technabob » traffic http://technabob.com/blog gadgets, gizmos, games, cool gadgets, geeky gadgets Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:53:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 reactive sparks: interactive led art responds to traffic http://technabob.com/blog/2008/03/28/reactive-sparks-interactive-led-art-responds-to-traffic/ http://technabob.com/blog/2008/03/28/reactive-sparks-interactive-led-art-responds-to-traffic/#comments Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:09:00 +0000 technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2008/03/28/reactive-sparks-interactive-led-art-responds-to-traffic/ This interactive art display takes data it collects on passing traffic and displays moving images which react to vehicles as they drive by.

OSRAM Reactive Spark Light Towers

Designed by artist Markus Lerner for lighting company OSRAM, the installation samples traffic patterns and maps them onto seven colorful light towers side of the road, each containing over 110,000 individual LEDs.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The waves at the bottom of each panel represent the amount of traffic that has recently passed, while a “spark” that flashes across each screen whenever a new car passes by. The more cars that pass the sensors, the bigger the waves, and the faster the motion.

OSRAM Reactive Spark Light Towers

The installation is currently on display alongside Munich, Germany’s highly-congested Mittlerer Ring, a thoroughfare that conveniently happens to be right in front of OSRAM’s headquarters.

[via today in art]

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2008/03/28/reactive-sparks-interactive-led-art-responds-to-traffic/feed/ 2 pogoalert keeps speed traps at bay http://technabob.com/blog/2007/03/05/pogoalert-keeps-speed-traps-at-bay/ http://technabob.com/blog/2007/03/05/pogoalert-keeps-speed-traps-at-bay/#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2007 16:43:32 +0000 technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2007/03/05/pogoalert-keeps-speed-traps-at-bay/ This wondrous little auto gadget uses GPS satellite tracking, radar and laser detection technologies to alert you to the presence of speed traps and traffic cameras.

PogoAlert GPS Traffic Alert System

The PogoAlert features a compact 1.8-inch LCD screen that mounts on your car’s dashboard or windshield, and lets you know when you’re approaching a speed trap or traffic camera. It also comes with live radar and laser detection to alert you to new spots that aren’t yet in the GPS database. Since it’s loaded with GPS data, it can also alert you to the current speed limit, and only alarm if you’ve exceeded that. Remember that radar and laser detectors aren’t legal in all localities, so check your local laws before thinking about one of these.

The PogoAlert currently offers map data for the UK and Europe only and runs

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2007/03/05/pogoalert-keeps-speed-traps-at-bay/feed/ 6 sony gps features real-time traffic data http://technabob.com/blog/2006/10/25/sony-gps-features-real-time-traffic-data/ http://technabob.com/blog/2006/10/25/sony-gps-features-real-time-traffic-data/#comments Wed, 25 Oct 2006 21:09:11 +0000 technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2006/10/25/sony-gps-features-real-time-traffic-data/ The NV-U71T is Sony’s latest entry into the portable GPS navigation arena.

Sony NV-U71T GPS Navigation System

The new model is their first to feature a RDS-TMC traffic receiver which provides real-time traffic data and can automatically plot an alternative course around heavy traffic areas. The traffic data costs $4.95 per month after an initial 90-day free trial.

The device’s 2GB of flash memory comes comes preloaded with maps for the U.S. (including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico) as well as Canada. Directions are displayed on a 3.5″ color touch-screen display with a voice-guided option for safety. It’s also more compact than Sony’s previous model, and features a new gesture-based input system that makes it easier to get to frequently used commands.

The NV-U71T lists for $499.95 USD and should ship by the end of 2006.

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