For this blog, Dr. Thornburg asked us to choose one of two topics, Google Glass or SixthSense technology to illustrate the disruptive force of some technologies. Disruptive technologies are those that seem to come out of nowhere obsoleting older technologies (Thornburg, 2014a). I tried to find recent information on both technologies, but I was unsuccessful with my chosen technology.
I chose SixthSense because I like the way this technology allows us to use our fingers to manipulate digital material, even with non-digital real-world objects. As this video shows, SixthSense technology allows us to use our fingers and hands to take pictures, flip through documents, scan items we hold in our hands, and so on. It frees us from carrying laptops, cell phones, and even a watch, since all these devices can be incorporated within the SixthSense technology.
I chose SixthSense because I like the way this technology allows us to use our fingers to manipulate digital material, even with non-digital real-world objects. As this video shows, SixthSense technology allows us to use our fingers and hands to take pictures, flip through documents, scan items we hold in our hands, and so on. It frees us from carrying laptops, cell phones, and even a watch, since all these devices can be incorporated within the SixthSense technology.
The concept behind this technology, in my opinion, is brilliant, but it seems to have stagnated and stopped advancing. There is still some sporadic news published about it but nothing real has been done with this technology yet. It has not been produced for commercial use, so far, even though the concept was introduced in 2009. Some people, such as Raj (2015), limit their discussion about SixthSense to just describing it, while others such as Tsering in this post, are trying to figure out what happened with this once promising technology. Does SixthSense have a future? I do hope so. It makes our lives so much easier by not having to carry many devices and by seamlessly integrating all our digital needs in one device, which can save the hassle of remembering to get all our devices with everywhere we go.
SixthSense as this article and this article suggest, will be a part of the Internet of Things where devices ‘talk’ to each other through our smartphones. We could have a fully automated home or workplace and it is all controlled by our smartphones. We can turn on the lights, the T.V., and any other device we want to turn on, or off. Since SixthSense has not really emerged yet, I believe that people will try harder to bring this technology, or something similar, to the rest of the world. SixthSense might yet stand a chance at emerging, but it might need a few years still. Although this technology has reached the Trough of Disillusionment, since it did not rise up to the challenge, people are starting to talk about the SeventhSense. So I think that as long as people dream of new inventions, new technologies will continue to be created.
References:
Bajarin, T. (2014). Unlocking Our Digital Sixth Sense with Mobile Technology. TIME.com. Retrieved 22 July 2015, from http://time.com/51239/unlocking-our-digital-sixth-sense-with-mobile-technology/
McEnaney, M. (2015). Get ready for your sixth sense: Mobile tech and Internet of Things entering next phase. Tech Times. Retrieved 21 July 2015, from http://www.techtimes.com/articles/5335/20140408/sharpening-digital-sixth-sense-mobile-tech-next-phase.htm
Raj, H. (2015). Sixth Sense Technology. Slideshare.net. Retrieved 22 July 2015, from http://www.slideshare.net/rajhemant12/sixth-sense-technology-45452879
TED,. (2009). Meet the SixthSense interaction. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/pattie_maes_demos_the_sixth_sense
Vulcan Post,. (2013). What Happened to Sixth Sense & Pranav Mistry?. Retrieved 22 July 2015, from https://vulcanpost.com/1537/what-happened-to-sixth-sense-pranav-mistry/
Bajarin, T. (2014). Unlocking Our Digital Sixth Sense with Mobile Technology. TIME.com. Retrieved 22 July 2015, from http://time.com/51239/unlocking-our-digital-sixth-sense-with-mobile-technology/
McEnaney, M. (2015). Get ready for your sixth sense: Mobile tech and Internet of Things entering next phase. Tech Times. Retrieved 21 July 2015, from http://www.techtimes.com/articles/5335/20140408/sharpening-digital-sixth-sense-mobile-tech-next-phase.htm
Raj, H. (2015). Sixth Sense Technology. Slideshare.net. Retrieved 22 July 2015, from http://www.slideshare.net/rajhemant12/sixth-sense-technology-45452879
TED,. (2009). Meet the SixthSense interaction. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/pattie_maes_demos_the_sixth_sense
Vulcan Post,. (2013). What Happened to Sixth Sense & Pranav Mistry?. Retrieved 22 July 2015, from https://vulcanpost.com/1537/what-happened-to-sixth-sense-pranav-mistry/
Thank you for reading my post, and as always, your comments are highly appreciated.