If it were early April we'd take NEC's claims for its latest prototype gadget with a sack load of salt, but as it's November we'll have to turn down the disbelief and pay closer attention.
The company's Tele Scouter glasses were unveiled this week in Tokyo to – it's fair to say – some scepticism in the local press.
Babel Fish for real?
That's probably because NEC says the specs can function as an optical version of the Babel Fish of Hitchhiker's fame and simultaneously interpret multiple languages.
Moreover, the device outputs the translations by beaming text directly onto the wearer's retina. Yes – it shoots information into your eyes.
Asking for trouble
The company says it's a simple matter of using voice-recognition software and a machine-translation application, although combining both imprecise sciences in one package is surely asking to be misunderstood.
Admittedly, NEC says that aspect of the Tele Scouter won't be ready when it goes on sale in 2011 at ¥7.5 million (£50,000) for a package of 30 pairs of glasses.
Instead, that version will use face-recognition software to help shop sales staff identify customers and access their shopping history for that 'personal' sales touch.
Via AFP
Your comments (5) Click to add a new comment
lingo24
December 9th 2009
5. Well, a novel idea for sure, but given that BabelFish isn't particularly great to begin with, it's difficult to see why anyone would part with £50,000 for these.
Lingo24
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ricko
November 23rd 2009
4. The brain has the ability to selectively decode the data reaching the retina, as in watching a tv in front of a well lit white wall or seeing a pop fly.
The laser will project an image directly onto the retina's rods and cones, while the photosensitive ganglion cells will provide reflexive responses to bright daylight.
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ruggy
November 7th 2009
3. Obviously it won't project black over white paper. Rather, it will project red or green or whatever color the laser emits over the white paper. The eye's iris should naturally adapt the exposure, making the white paper a less intense shade of white. This actually happens constantly for us but we don't notice it.
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ruggy
November 7th 2009
2. I feel that this and similar technology will be widely adopted.
Further I feel that the trend, which is already well underway, will bring us ever closer to becoming a race of cyborgs.
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quatermass
November 7th 2009
1. And just how does this device project dark colours over a bright image coming in?
It can't. So how can it project black text over white paper?
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