There are robots which can change shape. Polymorphic can we call them. NASA has developed them for space exploration and for the traversal of hazardous areas on Earth.
It is composed of a tetrahedral structure. Combining cores with struts. The struts expand and contract and the shapes taken are cube, sphere, flat etc. So it can adapt to the terrain and explore surface of planets. It has embedded processors which control the shape and movement of struts by analyzing the surrounding using sensors.
So robots playing orchestra, robots playing bartender, caring for elders, what next?
Friday, January 05, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Feature Clutter
A mobile phone which doubles up as music player, photo viewer, view videos, TV, Chat, Browse the net and E-Mail. Obviously too many a feature packed into a single gadget. It is common knowledge that when more fetures are added to a single device, soon it gets feature cluttered. The performence can also degrade and bugs can inadvertantly creep into the design. So is it wise to infinitely add new features to a given gadget or will it be wise to stop after a certain point.
Well there are two camps. One wants more and more features in a single device. I think the new generation belongs to this category. Tech-savvy and total geeks, they want more out of every think in life. Also some others say there should be a bare bone product with optional add-ons . After all why should a customer be made to pay for certain features which he or she may never use. There are people who differ even with these people saying that upgrading is a head-ache.
Well the Big Fight continues.
Well there are two camps. One wants more and more features in a single device. I think the new generation belongs to this category. Tech-savvy and total geeks, they want more out of every think in life. Also some others say there should be a bare bone product with optional add-ons . After all why should a customer be made to pay for certain features which he or she may never use. There are people who differ even with these people saying that upgrading is a head-ache.
Well the Big Fight continues.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Quality, Technology, Fashion and Obsolescence
Obsolescence was a big problem of yesteryears shortage economy. But obsolete products were profitably sold.Thats a paradox. In fact obsolescence is even a problem today. But then has anyone ever given a thought to the relationship between all these parameters.
1. With increasing Fashion, Products can be created which are more crappy as consumer is likely to replace the products in a month-6 months depending on which class he/she belongs to.
2. Changing technology results in increasing obsolescence.
3. Changing fashion results in increasing obsolescence.
Obsolescence in globalisation is a more pervasive and ubiquitous phenomenon.To manage obsolescence one needs to invest in R&D and develop new products by prognosing customer needs and emerging trends.More proactive companies create market segments,the lesser ones cater to existing markets.Be a trailblazer.
1. With increasing Fashion, Products can be created which are more crappy as consumer is likely to replace the products in a month-6 months depending on which class he/she belongs to.
2. Changing technology results in increasing obsolescence.
3. Changing fashion results in increasing obsolescence.
Obsolescence in globalisation is a more pervasive and ubiquitous phenomenon.To manage obsolescence one needs to invest in R&D and develop new products by prognosing customer needs and emerging trends.More proactive companies create market segments,the lesser ones cater to existing markets.Be a trailblazer.
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