Is there currently technology that senses the distance and density of matter and requires nothing be behind the object? If this device had the capability to graphically display this information I think that would impress more than anything else. You could scan for a broken bone, find lost objects in the grass (assuming they were more dense than the grass/dirt), or find studs or electrical wiring behind drywall in buildings.
Low-cost terahertz radar imaging [wikipedia.org] is going to be very useful in handheld devices. You really can see a short distance into many materials. Great for seeing pipes and electrical wiring in walls.
The day will come when that's a standard tool one buys at Home Depot.
Until that's working, a cooled IR imager would be useful. Those are great for finding heat leaks in houses, but currently cost too much.
The killer feature (Score:3)
Terahertz radar (Score:4, Interesting)
Low-cost terahertz radar imaging [wikipedia.org] is going to be very useful in handheld devices. You really can see a short distance into many materials. Great for seeing pipes and electrical wiring in walls. The day will come when that's a standard tool one buys at Home Depot.
Until that's working, a cooled IR imager would be useful. Those are great for finding heat leaks in houses, but currently cost too much.
Re:Terahertz radar (Score:2)
Soon to be nicknamed the 'Nudie-cam.'
Re: (Score:0)
it takes alot of tuning to see someone's genitals with Thz cameras. your more likely to be seeing their musculature and fat deposits.
in the very least, you could definitely tell who has real boobs or very well made implants.
Re: (Score:2)
Soon to be nicknamed the 'Nudie-cam.'
Obligatory (SFW) pic [modernsurvivalblog.com] worth 1K words. [Google image search result for "Terahertz imaging"].
Note to self: THz-camo underwear market will be big. Get in early.