Not Rocket Science
November 12, 2006 10:43 PM   Subscribe

The invisible axe. Australian scientists build a real air guitar.
posted by bunglin jones (15 comments total)
 
This is completely awesome and it's why I read MetaFilter! Thanks, bunglin jones.
posted by cgc373 at 11:03 PM on November 12, 2006


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.
posted by wumpus at 11:13 PM on November 12, 2006


r o c k ! ! !
posted by StrasbourgSecaucus at 12:55 AM on November 13, 2006


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!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:31 AM on November 13, 2006


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!
posted by Colloquial Collision at 1:34 AM on November 13, 2006


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.
posted by slimepuppy at 1:34 AM on November 13, 2006


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"?
posted by tehloki at 2:09 AM on November 13, 2006


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...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:55 AM on November 13, 2006


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?
posted by tehloki at 3:15 AM on November 13, 2006


Air guitar using orange gloves.
posted by ikalliom at 3:18 AM on November 13, 2006


It's just a proof-of-concept.

Ah, I get it now, it's conceptual art! OK, I'll cut it some slack ;)
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:37 AM on November 13, 2006


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.
posted by chillmost at 4:18 AM on November 13, 2006


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!
posted by chicobangs at 9:55 AM on November 13, 2006


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...)
posted by I, Credulous at 12:24 PM on November 13, 2006


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.
posted by Jilder at 5:49 PM on November 13, 2006


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