Consumer electronics and technology companies are always innovating their next iteration of gadgets, appliances and machines that will revo...
Consumer electronics and technology companies are always innovating their next iteration of gadgets, appliances and machines that will revolutionize how we live our lives. Philips is one of them.
It has started its so-called "Vision of the Future" project that aims to explore how future products may be in decade's time. Most of us know that new products are traditionally introduced through technological innovation but product development now includes anticipating future needs and technical capabilities.
Their future designs include the following:
Interactive Family Tree
This multimedia family tree is an interactive picture frame which brings together existing archive material: videos, photographs, letters, names and dates with current information about the family. It organises all the material and presents family relationships. This is received and updated, through the 'family network', from other family members who have a similar device. It can also act as a reminder for birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions.
Home heart and wands
The home heart and wands replace current black box interfaces that we have in our homes today. The heart controls all entertainment and services in the living room. It is operated through a touch-screen display or by using a personal Wand, a small rechargeable hand held device which works through voice commands. The Heart also controls all major multimedia activities in the room and also the management of home functions such as lighting, temperature and security. Through the recognition of patterns learnt through use over time the Heart helps users to filter what information they need, such as preferred television channels, videophones and favorite 'video magazines'.
Emotion Containers
These multimedia products are designed to be given as special presents. They have a small screen, a loudspeaker and a scent compartment. Emotional Containers come in various versions to allow people to choose the one they feel would be most appropriate to give. The products are made of rich materials and are meant to last and be cherished by the recipient.
Emotion Containers offer a more sensory way of giving. They are attractive on two levels: as objects in their own right, and as carriers of messages of special significance. The future could be that you're watching an old movie 'Casablanca' and you remember your best friend with whom you went to see the movie many times. Instead of calling him up and leaving him a message, you send him 30 seconds of your favourite scene from the movie.
Shiva
Increasingly we are having to accomplish many tasks simultaneously. Contemporary life is characterised by our constant need to access information and be in touch with each other. Named after the many-armed Hindu god, Shiva is a multitasking tool which integrates communication information gathering and information. Rather than creating one uniform Shiva (or Personal Digital Assistant) we tried to show that in the future several would be available to suit diverse users and their lifestyles. Each one differs both in visual design and interface style, from the business person's Notebook which incorporates a videophone and a pen controlled business-like interface, through to the voice controlled agent interface of the Shiva Mono and the more playful, sinful, Shiva Devil.
Mobile Diagnostics
As vital diagnostic equipment such as magnetic resonance scanners become smaller, they will be made as portable units. This allows diagnosis and treatment of patients in the field or in the ambulance, saving valuable time. A network link provides ambulance staff with direct access to experts and medical data from their home base. These mobile units may also be able to treat and release some patients on the spot, relieving pressure on hospital facilities and cutting the costs of unnecessary hospitalisation.
These 'mobile hospitals' can also act as self sufficient units, traveling to remote places to provide assistance in the cases of emergencies or to provide periodic screening facilities.
Multimedia Dispenser
Having access to vast databases of archive material and operating in a manner similar to today's vending machines, multimedia dispensers will allow people to record a personal compilation of sounds and video clips on a chip which is dispensed.
Payment for the selection is made with a credit smart card. At concerts these dispensers can be used to give audio and video recordings of performances you have just seen, together with the current 'audio-video' albums from the artist.
Their future designs include the following:
Interactive Family Tree
This multimedia family tree is an interactive picture frame which brings together existing archive material: videos, photographs, letters, names and dates with current information about the family. It organises all the material and presents family relationships. This is received and updated, through the 'family network', from other family members who have a similar device. It can also act as a reminder for birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions.
Home heart and wands
The home heart and wands replace current black box interfaces that we have in our homes today. The heart controls all entertainment and services in the living room. It is operated through a touch-screen display or by using a personal Wand, a small rechargeable hand held device which works through voice commands. The Heart also controls all major multimedia activities in the room and also the management of home functions such as lighting, temperature and security. Through the recognition of patterns learnt through use over time the Heart helps users to filter what information they need, such as preferred television channels, videophones and favorite 'video magazines'.
Emotion Containers
These multimedia products are designed to be given as special presents. They have a small screen, a loudspeaker and a scent compartment. Emotional Containers come in various versions to allow people to choose the one they feel would be most appropriate to give. The products are made of rich materials and are meant to last and be cherished by the recipient.
Emotion Containers offer a more sensory way of giving. They are attractive on two levels: as objects in their own right, and as carriers of messages of special significance. The future could be that you're watching an old movie 'Casablanca' and you remember your best friend with whom you went to see the movie many times. Instead of calling him up and leaving him a message, you send him 30 seconds of your favourite scene from the movie.
Shiva
Increasingly we are having to accomplish many tasks simultaneously. Contemporary life is characterised by our constant need to access information and be in touch with each other. Named after the many-armed Hindu god, Shiva is a multitasking tool which integrates communication information gathering and information. Rather than creating one uniform Shiva (or Personal Digital Assistant) we tried to show that in the future several would be available to suit diverse users and their lifestyles. Each one differs both in visual design and interface style, from the business person's Notebook which incorporates a videophone and a pen controlled business-like interface, through to the voice controlled agent interface of the Shiva Mono and the more playful, sinful, Shiva Devil.
Mobile Diagnostics
As vital diagnostic equipment such as magnetic resonance scanners become smaller, they will be made as portable units. This allows diagnosis and treatment of patients in the field or in the ambulance, saving valuable time. A network link provides ambulance staff with direct access to experts and medical data from their home base. These mobile units may also be able to treat and release some patients on the spot, relieving pressure on hospital facilities and cutting the costs of unnecessary hospitalisation.
These 'mobile hospitals' can also act as self sufficient units, traveling to remote places to provide assistance in the cases of emergencies or to provide periodic screening facilities.
Multimedia Dispenser
Having access to vast databases of archive material and operating in a manner similar to today's vending machines, multimedia dispensers will allow people to record a personal compilation of sounds and video clips on a chip which is dispensed.
Payment for the selection is made with a credit smart card. At concerts these dispensers can be used to give audio and video recordings of performances you have just seen, together with the current 'audio-video' albums from the artist.
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