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The Bluetooth Umbrella is my wet dream, literally. I'm always on the damn phone and the ability to talk handsfree into the handle is just aces. It also doubles as a radio for those times when I. . . okay I hardly ever listen to the radio but hey, it doesn't hurt to have it.
Just don't call me crazy when you see me walking down the street in pouring rain talking into my umbrella handle. I'm not crazy!
via Yanko Design
The "Mask of Emotion", a project from the Digital Media Design Dept at Hongik University in Korea, trades facial expressions for LED emoticons. The default setting is no expression, but if people shake hands with the wearer, the mask smiles. The project was designed to hide personal emotions by eliciting a different set of public facial expressions that could be used to generate conversation and response in public spaces.
The "Mask of Emotion", a project from the Digital Media Design Dept at Hongik University in Korea, trades facial expressions for LED emoticons. The default setting is no expression, but if people shake hands with the wearer, the mask smiles. The project was designed to hide personal emotions by eliciting a different set of public facial expressions that could be used to generate conversation and response in public spaces.
iXs Research Corporation in Japan unveiled their robotic teddy bear that works as a gps navigation system but goes a step further by gesturing with its arm/legs along with voice instructions. It also functions as booze control refusing to let you drive if it "smells" how drunk you are. And if you're a crappy reckless driver, it'll yell, "watch out!"
OMG, what a backseat driver! I can't stand that, but it's not all annoyances. If you pet its head, you'll get information about nearby landmarks. Snap!
I don't know who iXs Research are but they've billed themselves as making "cool robots" right in their logo so they've gotta be legit! On another note, somebody needs to run that bear thru the wash because he's not looking very Downy fresh and what's up with that ridiculously huge bow?
via Pink Tentacle
iXs Research Corporation in Japan unveiled their robotic teddy bear that works as a gps navigation system but goes a step further by gesturing with its arm/legs along with voice instructions. It also functions as booze control refusing to let you drive if it "smells" how drunk you are. And if you're a crappy reckless driver, it'll yell, "watch out!"
OMG, what a backseat driver! I can't stand that, but it's not all annoyances. If you pet its head, you'll get information about nearby landmarks. Snap!
I don't know who iXs Research are but they've billed themselves as making "cool robots" right in their logo so they've gotta be legit! On another note, somebody needs to run that bear thru the wash because he's not looking very Downy fresh and what's up with that ridiculously huge bow?
via Pink Tentacle
Don't ya'll get it? Robot dominance isn't going to happen thru weapons and war. They're going to be much more subversive, slowly taking over by integrating into society's most influential staples - like music. Take for example Honda's ASIMO conducting the Detroit Symphony. Don't be fooled by his polite bows. Underneath that mask is a super computer plotting and calculating.
HTC just released it's "iPhone Killer" dubbed the Touch Diamond. It's powered by Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, comes with a 2.8" VGA touch screen, GPS, WiFi, and 3G. Hit the jump for the full list of specs.
So what do you think? HTC did a great job with the interface but underneath it all it's still Windows Mobile. iPhone killer?
Sure Pleo may be no match for a Battlebot but mark my words,
"On the 1st year when tiny calves grow to become lords of their shepherds, will the Earth see them exact their revenge on those machines of unholy purpose and nature."
They don't call 'em thunder lizards for nothing.
Those crazy kids at MIT labs are at it again. This time their collaborative efforts have netted a new robot called Nexi. It has a Segway-like body with articulated limbs and a face that can convey a simple range of emotions. Those MIT lab rats are studying how social relationships develop so Nexi's main task is to observe and interact. It just wants to be liked by you.
It's interesting how the Japanese and Koreans often design their bots to be animal or child-like with very anthropomorphic characteristics while western robotics tend to favor human likeness.
Hit the jump to see Nexi.
If you recall, I blogged about my new Turtle God which just so happens to be Toshiba's latest universal remote control robot. Those big doe eyes and cute disposition has a purpose. We have a tendency to lash out when things don't go our way, like flinging a remote across the room when it doesn't work, or smacking a cable box when it won't... um, cable. Toshiba hopes by making their robots as innocent as Bambi, we'll think twice about smacking it when it refuses to change channels.
via Crunch Gear
Toshiba may have lost the HD format war but the company still manages to kick out neat ideas like the ApriPoko, a robot universal remote that learns by watching and asking you questions. It doesn't walk despite having feet but it does have some amazing eyes. Anytime it detects IR signals, it speaks up and asks, "what did you just do?" Tell it what you did and it memorizes it.
