‘Festival of Technology’ Shows Cutting-Edge Gadgets

Somewhere in the San Fernando Valley, sometime in the not-too-distant future, you or your neighbors will cruise home in a sleek aluminum-clad electric vehicle, pet your robotic dog as he demonstrates mechanized pet tricks and then work up a virtual sweat in a virtual workout.

If you can’t wait, starting today you can get a glimpse of the future at Burbank’s Media City Center. Through Sept. 5, the shopping center will host Innovations ‘99, a “festival of technology,” designed to give technophobes and technophiles a peek at some cutting-edge gadgets for the home.

Featured items include EV1, the battery-powered coupe from General Motors Corp., “Aibo” the robotic dog from Sony Corp. and the Trazer Virtual Workout by Ohio-based Arena Inc.

In addition, visitors can stop by the Cyber Cafe, featuring rows of Internet-ready iMacs from Apple Computer Inc. or view the latest in home theater equipment.

“We saw an opportunity to share a lot of these technological advances with our customers,” said Daniel Millman, Media Center general manager. “It’s really a way to showcase some of the latest technology.”

In addition to the displays, the 10-day event will feature lectures on such topics as animation and advances in health care.

Millman said that, despite their futuristic feel, 95% of the items on display are currently on the market, and most of them can be found at Media Center shops that are helping to sponsor the show.

Sponsors include Sears, Sony, Ikea and the Los Angeles Times Valley Edition.

The event is open during regular mall hours.