Gizmodo: mirrors

Scientists Say Their Mirror-Based Invisibility Cloaks Actually Work

Adrian Covert — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:40:00 EDT

Researchers from Cornell and UC Berkeley say they've both developed invisibility cloaks using bump-shaped mirrors that can hide objects across optical wavelengths. Oddly enough, their designs are nearly identical.

The MIT Technology Review says that they both pulled their inspiration from the mind grapes of a British student who hypothesized that making objects look like a flat conducting sheet would successfully render an object invisible.

The basic idea is that objects hide under the mirror bump, and tiny silicon nanopillars on the surface of the mirrors steer light away from the object, making it—and the object it's covering—look flat. Technology Review likens this to hiding something under thick carpet.

That means, unfortunately, that this isn't an invisibility cloak we can run around in. These concepts follow suit with the original concept in thinking that a stationary, conductive sheet would work much better for rendering things invisible. So we all can't start skipping out on our dinner bills quite yet.

Still, you can't overlook the importance of taking little steps towards creating an invisible man. Invisibility is cool, even if just a concept in a lab somewhere. [Invisibility Cloak One and Invisibility Cloak Two via MIT Tech Review via KurzweilAI]

An Ugly Picture of a Beautiful OLED Rearview Mirror

Mark Wilson — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:20:00 EDT

Try to look beyond that filthy smartphone JPEG compression to get glimpse into the future of auto mirrors.

The NeoView Kolon is a prototype that uses a transparent OLED display, presumably layered over a reflective mirror. The result is a HUD of sorts...that could probably be extremely useful if it didn't expend so much light and distraction on looking cool.

For instance, a bumper mounted camera outfitted with the proper algorithms could track the speed of incoming vehicles. This data could label incoming fast cars on the OLED, alerting the driver to allow some extra breathing room in his lane.

Or, you know, you could fit a YouTube window up there, too. [OLED Info and OLED Televisions UK via Engadget]

The Glow Mirror Creates Instant Halo Effect

Mark Wilson — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:10:00 EST

You've always felt special, important to humanity. But when you look in the mirror, reality sets in. You're not even ugly, you're just mundane. The Glow Mirror will fix that.

Looking past the creepy android mockup for a moment, the Glow Mirror is actually a pretty interesting product. Layered with photo luminescent material, the mirror illuminates, allowing you to better see yourself at night. Though we prefer the secondary function of looking perpetually brighter than the rest of the world, supported by a faint Saiyan-esque aura.

In sizes up to five feet in width, the Glow Mirror's price is available upon request. [Generate Design via bltd]

Mathematician Creates Impossible, Rule-Bending Mirrors

Mark Wilson — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:40:00 EST

Andrew Hicks is a mathematician. And he uses those math skills, coupled with a little computer algorithm assistance, to create mirrors that accomplish feats like reflecting text without turning the writing backwards.

His mirrors can reflect wider angles, capture 360-degree panoramas without distortion and even reflect vast amounts of infrared data (to measure body temperature).

New Scientist has a complete blow-by-blow of Hicks' creations, but this lead shot is of a wide angle mirror free of distortion—lines that are straight in the real world remain perfectly straight on the mirror. Who would need such a thing? It's implemented in a stair-climbing robot that requires precision angle information for each step. [New Scientist]

Interactive Mirrors: The Inevitable Future of Vanity

John Herrman — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 05:50:48 EDT

Lit Studios and Interference inc, the same guys who made that ridiculous laser pointer wall a few weeks ago, are back with a touch-enabled interactive mirror. Using a combination of projection techniques, they were able to superimpose a clear, vivid, moving image on top of a regular reflection, creating the bathroom mirror HUD that humanity (read: the sci-fi community) has been yearning for since about 1950.

