Tag: gadgets
Anybots: the world's first dynamically balancing robot
Where most robots rely on geometry and stiff joints to walk, and don't (even now) cope very artfully with obstacles, the Anybots have compressed air-driven joints which enable them to move more dynamically. With shock-absorbing, flexible joints, they're able…
Tavelland River Table
Containing a tiny, perpetually moving river running through the center of it, the Tavelland River Table is a stress-defusing device that provides the gentle babble of water. (May not work so well if you have children as they'll probably…
Presenting the Urine-Powered Battery
Scientists at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology have developed a prototype battery that runs on urine. One drop of urine applied to a paper soaked in copper chloride solution (sandwiched between copper and magnesium strips) which caused the…
Pay for Burgers and Rail Tickets with Mobile Phones
Japan's NTT DoCoMo has partnered with McDonald's to allow patrons to pay for their fast food with their mobiles. If this is successful, it's expected to expand to other Japanese offerings. A similar project to allow UK train goers…
Obey the Law: Ignore Your Sat Nav
The village of Exton is the first to post signs instructing drivers: Do Not Follow SAT NAV Very Narrow Road. A GPS bug is sending many drivers (enough to merit a custom sign!) down streets narrow enough that their…
UFO's Can Solve Climate Change, Says ex Defense Minister
Ex-defense minister of Canada Paul Hellyer has recently declared that he believes the best solution to global warming is alien technology. He calls on all governments to immediately disclose any alien tech they've been hoarding, for the good of…
LEMUR, the League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots
Music isn't dead: it's just getting higher tech. LEMUR, the League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots, is a collective of Brooklyn artists who are incorporating robotic musical instruments into their work, such as the Guitarbot electric slide guitar (video)…
Sphelar is prettier and more efficient than flat solar cells
Where flat solar cells depend on angle to maximize how much energy they extract from sun, the Sphelar solar cell has an efficiency of nearly 20%, because it places 1mm ball-like solar cells in a flower-like pattern which can…
Ubiko Robot Smoke Detector
The incredibly adorable humano-kitty Ubiko robot is not only fabulously cute and available for rent, but has been upgraded to work as a roving smoke detector. When she detects smoke or ash smells, she's programmed to notify an authority…
Is global cooling the answer to global warming?
Though increasing effort goes into combating the worldwide effects of pollution, will it be enough? And if not, then what? Roger Angel, University of Arizona Regents Professor and the Steward Observatory Mirror Laboratory's director, suggests not interposing a great…