WIRED NextFest 2007

September 18, 2007

To celebrate my birthday (which was Monday, September 17), Kevin and I met my mother and step-father at the LA Convention Center last Saturday for the 4th annual WIRED NextFest.

What is the WIRED NextFest? Basically, it’s like taking all the cool stuff you see in WIRED magazine and being able to pick it up and test it out. They described it as “a new world’s fair”. There were a total of 160 exhibits from scientists, researchers, and inventors around the globe. And those exibits ranged from innovations in communication, design, entertainment and exploration, to health, play, robots, transportation, security, and green living.

To say that we had fun was an understatement. There was SO much stuff to see and play with, it was a little overwhelming. At first, we didn’t know where to start! We ended up roaming from one section to another, but I’m sure that we missed some stuff along the way.

Since I can’t really share every single exibit we visited, I’ll share my two favorites.

Archouse with Greenlight

Archouse with Greenlight

A not-quite-full-sized (okay, it was small) house, that you could walk through. It was decluttered and tastefully decorated with the newest and greatest eco-living furniture and accessories. A hanging lamp that grows plants? Check! A solar-powered curtain with light show? Check! Also included was a roof with grass growing on it, as well as several self-watering flower pots. Mmmm.. Off the grid goodness.

Light Harp

Light Harp

As you entered the pavilion, this interactive harp was playing. To make music, you can use your fingers, arms, legs (or whatever) to break the red laser beams stretching from the top steel pipe to the lower steep pipe. All the electronics needed to power the Light Harp are embedded in the steel piping. Touching different points on the beams will make higher or lower sounds, and quick moves increase volume, while slow touches produce gentle music. So cool!

There you have it. If you want to see more, I may someday post a photo of two of the bazillion we took. 😉 Or you could just go to next year’s NextFest.. See you there?

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