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Admit it — you thought your retinal profile and fingerprints were the only unique IDs you could use to get into secret government labs (or exclusive vampire nightclubs). But there's a new futuristic identification system on the way, and that is the VeinID finger vein authentication technology from Hitachi, Ltd. Yes, that's the same team of geniuses who gave us the legendary Magic Wand vibrator; I'd say Hitachi knows what it's doing when it comes to innovations that involve the human body. VeinID is already at work at many ATMs and doorways in Japan, and Hitachi scientists say this form of ID scan is faster, cheaper, and more accurate than its alternatives. More »
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This cute robot isn't a toy, it's an office worker. The EMIEW 2 is supposed to serve as a guide for visitors, or run errands. During a demonstration for reporters, someone asked where Mr. Nakamura was. The robot responded, "I will take you there. Follow me," in a "boylike" voice. The ultra-light robot can roll on two wheels, or kneel to scoot along on four. It can also raise its foot one inch to step over an obstacle. But the prototype had some bugs when Hitachi unveiled it yesterday. During the demo, the robot's wireless signals tangled with wifi and cellphone traffic, causing it to run into a desk. Image by Yoshikazu Tsuno for AFP/Getty Images. More »
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