Being stuck in the rain may soon become the ‘in’ thing, thanks to Japanese boffins who have invented an umbrella that comes equipped with the Internet.
Developed at the Okude laboratory in Tokyo’s Keio University, the high-tech umbrella comes with an integrated digital camera, built-in Wi-Fi and an attached projector.
The umbrella not only captures still images and video, but is also able to automatically upload them to Flickr and YouTube respectively. Named ‘Pileus’, the contraption can also project previously uploaded images above-head on the inside of the umbrella, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
As for how it works, well according to a website setup to promote ‘Pileus’, the user must be within range of a wireless internet hotspot, so that the contraption can capture the signal before he/she can access the photographs and video-sharing websites.
A Pileus prototype was first demonstrated earlier this year at UbiComp 2006, California.