Tested: Before an attraction ever gets built and installed into a Disney theme park, Disney Imagineers have to invent new ways to amaze a generation of visitors that have grown up with cutting-edge technology like smartphones and tablets. That's why Disney has its own dedicated research division to experiment with robotics, computer graphics, computer-human interaction, and even material science to empower their Imagineers. Many of these research areas explore new ways of manipulating our senses, such as adding touch responses to everyday object or delivering haptic feedback using air cannons. However, a newly revealed research project exploits our perception of sound.
17 comments:
GAH SO COOL. Not exactly useful in the real world, but still cool. The principle seems really basic actually; the other day I was playing around with a device that was essentially a speaker without a cone. It worked by attaching a vibrating surface to a large hollow object, and all of the sudden the sounds is amplified by the object. This works the same way, but in reverse. Since sound is essentially vibrations on a drum that are then processed into sound, it makes sense tat you could skip the external pressure waves, and instead go right to the drum. It works on the same principles by which we hear ourselves talk. As we talk, the sound vibrations reverberate off of our jaw bones and skull, which as they vibrate rattle our eardum the same way. And because bone is very dense, we tent to hear ourselves with a lower pitch of voice than we actually sound.
This is actually really really cool technology. I mean the ability to convey prerecorded messages in a completely silent way is quite spectacular. I can only wait to see what the applications may be. I mean, being able to do this would have significant advantages in a variety of circumstances like classrooms or international espionage. My only question about this is are you able to hear the sound of someone talking in a relatively noisy atmosphere? If a silent room could be the only conditions in which this item would work, this would drastically reduce its usefulness. Also it is pretty cool to see two CMU alumni in this video.
Definitely super cool new tech with a wide array of possibilities attached to it. I see a whole generation of kids passing messages in class this way instead of with a crumpled up piece of paper! Ah how times change. And on that note -- I never really thought about how Disney has to keep up with or ahead of technology. I have such fond memories of Disneyland and the corny animatronic birds in the Tiki Room…but from the view of children who have grown up in a way more technological age there is a bit of a divide. Perhaps those robot birds just won't do the trick. I wonder if we have to worry about creating things that are more high-tech, fast-paced, and 3D in order to connect with a growing younger population weened on the i-pad. I'm a little worried that we could loose something in-between. Technology is fantastic, but so are other ways of creation and making based in simpler times…perhaps there is a happy medium. Muppets are still cool!
Neat! I really love it when random things like this are invented. It makes me wonder under what circumstances someone asks the question "Can I build something that will let me talk to someone by touching their earlobe?" As some of my fellow students have stated, the real world applications are fairly limited. But it is a cool science toy that I would love to see how Disney could use it in a future project.
I love how when disney creates something new, they dont just rehash the same old tricks in a new form, but instead they reinvent the way the experience can be created or as they would call it "plus" it. The applications of this within the theme park industry are incredible. This could really elevate the interactive show experience to a whole new level. I also think its cool how disney has a division dedicated just to creating cool new technology before it has a specific purpose. I would love to be a designer on the other side, with them saying "heres a cool new piece of technology, find a magical way to incorporate it in a new attraction"
Ignoring the pretty terrible demonstration video, this is such cool technology. It's amazing what is possible with today's tech. I'm not really sure what practical applications this would have, especially in theatre, but that doesn't make it any less cool. I'd be interested in seeing how Disney integrates this into whatever attraction they plan on using it for, or if they are just going to use it as a stand alone thing. I can see why Randy Pausch was so focused on become an Imagineer. The stuff they come up with is consistently amazing and pushing the limits.
This is really weird, but cool I suppose. I agree with Ruben in that I don't know how useful this is, but I am sure it will develop into something really cool. How would the imagineers put this into a ride? I like that this could lead to audiences experiencing a ride in an entirely new way, not through sight, but through a combination of tough and sound. This also seems like it would make a good exhibit in the Ripley's museums, because maybe it could be make into some sort of illusion. Just a thought.
