Buttons that morph out of the surface of the device. • Hacker News Board

Re: Buttons that morph out of the surface of the device.

#91

Post by snowwrestler » Thu, Jun 07, 2012, 4:02 PM UTC

ceejayoz wrote: post #84

snowwrestler wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unless they're in a dogfight, airplanes do not require constant attention to the outside world. That's why autopilots and drones are technologies that have been available in the aerospace industry for years, but are just now getting good enough to consider in cars. Also consider the amount of training that goes into becoming a fighter pilot, vs. learning to drive a car. Powerful interfaces are complex and require a l…

> Unless they're in a dogfight, airplanes do not require constant attention to the outside world. This sounds like you're not a pilot. Pretty much the first thing flight school teaches you is situational awareness. Constantly visually scanning for nearby traffic is a very, very important skill.

What about IFR? What is the automotive equivalent of IFR?

Re: Buttons that morph out of the surface of the device.

#92

Post by ceejayoz » Thu, Jun 07, 2012, 4:46 PM UTC

snowwrestler wrote: post #91

ceejayoz wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Unless they're in a dogfight, airplanes do not require constant attention to the outside world. This sounds like you're not a pilot. Pretty much the first thing flight school teaches you is situational awareness. Constantly visually scanning for nearby traffic is a very, very important skill.

What about IFR? What is the automotive equivalent of IFR?

IFR is essentially the painted lines on the road - it's just a directional radio signal that you can follow to see if you're following the glideslope.

An autopilot can follow it, but even in IFR you're supposed to be visually scanning, as you can be in IFR weather while still having a mile or two of visibility around your plane.

Re: Buttons that morph out of the surface of the device.

#93

Post by snowwrestler » Thu, Jun 07, 2012, 11:02 PM UTC

ceejayoz wrote: post #92

snowwrestler wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What about IFR? What is the automotive equivalent of IFR?

IFR is essentially the painted lines on the road - it's just a directional radio signal that you can follow to see if you're following the glideslope. An autopilot can follow it, but even in IFR you're supposed to be visually scanning, as you can be in IFR weather while still having a mile or two of visibility around your plane.

Wait, are you a pilot? IFR (instrument flight rules) means you must be able to fly looking solely at your instruments, not out the window. There's no equivalent in driving.

I think you might be thinking of ILS.

Disclaimer: I'm not a pilot, although I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

Re: Buttons that morph out of the surface of the device.

#94

Post by ceejayoz » Fri, Jun 08, 2012, 4:54 PM UTC

snowwrestler wrote: post #93

ceejayoz wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

IFR is essentially the painted lines on the road - it's just a directional radio signal that you can follow to see if you're following the glideslope. An autopilot can follow it, but even in IFR you're supposed to be visually scanning, as you can be in IFR weather while still having a mile or two of visibility around your plane.

Wait, are you a pilot? IFR (instrument flight rules) means you must be able to fly looking solely at your instruments, not out the window. There's no equivalent in driving. I think you might be thinking of ILS. Disclaimer: I'm not a pilot, although I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

My dad's a private pilot.

IFR doesn't mean no visibility, it means visibility below minimums. If you're driving in fog, you still look out the window. Same for aircraft. You may be in instrument flight rules while being able to see the runway.

You're right, though, on ILS. Part of being able to do IFR, but not IFR itself.

Re: Buttons that morph out of the surface of the device.

#95

Post by bking » Mon, Jun 11, 2012, 5:27 PM UTC

It is funny to see this because a few years ago in college I mused with the idea of using bubbles for buttons on screens and drew up some plans I had. I didn't have the tech or the time to bring it about, but I am glad someone else has. The issues I came up with was how to build a small pneumatic motor that would fit in a device, not make much noise, work quick, and not drain all the power fast. I hope they can do it becasue tactile feedback would be nice. =)