The largest LED screen in the world was installed in Xicui entertainment complex in Beijing, close to where the 2008 Olympics are to take place.

This display is comprised of “2,292 color (RGB) LED’s light points comparable to a 24,000 sq. ft. (2.200 m2) monitor screen for dynamic content display”.

Created by the GreenPix project, this display uses the sun’s energy only. It collects power during the day to be used during the nightly showing, which are of different artists’ performances and videos.

It is set to turn on this month, as the Olympics are getting close.

A short video demonstration may be seen below, and their site has additional images and videos.

Via: DVICE

The Spada Codatronca concept car is reportedly going into production.

By the images alone you can appreciate the beauty and elegance of this amazing looking piece of machinery. It sports 600 HP and gets from 0-60 in merely 2.7 seconds (upgraded 700HP model).

Price mentioned will be approximately $400,000 (200,000 Pounds) and only 20 or so would be made.

Check out SpadaConcept, where you may also find additional information of the Codatronca story.

The Pivo2 concept by Nissan hopes to provide a new sense of freedom in movement.

The video below presents the ability of the vehicle’s body to rotate a full 360 degrees. Moreover, the actual wheels also rotate, so you can easily move forwards, backwards or provide easier lateral movements.

There are different ideas that could improve and simplify parallel parking, such as the Segway RMP or Parallel parking robot, but as you can see in the video, this could take the cake…for now.

Via: Aving

Remember the movie Terminator 2? In it, the T-1000 Terminator (played by Robert Patrick) was able to shape shift quickly and easily. There was a part towards the end, where he was frozen by liquid Nitrogen, shattered, and slowly “reassembled” itself to its normal chosen form. The video below reminded me of that scene.

It presents a single robot (made out of three parts) that functions as a whole piece. Once it is knocked apart, it slowly reassembles itself without the aid of anyone. It may not be as quick as the T-1000, but it is still amazing to watch.

Based on its sensors and magnets, this robot can put itself back together in the correct way. It doesn’t just attach any of its magnets to its other pieces, but comes back together in the form it is meant to.

We have previously came across a smaller version of shape shifting robots called swarms. These were also connecting themselves back to each other, but it just didn’t feel as real as these new ones. I think that the size allows us to realize the actual progress that has been achieved.

In what ways do you see this technology used in the future?

Via: Crunchgear

This is a cool Robot sculpture that uses different found objects, including wood, to create a mechanical moving piece.

Nemo Gould of Nemomatic has built “Little Big Man”, an 8 foot robot sculpture with a few moving parts for an upcoming show called: “Robots: Evolution of a Cultural Icon”.

This same piece involves an additional robot moving within its abdomen, in order to create a simultaneous moving object recreation.

It is a great art piece that beautifully combines the shiny metal aspects of technology with the natural materials of wood.

Via: Automata

What if our cellphones, instead of sound alone, could provide a pleasant fragrance to go along? Does that sound like something useful?

NTT Communications are working on a way to combine smell with a tone, using a special infrared device.

Users would download a “recipe” for a fragrance from a specific site, and by an simple command, the device will “cook” that smell and provide the scent of your choice. In addition, since this is wireless, it is envisioned to be taken to your workplace, vehicle, and any other place you would like to provide a special scent.

I may be jumping ahead here, but what if this special device would become a lot more mobile? Wouldn’t we be able to have actual smell tones? Just imagine assigning different scents to your friends, family and co-workers. If something smells awful, you could always blame it that your boss has called. If your loved ones call, an amazing scent can be distributed within the room.

What do you think? Would you download special smell tones? Better yet, would you like to make your own special smell tones for different colleagues?

For a larger image, just click on the picture.

Via: The Inquirer

A cool interactive art piece presents tiny creatures aware of human visitors.

Hiding in the shadows created by different products on the table, these little creatures slowly present themselves and run away if human presence is apparent.

These mysterious life forms show themselves only in the shadows cast by products, not humans.

The Kage no Sekai art piece kind of reminds us of the childhood times when we wondered if something was hidden in the shadows. If you are interested in reading more about the concept and implementation, you can find it at their pdf: Interactive Animation of Shadow Based on Physical Action. You can also see a video of these little guys below.

Pictures by uchida.u.

“Let There Be Light”

Luxim Corporation has introduced a revolutionary light bulb, which is the approximate size of a tic tac.

It is really amazing that this miniature sized bulb can produce such powerful light and still use less energy and space than comparable products.

The video below presents the possibilities of the Luxim bulb, including its energy capacity and uses.

Via: Crunchgear

Have you ever searched for a specific scene in a movie? Have you stopped the film in the middle, only to come back and forget exactly where you were at? Instead of searching each scene separately, would you prefer to search by the actual words or dialogue of the scene?

Hitachi has developed a way to find the right spot in a film or tv show by searching for specific names or phrases. Instead of skipping scene by scene, you can simply look for it based on the words you remember.

Just think about it…I personally know many of my favorite movie scenes word for word, yet more than once I have had a difficult time finding the exact part when I wanted to show it to my friends.

Let’s face it, we don’t remember a certain part of the movie by the time display but by the actual dialogue. Doesn’t it seem more productive to search for our favorite parts by the actual text within them?

Via: Ubergizmo

A cool new display in Germany currently provides a colorfully visual sample of the adjacent ongoing traffic.

7 separate light meters with each consisting of 110,00 LEDs react to the highway’s presence. As cars pass the meters, they display the amount by their colorful characteristics.

When many vehicles are driving at one time, the wave at the lower part of the meter gets larger and filled. In addition, with every new car passing, a flash is presented at the top area of the meter.

With more traffic and movement, the visual presentation accelerates and comes to life.

Designed by Markus Lerner for a lighting company OSRAM, the meters are positioned at the Mittlerer ring in Munich, right in front of the company’s headquarters. The video below show these meters in action.

I believe these are a great reactionary public display, and make me think of the Volumen - the giant light meter that reacts to the outside noise. I wonder what other designs are being created that use meters to illustrate to us just how we are living our daily lives.