Designed in 1986, SPHINX (again an acronym, this time for “Super Functional Integrated Communication System”) wasn’t just a computer, as it might seem, but a complex system for home automation, digital entertaining, communication, telecommuting, and even telemedicine. The project was commissioned by the State Council For Science and Technology, directly controlled by the Soviet Government, to VIINITE with the intention of creating “a revolutionary computer”.
The core of the system was a modular “memory unit” consisting of a CPU to which three triangular memory expansion modules could be connected. Such configuration was intended to allow different users – each member of a family, for example – to use different programs at the same time, in multitasking.
The system was intended to replace all the technological devices in a house, computers, telephone, television, radio, audio system, and so on. To do that, a number of peripherals were included.
– A large flat-panel display and TV with two spherical satellite loudspeakers, for home entertainment, and video-conference.
– One (or more) desktop unit – combining a computer and a video and multimedia player – with a keyboard, a 19” 15:9 ratio monitor, two detachable flat loudspeakers, wireless headphones, and an optional telephone. Such a unit did not have a mouse, replaced by a sort of d-pad with four triangular directional buttons.
– A handheld remote control with a small LCD screen, a microphone and a speaker which can also be turned into a palm computer.
– A number of futuristic wearable devices (never prototyped) including a smartwatch, smartcards, and augmented reality sunglasses.
Via Ralph H.
Originally shared by Inexhibit
The legendary #SPHINX, the high-tech system designed by Russian engineer and designer Dmitry Azrikan in 1986 with which the #SovietUnion tried (without success) to subvert the #computer world.
https://www.inexhibit.com/case-studies/project-sphinx-when-the-ussr-tried-to-change-the-computer/
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It would have been the original media center, but one odd thing: a flat panel in ‘86?
ReplyDeleteJose Pina Coelho those were invented in the mid 1960s.
ReplyDeleteI see nothing wrong with the idea, except anachronism.
ReplyDeleteOk I lie, I see plenty wrongs. Still, ambitious.
Meanwhile, we had crappy Apple and Commodore products. WTF?
ReplyDeletecourse ... ya know that Putin has a Sphinxtor.
ReplyDeleteCorrection... Putin is a Sphinxtor.
ReplyDelete