Okay, first of all that was way weird and unexpected to see recent CMU actors in the video. I wonder if they knew they were going to be on the green page? Anyways, this is seriously mind blowing. I get how this is possible but it is just so out there it seems too crazy to actually work. I applaud disney for working so hard to go out of the box and not loose their current technology-drowned audience to things they see daily. I know I should not be, but I keep being surprised by the fact that there can still be so many new inventions and discoveries. It just seems like we will eventually run out of things that have never been done before. For one thing we have been around for quite a long time now and for another technology moves so fast that it just seems amazing that people can still come up with such revolutionary ideas.
Really odd or different, but wow! Of course it's Disney that came up with this. I can see the future rides of disney actually transmitting sounds to you just by you sitting on/in them. Who knows what other applications this could be used for in the future. Maybe as the technology develops, this could be incorporated into theater such that when an actor on stage is whispering, it sounds like someone is whispering in your ear. I can't wait to see where this technology will go!
Well this doesn't seem like the most practical invention, it is really quite intriguing. I don't exactly understand all the science behind it, but the idea of communicating through touch is really cool. I wonder if there are ways to adapt this technique so that you would have an earbud and a sensor in your clothing or on your skin so that when someone touched you it would relay a message. This technology could have some really interesting applications in the world of interactive theater as a way for actors to pass messages on to the theater goers (though I'm sure someone will freak out a little when an actor reaches over and touches their ear.)
On a side note it was nice to see Jimmy and Alex in this video. It was completely unexpected but still a pleasant surprise.
Leave it to Disney to pick up more unique technology. I don't exactly see the practical application of it all, but none-the-less it is still something for a technology geek to drool over. I've seen both of the other technologies mentioned in this article before and I really can't wait to see how they plan on using them. I always love the way that Disney puts thought into each part of their attractions. I imagine they'll add this to the beginning of one of their lines similar to how they redid the Haunted Mansion and incorporated plenty of interactive games for the guests to play with.
This is a really cool and innovative idea that could have so many uses! I'm interested to see how Disney incorporates this technology into its attractions. I think in order for Disney to stay at the top, they need to use technology like this to make their attractions ever more interactive. I'm excited to go to a Disney park and see this technology in action, making the park more interactive in ways that I could have never imagined.
This is actually pretty damn cool. Do I see much use for this in the real world outside of Disney's Imagineers? No, but it is still pretty badass to think that there is someone out there who is thinking of really interesting and intuitive ways to change the way that individuals perceive their senses. It is cool to think that by touching someone with a finger imbued with high amplitude low power signal will allow them to hear but a whisper of something is awesome. Leave it to Disney to come up with something so drastically unique; I hope that someday I can go to Disneyland and see this put to work.
I'm not really sure how this technology would be used, but nonetheless it's awesome and will most definitely be developed into something greater that can help the entertainment business and other businesses in many ways. Disney seems to keep coming up with these great inventions that don't seem very relevant to real life situations, but definitely seem like in due time they will be revolutionized into something useful. Also, it's great to seem some alumni in the video demonstration!
I do have to wonder if this could help those who are hearing-impaired, depending on the reasons for the impairment. This reminds me of a war exhibit somewhere where the viewer leans on the railing and covers their ears, and the sound travels through the arm to the ear. This creates an interesting effect similar to the silent clubs in Europe, where everyone is listening to something by themselves, but when the listening device is removed, there is only silence.
....what.
Im sorry, but what the fuck would this ever be used for? I dont understand it at all, not how it works or its purpose. Like yeah i guess i agree with everyone in that the idea of this is super cool and the technology behind it is sweet, but i guess i just dont understand- Why. The video did a horrible job explaining how it works by using HUGE scientific words that mean nothing to me and expecting me to know what they mean. I dont understand how speaking into a microphone can transmit soundwaves into a body that then can touch an ear and transport the waves to the other person, is it something like an electrical circuit?
also -Oh hey Alex Spieth and Jimmy Mason. Surprised to see you in this.
I applaud Disney for its scientific and technological ambition in its field. It would be very easy for them to prosper as a business without creating anything new, but instead resting on the laurels of its already impressive life. That being said, an essential part of that mission is to create wonder, and thus, I applaud at the wonder they strive to create, especially as it becomes more and more difficult. Simply put, I think it puts Disney a cut above the rest. As to the technology itself, this has limitless possibilities for theatrical application, especially as it comes to experiential and small audience theatre. It will be interesting to see how it is applied as it become more widely available.
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