The interface is highly responsive, the different software demos are visually impressive, and the potential uses for this type of technology are legion. But not one of the participants in the video painted a mustache on his or her face using the mirror's wide range of drawing tools. It is for that reason that I deem this interactive mirror experiment a complete failure. [LitStudios]

Who Tall Are You? Mirror: Yep, Tom Cruise Is Teeny

matt buchanan — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:00:09 EDT

When I was a kid, I used to think all celebrities were like 30 feet tall, since they look pretty gigantic on the big screen. Then I got older, and heard nasty rumors about how dwarf-y people like Sly Stallone and Tom Cruise really were, but I didn't really believe it, since I couldn't exactly stack 'em up to myself. My warped childhood perceptions have been completely shattered by the Who Tall Are You? Mirror, which notches out the heights of your all favorite (and reviled) celebrities for head-to-head (or not!) comparison. For instance, did you know that Kid Rock is actually a giant, towering over NBA great Charles Barkley? Educational and mindblowing. [Suck.uk via MAKE]

Tetris Mirror Pieces Fall Down But Don't Disappear

Jason Chen — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:35:47 EDT

Want to teach your kid to be really good at Tetris really fast? Let them play with this Tetris Mirror, which has the bottom part already formed for a convenient mirror surface, but has the top part all Tetris'ed out so you can rearrange them at will. Put a piece wrong and junior gets cut with the glass. What makes it even more tricky is that there are two "one-block" pieces which aren't regulation Tetris blocks as far as we know. Good luck kiddo. [SonerOzenc via Technabob]

Wall Mirror Doubles as TV and All-in-One PC

Louis Ramirez — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 20:20:14 EDT

Mirror TVs are nothing new, but this is the first I've seen that does triple duty, playing the role of mirror, TV and PC all in one. DND Casa calls their concept mirror the ARCO, and from the looks of it, it'd make for a pretty sweet Media Center, letting lazy couch potatoes watch TV and check email in one quick swoop. Unfortunately, there's no word on what kind of components we can expect to see inside such a beast, but I wouldn't mind hanging one in my living room (right next to my mirrored radiator, of course). – Louis Ramirez

DND Casa Wall Mirror Concept with Built-in TV, PC, and LCD [Born Rich]

Mirrored Radiator Packs Ambilight and Digital Clock

Louis Ramirez — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:35:22 EDT

Radiators aren't what I'd call sexy gadgets, but this one here kicks things up a few notches with a mirrored finish, built-in digital clock, and a halo-like lighting effect.

Designed by Italian company Radiatori Tubor, the Tubor Mirror Radiator works on both water and electricity. It's available in two sizes, and thank to its amblight effects, can give your apartment a cool look, all while keeping it nice and cozy. – Louis Ramirez

Product Page [via Born Rich]

Interactive Mirrors Debuting at Bloomingdales

Travis Hudson — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:15:22 EDT

With a little bit of technology, everyone around you will be able to judge your fashion sense, thanks to Nanette Lepore and her department in the New York City Bloomingdales. Lepore has installed and began testing interactive projection mirrors. They work by projecting a picture of said piece of clothing and allows the person to see what they would look like wearing it, without actually having to go through the pain-staking process of putting on the clothing. The fun doesn't end there, either. A camera will capture an image of what the person looks like wearing the clothing and upload it online. Online, friends and family and can visit a Web site and ~~judge~~ critique the clothing selection. Lepore plans on installing the IconNicholson system in stores in Tokyo and Las Vegas. –Travis Hudson

Does This Digital Projection Make Me Look Fat? [JoshSpear]

Adidas Opens First Store with Virtual Shopping Mirrors

Louis Ramirez — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 09:24:23 EST

Too lazy to try on a new pair of shoes? The Adidas Shop in Paris, France is the first store to roll out virtual shopping mirrors. In a nutshell, these mirrors let you select the shoes you want to "try on" and thanks to the cameras inside the mirrors, they merge the image of your feet/legs with the shoes you've selected, so you can "virtually" try them on. I think the concept is cool, but I'd be more concerned over the fit than how they look. – Louis Ramirez

Adidas Opens World's Most Advances Showroom in Paris [Gizmowatch]

SeeEye2Eye Fixes The Webcam Stare

Jason Chen — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 15:00:01 EST

If you've ever used a webcam, you know how awkward it is to fake looking people in the eye when you're staring at the screen instead of above it. But with SeeEye2Eye and its periscopic technology, you can look at someone's mug while looking at the webcam simultaneously.

