized restaurant. (re: George Lucas) |
'Smart Dust' Spacecraft Swarm Saves Earth?
Smart dust tells us when to duck. The only trick - getting them to one of the Lagrange points. (re: Various) |
Fujitsu Teddy Bear Robot Prototype Spotted
It's lovable, it's cuddly, its - robotic. (re: Harry Harrison) |
Marvel's iPad Battery-Powered Comic Book
SF fans, at least, are not surprised or unprepared by Marvel's new comic book app for the iPad. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
MIT 3D One-Leg Hopper Robot Circa 1983
One legged hopper robots in fact and fiction; yes, you can ride them! Now with a better sf reference. (re: Isaac Asimov) |
Dark Cloud: The Future Of (Anti-)Social Networking
In which two books, read at the same time, coincidentally make each other more interesting. (re: Barnes/Lanier) |
PaPeRo Robot Cashier's Helper
PaPeRo, that lovable little robot, follows in the fictional footsteps of Artoo-Detoo. (re: George Lucas) |
The Cygnus Bubble And Astroengineering
Enjoyable space image helps sf fans stretch their imaginations a bit. (re: Larry Niven) |
PR2 Laundry-Folding Robot
Very practical robot develops very practical skills. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Ballbot Robots Balance On Balls
Here's a ballbot roundup for you; balancing on balls could get to be a habit with robots. (re: Various) |
pCubee 3D Display Skips iPad For iCube
Pretty neat hack lets you hold three dimensions in the palm of your hand. Is this the next generation iPad? (re: Robert Heinlein) |
Gigapixel Display Like Blade Runner Photo Analysis
When Harrison Ford did this, he had it attached to a cheap TV. The real-life version of today is somewhat larger. (re: Ridley Scott) |
Kebab Robot Hyperslicer
This robot carves flesh with the best of them. (re: Various) |
Text 2.0 Smart Text
Are you reading it, or is it reading you? (re: Neal Stephenson) |
Sand Pirates In Indonesia
Slowly, the natural features of our solar system disappear, thanks to the Better Building Conglomerates. (re: Alfred Bester) |
Armed Robots Bad Idea
Many, but not all, sf writers agree that armed robots are a bad idea. Can you think of exceptions? (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Robot Journalist Provides Autonomic News Coverage
Philip K. Dick, your autonomic interviewer is just about ready. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
HLYWD Migratory Anagram
Unusual art project suggests that the HOLLYWOOD sign letters should be allowed to roam at will. (re: Alan Nelson) |
Human Vein Bioprinted In 3D
Organic artificial organs, printed by request, from ready-mix prepared from your own cells, avoiding that annoying need for lifelong anti-rejection drug cocktails. Excellent. (re: Larry Niven) |
MeBot Gesturing Robot Videos
MeBot is a fascinating experiment in telepresence robotics. I found an additional video, as well as lots of supportive research on the premise that gesturing robots communicate well with humans. (re: Various) |
Judges Who Google: The Tip Of The Iceberg?
Just how connected should judges be? And when justice delayed is justice denied, how fast are human judges anyway? (re: Harry Harrison) |
Chinese Netizens Demand Info To Achieve Doublethink
It should be obvious that you can't be expected to censor yourself unless you have access to information to which you shouldn't have access. (re: George Orwell) |
Robotic Underground Munitions
I think that if you want to destroy enemies in bunkers, you go with claws or robotic earthworms, courtesy of Philip K. Dick and Harry Harrison. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Repo Men, Artiforgs And Health Care
I just wanted to make sure everyone knew where all this was coming from. And one other thing. (re: Various) |
Scanner Could Let You 'Rip' Books
If this device could be commercialized, you could 'rip' a book like you can rip a CD, digitizing its contents for easy storage on your computer. (re: Vernor Vinge) |
Teen's Solar System Travel Software Wins Intel Prize
This Albuquerque teen won the highest award for software to help NASA navigate the solar system. (re: Edmond Hamilton) |
Smart Video Cams - DARPA's Mind's Eye
It would be cool to have a sort of video camera robot that could make its own surveillance videos for you. Well, it's been done in sf and done in real life. (re: Karen Traviss) |
Robocopter Listens And Obeys
Excellent video shows a small robotic copter obeying your every command. (re: Philip E. High) |
Little Robotic Fish Has Solid-Polymer Fuel Cell
Surprisingly small, this little robot uses a unique power source and design. (re: Michael Swanwick) |
iCub Robot Now Even More Childlike
