Science:

Home of the future

Computer scientists have found new ways to use technology to make people's lives easier.

Setting up cameras in the kitchen to record each step made in cooking helps cooks pick up where they left off if distracted. An electronic picture can use symbols to convey a wealth of information. A camera worn around a person's neck can interpret gestures, transmit them to electronic devices, replacing remote controls.

What does your future look like? Here's a look at what some of the leading scientists are working on today to bring into your homes tomorrow.

On the outside a home might look like any other ... but inside, it can be high-tech all the way! Sensors can show if someone is in your home and where they are at all times. You can check in from any computer - anywhere.

"A system called the cook's collage uses cameras and it takes pictures as you cook," says Elizabeth Mynatt, interactive computing expert at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

The cook's collage records the images so if you get distracted by the kids when you're cooking, you can take a quick look and remember what you've already done.

And they say a painting says a thousand words - well some paintings actually do. These paintings are called Info Canvases.

"It helps people keep aware of the information that may not be crucial, but it's important in their lives," says John Stasko, interactive computing expert.

The electronic picture is hooked up to the computer, so at a quick glance, images in the picture reflect what's going on. The more red stripes on a barber poll, the worse the traffic on the way home. A sailboat represents the time of day.

The sun on represents the weather right now, and on the other side of the picture is the forecast for tomorrow. The colour of a towel changes when there's an email from a spouse.

"If your stocks are doing really well, maybe a bird will be flying high in the sky. When they're not doing so well [it's not]," Stasko said.

And forget your remote control! A new gesture watch has four sensors on it and can recognize hand gestures that can control the TV, lights, DVD, mp3 player - just about anything.

And instead of an office, this may be all you'll need - a wearable computer. Thad Starner wears his computer on a heads up display. Thad sees notes, past emails, and is able to email colleagues as he's talking to someone else.

"Just like a normal computer display, but it puts the image right out here in front of me," Starner said.

It's hooked up to a battery pack and small computer - and can run for days. Starner says the wearable computer doesn't hurt his eyes and that actually, his eyesight has gotten better since he's started using it. All of this technology is being tested right now, and could be ready for consumers in the next five years. Just a few new ideas that may change the way you live in the future.