Who says the queen in “Snow White” has dibs on the only magic mirror around?
Not designers at Accenture Labs. The company is being hailed for creating a “magic mirror” that gives ordinary people access to extraordinary views.
The mirror provides a computer-enhanced shot of what you might look like in the future. But not only does the mirror age you it also takes into account the bad habits some of us have.
For example, if you are a junk food junkie, a smoker, a heavy drinker or live a sedentary life the “magic mirror” incorporates that information into the final reflection. (And for some the peek into the future can be very scary.)
The “magic mirror” is equipped with a new digital device that transforms an image and reflects it back to an individual. Developers say the transformation is intended to approximate what somebody might look like if he or she continues to engage in a prolonged set of negative behaviors.
“Magic mirror” designers say they hope their new invention will help people see what they’ll look like in the future and perhaps persuade them to change bad behaviors if they don’t like what they see.
The folks at Accenture Labs say, the idea is, “a picture is worth a thousand warnings.”
Here’s how it works:
First, participants answer a list of questions about specific habits, including how much they exercise; whether they smoke, drink alcohol, or have poor dietary habits. That information is then inputted into a computer and the special software program, which works with digital cameras connected to the mirror, is then able to reflect an image of the participant showing the effects of certain behaviors.
Researchers say they would like to use the mirror on kids in an effort to combat childhood obesity. In addition, they say they would like doctors to install them in their offices so patients can see what the future holds for them if they continue to practice bad habits. However, the “magic mirror” is still in the testing stage, so don’t expect to see one at your doctor’s office for a while.
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