Comments on: Not Rocket Science

Not Rocket Science

bunglin jones — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 22:43:31 -0800

The invisible axe. Australian scientists build a real air guitar.

By: cgc373

cgc373 — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 23:03:08 -0800

This is completely awesome and it's why I read MetaFilter! Thanks, bunglin jones.

By: wumpus

wumpus — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 23:13:35 -0800

it only uses elbow sensors? that's not completely awesome; it's only pretty cool. I expected a glove, at least, so you can play real chords and scales.

By: StrasbourgSecaucus

StrasbourgSecaucus — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:55:40 -0800

r o c k ! ! !

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 01:31:40 -0800

Oh, man, this thing is clunky, awkward and extremely unmusical. This Dr. Helmer ("he includes some windmill guitar poses!") really should wait until this thing is a little further along, development-wise, before he announces it to the world. The guiro shirt, for example, is just awful: absurdly long delay between motion and sound. But keep at it, Doctor, you *guitar hero* you!

By: Colloquial Collision

Colloquial Collision — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 01:34:21 -0800

I think they're on to something here. Though I do agree with wumpus. Maybe rockin' mittens are their next project? It's not rocket science... it's rockin' science Australian puns have no shame. BRAINSTORM: A piano necktie that is actually a keytar! And synth-drum cardigan sweaters! The future is going to be awesome!

By: slimepuppy

slimepuppy — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 01:34:39 -0800

Oh, man, this thing is clunky, awkward and extremely unmusical. It's a fucking AIR GUITAR! Jesus, people are hard to please. Also, my flying car doesn't have a cupholder.

By: tehloki

tehloki — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 02:09:10 -0800

This actually makes me excited for the next few generations of console games. Guitar hero is only the beginning. Can you make it in the dog-eat-dog world of the burnt-out adult entertainer as "Vance Ramone: Virtual Male Stripper"?

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 02:55:20 -0800

It's a fucking AIR GUITAR! Jesus, people are hard to please. Your comment would be very appropriate, slimepuppy, if this thing was being presented as the cheap gimmick that it is, or if it was a $29.00 toy for sale down at the mall, but it's being presented as some sort of real instrument. And it's just way too crude and underdeveloped, IMHO, to be shown in that light. If you're gonna write something like this: ""Developing the air guitar was a technical challenge for precision textile-based sensing." then I think you really need to follow through on the precision part. They simply haven't done that, at least not yet. Oh, and I think I can get you that cupholder you're looking for, but this 1-second delay guiro/tambourine/guitar contraption ain't no flying car...

By: tehloki

tehloki — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 03:15:35 -0800

It's just a proof-of-concept. Cut it some slack. I doubt they'd release such a delay-ridden and simplistic product onto the market, so what makes you think they are presenting it as a finished product?

By: ikalliom

ikalliom — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 03:18:03 -0800

Air guitar using orange gloves.

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 03:37:08 -0800

It's just a proof-of-concept. Ah, I get it now, it's conceptual art! OK, I'll cut it some slack ;)

By: chillmost

chillmost — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 04:18:58 -0800

I expected a glove, at least, so you can play real chords and scales. You mean like a Powerglove? I love the Powerglove. It's so bad.

By: chicobangs

chicobangs — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 09:55:38 -0800

Looks like that Hooters Reunion tour (with special guest Jennifer Love Hewitt) is back on again, then! And lissen up, all you zombies, 'cause it's gonna be rock'n!

By: I, Credulous

I, Credulous — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 12:24:02 -0800

this is an interesting first step. and I think its worth noting that they're aiming "higher" than a dataglove for this (isn't that, like, so 1989?). Air guitaring is an example -- a catchy, visually appealing, relatable example -- the real application will be much, much more interesting and discreet. (check out Charles Stross's Accelerando for a (fictional) example of wearable computing that just might come to be...)

By: Jilder

Jilder — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 17:49:55 -0800

Today, I am proud to be an Australian. I wonder if the Air Guitar World Championship will put a ban on it? It could be another controversial sporting aide. It's not like we haven't been there before.