Flying Infrared
Yes, it’s a robotic hummingbird. It’s not on toy store shelves now and it won’t be the hottest toy next Christmas, but it’s still pretty hot right now.
The hummingbird is not meant as a toy but a serious robotic development from Japan. Infrared sensors control the robot, which is small and behaves similarly to the biological original, and the team is working on attaching a camera to the bot as well as creating a hover mode for the gadget. Hopefully the bird will be ready soon and be able to help search in dangerous situations. Earthquake rubble, avalanches, this hummingbird will be much more useful it seems than the original.
New Facebook Friends
As if Facebook hasn’t already taken over our lives enough lets add animal cuteness, animal training, and animal voices.
My Desk Friend by arimaz is a small robotic penguin that connects to any computer and combines with your facebook profile to perform actions. Through your profile you can exercise, feed, and play with your “friend”. These actions control your pets mood, which you can read by the changing color of the robot’s eyes. The penguin also alerts you when friends are online, read facebook messages to you, and poke other friends.
The robot itself, other than changing eye color, can also move and interact when you pet it or shake it, or use voice commands. It sounds cool on paper, but I feel like the thing will just end up taking up more desk space than I have. I don’t need anyone to read me facebook messages, reading is one thing I can still do on my own.
Mind over Matter
Who doesn’t want the ability to control stuff with their mind? It’s like super powers right?
Well, Honda researchers in Japan have come up with a slightly less fantastical control and use for a kind of scientific telekinesis. BMI (or Brain Machine Interface, not Body Mass Index) looks like a giant hairstyling chair with a white air conditioner attached to the back. The point, however, has nothing to do with the style. BMI basically measures electric currents and almost infrared spectroscopy, or brain blood flow. This makes it possible to control a certain robot with just your thoughts.
Obviously it’s still in the development stages but, aside from being cool, the possibilities this kind of technology presents for anyone who’s physically disabled or just needs some extra help around the house is amazing.
Robots and Us
This is probably the best idea ever. Not only does it exemplify disposable tech, it’s also incredibly amusing.
Tweenbots is a project by Tisch ITP students at NYU . The idea behind the project is to examine people’s relationships to space and how they interact with what they find there. Armed with a cardboard covered robot and a video camera the experiment is pretty excellent.
The web site has the cutest video of the little robot in Washington Square park and shows both the great people who help it along and the wary people who take a step away. The trick is the robot can only move forwards and absolutely depends on the help of strangers to get to its destination, the other side of the park.
Due to the unanticipated success of the first project other tweenbot scenarios are under development, including other traveling bots and a few that are left about the city with “family” phone numbers to call if they are found. I’d help out if I lived in New York City, I only wish I was capable enough to build my own robot in the first place.
Salute to the Science Convention
The 26th Army Science Convention took place this past month showcasing research and projects meant to make soldiers both more effective as well as safer.
Some of the most interesting projects included Extracellular Matrix or “magic dust” that could help the body regenerate digits or limbs. Rebuilding missing or damaged bone was also a focus at the conference.
Robots were also displayed in great numbers at the convention. The BEAR robot, for example, could assist in removing injured soldiers from battle zones.
It’s great to own a faster laptop or being able to prevent the flu, but beyond civilian applications science makes more sense than anything when applied to army initiatives and needs.
Father’s Day Gift Guide
I know it is last-minute, but Father’s Day has really snuck up on me this year. I’m always looking for something clever and tech-y for my dad who is an original computer geek and software designer. This year I have found some very cool prospects I thought I would share. Of course you may have to pay extra shipping to get them by Sunday!
For the Stargazer-Meade Mysky $349
This “point-and-shoot” sky guide lets users point at an object in the night sky and get an instant 411. It easily locates nebula, planets, stars and more than 30,000 celestial objects. Has a full-color LCD screen and easy-to-use interface.
For the Adoring Grandpa-Digital Brag Book $120
This super-sleek aluminum case digital brag book holds 2000 images and features a 3.5″ LCD screen. Perfect for the dad or grandad who likes showing off his brood.
For the Scale-Model Afficianado-Lego Mindstorms NXT $250
Not your kids’ Lego set! These ultra-high tech robots, errrrr . . . models, are full of digital features. They contain built-in rotation sensors to align speed for precise control and can react to sound commands, patterns and tones. With more than 500 pieces, these are not for the faint-of-heart, but if you have your own programmable robot at the end of it, who cares?! (via WIRED)
For the Sports Fan-Ambient Wireless Baseball Scorecast $130
Great for the on-the-go sports fan. This hand-held or desktop device receives info from any MLB team via a free network. The 3×5 screen displays score, standing, and schedule information with the press of a button. Other models exist for additional sports.
For the Beer Lover-USB Beverage Chiller $40
OK, so it’s not just for beer lovers, but you can keep your cans, bottles and glasses a cool 45 degrees just by plugging in the USB cord to your computer.
For the Chef-Wireless Talking BBQ & Oven Thermometer $60
This thermometer will keep dear old dad from charring his favorite steaks or burning the burgers. The thermometer features five languages, eight entrée programs, four doneness levels, and four verbal and audio alert options—”almost ready,” “ready,” “overcooked” and “out-of-range.”
For the Boy Scout–Swiss Army Memory Tool $85
He’ll be at the ready with this super-cool Swiss Army knife and USB flash drive. The tool features a blade, a screwdriver, scissors, key ring, LCD light and ballpoint pen. It comes in a 1GB and 2GB model ($120).
