Tag: Computers
Android Geminoid 'breathes' and has 'real hair'
Geminoid is an android that breathes, using compressed air, and responds to physical contact such as being poked. He’s been created as a robot double, to allow his human counterpart, Japanese scientist Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro (shown), to (for example) give remote presentations or lectures. Video after the jump, and more video from the BBC below. [GT]
Plasma Lift lets you hide your love away
Shows like How Not to Decorate constantly bemoan the way the telly takes centre stage in parlours, and embed them in giant armoires that require you to get up and open the cupboard doors before you can use your remote. Now the armoire itself has a remote, with the Auton Motorized Systems Plasma Lift. Your entire plasma screen fits nicely in as pretty a box as you like, and you just jam a button with your grimy thumb every time you want living colour to spice up your space. No price given, but you can request a quote. [GT]
Med e-Monitor Device updates the pillbox
The Med-eMonitor™ System "reminds, educates, monitors and reports" on up to 25 prescriptions, which is probably even enough for me. It is a state-of-the-art pillbox, with a web-based interface and updatable firmware. The idea of the Med-eMonitor is to…
Abra-garrafas musical "Guitarra" bottle opener
Nothing goes together like beer and guitars, so the Guitarra bottle opener is a bottle opener shaped like a guitar. It turns you into a Monster of Rock with each usage by playing a wicked chord on your killer purple plastic axe. A rare gadget that will (as you get more plastered) amuse you more and more with successive usage. 9 €. [GT]
Dr. Who sonic screwdriver looks jusssst right
We’ve seen sonic screwdrivers come and go over the years, but this is the first one sure to be exactly like the one the Doctor uses on the actual program (superpowers not included). It has the exact light and sound from the show, and extends the same way. It also has a UV light at one end and a pen nib at the other. The story goes like this: the prop made for the new series was small. Then this toy came out – it was bigger to accommodate the batteries – and the Dr. Who producers revamped the TV prop on a mold from this toy. So this Sonic Screwdriver is exactly the same size as the one Dr. Who uses on TV! $15. [GT]
Moleskine hard drive enclosure
The Moleskine hard drive elicits deep ambivalence. On the one hand, anything by Moleskine is sleek, light, portable, and has an unimpeachable literary heritage. Perhaps a hard drive stored within a Moleskine would be flavoured with greatness right through…
Resitec Earthing Static, versus a thousand natural shocks
Especially in the winter, but at risk for it all times of year, I get zapped by anything that can build up a static charge. It gets to the point where I’ll tap-tap-tap anything metal I have to touch, especially door handles, and run the risk of looking like I have OCD just to avoid getting shocked. So I’m very keen on the Resitec Earthing Static, a keychain which lights up when it detects static, and then disperses it. Finally, I can wear wool again! $14 from Brando. [GT]
Scientists to build robot society
To learn more about human society, the University of Abertay is building a robot colony in Dundee. Sixty robots will live together under observation (which we scientifically know will change the results) to allow researchers to introduce controlled elements and gauge the effects. Professor John Crawford said, “One of our key challenges in this research will be to identify and interpret these patterns of behaviour as evidence for an emerging robot culture.” [GT]
Magic display mirror switches between you and would-you
Every girl’s got a soft spot for a magic mirror, and every practical woman wants her vanity to do more in the space it’s already got. Magic Display does both, ah, somewhat. It depicts advertisements on its glass surface except when you’re up-close and dabbing on your lippy. Video after the jump. [GT]
qStart reminds you where you're driving, big-picture-wise
It’s not impossible that you skip back and forth over the pond enough that you can’t remember if you’re in London or America, and if so, the qStart is for you. Just plug it into the lighter socket and it’ll give a cheery vocal reminder of which side of the road you’re to drive on. As a special bonus, every two hours it’ll nag you to take a break, and probably after you’ve gotten comfortable it’ll start asking why you don’t give it the good petrol or some new mudflaps. £10. [GT]