This humanoid robot just got an upgrade, and is more childlike than ever. (re: Brian Aldiss) |
X-37B/OTV Unmanned Spacecraft
This unmanned military spacecraft is scheduled for launch on April 19th; it will enter orbit, function for up to 270 days and then land on Earth autonomously. (re: Gene Roddenberry) |
FCC Wants Nationwide Wireless Public Safety Network
The FCC has proposed significant funding for a wireless network for use by police and emergency workers; they might want to read Halting Space to see how to use it. (re: Charles Stross) |
Farmigo For Nascent Darknet Farms
How far away from sfnal darknet farms are we? Farmigo is building up the infrastructure. (re: Daniel Suarez) |
iPad With VoiceOver Reads Aloud
It's been an important part of e-readers for almost sixty years. (re: Stanislaw Lem) |
'Wheelie' Robotic Server
This small robot is like a portable serving table. (re: Stephen Barr) |
Cauliflower-Picking Robot
Autonomous vegetable picking machines creeping through fields near you. (re: ) |
Buy Martin Jetpack This Fall
Ah, how long we've been waiting for a usable jetpack. Remember those sf ideas of yesteryear? (re: John W. Campbell) |
Robosoft Kompai Robot Assistant For Elderly
Sounds like one of Philip K. Dick's robants. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Robots May Repair Pipes From Inside
Six billion gallons of drinkable water are wasted every day. But robots can help. (re: Various) |
ASUS Windows Phone 3D Games
I'm not sure why I'd want a phone with a 3D display, but I'll reserve judgement until I can see one. (re: George Lucas) |
GåågleBot Vacuums, Indexes Your Stuff
It's like google street view for your house! (re: Various) |
Multi-Page E-Book Tablet Roundup
Did you know that Microsft's innovative design for an ebook was introduced six years ago by Toshiba? Even earlier by Neal Stephenson. (re: Neal Stephenson) |
No Cussing Week Morality Statute
No Cussing Week is just the start. (re: Various) |
A Timeline of Science Fiction Inventions: Weapons, Warfare and Security
Lots of people wondered if there was a place where you could get more information about these sf inventions and ideas. (re: Various) |
Robot Babies M3-neony And M3-synchy
These baby robots have been designed to help human beings understand their own process of development. (re: Brian Aldiss) |
Anubis Tactical MAV For Time-Sensitive Fleeting Targets
It's incredible how close this science-fictional scenario is to playing out in real life. (re: Philip E. High) |
Robot Sorts Plastic Recyclables With Laser
This robot uses laser light to distinguish between plastics because human recyclers cannot. (re: Harry Harrison) |
Paparazzi Bots Get The Picture
This news-gathering robot has the tools for persistent robotic reporting. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Skinput Uses Your Skin As An Input Device
Nifty input technology takes advantage of your biggest organ to provide you with easy input. (re: John Varley) |
MeBot Robot Avatar Telepresence
Interesting telepresence robot from MIT specializes in non-verbal communication. (re: Niven and Pournelle) |
Quadrotor UAV Makes First Arrest In UK
Looks like a UAV has assisted in its first arrest in the UK. (re: Michael Crichton) |
Twitter 360 Augmented Reality
It's funny, but I just read about this in Daniel Suarez' new novel. (re: Daniel Suarez) |
Targeted Audio Ads On Your Cell Phone
Your cell phone is a radio, after all. (re: J.G. Ballard) |
NASA Project M Robot Avatar On Moon
Would it be possible to wake up on the Moon, Avatar-style? Interesting proposal to put telepresence robots on the Moon. (re: Pournelle and Niven) |
Ocean Bacteria Bond Avatar-Style With Electrical Symbiosis
Research suggests that ocean bacteria are able to use 'microbial nanowires' to communicate with each other, in a manner similar to that of the creatures of Avatar. (re: James Cameron) |
Earthquake Machine Simulator Video
Is research at UC Davis more precise than research done at MGM studios over thirty-five years ago? You be the judge. (re: Various) |
Korean Robot Teaching Assistants
Ready or not, Korea is rolling out robot help in the classroom. (re: Isaac Asimov) |
Flyfire Micro-Helicopter Display
Tiny UAVs fly in formation like fireflies, 'self-stabilizing and precise controlling technology' makes a 'spatially animated viewing experience' possible. (re: Neal Stephenson) |
Bloom Box Brick Powers Your Home
This Silicon Valley start-up wants to power your house and thereby take you off the grid. (re: Robert Heinlein) |
Augmented Reality Tattoo Flaps Wings
Well, if you can't implement it in hardware, maybe you can make it work in software. (re: Samuel R. Delany) |
Can Brains Erase Memories?
