Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
Resources
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Newsletters
  • Resource Library
  • Forums
  • Sponsored
Go Premium
Popular Topics
  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
  • Project Management
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
View All Topics
Go Premium
Tech Industry

WIRED NextFest 2006

By Bill Detwiler October 10, 2006, 12:11 AM PDT Bill Detwiler on Twitter billdetwiler

Image
1
of 46

2167337470087466286feoKZu_fs.jpg
2167337470087466286feoKZu_fs.jpg
WIRED NextFest 2006

WIRED NextFest 2006

WIRED NextFest 2006

The WIRED NextFest is a four-day event that showcases innovative products and technologies. This year’s NextFest, held at the Javits Center in New York, featured more than 130 exhibits from leading scientists and researchers.

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Holographic projector through fog

Holographic projector through fog

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

A moon robot!

A moon robot!

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Mockup of the water filtration system on the moon

Mockup of the water filtration system on the moon

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Half man half robot

Half man half robot

..used for moon exploration because of its manual dexterity

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Cool robot hand

Cool robot hand

..controlled by motion-sensitive glove on dude’s hand

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

DJ Robot

DJ Robot

..switches vinyl, picks tracks, spins and scratches itself.. wicked awesome

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

FIRST Robot competition

FIRST Robot competition

..high school kids from across the nation build robots and compete in a basketball-like game

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Intel, Baby..

Intel, Baby..

..Dell XPS’s with Core2Duo Extreme Processors and Dual nVidia 7900GT’s playing HL2:Lost Coast… god love SLI

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Robo-Bar!!!

Robo-Bar!!!

You punch in your drink order and Robo-Bar serves it to you!!!

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

I Heart T3H Geek Squad!

I Heart T3H Geek Squad!

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Test your knowledge...

Test your knowledge...

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Can you handle the Hot Seat?!?

Can you handle the Hot Seat?!?

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

I wish The Precinct looked like this..

I wish The Precinct looked like this..

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Ads Projected on side of new fuel-efficient Saturn

Ads Projected on side of new fuel-efficient Saturn

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Dodgeball anyone?

Dodgeball anyone?

..you stand in front of the camera and sort the blocks based on color by moving your hands..

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Sound-oriented DJ'ing

Sound-oriented DJ'ing

..you set the needle on this plastic stuff, then draw on the plastic “record” and it makes sounds depending on how you move the markers..

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

BrainBall..

BrainBall..

..you put on biofeedback headbands and relax and clear your mind.. Whoever’s mind is the clearest with the least activity due to brain stress will roll the ball across and win!

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Laptop Symphony

Laptop Symphony

..15 Qosmio laptops that emit sound and color when you control them with touch-sensitive wands..

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Touch-sensitive wands..

Touch-sensitive wands..

..that control the laptop symphony..

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Volleyball, baby!

Volleyball, baby!

.. the picture is projected on the screen and you use your hands to smack it around..

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Climbing Wall Orchestra..

Climbing Wall Orchestra..

Kids climb the wall and different sounds emit from the different hand and footholds.

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Sound Flakes

Sound Flakes

turn the faucets, different colored shapes are projected in light onto the bottom of the tub, and each has a different sound. You can use the ladle to “stir” the sound and isolate different “flakes”

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Virtual Kung Fu Fighter

Virtual Kung Fu Fighter

..Flip, punch, kick, duck, somersault.. you control your actions in this fighting game not unlike Mortal Kombat…

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Tall shoes

Tall shoes

Video, Bases, and all kinds of other safety feautures..

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Hug Shirts!

Hug Shirts!

for people in long distance relationships…you hug yourself and it transmits signals to the other shirts based on your “hug”

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Weird mirrorish wall

Weird mirrorish wall

..I forget what this was…

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Eco Doors!

Eco Doors!

..it senses your size and only opens far enough for you to get through

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Kitchen of the Future..

Kitchen of the Future..

..completely computerized.. tells you what you need, how long it needs to be cooked/chilled, regulates temperature seperately for different foods and wines and all that

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Ballroom Dancing Robots!

Ballroom Dancing Robots!

They dance with each other, they dance with people.. sense the beat of the music and such.

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

ROBOT SEALS!

ROBOT SEALS!

for people that don’t get enough affection.. Why can’t i have one?

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Android receptionist

Android receptionist

She speaks and responds to English and Japanese, and actually can respond to jokes.

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Military Stuff!

Military Stuff!

Heat-sensitive binoculars that have audio and video remote capabilities and night vision and all kinds of other good stuff.

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

BomBot

BomBot

..currently used by the military and metropolitan police departments to defuse bombs..designed and built by high schoolers

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

F.I.R.E.

F.I.R.E.

Forget what it stands for but breathing apparatus for firefighters..measures and reports smoke and fire conditions for rooms/floors/etc. of burning buildings, and downloads and stores digital floor plans.

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Hydraulic lifting apparatus

Hydraulic lifting apparatus

..designed for hospital patients who are unable to move, makes nurses’ lives easier by allowing them to clean sheets, etc… also helps blood flow and mobility in bedridden patients

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

US Army Biosuit

US Army Biosuit

Biosuit designed by US Army Research Center in Natick, MA.. fabric adjusts to impact and is completely bulletproof yet allows soldier to run, jump, etc.. but becomes iron-hard upon any impact…

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

US Army Biosuit

US Army Biosuit

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Various other Army stuff

Various other Army stuff

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Normal pack..

Normal pack..

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Ever wondered how much power you're using?

Ever wondered how much power you're using?

This surge protector’s cord lights up based on how much power is being used by devices at any given time. It also regulates flow of electricity to the devices.

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Dandelion Fuzz..

Dandelion Fuzz..

You aim a hairdryer at the screen and the change in air currents “blows” the dandelion fuzz off the screen.

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

Astronauts!

Astronauts!

..but i forget who.. bigwigs at NASA, too.

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

3D LED Cubes

3D LED Cubes

100’s of suspended LED’s in the 12 in. square cubes, programmed to broadcast rotating 360-degree messages.

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

VeinViewer!

VeinViewer!

One of the technologies on display that’s actually currently being used… those are my veins in my hand.. no more getting stuck multiple times at the hospital!

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

WIRED NextFest 2006

All of Us..

All of Us..

L-R: Dad, Mom, Pennie, Me, Mike, Heidi, Bob, Fiona, Victor.. Julie’s taking the pic

© Webshots – brittleskittle2

  • Tech Industry
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    WIRED NextFest 2006

    Your email has been sent

Share: WIRED NextFest 2006
Image of Bill Detwiler
By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
  • Account Information

    Contact Bill Detwiler

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Bill's content

Daily Tech Insider

If you can only read one tech story a day, this is it.

TechRepublic TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on X
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on YouTube
  • TechRepublic on Pinterest
  • TechRepublic RSS
Services
  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers
Explore
  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Editorial Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
CLOSE

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

Already registered? Sign In
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

* - indicates required fields

CLOSE

Sign in to TechRepublic

Not a member? Create an account
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

Lost your password? Request a new password

CLOSE

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support.

Back to login
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

No thanks, continue without
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

Newsletter Name
Subscribe
Daily Tech Insider
Daily Tech Insider AU
TechRepublic UK
TechRepublic News and Special Offers
TechRepublic News and Special Offers International
Executive Briefing
Innovation Insider
Project Management Insider
Microsoft Weekly
Cloud Insider
Data Insider
Developer Insider
TechRepublic Premium
Apple Weekly
Cybersecurity Insider
Google Weekly
Toggle All
No thanks, continue without

You're All Set

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Back to Home Page
×