14 Must-See Exhibits at WIRED NextFest in Chicago

WIRED NextFest is an annual innovation showcase organized by WIRED Magazine where some of the world's greatest minds come together to demo projects they're working on.

This year's expo is being held in Chicago's Millennium Park from September 27 - October 12 and features exhibits of sustainable design, next generation healthcare, interactive art and games, humanoid robotics and more.. Organizers invited the press in for a preview Friday.  Here are 14 highlights from 40+ on the floor:

1. HumanCar - Imagine_PS

Move over Fred Flintstone: The “HumanCar” by Imagine_PS is a vehicle comprised entirely of recycled plastics that can go up to 60 mph without burning fossils fuels. The car can run exclusively on manpower, with four passengers propelling it forward using electricity-producing rowing handles. 

#2. "Moe" the robotic sheep mower - Carnegie Mellon University

Mower by Carnegie Mellon University (see it in action here) is a Styrofoam robot sheep. With shears in its mouth and rangefinders in its eyes, it can clip the lawn and avoid obstacles. The creator Osman Khan, who affectionately named the sheep “Moe,” says this robot is more than just a lawnmower, it’s art.

#3. "Solid Ink" Ink Cartridges - Xerox

These Solid Ink blocks, by Xerox, melt, becoming liquid ink inside the printer. Because they come cartridge-free, they create 90 percent less waste than laser toner cartridges. The Wikipedia entry has a good pro/con crundown on them. 

#4. Immersa-Dome - Aardvark Applications

Immersa-Dome by Aardvark Applications puts Smell-O-Vision to shame. When inside Immersa-Dome, the first multi-sensory, projection-based virtual reality system, your seat vibrates, simulated gusts of wind blow through your hair and time-triggered scents give you whiffs of apple pie fresh out of the oven, sun tan oil and a freshly peeled orange. 

#5. BeatBots - National Institute of Information and Communications Technology at Carnegie Mellon University

“Keepon” will likely be the cutest robot you will ever see. BeatBots by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology at Carnegie Mellon University, provide autism therapy by working with children in a less-intimidating manner than humans can. 

#6. Xtreme Concentrated Photovoltaics - Sunrgi

Xtreme Concentrated Photovoltaics by Sunrgi maximize the sun’s reusable energy by concentrating its light on tiny, ultra-efficient solar cells. The cells can track the sun’s rays, magnify them to 2,000 times their original brightness and turns roughly 40 percent of that concentrated light into electricity. Normal solar panels convert just 15 percent. 

#7. Chris Anderson - EIC of WIRED

Chris Anderson, editor in chief of WIRED magazine and author of “The Long Tail,” speaks at a private media event Sept. 26. Anderson spoke about his upcoming book, “Free: Why $0.00 is the future of business.” “Whatever business you’re in, sooner or later you’re going to have to compete with free – what’s your plan?” he said. 

#8. News at Seven - Intelligent Information Laboratory, Northwestern University

News at Seven by the Intelligent Information Laboratory at Northwestern University makes television newscasters obsolete. The News at Seven system automatically collects interesting stories from the Web (along with relevant photos, video and blog posts), then delivers them via artificial anchors. Text-to-speech technology makes the announcer almost human. 

#9. i-REAL - Toyota

Toyota’s i-REAL is a three-wheeled, personal mobility vehicle. The “walk” mode brings the driver to a higher position, minimizing the space the vehicle takes up and makes movement through pedestrian traffic easier. 

#10. C-Leg system and Dynamic Arm Elbow 12K100 - Otto Bock Healthcare

In September 2001, Cameron Clapp lost both legs above the knees and his right arm in a train accident. He was initially told he would never walk again. Now, with Otto Bock Healthcare’s C-Leg system and Dynamic Arm Elbow 12K100, Clapp can walk, run, swim, play golf and drive a “normal” car. 

#11. Hoverit Lounger - Hoverit

The Hoverit Lounger by Hoverit defies gravity by using repelling magnetic forces in the bed and base causing the chaise lounge-style chair to hover above the base. The loungers magnetic fields can help those suffering from backaches, headaches and muscular discomfort. 

#12. MARCbot - NASA

The MARCbot, or Multi-function Agile Remote Control Robot, designed by NASA, is a new favorite of the U.S. military. They have already purchased 400 to help soldiers identify IEDs and other hazards without risking their own lives. 

#13. Modular Snake Robot - Carnegie Mellon University

Frederick Layton, of Carnegie Mellon University, demonstrates how the Modular Snake Robot can climb any surface, including his own leg. Designed to help with everything from search and rescue missions to routine plumbing maintenance, the snake robot can slither or swim in even the most precarious environments. With a camera affixed to its body, it can provide visibility in areas that humans just can’t fit. 

#14. Erasable Paper - Xerox

More than 40 percent of all office printouts are discarded the day they are printed. Xerox’s Erasable Paper could help ensure more paper is reused, rather than recycled. By coating the paper with photosensitive chemicals, a light bar can be used to provide a specific wavelength of light that creates visible text on the page. This printing then self-erases over a 24-hour period, so the now-blank paper can be repeatedly reused. The paper photographed from left to right has faded 0 to 4 hours, 4 to 8 hours, 8 to 16 hours and 16 to 24 hours.