Holograms Have Come to Life
All over the world, scientists (and most likely Star Wars geeks) have made huge advances in holographic tech. In Japan, the Digital Nature Group has developed tiny, interactive holograms known as Fairy Lights. At the MIT Media Lab, Michael Bove and his group rigged a Kinect camera sensor to project a low-grade but very real 3D holographic image. The image they chose? A grad student dressed as Princess Leia stating, “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.” (Photo by: Lucasfilm)
The Empire Is Watching You
In the Star Wars films, imperial probe droids roam the galaxy, hunting rebels. Today, drones roam the world on recon missions, military airstrikes, deliveries, farm pest patrol, and movie shoots. (Photo by: Lucasfilm)
Lightsabers Are Real, Kind Of
Wielding your very own laser sword is no longer exclusively for Jedi Knights and Sith Lords. Wicked Lasers has added a chamber to its high-powered laser, creating the look of an actual blue or green lightsaber. (No word on red or purple editions.) Those gadgets can’t cut through substances, but the British-based Welding Institute has crafted a laser cutter that slices through metal like butter. Is it so hard to put an epic laser cutter on a sword hilt? (Photo by: Lucasfilm)
You Can Store Data Just Like A Jedi…Or Sith
Jedi and Sith holocrons may be a bit esoteric for casual Star Wars fans, but they’re far from mysterious. In the Star Wars universal, they’re basically external hard drives that are used to store centuries of data about the Force. On Earth, hard drives roughly the size of the fictional holocron can hold around 5 to 10TB. (Photo by: Lucasfilm)
Boeing’s Blaster Guns Will Sound Exactly As You Imagine
Laser pistols, rifles, and other assorted weaponry play a big role in the Star Wars saga. In real life, Boeing plans to add sounds to their lasers to confirm they’ve been fired. The sound samples they’re testing come straight from Star Wars and Star Trek. (Photo by: Lucasfilm)
DARPA Is All About Protocol Droids … Sorta
Thank the Maker! The U.S. Department of Defense’s advanced research agency recently held a competition to develop better, faster, stronger bots that can be used to aid humans in disaster scenarios. The need (or want) for a protocol droid may be a long-term goal, but DARPA’s robotic challenge is getting us there faster.
You Can Play Hologames Just Like Chewbacca
Oculus Rift and similar VR headsets bring 3D gaming to a whole new level. But other technology–such as the Voxiebox and a prototype display from the Panasonic Silicon Valley Lab–makes the hologame table a reality without special eyewear. Just don’t forget to let the Wookiee win. (Photo by: Lucasfilm)
Speeder Bikes Are On Kickstarter
Zoom through the redwoods or the desert on an actual hovercycle! Companies such as Aerofex are working on selling their version of the speeder bike using hovercraft air technology. Even the U.S. Department of Defense has taken notice, contracting Mallory Aeronautics, which led a successful Kickstarter campaign, to develop a vehicle for recon missions. (Photo by:Lucasfilm)
The U.S. Navy Has Its Own Laser Cannon
Turret guns and turbolasers and superlasers, oh my! The very real USS Ponce can take down drones and small boats with its quick-reacting laser weapon. While the laser isn’t visible from the naked eye, it does pack quite a punch, just like the Millennium Falcon’s quadlaser. (Photo by: Lucasfilm)
DARPA Is Working on Luke Skywalker-Approved Prosthetics
DARPA has been developing prosthetic limbs that allow for nuanced motion and neural connection. The Reliable Neural-Interface Technology (RE-NET) program has made great strides in prosthetic technology, focusing on perfecting the neural control systems that allow users to regain high performance function. (Photo by: Lucasfilm)
Elon Musk Is A Fan Of The X-Wing
Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, has made a few nods to the ships of Star Wars. Its Falcon 9 rockets (Get it? Falcon?) rock hypersonic grid fins crafted in an “X” configuration to stabilize descent. (Photo by: Lucasfilm)
Energy Force Fields Have Officially Been Patented
In another technological feat, Boeing has issued a patent for an energy field that protects people and objects from shockwaves in an explosion. According to the patent, the field, created by an electromagnetic arc, is said to deflect and absorb explosive force to protect whatever it surrounds. (Photo by: Lucasfilm)
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