While innovations in technology aren’t necessarily known for being easily accessible or user-friendly, adults and kids alike were lining up to test out the latest advances in the field at Wired magazine’s fourth annual NextFest at the Los Angeles Convention Center. College students and independent scientists and inventors, as well as folks associated with large corporations, made up the more than 160 exhibitors who attracted attention for high-tech gadgets with interactive booths at the show, held September 13 to 16.
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology sparked curiosity in its robot —which has the face of Albert Einstein and the body of a biped walking robot—by programming it to welcome attendees and shake their hands.Animaatiokone Industries’ Kick Ass King-Fu computer game, which projects two-dimensional images of players on screen and requires them to virtually battle opponents with real-life fight moves, had one of the longest lines on the convention floor, while the Interactive Institute’s Brainball, where players must control their brainwaves to propel a ball into an opponent’s goal, became something of a spectator sport, with people pausing to observe and encourage participants.
NextFest sponsors presented products and technological advancements alongside exhibitors. “We give sponsors their value by integrating them right into the event,” says Drew Schutte, the magazine’s vice president and publisher. “We’ve seen sponsors move away from wanting to just hang a logo up at an event to wanting to be a part of the experience, and NextFest gives them that opportunity.”
Presenting sponsor Hitachi set up an “Innovation Pavilion,” with more than 30 products and new technologies on display, including an interactive Indy race car, which attendees could virtually drive through a track simulated to look like the Indianapolis 500.
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology sparked curiosity in its robot —which has the face of Albert Einstein and the body of a biped walking robot—by programming it to welcome attendees and shake their hands.Animaatiokone Industries’ Kick Ass King-Fu computer game, which projects two-dimensional images of players on screen and requires them to virtually battle opponents with real-life fight moves, had one of the longest lines on the convention floor, while the Interactive Institute’s Brainball, where players must control their brainwaves to propel a ball into an opponent’s goal, became something of a spectator sport, with people pausing to observe and encourage participants.
NextFest sponsors presented products and technological advancements alongside exhibitors. “We give sponsors their value by integrating them right into the event,” says Drew Schutte, the magazine’s vice president and publisher. “We’ve seen sponsors move away from wanting to just hang a logo up at an event to wanting to be a part of the experience, and NextFest gives them that opportunity.”
Presenting sponsor Hitachi set up an “Innovation Pavilion,” with more than 30 products and new technologies on display, including an interactive Indy race car, which attendees could virtually drive through a track simulated to look like the Indianapolis 500.
A robot shook hands with a NextFest-goer.
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Kids grabbed handles as they lit up on the Interactive Institute's Digiwall.
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
Groups of children practiced their best fight moves with Animaatiokone Industries' Kick Ass Kung-Fu game.
Photo: BizBash
Photo: BizBash
