Things around you

Cool inventions

Can you imagine a world without computers, mobile phones and DVD-players? Throughout history inventors’ ideas have changed the way we live. And 21^st-century scientists are no exception. They are dreaming up new ideas to make our life easier – or at least a lot more fun. Here are only a few of the recent cool inventions.

Wearable computers

If you are hooked on the computer and can’t tear away from it, don’t worry. Soon you’ll be able to wear it – on your wrist, in your glasses and even in your earrings. The first wearable computers are already on sale though they are probably a bit bulgy right now.

Don’t be surprised if in a few years you’ll be putting on your socks and your computer each morning before you go to work. Of course, you might not even have to leave the house. Scientists predict that in the future most of us will work from home!

At your service

If you are sick and tired of helping your parents about the house, then a new robot could be the answer.

Wakamaru, made by Mitsubishi, has been designed to make people’s life easier. This bright yellow robot with beady ears can do different jobs for you and help you remember things you have to do.

Here are some things Wakamaru can say: 'Let me search the Internet!', 'Welcome back!', 'You are home late!', 'What time will you be back?'

If Wakamaru is on its own and something seems wrong, it can e-mail its owner to let them know there is a problem.

It’s so clever that when its batteries run out Wakamaru knows that it needs to recharge itself, so it does.

Bowwow

Have you ever wondered what your dog is really thinking? Takara, a Japanese toymaker, has invented a gadget which translates dog barks into human words!

Depending on how your dog barks and growls, this gadget – called the Bowlingual – 'translates' them into phrases like 'I can’t stand it,' 'How boring,' and 'I’m lonely. Play with me, please.'

Latest craze

A new British invention – the underwater bike – could soon become the latest water-sports craze.

Just like an ordinary bicycle, it has pedals, but instead of turning wheels, they turn a propeller. The inventor of the underwater bike, Douglas Buchanan, hopes that his invention will make swimming ling distances much easier – and much more fun of course.

Call Me on My Tooth

Two British researchers have developed a 'phone tooth.' Seriously. It can be hidden in a molar to receive mobile-phone calls. The signals travel from the tooth through the skull to the inner ear, where only the receiver can hear them. Unfortunately, you can’t buy a phone tooth yet – there’s only one. Besides, how would you return your calls?

And the winner is…

Forget about strict judges! A computer programme is now going to decide what sort of songs are going to be big hits.

The programme, called Hit Song Science, has already proved it works, predicting the success of jazz star Norah Jones long before she appeared at the Grammys in 2003.

It compares the bits and pieces that make up the tracks and decides if they are hits or not. It even thinks U2 and Beethoven have similar star qualities!

Thinking clothes

Scientists in Belgium are working on the clothes of the future – 'I-Wear’ (Intelligent Wear).

The clothes will perform many functions – from taking your phone calls to keeping a check on your health. Commercial production of such clothes is some way off, but a shirt with a simple memory function has already been developed.

So, if you forget to put your key or wallet in its pocket, the thinking shirt will warn you.

Car of the future

What will the car of the future look like? This one has no engine. It doesn’t need petrol. There isn’t even a steering wheel. Best of all, it doesn’t pollute the air!

Unlike today’s cars, the Hy-wire, designed by General Motors, doesn’t give off any harmful gases into the air. It is powered by chemical reactions between oxygen and water. The only thing car releases is water vapour.

Notes

wearable	переносной
to be hooked on	быть привязанным к, не представлять себе
to tear away	оторваться, отвлечься
wrist	запястье
bulgy	громоздкий
to be sick and tired of	надоедать
beady eyes	глаза-бусинки
on one’s own	один, в одиночестве
to run out	садиться (о батарейках)
to recharge	перезаряжать
bowwow	гав-гав
gadget	приспособление, техническая новинка, устройство
to growl	рычать
I can’t stand it.	я этого не выношу
latest craze	последний пик моды
wheel	колесо
molar	коренной зуб
skull	череп
inner ear	внутреннее ухо
bits and pieces	фрагменты
to keep a check (on)	контролировать, следит за
way off	далеко, нескоро
engine	двигатель
steering wheel	руль
harmful	вредный
oxygen	кислород
vapour	пар