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This high end oven described in NASA TechBriefs could be a very useful device for people with certain types of physical or cognitive disabilities. Imagine being able to control an oven with an internet enabled Dynavox or Words+ system. Of course the oven costs in the neighborhood of $8700, in the same price range as either of
those systems.
All it needs now is a feature to scrub that baked on lasagna pan when you are done.
"Remote Controlled Meals
Developed by NASA Glenn Research Center, Embedded Web Technology is software that lets a user monitor and control a remote device such as a space experiment over the Internet. If it could control any remote device, why not an oven, asked David Mansbery of TMIO, developer of the Connect Io Intelligent Oven.
Applying the same remote control concepts NASA uses to run experiments in space, the oven enables users to cook dinner from the road using a cell phone, PDA, or other Internet connection.
Food is placed in Connect Io, where it stays refrigerated until the desired cook time is entered. The oven then automatically switches from refrigeration to the cooking cycle, and the meal is ready when
you get home. It also lets two dishes cook at different temperatures and times."
Worx has introduced a new line of professional power tools with adjustable ergonomic handles. The handle rotates so it can be optimally positioned for horizontal, vertical, overhead, high, low, and upside down work positions. Models include a 10 Amp reciprocating saw(Assault), 6.5 amp 1/2" hammer drill (BlockBuster), 6 amp 3/8" drill (Intruder), and a 15 amp circular saw (BladeRunner).
Revolver is a bit of a misnomer, as the handle does not revolve around the tool, but rotates in place.
The rotating mechanism is a D shaped handle that can be unlocked and positioned to keep the user's wrist straight, no matter what work position they are in.
Augmentative Communication BarCode Scanner - 24 February 2006
The barcode reader provides auditory feedback when passed over the same kind of black-and-white strip used on grocery store products. In this application, the device is first used to program the barcodes with words or phrases; the barcodes can then be fixed to objects, pictures, or places.
The user then scans the barcode with the device, and it says the word or phrase.
The researchers found that after several sessions of training and practice, adults with aphasia -- speech loss -- were able to recover and pronouncesignificantly more words from listening to a bar-coded list than from awritten list.
University of Virginia neurolinguist Filip Loncke has the only research site in the United States using a barcode reader called the B.A. Bar(TM) that was developed in Switzerland by the Federation Suisse des Teletheses. The device has helped people learn or relearn how to speak and become more
