Category: Cool

Posted on

From Engadget: Dundee student designs Passive Play toy cube to stimulate parent interaction with autistic children

Dundee student designs Passive Play toy cube to improve parents interaction with autistic children

A University of Dundee scholar has been working on a wonderful tool that aims to evoke the emotional connection between children with autism and their parents. While we’ve seen novelties like the My Keepon in the past, any addition to the cause is always a pleasant one, and the Passive Play’s no exception. The concept comes in the form of an interactive toy cube for the kid (pictured above), which pairs up with an iOS app and allows the parent to see any interaction the little one is having with the device. Passive Play’s creator, Tom Kirkman, says his inspiration comes from “wanting to learn more about autism,” and in case you happen to be in the UK, he’ll be showing off the project at Dundee University later this month. For all those details, be sure to check out the PR after the break.

from Engadget

Posted on

From Geeks are Sexy Technology News: Wil Wheaton Addresses Star Trek The Next Generation Cast

At the recent Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo a rare event happened. The core cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation united on stage for a panel. There, an interesting question was posed to Wil Wheaton by a unique fan: Battlestar Galactica’s Aaron Douglas.

This prompted the youngest member of the cast (now 39 years old) to take a moment and get something off his chest to his former cast mates.

So great to see these guys all together and I wish I could have been there for this awesome and genuine moment.

Wil’s character Wesley Crusher on Next Generation was not unanimously received and Wil’s decision to leave the show was apparently his own. It’s not like he has been out of work since leaving Star Trek, however in geek circles, he has earned his own recognition – even playing himself on The Big Bang Theory.

But to hear him come to terms with his position on the stage, and finally be able to admit to the cast he worked with the longest that he always felt like an outsider – and then be affirmed by them – had to be a big relief for him.

This was very touching to see. Considering the show has been off the air for 18 years, and the last feature film with this cast was a decade ago, it is a testament to the fans who still have a soft spot for the franchise.

Clearly this made a great impact on Wil Wheaton’s life and career.

Do you still consider yourself a fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation?

 

from Geeks are Sexy Technology News

Posted on

From Wired Top Stories: Hydrogen Powered Hyundai Crosses Europe Using Existing Fuel Stations

A team of European drivers have crossed the continent in a pair of hydrogen-powered cars using only Europe’s existing hydrogen fueling infrastructure.

The Oslo to Monte Carlo trip hit the record books as the longest a hydrogen-fueled vehicle has ever travelled using only fuel from permanent hydrogen filling stations. Other cars have circumnavigated the globe and …

from Wired Top Stories