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Russian Artist Devises Virtual World
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science,
In a world of 1s and 0s…are you a zero, or The One? The Matrix exists, at least in the world of Russian designer Alexei Shulgin. He has created goggles that use filters to transform reality into a virtual world. The artist says that they work similar to filters in Photoshop, such as inverted colors and boost coloration. The glasses’ images can be projected on a screen and can work for several hours on one charge. We understand that the gadget really doesn’t do anything, still there is always room for another warped view of the planet.
Read More 
| English Russia
Gallery: Russian Artist Devises Virtual World
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Isn’t That a Giant Banana Over Walmart?
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science, Transportation,
Argentinian César Sáez, now based in Montreal, creates socially interactive sculptures and is now working on a Geostationary Banana. Designed with a propeller for the lower atmosphere, it will control itself with the help of two gyroscopes when it reaches up to 50km high. At a size of almost 300 meters in length, it has a semi-rigid bamboo structure, a skin of synthetic paper, and will ultimately cost over 1 million dollars. Sáez and his team are planning to launch the vehicle next August from Sonoma or Baja, Mexico destined for Texas.
We couldn’t really find any explanation for the launching of the giant banana blimp, although his site mentions possible reasons such as a tribute to the advertising industry and Andy Warhol. Why Texas? There are lots of “Walmarts, Exxons and Haliburtons there,” or perhaps because “there are no banana plantations in Texas.” We just wondered if it will have to be quarantined before entering the states.
Read More | Flasher
Gallery: Isn’t That a Giant Banana Over Walmart?
The four-legged Roller-Walker has a special mechanism on each foot so that he can walk over rough terrain or roll on flat surfaces. Installed actuators assist the lightweight bot which moves in a way that is similar to roller skating. Not quite as cuddly or versatile as BEAR, we are beginning to notice that robots are becoming more lifelike in their movements every day as opposed to just waving their arms, sliding across a planet, and yelling, “Danger, Will Robinson!”
Read More | Hirose Fukushima Robotics Lab
Gallery: Roller-Walker Skates
The Kufra Pitcher is almost too perfect a concept. Holding 72 ounces of liquid, the 8.5 x 6.5-inch Italian Glass carafe features a removable plastic tube insert for 8 to 10 ice cubes which screws into the bottom of its plastic lid to keep your liquids from becoming watered-down. Frankly, for the modest price of $13.95, plastic stirrer included, we much prefer that than our usual popping our containers of lemonade in the freezer and forgetting about them until they explode.
Read More | Vat 19
Gallery: Carafe Prevents Melt Down
Female Gamers Get their Bling on with the Nintendo Necklace
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Wearables, Design, Video Games,
We loooove this necklace, for two reasons: One, it continues our slightly obsessive
trend of spotlighting retro NES controller items, such as the wallet and CD holder. Two, it’s made for female gamers, a group rarely targeted by anyone —except male gamers. It’s the Nintendo Necklace, featuring a lovely cherry blossom design on one side (for her “feminine” side). Turn it over, and BAM!, it’s an equally lovely NES controller (for her “kick-ass” side). Each necklace is handmade by Michigan’s Sarah Lynne, using aluminum, wire, paper and paint. Not into gaming? Check out her other designs. Ms. Lynne is currently taking custom orders for the NES necklace, for $45 USD.
Read More | Etsy via Technabob
Gallery: Female Gamers Get their Bling on with the Nintendo Necklace
Preggers Bot Up on eBay Block
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Hot Deals, Misc. Tech, Science,
What costs $12,000, is pregnant, but will never give birth? That would be this audio-animatronic, custom designed female bot up for sale on eBay. She was originally designed to demonstrate ultrasound equipment but we guess that her owner no longer needs her services. The unnamed robot (we’ll just call her Mom,) can move her eyes, mouth, eyebrows, nod, turn, go up on her elbows, rotate, and curl her wrists. After programming, she could also sing to her unborn bot while moving.
If you are interested, the seller would be willing to send you a DVD of her performance. You had better hurry though, as the bidding is set to end September 2. Frankly, as talented as Mom appears to be, we can’t envision living with robotic hormones running rampant.
Read More | eBay
Gallery: Preggers Bot Up on eBay Block
DIY Solar Power Bag
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video, Storage,
We have been showing you Solar Totes all summer, but if you assume you can do them one better at half the cost, you would probably be right. A 2-part instructional article is available to help you achieve your goal. It only takes a basic bag, a solar panel which costs about $57.00, solder, double sided tape, vinyl tape, about 1 m two-wire cable, and textile glue. The site talk2myShirt is very explicit, yet simplified in its directions and would love some feedback if you create one with their instructions. They also give tips about using your new bag and mention that they utilized theirs to recharge a complete empty iPod G5 in approximately 6 hours.
Read More | talk2myShirt
Gallery: DIY Solar Power Bag
Swiss company Pat Says Now features a “computer maus” for those who are particular about their peripherals. We found this 3-button Brain Wheelmouse with a 520 dpi resolution that connects to your USB with a PS/2 plug and is compatible with Windows, Mac or Linux. It is available in a Limited Edition for EUR €24,90 (~$34.00.)
We are also rather partial to this 3-button optical Suisse Mouse because you can never have too many Swiss Army toys around the house. Suitable for PC and Mac, it features a 800 dpi resolution and a price of €29,90 (~$41.00.) Both mice come with 3 year warranties. The company also customizes so that you can use your own design or company logo.
Read More | Pat Says Now
Gallery: A Mouse for Every Taste
libertyIsland Folds Up When Not in Use
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Smart Home, Misc. Tech,
We like anything that makes kitchen cleanup easier so we are especially fond of ALNO’s libertyIsland four zone electric induction cook top. Attach it to your table inside or outdoors and unfold it with its fixed wheels when you are ready to prepare a meal. At a size of 32 x 16-inches, it also features a glass back splash to keep your table grease-free. Only a concept at this point, we can’t wait for another gadget that we can figuratively shove in a drawer when not in use.
Read More | ALNO
Gallery: libertyIsland Folds Up When Not in Use
Russia Designs Shocking Water Cannon
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science,
Special Materials Ltd. is a Russian weapon company that has decided to create a portable water cannon. They are contemplating the idea of a “non-lethal weapon based on electro-hydrodynamical effect,” which means a sharp mini-electric shock in a jet of water. They say that the results are minor with little chance of injury. Excuse us, but doesn’t water plus electricity mean run away?
The first prototype of the CPS 2000 shot a half ounce of water at 200 feet per second, leaving a spot of about 12-inches diameter on a target which was about 12 feet away. The company is hoping that their eventual super soaker will fire 2 to 7 lbs. of water at a distance of 17 feet. We say, “Ouch!”
Read More | Gizmodo
