ALKHOBAR, 7 August 2007 — When most people think of Bluetooth, the image of a mobile phone comes to mind. But with over one billion devices worldwide, Bluetooth technology has reached the mainstream and with that status, this wireless technology has moved far beyond the wireless headset.
Take a look at this cellular squirrel that fields phone calls. MIT research student Stefan Marti created the cellular squirrel as his dissertation project, built when he was part of the Speech Interface Group, headed by Chris Schmandt, at MIT’s Media Lab.
The Cellular Squirrel is a prototype of an Autonomous Interactive Intermediary, a system which is a software and robotic agent that helps the user manage mobile communication. The agent that controls the cellphone is embodied in a small portable animatronic device, as a personal “companion” for the user. The squirrel can answer the phone, determine the importance of the call, take a message or if the call is important, get the attention of the user through non-verbal cues — such as waving or moving. The goal is to make the mobile phone less intrusive but still maximize its usefulness. To learn more about it click to http://web.media.mit.edu/~stefanm/phd/cellularsquirrel.
Bluetooth can also be used to communicate control commands. For example, the speed of the Groundsurf (www.groundsurf.com) street-surfboard is communicated through a Bluetooth-enabled phone. The Groundsurf is a three-wheeled street-surfboard powered by an electric motor. Online reports state that the three-wheel configuration enhances the feeling that you are surfing, not skating. Commands in regards to an increase or decrease of power are sent to the motor via the Bluetooth connection from the rider’s mobile phone.
Bluetooth can be used to communicate in other non-verbal ways. The Hug Shirt from CuteCircuit (www.cutecircuit) is a high-tech garment that simulates the experience of being embraced. When you receive a virtual hug, your cell phone notifies the shirt wirelessly, via Bluetooth. The shirt then recreates that person’s distinctive cuddle, replicating his or her warmth, pressure, duration and even heartbeat.
The system is very simple. It requires a Hug Shirt (Bluetooth with sensors and actuators), a Bluetooth java-enabled mobile phone with the Hug Me java software running (it understands what the sensors are communicating), and on the other side, another phone and another shirt. If you do not have a Hug Shirt but know that your friend has one you can still send a hug, creating it with the HugMe software and it will be delivered to your friend’s Hug Shirt!
The Hug Shirt can be washed. The smart technology pads (containing sensors and actuators), can be removed for washing and placed back in afterward. The Hug pads are plug and play, so that you don’t need to be an expert to place them and make it work.
So as you can see, Bluetooth technology is turning up where you’d least expect. Only a few short years ago, walking down the street talking on a wireless headset would draw strange glances. But who knows what the norm will be in the future?
