Latest Invention: Technology That Allows Users to See Through Walls and Melt Objects

If you like this invention you can vote for it.Researchers from the University of South Australia in collaboration with Nokia started working on one of their latest inventions that would make it possible for users of cell phones to see through walls.

Their latest invention makes use of augmented reality (AR), being able to overlay graphics on top of real the video. The AR system comes in three types: X-ray Vision, Meltvision and Distortvision.

According to Dr Christian Sandor, Director of the Magic Vision Lab at UniSA, users prefer Meltvision over X-ray vision, due to a more appealing look, where structures appear to melt away. As for Distortvision, it changes the mobile video picture so that the objects that cannot be seen "bent" so the person could see them in the image.

It would be interesting to note that the researchers have also been working on an invention that would make it possible for users to see and sense virtual objects. The new technology is called Visuo-Haptic Augmented Reality and it allows an individual to manipulate a 3D object by making use of a head mounted screen and touch-based gadgets.

Dr Christian Sandor explains: "The current method for prototyping involves the development of a 3D design using a computer, which can be viewed on screen or printed out in what is a relatively static presentation."

Shocknife is a training knife that is revolutionizing edged-weapon training for law enforcement. The blade is incapable of cutting, but delivers a localized shock that causes pain, but not serious injury or incapacitation.

"When attacked with an edged weapon officers experience an acute stress response that limits their ability to make quick and rational decisions. An incorrect response can
be catastrophic," says Jeff Quail, product inventor and Canadian Police Sergeant. "At the highest setting the Shocknife delivers a powerful shock when touched that feels like you have been cut with a butcher knife. Unlike rubber training knives, Shocknife causes the same acute stress during training that an officer would experience in a real attack. This kind of training more adequately prepares officers to react during a deadly force edged weapon encounter."

The Shocknife can also be adjusted to lower setting where it delivers a "paper cut like" shock allowing the knife to be used as a biofeedback tool when introducing training at a static level. It is the only training knife in the world that has a pain penalty associated with it. This causes the fear/acute stress response that must be present for reality based training. And better officer training = saved lives.

The Shocknife has been on the market for just over seven months and is now being sold in 15 countries around the world. Organizations such as the FBI, Academy Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, LAPD, US Customs & Border Protection, and the Canadian Military are already using this "cutting edge" technology