December 17th, 2009 by Amanda

Acoustic listening devices developed for the Dutch army as part of air defense systems research between World Wars 1 and 2. They look really futuristic to me.

October 30th, 2009 by Sydney

Check out this awesome Vulcan Salute shaped USB-drive.  You can buy it here.

Suggested by mactonnies of Posthuman Blues, Link via nerdcore

July 29th, 2009 by Sydney

OH MY GAWD! ROBOTS EVERYWHERE!

Broomba:

These “brooms” travel around just as normal roombas do, changing direction when it bumps into objects.  Though they don’t clean much, they do play “spooky music” and emits “frightful cackling” sounds. Ooo! Spooky music and crackling sounds!  I’m there!

(via Gizmodo via Grandinroad)

iPhone Robot:

Robocna, a robot that uses an iPhone for its brain.”

“The body is a Kondo KHR-2HV humanoid kit, but its controlled by the iPhone, which connects via the dock connector at the neck. The screen shows the facial expression while also letting you control the robots weird, leek-based dance moves.”

(via Gizmodo)

Baseball Robots:

Researchers at the University of Tokyo show off their industrial robot technology by programing two robot arms to play baseball.  While the pitcher can release the ball with near-perfect timing, the batter has a near-perfect batting average.

(via Pink Tentacle)

Modular Snake Robots:

I don’t know if it’s the music or just the sheer coolness of snakes lifting up floor vents and slithering around like little stealthy spies but this one has got to be my favorite.  Sliterbots!

(via Posthuman Blues)

July 24th, 2009 by Amanda

128 places where science and technology come to life to create your very own real life fantasy.

John Graham-Cumming’s book, The Geek Atlas, will give a list of places where science, mathematics, and/or technology is happening or has happened. You can use this book as a travel guide or just as an enlightening read. Each place has its own unique chapter that includes a general introduction to the place’s significance and a related technical subject covered in more detail. It also shares practical visiting information to places such as, the Horn Antenna in New Jersey, where the Big Bang theory was confirmed, or the Trinity Test Site in New Mexico, where the first atomic bomb was exploded, and much much more.

Amazon.com review says,

“The history of science is all around us, if you know where to look. With this unique traveler’s guide, you’ll learn about 128 destinations around the world where discoveries in science, mathematics, or technology occurred or is happening now. Travel to Munich to see the world’s largest science museum, watch Foucault’s pendulum swinging in Paris, ponder a descendant of Newton’s apple tree at Trinity College, Cambridge, and more. Each site in The Geek Atlas focuses on discoveries or inventions, and includes information about the people and the science behind them. Full of interesting photos and illustrations, the book is organized geographically by country (by state within the U.S.), complete with latitudes and longitudes for GPS devices.

You won’t find tedious, third-rate museums, or a tacky plaque stuck to a wall stating that “Professor X slept here.” Every site in this book has real scientific, mathematical, or technological interest–places guaranteed to make every geek’s heart pound a little faster. Plan a trip with The Geek Atlas and make your own discoveries along the way.”

July 16th, 2009 by Sydney

The Soyuz Chair, designed by Nelly Ben Hayoun, simulates the feeling of blasting into space without ever having to leave the ground.

“The designer consulted with astronaut Jean Pierre Haignere to ensure a take-off experience as close to the original one as possible: : the inclination of the chair, the frequencies of the vibration, the sound, etc. Soyuz Chair accurately reproduces the 3 stages of the Soyuz rocket launch. Reclining into launch position (on your back so as to stand better the acceleration), you face the sky, put on your headset, and use the control panel to select your mode; just a single stage, or the full lift off experience.”

Could be fun but I don’t know…  Is it just me or does that woman look terrified?  Look at her mouth, gasping for air! Look at the way her hand is gripping the arm of the chair!

(Via we make money not art)

July 13th, 2009 by Sydney

At first glance, she may look like a normal girl but look a little closer and she’s not a girl at all, but a “0.3-millimeter-thick high-luminance rear-projection” that just looks like a girl!  It’s probably only a matter of time before girls like these greet us as we walk into malls, hotels and grocery stores across the world.  And I seriously can’t wait.  See the full article on Pink Tentacle.

Also, Wired Science reports that UC San Diego computer scientists are teaching a robot that looks like Einstein to make human-like facial expressions.

“To begin teaching the robot, the researchers stuck Einstein in front of a mirror and instructed the robot to “body babble” by contorting its face into random positions. A video camera connected to facial recognition software gave the robot feedback: When it made a movement that resembled a ‘real’ expression, it received a reward signal.”

Yeah.  Definitley not at cute as the Japanese hologram girl thing.  I’m proabably going to have nightmares now.

July 9th, 2009 by Amanda

On July 8th, Syfy’s newest show, Warhouse 13, was showing off this amazing Steampunk keyboard and wacom tablet. I think the one thing we’re all wondering is, how much and where can I buy this???

You can check out the full story at Notcot.com and also check out Wired.com for other Steampunk gadgets and gizmos.

Thanks sunnyheadcase for suggesting this link.