Couch potatoes will LOVE this thing. They don't even have to move their hands now. Just shout what you want because every wish is your command.
via Asahi
Emocare's latest watch, the BT2, takes the cake for being the most complete "big brother watchin' your emotions" solution I've seen. It measures almost every biometric reading possible and sends it to a computer. Now you're employers know how you're feeling and how you react in different situations.
This is how I imagine Disney Theme Parks keeps their minions employees in check. As soon as your smile begins to crack, the watch alerts park authorities. The first rule for working at Disney Theme Parks is to ALWAYS SMILE.
via Gizmodo
I removed the crappy one that came with my car. I've held out on 3rd party solutions from Tom Tom, Sony, Garmin, and Navigon. I even refrained from a pretty decent solution for my Sony PSP because it doesn't have a touchscreen. My iPhone is with me 24/7 so it's about damn time somebody came up with a viable (no-hack required) solution.
Nav N Go demoed their iGo My Way 8 software on the iPhone and it seems perfect. I've used iGo on an old Nokia phone before so I'm familiar with the interface, not to mention satisfied with its GPS capabilities. The iPhone version utilizes a small dongle to receive the GPS single and that's about all you need to get it working. Best part is with the iPhone's multi-touchscreen, manipulating GPS data will be that much easier and fun!
Hit the jump for the video. Try HARD to ignore the awful elevator music.
Part of a family of "Transitional Species," Blubber Bots are Do-It-Yourself robotic inflatables that navigate autonomously and intelligently. They are light-seeking helium-filled balloons that graze the landscape in search of light and cellphone signals.
I totally want an army of these I can control with my Wii-mote.
It's only February but toy manufacturers and analysts are already hard at work predicting what the next big "Elmo" toy will be. One company, Kids Preferred, has all bets on their Smart-e series toys. They're semi interactive plushes that can download songs and stories to read for just 99 cents a piece.
So basically it's a Teddy Ruxpin connected to the internet. That and the Smart-e Bear has weird penguin feet. I don't remember Teddy Ruxpin having that.
via Newlaunches
I have ALWAYS wanted to ride a dinosaur since I was a little kid, especially a triceratops. Playschool is going to make my dreams come true with Kota the Triceratops. It debuted this week at the annual Toy Fair and buzz is building. Measuring over 40 inches tall, Kota is fully interactive with the latest tech goodies. He/She can feel touch and reacts to external stimuli.
My gripe is Playschool says Kota is only strong enough to support the weight of kids, not adults. THAT IS NOT GOING TO STOP ME. What might stop me is the $300 price tag but I've got til' this Fall to save up. Look out cuz I'm me and my dinosaur are coming thru!
via Popgadget
Elmo didn't do so hot this past holiday season. SHOCKER! But he's spent the last several months learning a few new tricks. This Elmo not only laughs uncontrollably, but also dances, sings, tells stories, and OMG JAZZ HANDS!
Hit up Gizmodo to see more action.
How much of an Apple fanboy are you? And by Apple I mean the original computers - pre-Mac. Probably one of the most familiar Apple computers is the Apple II series. Some guy name Dan managed to get his mitts on an unopened mint condition Apple IIc (color) for a cool 2 G's off ebay. He posted a bunch of photos in flickr and boy does it bring back memories.
It's also nice to see even then Apple led the way with thoughtful industrial design. For a computer in its day, the IIc was quite compact. I love how the cooling vents on the CPU and monitor look more design than functional which is key for a great design. Even the packaging and those ultra rare Apple stickers are a sight to see.
How much of an Apple fanboy are you? And by Apple I mean the original computers - pre-Mac. Probably one of the most familiar Apple computers is the Apple II series. Some guy name Dan managed to get his mitts on an unopened mint condition Apple IIc (color) for a cool 2 G's off ebay. He posted a bunch of photos in flickr and boy does it bring back memories.
It's also nice to see even then Apple led the way with thoughtful industrial design. For a computer in its day, the IIc was quite compact. I love how the cooling vents on the CPU and monitor look more design than functional which is key for a great design. Even the packaging and those ultra rare Apple stickers are a sight to see.
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