Pad Power
While computers have gotten faster and software fancier, the humble mousepad has remained happily low-tech. But researchers at the MIT Media Laboratory are now converting the unassuming slabs of foam into information-input devices. The Media Lab’s “smart mousepad” (which draws power from the keyboard connector) reads information from a simple electronic tag that can be implanted in a variety of objects.
After the mousepad reads the tag, software connects to an online database to find out what to do. Consumer goods might pull up manufacturers’ Web sites. Setting a tagged bottle of medicine on the pad, for example, could call up the drug company’s Web page, offering more information about the medication than is included with the packaging. The Media Lab’s Henry Holtzman imagines his 3-year-old using tagged tokens to call up online images of her favorite things.
Keep Reading
Most Popular
This new data poisoning tool lets artists fight back against generative AI
The tool, called Nightshade, messes up training data in ways that could cause serious damage to image-generating AI models.
Rogue superintelligence and merging with machines: Inside the mind of OpenAI’s chief scientist
An exclusive conversation with Ilya Sutskever on his fears for the future of AI and why they’ve made him change the focus of his life’s work.
Data analytics reveal real business value
Sophisticated analytics tools mine insights from data, optimizing operational processes across the enterprise.
The Biggest Questions: What is death?
New neuroscience is challenging our understanding of the dying process—bringing opportunities for the living.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.