Saturday August 13, 2005
A Door, Dilating
From the what-will-they-think-of-next department: an automatic door, made up of a set of independent horizontal slats, that estimates the shape of the person in front of it and opens up a person-shaped hole for them to pass through. Video here; the company's web site here. Now that we've got dilating doors, can deliquescing doors be far behind? (via Gizmodo)
I am The Tensor, and I approve this post.
11:33 PM
in Science
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Comments
This is one of those "we did this just to show we could, and because it looks cool" inventions, isn't it? It does indeed look cool, but I'm having trouble seeing exactly what the advantage is over an ordinary door that opens all the way.
Posted by: Q. Pheevr at Aug 14, 2005 9:00:54 AM
Around the middle of the video they mention some possible uses, like areas where you would want minimal contamination from the outside, like "clean rooms," hospitals, and refrigerated storage areas. And indeed, the guy says at the end that this is indeed a "well, is there something interesting we cauld make?" sort of project (at least, if I understood correctly).
Posted by: Russell at Aug 14, 2005 5:04:55 PM
It looks like they have a few bugs to work out. She had to stoop down to enter. The shape also looked a bit haphazard: barely enough clearance when she went through, way too much when she slid the box through.
And what happens if you do not walk directly through, but rotate slightly while entering? I suppose if you know the door will open (and open more quickly than that one did!)... and you know that traffic is one-way... then you might. Or if you are talking to someone and gesticulate?
Neat to see, though. A nice demo. But I don't want one.
Posted by: Merle at Aug 23, 2005 12:33:38 PM
