It was perhaps only a matter of time but its surprising that Toshiba’s new object recognition scanner hasn’t created more of a fuss. Basically what it does is dispense with the need for barcodes as it can recognise products from their colour, shape, labelling etc. Its being trialled by a supermarket in Japan and shows lots of potential. The really interesting extension of this technology is what could be done with it in smartphones, Google goggles and other AR applications.
When You Can’t Leave: Designing for the Flight Reflex in Airports, Venues, and Hospitals
In high-stimulus public spaces, our bodies do more than react – they strategise.
Airports, hospitals, and stadiums all evoke subtle “Flight” responses: scanning, pacing, early exits.
Understanding how threat appraisal drives behaviour can help architects and planners design calmer spaces – and reveal why relaxation, not excitement, predicts dwell, spend, and satisfaction.
