Whats ahead: Computers that you can wear

Theyll be faster, yet users can put them in their shirt collars

By Joel J. Smith / The Detroit News

Home computers in the future will look and operate quite differently from desktop models now seen in almost 50 percent of U.S. households.

In fact, computer scientists predict that within 10 to 15 years, computers will be so small they can fit in a thread on your shirt collar.

The miniature computer will begin a new technology revolution that will mean that almost every device in your home, office or car will be connected to a computer. Away from home, wristwatch-size computers may let wearers know if others are trying to reach them. Educational devices might prod junior if his attention wanders during school lessons.

The technology is moving quickly as scientists discover new ways to store computer data in microscopic files.

We have a team that is trying to develop molecular-size computers, said Dr. Philip J. Kuekes, on the technical staff of Hewlett-Packard Laboratories in Palo Alto, Calif. It is a completely new technology.

Its so small, you cant see it with the human eye. Thats smaller than the point where the two of the thinnest wires in a computer today cross each other.

Hewlett-Packard scientists insist they can build a computer the size of a few molecules. They have already developed a circuit 10 atoms wide. Were designing molecules which actually can replace a half-dozen transistors, Kuekes said.

To give a sense of the scale involved, Kuekes offered this example: A mouthful of water has so many molecules that if you converted each molecule into a sheet of paper, you could stack the paper from the Earth to the sun  400 million times.

By dramatically shrinking the size of computers, its unlimited what we can do with them, Kuekes said. Computers will be smaller than the diameter of a thread. It probably will be as powerful as most desk top computers today.

He said the computers could be manufactured using a chemical process that would lower the cost to just a few dollars each.

Jeff Morgan, a Hewlett-Packard scientist who forecasts uses for computers, said a decade from now you wont even see all the computers in your home.

Today we have desktop computers, but in the world of pervasive computing the computers basically merge into the walls and become part of the everyday world, Morgan said. Were looking at how we make sense of all of that. We want to figure out how to bring these complex devices into a world where people can easily use them.

Morgan said that one developing technology will be able to track individuals through something like a wristwatch, cell phone or a laptop computer. People using the Internet will interact with the computer, which will let them send notes or faxes to the nearest printer or fax machines.

Future computer technology also will be able to measure emotions, according to James C Sponrer, a senior manager of IBMs Almaden Research Center. He said his team in the User Experience/Human Interaction Research Group is developing the Emotion Mouse and Blue Eyes Technology, which can gauge a persons emotional state and know where he or she is looking.

If Im a frustrated student and using educational software, the computer would know that. It could respond appropriately, Sponrer said. If a student is gazing off every 10 seconds, the computer might get an indication the individual will have to review this section again when there are no distractions.

As global positioning technology becomes cheaper, it will be used along with computers. For example, Sponrer said that an inexpensive computer chip could be placed in almost any device that would signal the owner if the device is being moved, even a few inches.

Other products under research by IBM would allow the user to point a device at a restaurant to find out if there is a waiting line, or at a hotel to determine if there are any vacancies, or even a house to map out the floor plan.

In each case, the device would locate the facility and automatically go to the Internet or data storage bank for the information.

This is going to be the real world in another few years, Sponrer said.

-- Vern (bacon17@ibm.net), February 20, 2000

Answers

I'm curious Vern, if this thread goes anywhere, just how will you get it to bleed over to the McCain subject?

Or maybe your DNC spinmeisters knew someone like me would come along and do it for you.

Nonetheless, you deserve to be complimented for being on topic again.

-- Politicallyaware (JustCurious@Forum.com), February 20, 2000.

Science worship is an empty church. Gotta go, we have a goat bringing life into the world without the aid of technology. Something I want my children to observe before it becomes labeled as inefficient and inferior, or has it been already?

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), February 20, 2000.

I am not impressed.Who NEEDS it.Bigger Problems are coming and need solving.

-- Gene (la@la.la), February 20, 2000.

Brave New World.

-- jeile (tjfarrar@bellsouth.net), February 20, 2000.

yeah but are they y2k compliant?

-- Butt Nugget (catsbutt@umailme.com), February 20, 2000.

Your world may have computers like those you discribe,but in my world they WILL NOT be allowed.

-- just a thought (tigerpm@netscape.com), February 21, 2000.

Hey, maybe I'm old fashioned. I, my 65 yr.old hubby, my 85 yr.old Father, and most of the old geezers, geezies, and geeks I know are really excited about all the new gadgets and helpers being developed. Just five years ago most of the non-nerdies I know swore they not only wouldn't have a computer in the house but definitely wouldn't be doing "that surfing thing." Most of them are on their 2nd or 3rd computer or upgrade now, and many have cancelled their daily newspapers because they can save some trees, not have to fool with recycling, and can get their news much faster and more efficiently on the 'net.

Wearing a gadget that weighs only ounces to sustain ones life or quality of sure beats the h*ll out of rolling around a several hundred pound machine that keeps one tied to an electrical plug. My Veterinarian can now afford, and have the room for, the medical gadgets that have assisted her in saving or extending or easing the lives of many of my beloved animals (even when it comes to breeding and whelping).

I like it that medical teams can carry virtually a whole hospital (diagnostics and treatment) with them practically anywhere in the world to treat those less fortunate than I.

When we make our move to our 30 ft diameter Yurt, in a couple of years, going totally off grid, I'm going to really appreciate all kinds of electronics and gadgets that will run off much smaller, cheaper battery banks. It was only a few years ago that we had to carry several pounds of batteries for cell phones.

This granny and a bunch of others I know welcome teeny tiny gadgets. And I (we) appreciate hearing about any and all advancements.

-- granny-TX (westamyx@bigfoot.com), February 21, 2000.

My problem with this type of improvement in computer technology is not the technology itself,but how it will be used to further invade and control our lives.Let your mind wander and think about this a bit.The people who run this world already have said that by mid- century,cyborgs ("enhanced human beings"} will be the norm.This is NOT an improvement.This will allow them total control over everything you do!!!Want to vote independent this year,not politically correct,we'll just shut you off until after the elections!Think about it!!!!

-- just a thought (tigerpm@netscape.com), February 21, 2000.

What good does all those Innovations in Medicine do,if You can't afford them??

-- TNXGOODIMHLT (sick@of.it), February 21, 2000.