Birt Family Focus

Innoventions West -- 5/30/02

Well, we just got off SE so our next stop is the left side of Innoventions- I think it is the West side. As you enter, Tom Morrow, a cute little robot, welcomes you and invites you to play with the displays.

The first display is called Networked Living. This is a very cool computer setup. You walk up a big ramp and stand in a circle around a bank of computer screens set kind of below you. Then you are free to surf for a while via IBM's Planerider. It's pretty neat and PC buffs will really enjoy it. You can send home an internet postcard from here as well.

After surfing a while, we stroll over to the next display- the Ultimate Home Theater Experience presented by Lutron. Now I am not really up on my techno stuff and had never heard of Lutron before I saw this display. If you like watching movies in the privacy of your own home, this is a must for you. My husband actually salivates when we are here.

From the home theater we stroll on to the Beautiful Science display presented by Monsanto. This area shows you how science is working to solve world food and health problems in an ecologically safe manner. The littles will love the Tunnel of Bugs.

Next stop- Video Games of Tomorrow- even I have trouble leaving this area. There are a bunch of PC's set up with games to play in Sega's Dreamcast mode. There are no chairs to sit and get comfy and it's a good thing!

After about an hour here (trust me-it's EASY for an hour to get away from you) you will want to go to the next display - Medicine's New Vision presented by the Radiological Society of North America. This is very interesting to anyone with medical background or who is interested in medical technology. Inside the dome you will be presented with a film detailing some of the ways diagnostics will change and are changing now. Afterwards, there are a couple of games to play to test what you learned.

Lastly, just before you leave you will come across the Xerox display called the Knowledge Vortex. This focuses on stationary technology in the future- paperless notebooks (much like the Palm Pilot in use today) and various other ideas for capturing and sharing information.

That done, wave byby to Tom Morrow at the exit door. It is so very informative and fun that I don't miss the old Communicore much at all. Those that don't remember Communicore won't miss a thing! Be sure and make time in your itinerary to visit Innoventions, you'll be glad you did. Next stop (if there's time in our day!) Universe of Energy!