[IEE EC3 News] Next IEE EC3 Lecture - 24 February 2005

[Bill Pechey]

Dear Colleague,

You are being sent this reminder message because either you gave your email 
address at one of our previous lectures or you signed up on the web site associated 
with this email list (http://www.ourshack.com/mailman/listinfo/iee-ec3-news).

I have appended the details of our next lecture and hope to see you there.

Details of our other lectures may be found at - 
http://www.iee.org/OnComms/Branches/UK/England/SEastE/EC3/

Please read the location details carefully because this lecture is in
the Palmer lecture theatre rather than the Engineering one we have
used for many years.

Best wishes,

Bill Pechey
Thames Valley Specialised Section

++++++++++

Forthcoming Meeting

IEE Thames Valley Specialised Section
Electronics, Control Computing & Communications

How to Use a Yo-Yo on Mars

Dr William Harwin, The University of Reading

Thursday 24th February 2005 at 19:30

Palmer Building, Whiteknights Campus, The University of Reading

Light refreshments available from 19:00-19:30

A new way of using computers is emerging based on the technology of
haptic interfaces. Using these ideas the University of Reading has
developed the world’s first virtual drum kit, a haptic torch that
enables blind users to feel without touching, and the first ever
virtual building blocks. The technology also has important medical and
therapeutically applications in areas such as stroke rehabilitation
and physiotherapy.

What is this technology? - nothing more than a simple robot
manipulator, but with a difference. Whereas in the past robots had
their own worlds and people were discouraged from entering, now the
robots are being designed with the specific intension of interacting
with people. Now the same technology that builds cars, might soon sit
at your desk, at your gym, or in hospitals and could be used by the
humans to model cars, or manipulate impossible objects, or teach us
how to play golf like Tiger Woods, or even how to use a yo-yo on Mars.

If you want to know more, come along. All are welcome and no ticket is
required. Simply turn up on the night. For more details please contact
Dr Richard Mitchell at rjmitchell@iee.org, or 0118 378 6790

Directions: Enter the University at the main entrance from the A327
Shinfield Road. Follow the road until until it bends right, when you
turn left and almost immediately right. Go straight on when the road
goes to the left and park adjacent to the Palmer Building. See also
http://www.info.rdg.ac.uk/maps/maps-display.asp