Do human beings have the capacity to actively erase memories, rather than simply letting them dim over time? (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Make Way For The Padloids
Sure, we've been shown the high-concept version of news on a tablet computer. But what about bringing the real news stand into the digital age? (re: John Varley) |
Warp Speed Kills
What actually happens when a spacecraft starts to approach the speed of light in interstellar space? Read one scientist's take on the subject. (re: Gene Roddenberry) |
School Surveillance Via Student Laptop Webcams
Cory Doctorow alerted us to this possibility - and provides the solution. (re: Cory Doctorow) |
Tweeting Tree Like Blish's Message Tree
I've heard of whispering pines, but twittering trees? Sony Ericsson does it again. (re: James Blish) |
Robust Automatic Translation Of Speech DARPA's Universal Translator
I am fluent in six million forms of communication. I am a small yellow fish. I also work for DARPA. What am I? (re: Hugo Gernsback) |
Augmented (Hyper)Reality Video
What will our augmented reality future actually look like? I think that Keiichi Matsuda has presented an interesting view in this short video. (re: Various) |
Nokia Feel Emotional Recommendation Engine
Is Nokia really this far behind Apple in the cellphone business? (re: Arthur C. Clarke) |
BeBionic Robotic Hand With Powered Wrist
This remarkable prosthetic also has advanced silicone skin which will be available in 19 colors and custom fitted nails. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Plasma Gas Hand Sanitizer
Doctors and nurses can save a lot of time, assure a clean environment and avoid badly chapped hands with this amazing invention. (re: Various) |
Terabyte Flash Drive In 2012
Postage-stamp drive also has a fast transfer speed. (re: Dan Simmons) |
Laser Fusion Test Successful
Successful test at National Ignition Facility shows that laser-plasma interactions may not be a problem in the pursuit of thermonuclear fusion. (re: Robert A. Metzger) |
Space Was A Battlefield
Battlestar Galactica publicity shot proves US was ready to go ahead with the Strategic Defense Initiative. (re: Various) |
Airborne Laser Destroys Missile
Ray gun fans, rejoice! A successful test of the Airborne Laser Testbed has been accomplished. (re: H.G. Wells) |
Laser-Based Mosquito Killer Demonstrated
First public demonstration of a 'bee-zapper' ala David Brin at TED conference. (re: David Brin) |
Mycotectural Buildings Made Of Fungus
Fungus bricks - the building material of the future? It can also be used as packing material to replace non-biodegradeable styrofoam. (re: Larry Niven) |
Police iDrone UAVs With Tasers
The idea of a small flying surveillance vehicle that does more than just watch has been around for quite a while. (re: Larry Niven) |
Google Translator Phone Is Ralph 124c 41 + Approved
Although the technology could take many years to perfect, Hugo Gernsback's 1911 dream of talking in English to French girls may yet come true. (re: Hugo Gernsback) |
Dancing DIY Hexapod Robot Video
Take a look at this learning robot and enjoy the soundtrack on the video, which sets a new standard for robotic presentation. (re: Michael Crichton) |
CubeSats Miniature Satellites With Mini-Thrusters
Fascinating tiny satellites maneuver with thrusters on a single chip. (re: George Lucas) |
Wearable Telecommunicator T1 Robot
Not your average telepresence robot, this one requires that your friend carry you along. (re: Various) |
Put MercuryHouseOne Anywhere
This retro-futuristic mobile pod lounge can be placed anywhere for off-the-grid comfort. (re: Clifford Simak) |
Computational Wood: Grow Circuits In Living Trees
Is computational wood possible? The harvesting of circuits? Or even Avatar-style living memory? (re: Dan Simmons) |
SIRI Virtual Assistant Like Pohl's Joymaker
If this iPhone app actually does what it says on the tin, this really is Frederik Pohl's joymaker come to life. (re: Frederik Pohl) |
Liquid Glass Universal Spray-On Protectant
This unique spray-on coating creates a flexible protective barrier that can be used on almost anything. (re: Clifford Simak) |
WIND Wearable Robot Controller
Robot wirelessly sense, robot do. Kind of like a full-torso waldo. (re: Robert Heinlein) |
Gesture Cube Touch-Free Input
Just think of the gestures you'll use with this lovely cube that you can take with you throughout your domicile. (re: Douglas Adams) |
IMPASS Robot 'Smart Wheel' Video
They're making great progress with Neal Stephenson's 'smart wheels' - take a look at the video. (re: Neal Stephenson) |
Predator, Prey Robots Evolve
Just how much help should human beings give to robots as they evolve toward greater functionality? (re: Various) |
Mind-Control Lights At Vancouver Olympics
This doesn't quite bring The Game (from ST:TNG) to the Olympic Games, but close. (re: Gene Roddenberry) |
PALRO Companion Robot
Who's your favorite companion robot? Little PALRO might fit the bill. (re: Douglas Adams) |
Wasabi Smoke Alarm Now Available
Oh, this will get you out of bed all right. (re: Frank Herbert) |
First Transistor That Mimics Brain Synapse
The only way to get human-style computer brains is to get the components right. This is the first transistor that really mimics brain connections. (re: Isaac Asimov) |
Legged Squad Support System Monster BigDog Robot
This robotic pack mule for soldiers will carry 400 pounds of gear while exhibiting frisky gaits as trotting, running and even bounding. (re: Anthony Boucher) |
Spyder Olympic GS Suit With d3o
Skiers at the Vancouver Olympics will use the latest in 'impact suits' made with d3o. (re: David Gerrold (w. L Niven)) |
Implantable Energy-Harvesting Rubber Sheets
This remarkable material can let us take energy from movements we make anyway. Take a deep breath, and power up that cell phone! (re: Frank Herbert) |
Bose Ride System Smooths Your Ride
Yes, you'll ride the spaceways - uh, roads - in much greater comfort with a highly technological seat. (re: John W. Campbell) |
Steam Infrastructure-Powered Music
What happens when city steam infrastructure is dedicated to the production of music? (re: Allan Dean Foster) |
Sound Reactive Nightgown
An unusual demonstration piece, this garment is very sensitive to noise. (re: JG Ballard) |
