You know those really kitsch carnival sidewalk guys who want you to give them a dollar so that they can embarrass you by guessing your age or weight? Well now, there's a more accurate way for somebody to indiscriminately determine those details about you, and it's all thanks to a new carpet that was created in Japan (where else?)

It has to do with a layer of electrodes built into the carpet that can measure electrical flow resistance caused by a person walking across it. It can then make an "educated guess" on everything from shoe size to gender.
If you're between 20 and 60, it'll be able to judge your age with nearly perfect accuracy. Gender seems to be the most difficult to assess, with accuracy levels of only 70% - 80%. It's based on where your center of gravity is, which is different for males and females.

Apparently this technology is being developed with the application of being able to provide stores with capacity information, as well as long-term trend analysis. I guess it could also be used in elevators to ensure that the maximum weight is not exceeded.

Whatever the use, it is kind of unnerving. It's as if you're being put on surveillance without being able to avoid the cameras. Thanks goodness this carpet can't determine what race you are, because that'd open a whole bucket of worms.

More at The Inquirer. Via Engadget

Report Published by: Mark Raby