SurfaceWare

SurfaceWare is a research project to create level-sensing drinkware for Microsoft Surface.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Microsoft
• Surface
• SurfaceWare
• drink
• drinking
• glass
• glassware
• cup
• refill
• refills
• dynamic
• tagging
• tags
• multitouch
• multi-touch
• tangibles

[piergiuz]

I'm concerned about the heat produced by ir light....what is the amount that surface emitts?

is it safe for the eyes?

we do not see ir light, but hey, we can still feel heat...

[SurfaceWare]

The IR light Surface uses is in the "Near Infrared" band, similar to what TV remote controls use. It is designed to be eye safe. The key is that the IR light is coming from a large, diffuse source, so the power density stays low. Conversely, this is why even relatively low power lasers can be dangerous - all of the power is concentrated on a little spot. Surface simply doesn't have this issue.

[mildbutcalmless]

i don't think the IR technology is high-tech things, right?

and the glass is reli ugly and cool down the fire.

[SurfaceWare]

The glass is purposely "low-tech" - it's Surface that does all the real work. Also, keep in mind that the test glasses shown in the video were created to verify the principle of operation. If this were to become a product, it would look substantially different since aesthetics would be a key consideration.

[AotearoanBlue]

Technology should have real and useful application in our lives.

This type of research might/might not serve a cause to human race. We talk about reaching out to stars while millions still don't really understand what's it all about? Why not spend this energy in our own well-being or invest in what we already have rather than seeking something new & meaningless for the moment?

The application of any new technology is difficult to justify unless it impacts masses within few years of invention.

[JncVarela]

240p we meet again...

[dauntul]

@pfrabott not only i am very very behind, i am so plain that i fail to see the awesomeness of this ingenious application. i pity me. not only do i have to go drink in hopes of forgetting about me, but i also have to order my drink! world is so cruel...

[pfrabott]

@LKDesign They already have this. Been around for 2 years now on the surface. It's time for the surface to do new things. (It was cool to see in person at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas 2 years ago. Ordering a meal from the surface and seeing all the Hard Rock history. It was something else).

[pfrabott]

@kiwys2803 It's been in mass production for 3 years.

[pfrabott]

@dauntul You already can order from the thing. You must be very very behind. They already showed this device being used to order food and drinks 3 years ago. It's time to move beyond the 3 year old ordering process.

[pfrabott]

@AotearoanBlue Considering the applications of this research go beyond the drinking glass, I think it is a very good investment. Sometimes the impact to the masses isn't known until you actually invent and deploy. If everything stopped inventing things that they felt didn't impact the masses during the research phase, we wouldn't have anything being researched. NASA wouldn't exist, and science would be stagnant.

[sensecam]

@AotearoanBlue , I see your point of view, but this engineering is a wonderful combination of science and art, and inspires others into creative work.

[gibbsboroturtle]

@AotearoanBlue so pretty much what your saying is why progress when we can stay simple

[dauntul]

I have seen many vain applications of technology, this is also stupidly applied.

Firstly of all I don't mind if my glass goes empty. happened hundreds of times before and all went well.

Secondly I may want something else or maybe I am done.

And thirdly why not ordering from the damned thing?

[MarjunelV]

Amazing