Invisible Cloaks, Translucent Walls 414
jd writes "The University of Tokyo has developed the illusion of invisibility, under the name of 'Optical Camouflage.' The system is remarkably simple - you have a mix of light-sensitive and light-emitting devices attached to an adapted reflective surface. The devices are hooked to a computer, which simply projects on each side whatever is on the opposite side. The result is more of a translucent look, than real invisibility, but the potential is there. The inventer's next objective is to make walls that are invisible, using the same technology. Project a real outside image onto an interior wall without windows. This almost sounds more frightening than the cloak, since there's no reason why the sensors would have to be placed outside. Imagine a world where PHBs can turn their office wall into a window onto any cube. Zero privacy. The technology is great, but the potential for abuse is definitely there." Update: 06/15 00:20 GMT by T : You may remember we mentioned this project when it was cloak-only.
this research is flawed... (Score:5, Funny)
Best possibility for abuse... (Score:5, Funny)
people who live in optical camoflage houses... (Score:5, Funny)
So when (Score:5, Funny)
Soliton Radar System to go with it?
Re:this research is flawed... (Score:3, Funny)
Locker Room (Score:5, Funny)
Sex invented, Slashdotters have "privacy concerns" (Score:5, Funny)
harry potter (Score:5, Funny)
Anyone else think "retro-reflectum" sounds like some harry potter spell?
Re:Future of armed infantry (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Locker Room (Score:5, Funny)
Floating genitalia would be very creepy.
Re:The evils of technology! (Score:5, Funny)
All we need is Admiral Akbar to announce "It's a TRAP!"
Re:No. not really (Score:5, Funny)
I've got one... it's called a *window*
In other words, when the wall's off, it's opaque
Yup, got one of those too... it's called a *window blind*.
Not sure if the technology's there yet, though....
Cloaking devices (Score:1, Funny)
Cap'n Archer's Enterprise doesn't have a cloaking device and thats 150 odd years into the future! Pfft. I hate it when TV lies to me.
Re:Future of armed infantry (Score:5, Funny)
Windows? Think about Panties! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Future of armed infantry (Score:4, Funny)
Especially since the army has already invested in their first uniform redesign in 23 years as announced today [cnn.com], and it should take 3 years for a transition. So if they go at the same rate, expect something like this in 25 years or so.
Re:Window Offices Galore! (Score:3, Funny)
Yeah, it would be very similar to a world full of ads for X-10 cameras and high availibility of office security cameras. I wouldn't want to live in a world like that. I mean ... riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
Re:The evils of technology! (Score:5, Funny)
I think the poster is worried that they'll replace his tin-foil hat with one of these optical camo dealies. Then all his hard work will be for nought; everybody he meets will be able to see his thoughts, his filthy, filthy thoughts.
Re:Locker Room (Score:5, Funny)
Or, better, think of a cloak carefully designed to fit the owner's body. Then, a (small) part of that body starts rising, deforming the overall geometry...
Good grief (Score:5, Funny)
Imagine a world where PHBs can turn their office wall into a window onto any cube. Zero privacy.
I cannot believe that's your biggest worry.
Dude, if you're spending so much time on Slashdot that your PHB has to put a half a billion dollars worth of tech in your cube just to get an honest day's work outta you, then you have some serious issues.
Just do your job, man. And then your PHB won't have to have an entire Romulan Warbird keep a friggin eye on you.
Weaselmancer
Re:The evils of technology! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Future of armed infantry (Score:3, Funny)
Or.... (Score:5, Funny)
No, it sounds like what future peeping toms will be wearing.
Re:Future of armed infantry (Score:3, Funny)
That's okay -- if the military won't buy it, the rave kiddies will.
Re:Future of armed infantry (Score:3, Funny)
Re:DUPE! (kinda, sorta) (Score:2, Funny)
Something scarier is already out there. (Score:5, Funny)
Holy Schitt, you might be right... I heard of this evil technology that's available right now, as we speak, to PHBs, the CIA, and other evil entities. It permits them to see things located in another place, live, or they can store the collected images as a motion picture of sorts and refer back to it later. This evil invention is called the video camera, and I have a feeling that these things will soon pop up all over the place. Zero privacy. Oh well.
Re:So when (Score:3, Funny)
Re:harry potter (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Future of armed infantry (Score:2, Funny)
But, imagine if civil disobedience crowds wore this stuff. I wonder what it would look like from heli-cams or orbital devices.
It might confuse the hell out of sharks, too. Especially if the makers can keep it from shorting out, and if it can project menacing images to deter the shark. Maybe it might be better to just give chemical repellents to the people in this predicament.
Halloween parties could be really freaky, especially if the shimmering effects make the kids laugh.
But, we would have problems if people in these digs (with audio effects) were running around shimmering and growling in Leisure World. Might kick some tickers into overdrive.
David Syes
Re:Future of armed infantry (Score:3, Funny)
Potential For Abuse (Score:1, Funny)
obvious Spaceballs quote (Score:2, Funny)
Officer: "President Scroob"
President Scroob: "Aargh. I told you never to call me on this wall."
(He gets his pecker caught in his zip)
Listen to it! [crosswinds.net]
Other Spaceballs quotes [crosswinds.net]
Re:Future of armed infantry (Score:5, Funny)
You ambush the enemy with just a pen?
You guys must be REALLY tough...
Re:Future of armed infantry (Score:3, Funny)
You ambush the enemy with just a pen?
The pen is mightier than the SAW!
Thank you, I'm here all week.
Two flaws. (Score:4, Funny)
Reminds me of the old joke:
Q: What do you call a device to listen to the heart?
A: A stethoscope.
Q: What do you call a device to see far?
A: A telescope.
Q: What do you call a device to see very small things?
A: A microscope.
Q: What do you call a device that allows you to see through walls?
A: A window.
Re:Future of armed infantry (Score:3, Funny)
They are. They have to be. They've got some scary wildlife down there in Oz -- haven't you heard about the heavily-armed kangaroos [tellingjokes.com]? (page has no bookmark link -- page down to "Damn Wildlife").