 |
Online Magic Wardrobe From Accenture
The Magic Wardrobe, a research prototype developed by Accenture, is a piece of smart furniture that would allow people to use their actual wardrobe as a starting point in online shopping. It engages in silent commerce, working in the background to help you find the next thing you want.
Once you get over your intial disgust (particularly with respect to merchants knowing exactly what you have in your house), the study that is published along with the prototype has some interesting ideas.
(Magic Wardrobe goes online for accessories)
The general idea is that some sort of smart tags (like RFID tags or other easily scannable identifier) would let the wardrobe know everything that is in it, what color, what size, and so forth. The contents of the wardrobe, and how you arrange your clothes becomes an interface that lets you surf the web directly for products you want. It provides a context for merchants to present you with relevant items.
For example, you might be planning a date later in the week; you set out a pair of pants and a shirt. These act as an interface, telling the wardrobe you would like to complete the ensemble. It might suggest shoes, socks, belt, sweater, etc.
Frankly, I'm not particularly interested in the Magic Wardrobe, because I'm not that interested in fashion. But what if you used this idea elsewhere in your house? For example:
- You might be doing a report on, let's say, the history of Iraq. You put several books on your desk, along with a current newspaper. Your desk immediately grasps what you want to do, and starts suggesting more material, bringing up necessary documents.
- You might be trying to figure out what to do with a package of frozen peas and some left-over tofu or light cheese. Putting them on the kitchen counter activates the Magic interface, and the kitchen screen suggests Muttar Paneer for dinner.
- You are going on a camping trip. You assemble a tent, two backpacks and a coleman lantern. The back of your truck immediately begins reminding you about other items you've taken on past trips, and what you might need to purchase for this one.
Anyway, going back to the Magic Wardrobe, the most practical thing that it could do for me is put my clothes away (which it doesn't do). Science fiction writers agree; Philip K. Dick thought that a handicloset would be a good idea.
Read more about The Magic Online Wardrobe; they have a nice descriptive pdf that goes along with it.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 11/28/2006)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 1 )
Related News Stories - (" Culture ")
Inspired By Japan, Nap Pods For Hajj
It's always a good time for a nap.
'Snapchat Dysmorphia' Now A Thing, Say Plastic Surgeons
'The program raced up the screen one scan line at a time, subtly smoothing, deleting and coloring.' - Bruce Sterling, 1985.
Bot Tweets Venmo Drug Transactions
An alarming item to find on your twitter feed.
Ontario Starts Guaranteed Minimum Income
'Earned by just being born.'- Philip Jose Farmer, 1967.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
Sleeep PRO Earplug For Maximum Rest
'Merton... placed the electrodes of the sleep-inducer on his forehead.'
Inspired By Japan, Nap Pods For Hajj
It's always a good time for a nap.
Amphibio 3D Printed Gill Shirt
'... we can descend and live down there at one of those year-round aquatic resorts.'
How Do You Put An Asteroid Into Earth Orbit? Carefully!
'...she would have to be coaxed by another series of pats into a circular orbit.'
PD Aerospace Space Plane By 2023
'The sleek, tapered space shuttle lay immobile upon the private landing field...'
Foldimate Folds Your Clothes Perfectly
Look ma, my room is clean! I can hear you now.
Robots Help People Get Dressed, As Predicted In 1931
Yes, people of the future, robots will dress you.
International Space Station Leak Plugged - With Finger
'These tag-alongs search out stray leaks.'
Robot Snake Flies, Fights Fires
Just a prototype, but still amazing.
IPAL Chinese Robot Babysitter
'But Nanny is different...'
ZKZM-500 LASER Assault Rifle
'The Iranian reached back into the locker and got a pair of laserifles.'
LA Subway Scanner, As Seen In 'Total Recall'
'I'm afraid to tell you this Mr. Quaid, but you have suffered a schizoed embolism...'
Sion Electric Car Covered With Solar Panels
'It drew its power from six square yards of sunpower screens on its low curved roof.'
PAL-V Liberty Flying Helicopter Car
'...lifted themselves to skimming flight upon whirling helicopters."
Space Drones - UK's Effective Space To Launch Rocket Tugs
'Twenty rocket tugs towed it from its Earth hangar out into space.'
DIY Autonomous Robot Detects Trash
'The search-bug detached itself and rolled forward.'
