Archive for July, 2009
Posted by: in Technology
Ferrari’s latest entry supercar — F430 successor — is no slouch. The Ferrari 458 Italia is powered by a direct-injected V8 that pumps out 568hp and 398 lb-ft of torque, boosting it from 0-60mph in just 3.4-seconds. Click here for first picture in gallery.
Much has been done to reduce internal friction within the new V8, in addition aerodynamic drag improvements. As a result, the Ferrari 458 Italia’s gas mileage improves to a combined 17.1 mpg (US) on the EU test cycle.
[via Autoblog]
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Posted by: in Technology
Amazon has the JVC Everio S GZ-MS100 for only $179.99 shipped, originally priced at $349.95. It offers “a Konica Minolta Lens, 35x optical zoom, Laser Touch operation and sharing videos over the internet is now easier than ever with the new one-button uploading to You Tube, the leading video sharing site.” Product page.
[via Amazon]
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Posted by: in Technology
Put simply, “British TV’s Bang! Goes the Theory proves that the massive bad wolf could have gotten those pigs, if only he’d an advanced grasp of physics and combustion.” Continue reading to see this gigantic vortex cannon in-action.
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Posted by: in Rebots
The ideal and worst part about robots is the fact that they have the ability to be purpose-built to perform any task at hand. Oh sure, they can be built to kill, or they have the ability to built to test motorcycles without risk to our feeble (yet tasty) meat-sacks. Introducing Flossie, the Castrol-developed test rider that’s threading a Fireblade between its “legs” in the shot above. The robot features a self-learning mode that enables it to get a feel (throttle response, clutch drag, gear shifting patterns, etc.) for any stationary bike upon which it’s perched — right, stationary… he’s no Murata Boy. Still, as the ultimate precision rider that never tires, Flossie grants Castrol to evaluate its lubricants as effectively as possible. See it in action after the break.
[Via Faster and Faster, thanks Jensen]
Continue reading Video: Flossie the robot can ‘ride’ a motorcycle, remains oblivious to good oral hygiene
Filed under: Robots, Transportation
Video: Flossie the robot can ‘ride’ a motorcycle, remains oblivious to good oral hygiene originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 07:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted by: in Technology
HudsonSoft released SWAT Kats on the SNES in 1995. This game is a 2D-platformer that lets players select between two characters and also included third-person flying sequences. ScrewAttack takes a look back at this title after the break.
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Posted by: in Technology
In this Fifth Gear segment, Tom Ford “drives the Spanish Tramontana R Edition, which is equipped with a 720bhp twin turbo V12 Mercedes engine and constructed from carbon fibre.” Video after the break.
Not only are Tramontana’s more expensive than you could possibly envision, but every one is designed around the owner. Plus, your passenger sits behind you.
[via Autoblog]
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Posted by: in Technology
It’s that time again, time for another GT Countdown. This time, they count down the top ten breakthrough Personal computer games. Titles include: Alone in the Dark, Half-Life, Doom, StarCraft, and more. Continue reading for the full list.
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Posted by: in Rebots
 Are you ready for this? Can you stomach the truth? If things continue spiraling madly out of control as they’re right now, there’s at least a modicum of a chance that your children or grandchildren will greet a lifelike robot when sashaying in for the first day of kindergarten. Horrifying, we know. A new research effort published in this month’s Science outlines new ways in which humanoids could actually be used to instruct our little ones. At the core of the project is imitation; humans, especially young ones, learn a multitude of mannerisms and such by simply watching others. Thus, it stands to reason that robots are “well-suited to imitate us, learn from us, socialize with us and eventually teach us.” Already, these social bots are being used on an experimental basis to instruct various skills to preschool kids, “including the names of colors, new vocabulary words and simple songs.” Just think — in 2071, those harmless lessons will morph into studies of subterfuge, insurrection and rapacity.
[Via Digg]
Filed under: Robots, Science
The plot thickens: robot teachers to brainwash your children’s children originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted by: in Rebots
This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn’t want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back — so we decided to take the chance to spread a tiny positivity. We’ll be handing out a new gadget every day to lucky readers until we run out of stuff or companies stop sending things. This day we’ve got an OWI Robotic Arm Kit on offer. Read the rules below (no skimming — we’re omniscient and can tell when you’ve skimmed) and get commenting! Hooray for free stuff!
Massive thanks to OWI for providing the gear!
The rules:
- Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for “fixing” the world economy, that’d be sweet too.
- You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you’ll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
- If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you’ll be fine.
- Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) OWI Robotic Arm Kit. Approximate retail value is $53.95.
- If you are chosen, you’ll be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you don’t respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
- Entries can be submitted until Saturday, July 18th, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
- Full rules can be found here.
Filed under: Robots
Engadget’s recession antidote: win an OWI Robotic Arm Edge! originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted by: in Rebots
Researchers have long turned to insects for a little inspiration when creating robots, but things have entered a terrifying new dimension this week, with two separate groups each finding new ways to meld bug and machine. The further along of the pair is a group of scientists from Tokyo University’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, who have not only used a live silkmoth to control a toy car, but severed the head of a moth and wired it into the vehicle pictured above (look closely). By directing stimuli to the moth’s still-functioning antennae, the researchers were able to record the motor commands issued by the brain’s nerve cells and, in turn, control the vehicle — which, in addition to totally freaking people out, allows them to study and record data on how neurons respond to stimulus.
Slightly less far along on the road to bug armageddon is Pentagon contractor OpCoast, which is working on some full on “cyborg crickets” that behave like the real thing but have the added benefit of being able to form a mobile communications network in an emergency situation. That network, the company says, could eventually consist of hundreds or thousands of the crickets which, like real crickets, would communicate with each other through wing beats, and even be able to vary their “call tone” when they detect the presence of chemical or biological agents, or potentially even the scent of a person trapped in rubble.
Read - AFP, “Japanese scientists aim to create robot-insects”
Read - PhysOrg, “Cyborg Crickets Could Form Mobile Communications Network, Save Human Lives”
[Via reddit] Filed under: Robots, Networking, Science
Researchers create robo-moth, dream of a cyborg cricket-filled future originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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