Gizmodo: detector

Sneakers Get Smelly in New Way, as Wi-Fi Sniffers

Kit Eaton — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:52:00 EDT

Designer Stefan Dukaczewski's sneakers join the line of wearable Wi-Fi detectors next to the T-shirt and wristwatch, winning the title of strangest so far. Based on Nike Dunk shoes, the prototype—dubbed A Step in the Right Direction—has an 802.11 detector under the flap on the left shoe, with a discrete three-LED display system. As you tromp along the street a pressure sensor in the heel turns it on, and Wi-Fi signals detected within 150 feet light the LEDs. So you could wander around in a "warmer... colder" manner peering at your toes, until you find the best signal. We suspect this'd lead to many cricked necks, but at least you'd be able to avoid doggy-do on your mission to "borrow" someone's Wi-Fi. [ASRD via Talk2MyShirt]

Bird Flu Detection by "VereFlu" Disposable Lab-on-a Chip

Kit Eaton — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:10:45 EDT

You thought avian flu was so 2006, didn't you? Not so STMicroelectronics, which has been quietly working away to build a new lab-on-a-chip device to detect the virus. Dubbed VereFlu, it's actually able to detect many strains of influenza virus, including human type A and B, and the killer avian H5N1 strain. Better yet, the disposable chip takes just two hours whereas traditional tests take much longer, increasing its life-saving potential. Having passed hospital trials in Singapore last year, its launch means you may expect to see it pop up in hospitals and airports over the coming years. [Reuters]

Ghost Radar, a Ghost Detector with a USB Attached

Addy Dugdale — Fri, 11 May 2007 07:01:15 EDT

Solid Alliance. Let us all bow down and worship Solid Alliance. Please. Humor me, I've had a bad week. This is their latest USB, with a ghost detector attached. If it detects a shift in the magnetic waves within a room an alarm sounds and lights on the unit flash.

There are six different Ghost Radars and they cost between $60 for 128MB and $220 for 4GB. And when I read that, I heard a mocking "BWAH-HA-HA-HA echo eerily round the room. I'd have named it the Dr Beat USB, after my favorite Miami Sound Machine track—but then, while I don't believe in ghosts, I DO believe in Gloria Estefan. – Ad Dugdale

Product Page [Ghost Radar via Product Dose]

StrikeAlert Personal Lightning Detector

Jason Chen — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 19:00:47 EDT

At first we thought this was a lighting detector (for photographers), but upon closer inspection we realized it was a lightNing detector. You know, the type that tells you if there's lightning. The thing has a convenient belt clilp and tells you whether lightning's 20-40 miles away, 12-24 miles away, 6-12 miles away, or less than 6 miles way.

We're not sure how well this works, but it's probably useful than relying on your own eyesight to tell you whether Storm's coming. Yes, we're talking about the X-Men character. She's very angry. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Strikealert via Gizmodude]

RC Metal Detector

Jason Chen — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 15:50:35 EST

Preparing your kids to grow up to be a vagrant, transient or hobo? Give'm this RC metal detector, which lets them search for coins, watches, and other lost valuables wherever there's sand or dirt.

The cars run on 4AA and 1PP3 battery—9V to us non-Brits—and comes with a little plastic shovel and rake. Teach a man to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime. Give a kid a metal detector and he'll go live under Santa Monica pier. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Brightminds via Shiny Shiny]

Stain Detector Light for Post NYE Parties

Jason Chen — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:00:57 EST

If you're holding a party for New Years' and plan on inviting more than four people, you may want to invest in one of those Stain Detector/Black lights. Not only can you see just where all your revelers have spilled their beer, you can see if any of them got a little frisky on your furniture—specifically, your bed—when you weren't looking.

Yes, the joke prop of countless TV shows and movies is available for $6.99. Just scan the light over suspected areas and you'll expose "residue" you couldn't see with your naked eye. Sure beats having to move. – Jason Chen

Product page [Mikeskimball via uber review]

Live From CES: Blind Spot Monitor

Noah R — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 15:17:53 EST

Delphi, best known as a car audio brand in the US, is getting sensitive. The company is working on a bunch of interesting stuff with sensor technology that they had on display here at CES. The first is a blind spot detector for motorcycles (and cars, eventually). The sensor beams out 10 feet to the side and 26 feet in back of the bike and measure the temperature of the highway. It then compares the two signals 8 times every second to determine whether someone is in your blind spot. Then it sends a flashing signal to your sideview mirror for whichever side the other vehicle is on.