SE2E uses mirrors to refract the image from your screen up to where the cam is. It costs $99 and works with laptops plus most regular webcams. If you're a camwhore, it's definitely worth a look.

Plus, Now you'll never have to hear "My eyes are up here!" from your sister again (while using the computer). – Jason Chen

Product Page [SeeEye2Eye - Thanks Keith!]

Gentex Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror Replaces that Knobby Thing

Travis Hudson — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:42:40 EST

Yeah, everyone has those knobby things on the bottom of their review mirror that you can flip to eliminate glare, but some of us are too damn lazy to actually use it. Gentex has stepped in with their auto-dimming rear-view mirror. This mirror will automatically adjust when some jackhole in their massive SUV decides to ride your ass at night, therefore blinding your with their oversized headlights. It is currently an option with the latest Audi TT Coupe. – Travis Hudson

UPDATE: Oops, we forgot that our mom's car's had these when she drove us to the mall. You guys are so smart!
Fancy rear-view mirrors automatically darken to keep you safe [SCI FI]

AddMirror: Ads in Bathroom Mirrors Are Coming

Charlie White — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 14:21:51 EDT

The last bastion of privacy and repose is slowly being eroded, where first we heard about advertisements over urinals, and now enterprising ideapeople at Addirect have figured out how to hide ads behind mirrors. The company plans to roll out AddMirror around the world starting this month, which it test marketed in 300 fancy-schmancy bars and nightclubs in London.

But will people object? Addirect says no, but never mind that—most importantly, the company claims a 63% recall rate of the advertisements shown in the AddMirrors. That's a remarkable number, considering that even Super Bowl ads get just a fraction of that recall rate.

Addirect is currently setting up a media network, where local companies will actually do the work of installing these screens behind one-way mirrors, and then these adverts can be distributed on a local, regional, national or global basis. Enjoy your solitude while you can. – Charlie White

Product Site

Laser Bouncing Mirrors in Space

Travis Hudson — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 07:00:44 EST

There are a couple problems plaguing the use of laser weapons. First off, they take a ton of materials and power to properly shoot an effective laser and secondly, they are hindered by range. Lasers beams have no curve, leaving them to only be targeted within direct sight.

In comes the Tactical Relay Mirror System. This is a project being developed by the Office of Force Transformation. This system has been in the works for a few years now, and some early stage testing may finally become a reality. Giant mirrors would be places in the sky to act as a redirector for laser weapons. It is being speculated that these mirrors would be on blimps up in the sky.

Laser Mirrors May Get Testy [DefenseTech]

As Advertised on the Mirror

gizguest — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 11:49:31 EDT

Hitachi has developed a mirror that functions as a computer display. An LCD projector shoots on the mirror surface any text, picture, porn, TV shows, websites, and flash movies, in that order. This technology, called Miragraphy, integrates sensors, RFID readers, barcode readers, cameras, etc. The mirror react to the presence of people and personalizes digital contents based on their sensed identities.

It will be vailable in Japan on Septermber 30th. - RD

Miragraphy - RFID enabled mirror [RFID in Japan]

Press Release [Hitachi]

A Surrealist Mirror

gizguest — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 08:46:41 EDT

Designer Tobias Feltus calls it a post-neo-classical-surrealist mirror/clock. Vaguely inspired by Rene Magritte s surrealist imagery, the framed mirror has an LED clock/matrix pannel inserted right into its middle, thus obstructing the view of your smirking face. And after a night partying and consuming substances that will do nothing good for your health, this mirror is probably the best thing that could happen to your ego. -RD

FeltusFecit [The Feltus brothers]