The movement to leave smartphones safely in a pocket continues with the new device, which turns any surface into a touch screen and lets you answer your phone by swiping your shirt. The device will be worn on the fingertip and will feature two small cameras. One camera will be able to detect the texture of the nearest surface while the other will sense motion, enabling the device to both sense swipe movement and alter the input according to the material. This extra bit of...

The Wave Glider robot smartphone app will let armchair divers check on the location of the nearest Great White Shark from the safety of their living room. The wave- and solar-powered Wave Glider is an autonomous robot with exceptional endurance, able to find and follow tagged sharks, as well as other sea life. It is developed to track tagged fish and animals through a Wi-Fi network. The current methods used to track marine life--tagging and catching or satellite relays--both lack...

The mouse requires that users lift their fingers to press its buttons, and was created to help combat repetitive strain injury. In contrast to the traditional mouse, which uses the flexors to generate pushing force, this mouse demands that clicking is accomplished through use of the extensors, the muscles used to open the hands. This different motion can help to reduce the pain of RSI.

A new interface that allows people to write on a screen by tracking their eye movements could offer paralyzed people another option for communication. The system features a glasses-camera that attaches to the person's head. The camera tracks eye movements, smoothing the tiny naturally sudden movements--called saccades--with software. As the user moves their eyes to write, the computer interprets the motion while ignoring the saccades, promoting a steadier flow.

The new faucet system will not begin to pour until the water reaches the desired temperature, reducing the amount of water lost while waiting for the water to warm up or cool down. The system will feature a thermostat and a spring inside a cartridge. Depressing the tap will cause the spring to shut off the water flow to the faucet and divert it to a tank for later use while the thermostat will measure the temperature of the incoming water. Once the water has reached the proper...

People suffering from sensory and motor-skills disabilities may one day walk a bit smoother with an assisted walking device that will fit inside any shoe and signal the brain when the foot touches the ground. The system will consist of a conductive foam insole embedded with pressure sensors, an ankle-strapped transmitter, and a receiver that will slip over the ear. When the heel or toe hits the ground, the transmitter will send signals to the earpiece that will cause it to vibrate...

A retinal implant that translates camera images into pulses the brain can understand could offer new treatments for vision loss. The system features a set of tiny cameras mounted to a pair of glasses. The camera's digital information is sent along a wire to a micro-fabricated thin film implanted in the back of the patient's eye, where the electrical signals stimulate the retinal nerves. The system is sealed well enough to prevent water vapor from entering the device, which...

Astronauts may soon be making fresh sandwiches in space thanks to a new process. The concept uses the carbon dioxide naturally expelled by the astronauts expel to act as the leavening agent, eliminating the need for yeast. The carbon dioxide is mixed with water in a sealed, pressurized chamber, where it dissolves to form carbonic acid which is then combined with the bread dough in a separate sealed container. Releasing the pressure in the sealed container converts the carbonic acid...

The Robo-Fish is designed for constant monitoring of marine pollution, detecting sources of contamination and relaying the information back to shore for real-time updates. The 1.5 meter device is based upon the hydro-dynamic shape and motions of an actual fish, which allows it to maneuver quickly and easily, even in weedy areas. It can detect contaminants with an array of micro-sensors, and, since it is constantly monitoring the area, send an alert immediately if it detects...

Let your friends and family experience life through your eyes with the camera glasses. The glasses will feature a tiny camera in the center able to record audio and 720p video, which will be saved to an SD card. The captured video will then be posted on the video sharing site, which will connect with a number of social media platforms. The glasses will also function as electronically powered sunglasses, with the lens tint able to shift from lighter to darker with the press of a...