When you hear the word camouflage, images of fake foliage, random brown blobs, or maybe even the US military's failed pixelated fatigues come to mind. But researchers at MIT have developed a new algorithm that generates camouflage patterns that let an object blend into any surroundings, not just a jungle or the desert.


Designed to hide urban eyesores like electrical boxes in lush green parks, or an air conditioner sitting outside a historic building, the algorithm uses a series of images—taken at various angles around the object—to generate a camouflage pattern that can be turned into a covering.

The goal is to make the object less noticeable at a glance, because unlike a soldier, an air conditioner can't adjust its position and hunker low to the ground, or slip behind a tree to help further disguise itself. In other words, it may not be a perfect invisibility cloak just yet, but as a way to improve aesthetics, there's a good chance Voldemort won't notice that hideous breaker box on the wall. [MIT News]