To make cars as safe as possible, we crash them into walls to pinpoint weaknesses and better protect the people who use them. That’s the idea behind a series of experiments conducted by a University of Washington engineering team who hacked a next generation teleoperated surgical robot — one used only for research purposes — […]
Yoga accessible for the blind with new Microsoft Kinect-based program
In a typical yoga class, students watch an instructor to learn how to properly hold a position. But for people who are blind or can’t see well, it can be frustrating to participate in these types of exercises. Now, a team of University of Washington computer scientists has created a software program that watches a […]
New strategy lets cochlear implant users hear music
For many, music is a universal language that unites people when words cannot. But for those who use cochlear implants – technology that allows deaf and hard of hearing people to comprehend speech – hearing music remains extremely challenging.University of Washington scientists hope to change this. They have developed a new way of processing the […]
Researcher controls colleague’s motions in 1st human brain-to-brain interface
University of Washington researchers have performed what they believe is the first noninvasive human-to-human brain interface, with one researcher able to send a brain signal via the Internet to control the hand motions of a fellow researcher. Using electrical brain recordings and a form of magnetic stimulation, Rajesh Rao sent a brain signal to Andrea […]
New Tech Eliminates Power Needs for Wireless Device Communication
University of Washington engineers have created a new wireless communication system that allows devices to interact with each other without relying on batteries or wires for power. The new communication technique, which the researchers call “ambient backscatter,” takes advantage of the TV and cellular transmissions that already surround us around the clock. Two devices communicate […]
Wireless devices go battery-free with new communication technique
We might be one step closer to an Internet-of-things reality University of Washington engineers have created a new wireless communication system that allows devices to interact with each other without relying on batteries or wires for power. The new communication technique, which the researchers call “ambient backscatter,” takes advantage of the TV and cellular transmissions […]
New tasks become as simple as waving a hand with brain-computer interfaces
Small electrodes placed on or inside the brain allow patients to interact with computers or control robotic limbs simply by thinking about how to execute those actions. This technology could improve communication and daily life for a person who is paralyzed or has lost the ability to speak from a stroke or neurodegenerative disease. Now, […]
Wi-Fi signals enable gesture recognition throughout entire home
Forget to turn off the lights before leaving the apartment? No problem. Just raise your hand, finger-swipe the air, and your lights will power down. Want to change the song playing on your music system in the other room? Move your hand to the right and flip through the songs. University of Washington computer scientists […]