La Princesse Mechanical Spider
Giant steampunk mechanical spider Liverpool rampage! That was my alternate title. (re: Various) |
Robotic Busboy Like R2D2
Intel-sponsored research catches up to what we all saw in Star Wars a quarter-century ago. (re: George Lucas) |
Google Navy: Water-Based Data Centers
Avast, there: Google has filed a patent application for a sea-going Internet of sustainable data havens. (re: Bruce Sterling) |
Spy Satellite Gait Analysis ID's You
Amazing technical development may make routine identification possible from orbit. (re: Various) |
Blood From Stem Cells: Tru Blood For Real?
Researchers come up with a way to create blood in quantity from stem cells, just when television vampires will really need it. (re: Charlain Harris) |
Genealogy DNA Databases Trek-Style
Perhaps one day there will be some sort of computer printout of ancestors and descendants; in the meantime, DNA testing gets better. (re: Gene Roddenberry) |
Lower Limit Of Quantum Communication Speed
Interesting work determines a lower limit for the impossible communication that Einstein called 'spooky action at a distance.' (re: E.E. 'Doc' Smith) |
Personal Wind Turbines And Rooftop Windmills
Interesting strategy for a personal supply of renewable energy has been around for about a century. (re: John Jacob Astor) |
Lunar Contour Crafting - 'Print' A Moonbase
With increased funding, a futuristic idea has gotten a necessary shot in the arm. (re: Various) |
LifeBed System Like Star Trek Sick Bay
Now, EU nations can move into a Trekkie future. (re: Gene Roddenberry) |
Microgrippers Grab, Cut Tissue Internally
Interesting new microsurgical technique is uncomfortably similar to a Neal Stephenson device. (re: Neal Stephenson) |
Double-Taker (Snout) Offers Trans-Species Eye Contact
Interesting interactive project combines trans-species eye contact with autonomous surveillance. (re: Various) |
Toshiba LED Pico Projector
Forty years ago, this was a science-fictional item. (re: Jack Vance) |
Robot Helicopters Learn By Watching Experts
Artificial intelligence brings Skynet just that much closer; (re: Various) |
Digital Daewoo Folding Screen DID-FS
I think Vernor Vinge might have seen this coming; it's a fascinating combination of old and new. (re: Vernor Vinge) |
Space Marines Idea Takes Off
Interesting idea slowly moves into a real organization; and who first thought of space marines? (re: Robert Heinlein) |
Deep Sea Mining Tube Worms
I think Larry Niven nailed this one forty years ago; the idea of a mining worm is even older. (re: Larry Niven) |
Draganflyer X6 Helicopter Has HD Camera
Now, that's some stylish surveillance gear; the included video should push all your buttons. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
Medical Exoskeleton Helps Paralyzed Man To Walk
Nice story about a man who is able to walk again, and the sfnal precursors that put this idea into the minds of roboticists. (re: Fritz Leiber) |
MS InPrivate Browsing May Cut Off Google's Air Supply
The endless struggle between Google and Microsoft goes on; this little-known feature could have big effects. (re: Various) |
What Apple Could Learn From SF: iPhone As Mediator
There is a lesson for Steve Jobs and Apple regarding iPhone success; science fiction fans already know it. (re: Frederik Pohl) |
Dubai Ziggurat Carbon Neutral Pyramid Arcology
Incredible concept (now patented!) should convince you that science-fictional vast self-contained cities might actually be built. H.G. Wells thought so. (re: H.G. Wells) |
'Virtual Space Station' NASA Software Psychologist
This software suite provides a therapist - or group therapy - on a DVD; perfect for long space voyages, which can be stressful. (re: James Blish) |
ContactPoint Database To End Anonymity In UK?
