Japanese scientists want to turn bananas into smartphones

Accessing gadgets via everyday objects.

‘Invoked computing’ is the logical next step of convergence; our never-ending quest to ditch those gadgety encumbrances and squeeze the lot into one box. Invoked computing is the glorious dénouement, which allows you to access your gadgets using everyday household objects via an ubiquitous augmented reality system.

This fascinating concept from the University of Tokyo means you can leave your phone and laptop at home, and instead use everyday objects to access them over a cloud. You might pick up a banana to make a call, or open a pizza box to tap away on your laptop. It’s a genius idea, with a working prototype too.

So how does it work? Cameras/projectors fitted in a room track you and recognise the gesture of picking up a call, even though your holding a banana, for instance. 

"The gesture is clear enough: directional microphones and parametric speakers hidden in the room would make the banana function as a real handset on the spot," explains head researcher Alexis Zerroug. 

Directional speakers project the caller’s voice, as if coming from the fruit. The same goes for the pizza box, with images and keyboard projected on to it too. 

Watch the video below to learn more.