Kevin Cannon & Ashwin Rajan’s Frontline Gloves are a pair of networked gloves that allow firefighters to use hand gestures to communicate wirelessly in low-visibility, low-oxygen situations. The design incorporates customized electronics based on the ATMega chip, a wireless Xbee module, a sonar sensor, ultra-bright LEDs and bend sensors. The gloves allow the wearer to...

A hi-tech spin on a lo-fi pastime, these dominos topple without touching. Developed by Japanese designer Jarashi Suki and the IAMAS Ubiquitous Interaction Research Group, the clever design is now on view at the 14th Japan Media Arts Festival. The Esper Domino uses xBee and Arduino technology to riff on a simple, familiar diversion. Found...

Join in a Twitter-based Social Entrepreneurship Chat organized by Ashoka. The real time discussions on social entrepreneurship issues take place the 1st Wed of the month, 4-6PM US Eastern Time. The next conversation on Wed, July 1, focuses on mobile innovation. Ashoka is now partnering with the Lemelson Foundation on a new initiative to support...

The first solar powered StarSight virtual utility poles were installed in Istanbul, Turkey four months ago. The poles will provide a communication and emergency network in case of a large disaster (such as an earthquake) with a full Wi-Fi CCTV network attached to a lamppost. The first five poles include internet access, one mobile unit...