This vast database has a checkered past before it is even implemented. (re: Buck Rogers) |
Zephyr Solar Plane Sails For Days
This plane proves you can never be too thin or too ultralight; it may be a precursor to the Vulture program announced earlier in 2008. (re: Roger Zelazny) |
Seek Map Wrist Navigation Concept
Interesting visual fiction (a concept design) has much earlier roots in sf. (re: Stanislaw Lem) |
Intel Wireless Power Transmission
Wireless transmission of power inflamed the imaginations of early twentieth century sf writers; Intel appears to have improved the efficiency of a basic technique. (re: John W. Campbell) |
Robot Aircraft To Ride Thermal Air Currents
New research will provide UAVs with a fuel-saving alternative that has helped flyers stay aloft for millions of years. (re: Roger Zelazny) |
Shock Absorbers For Orion: NASA Turns To Verne
NASA scientists are worried about excessive vibration after the launch of the Orion replacement rocket; it's an old concern. (re: Jules Verne) |
Emily Lifelike Animation Sets New Standard
This new technique presents a character that may have made its way successfully across the 'uncanny valley.' Are synthespians far behind? (re: William Gibson) |
Solar Power Necktie (Clip-On Only)
Another great application for circuit/textile combinations. What's the earliest reference to the idea of combining textiles and wiring? (re: David H. Keller) |
Crime Mapping Website - Your Own Batcomputer
Scotland Yard Google mashup brings us closer to the Batcomputer, and, I believe, certain Justice League of America technologies. (re: Various) |
Tumbleweed Spy Robot Camera
This is a rough prototype device, but I like machines that are masters of more than one domain. (re: George Lucas) |
reCAPTCHA Old Manuscripts Now!
Humans come to the rescue of the machines; this program takes a human priority (sensing human input) and adds value. (re: Harry Harrison) |
Gordon Robot Has Cultured Rat Neuron Brain
Another successful implementation of Peter Watts' head cheese idea; amazingly, they have distinct personalities. With video. (re: Peter Watts) |
Synthetic Telepathy For US Military Borg-Style
Yet another scheme for direct interpretation of thought - financed with a big grant from the US Army. (re: Pournelle & Niven) |
Guardium UGV Like RoboCop's Enforcement Droid
This autonomous vehicular robot is the perfect complement for a certain robotic police officer. Or, it has enough time to evolve into one. (re: Various) |
Memory-Erasing Chemical
Interesting advance may make an old PKD idea into a reality, coincidentally, to help people with drug-related problems. (re: Philip K. Dick) |
E-Skin For Robots Stretches Like Yours
Modern science marches on, making robots nicer to the touch. (re: Various) |
Robot Cops By 2084?
Not a very daring prediction, but at least they're thinking about it. (re: Isa) |
Our Futuristic Data-Net Is In Trouble
Several articles have come out recently about how the U.S. is falling behind the most advanced nations in the area of Internet broadband. Our sf was more advanced, anyway. (re: Murray Leinster) |
Telemedicine Platform For Consultation Works
Interesting study demonstrates that even simple two-way consultation with an appropriate telemedicine program works. With video. (re: E.M. Forster) |
What Should A Hybrid Sound Like?
If a car could make any sound, what sound should it make? (re: Various) |
Beijing Taxis Now Police State-Compatible
Be careful what you say at the Olympics, says US State Department. (re: Various) |
Lookalike 'Wanted' Leaflet Features Harry Potter Actor
This is not a real compliment for actors; however, it's a technique that police hope will work. (re: William Gibson) |
AlterEgo Facial Performance And Emotional AIs
This is just the thing to help computers present a more human face; look at the video, which inspires me to invent the term 'crowd computing.' (re: Gene Roddenberry) |
Kill Switch For Pacemakers (And Countermeasures)
Think of the implications for the security of all implanted medical devices. (re: Various) |
Beijing Opening Ceremonies 3D Display Like X-Men
I loved the 3D 'digital' display; human-powered and low resolution, but still amazing. (re: Various) |
Pressure-Sensing Contact Lenses Monitor Glaucoma
This is a great development that will aid glaucoma research, and possibly help individuals monitor their own pressure if necessary. (re: Niven/Barnes) |
OrbSwarm Autonomous Spherical Robotics
Spherical robots roam free in this autonomous robotic free-for-all. (re: Various) |
