Who needs an internet fridge tomorrow...

[sbisson]

... when you can have an internet sewing machine today?

Spotted yesterday at the Microsoft Device Alley press event, the Bernina MyArista 200 sewing machine. A computer controlled sewing machine, capable of some quite complicated embroidery when used as a XY plotter, it's also able to use a modem to connect via a built-in web browser to a portal site, where you can download new patterns and stitches.

Rather unusual, and quite intriguing - and a standout among the military translators, home entertainment equipment, exercise machines, and the like...

Comments

[muninnhuginn]

It's quite amazing how complex the design and programming features of sewing machines have quietly (presumably 'cos they're not deemed cool and sexy in the standard way) become over the years. I've not tried any further than having an occasional go in shops: the problem with sewing machines is that they last--seemingly forever,--can be repaired and refurbished and I can't justify a third. Still think the new Brothers look cooler tho'. There's a whole competitive industry out there.

[latexiron.livejournal.com]

But have you managed to find out how much it cost?

[quercus.livejournal.com]

Thing with powered needles, millimetres away from your fingers.

And it runs Windows

Finally the PC starts to catch up ...

[the-magician.livejournal.com]

Many years ago (I seem to recall it was before Intersection, which would make it pre-mid 1995) there was a review of a Mac controlled embroidery machine in PCW. It looked like it worked great and (if I recall correctly) it cost about 800 pounds (which was cheaper than a laser printer in those days) ... and I wanted one. I've mentioned it to people at least once a year ever since, and I'm glad to finally see a PC one!

I still want one! Convention badges, logos on baseball hats and t-shirts, all sorts of things ... me want! :-)

[mdlbear]

The flower_cat's Janome 10000 is bit older but still has a touchscreen, USB and serial ports, and a PCMCIA slot. All the I/O is for file transfer; as far as I know there's no way for the PC to drive it directly as a plotter. Makes sense -- you have hard real-time on the sewing machine, and a lot of tricky timing.

I remember the first attempts to drive a Diablo daisy-wheel printer from a computer at Xerox PARC: miss the timing on the hammer and you have a stripped daisy and petals all over the room.