For the first time ever, a team of engineers created simple plastic objects that communicate wirelessly–without using batteries or electronics.

[G W]

Scientists at the University of Washington have engineered something that defies belief:inexpensive plastic contraptions that, despite containing no electronics or electricity, act like sensors and connect to Wi-Fi devices like your smartphone. It’s something that “no one has been able to do before,” according to Vikram Iyer, a University of Washington doctoral student and coauthor of a paper on the research.

 

https://www.fastcodesign.com/90153475/this-detergent-bottle-talks-to-your-wi-fi-heres-why-youd-want-it-to?partner=rss&utm_campaign=rss%20fastcodesign&utm_content=64336845

[Goose66]

I'll believe it when I see it work. This is one of those times when a blogger/reporter who bills himself as "a creative director, screenwriter, and producer" just doesn't have enough technical sense to see how this could really amount to anything.

[apostolakisl]

Seems like the "noise" it puts onto the wifi freqency would be quite weak and require something pretty close by to "hear" it.  Like maybe your phone is in your pocket when you pour the detergent with an app running that picks this stuff up.  That would make it quite hit or miss on whether you actually collect any data.

[kohai]

I actually read about this.  They are putting the 3d models out there for 3d printing and people to test on their own.  So, maybe not vaporware.  

[LFMc]

Think of RFID. Sounds similar to me, just add movement to the mix.

 

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

[Goose66]

That's a far cry from "connecting to your Wi-fi devices."

[asbril]

I want to come back in 50 years and see the amazing things that will exist.

[stusviews]

I want to come back in 50 years and see the amazing things that will exist.

 

It'll exist alongside cold fusion

[LFMc]

Here is the Amazon version of this if you want it today.  

[G W]

Here is the Amazon version of this if you want it today.

The Dash button has a battery.

[stusviews]

The Dash button has a battery.

 

That's just the way the tide flows