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Focus Design Self-Balancing Unicycle Version 2 Gets Shown Off in Video

, Oct 14th 2010 Discuss [0]

Even if the first version of the Self-Balancing Unicycle from Focus Design was pretty impressive in of itself, there's always room for a second, better version. Focus Design has pulled the curtain off the second version of their SBU, and this time around the design is far more sleeker, has more power, and it's supposedly safer to ride, which is always a good thing. The designers at Focus Design have also made it easier for riders to learn how to use. Read The Full Story

Panasonic Hair Washing Robot Gets Showcased on Video

, Sep 30th 2010 Discuss [0]

Late last week, we told you about a couple of automatic machines that were created to make the lives of medical employees and caregivers easier. In the case of the hair washing robot, idea was great: free some time for employees who would normally be washing a patient's hair, by allowing the robot to do all the work for them. The robot was designed to scan and memorize each patient's skull before starting the wash, and then 16 fingers would begin washing. If you were wondering how that might look, then take a look at the videos after the cut. Read The Full Story

EPFL’s Swarming Micro Air Vehicles Run Linux [Video]

, Sep 27th 2010 Discuss [0]

Researchers at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) have managed to create a platform for swarming micro air vehicles. The researchers say that it's the largest network of its kind, and the main idea behind the swarming units is to be sent out into disaster zones to be helpful in communication efforts. The little vehicles are capable of adjusting their own presence in the air, right on the fly, thanks to the sensors on each of the units. Read The Full Story

Panasonic Hair Washing Robot and Electric Care Assistance Bed Showcased in Japan

, Sep 24th 2010 Discuss [2]

Taking care of those who can't necessarily take care of themselves is the job of many, but sometimes it's hard to get to all of the places that you're needed. That's why the robotics market makes so much sense for places like hospitals, so that the employees there can do a better job of finding time between patients. And, getting any help at all is something that no one should pass up. Panasonic has just introduced their brand new robotic hair washing unit, as well as the electric care assistance bed. Both pieces of tech should help those in the "helping industry" do their job easier. Read The Full Story

VIA Uses Video Motion Detection and GPS to Help Visually Impaired Get Around

, Sep 21st 2010 Discuss [0]

Design concepts with a focus on helping those with any kind of impairment are popping up all over the place, and none of them are pulling back on the reigns of feature-sets or functionality. This time around we've got a pair of devices that attach to the user's hands, almost looking like a piece of jewelery and not some advanced GPS unit. Utilizing a suite of features, from vibration to motion detection, these little units will help those with a visual impairment move around a little bit easier, so they can leave that walking stick at home. Read The Full Story

Ubuntu Prototype Showcases Face Recognition to Manipulate User Interface [Video]

, Sep 20th 2010 Discuss [0]

For now, our computers are still generally accessed by the soon-to-be-old-fashioned keyboard and mouse. Even as touchscreens grow in popularity, we're still not losing our main points of input quite yet. But, that doesn't mean the PC has to stay in the "now" forever. Thanks to Christian Giordano, it's been revealed at the Canonical design blog that Ubuntu is currently in the process of creating a prototype that uses facial recognition, plus other sensors, to allow users all new ways to interact with their PC. Read The Full Story

Smart Traffic Lights Could Reduce Wait Time by 30 Percent

, Sep 17th 2010 Discuss [2]

Traffic lights aren't all that bad. And cities all around the world have done their part to make it easier for drivers to get to one point, with a few wait times here and there. But, if you've been driving at "odd times" of the day, then you've probably learned that sometimes you won't always see the lights turn as quickly as you want them to. But, thanks to a couple of researchers, that could change in the near future. Read The Full Story

Soft Touch Alarm Clock Concept Has an Inflatable Wristband

, Sep 16th 2010 Discuss [0]

When you think of an alarm clock, you think of a simple system that does pretty much one thing: tell you what time it is. The Soft Touch alarm clock takes things to a whole new level, though, and does quite a bit more. Specifically designed for the hearing impaired, the Soft Touch is a system that not only tells you the time, and looks good doing it, but also alerts owners of impending danger. Read The Full Story

Researchers at UC Berkeley Create New Artificial Skin, Robots Rejoice

, Sep 13th 2010 Discuss [0]

It seems that several research teams at UC Berkeley are hard at work. With a separate set somewhere else on campus creating backpacks with lasers, there's this team working on what may be the first useful artificial skin ever produced. Synthetic skins have been on the "to-do" list for a long time for scientists all over the planet, but hurdles like poor conductivity, or fragile skin have prevented a suitable creation. But, that looks like it's all about to change. Read The Full Story

Billboard in Japan Can Determine Your Age and Gender, Recommend Soft Drink Based on Profile

, Sep 3rd 2010 Discuss [0]

It seems that Japan is taking these interactive billboards seriously. When the idea was first postulated, it seemed that only vending machines would be getting the makeover, and the interactiveness would be limited to simply getting directions and picking your favorite drink. But, now a 47-inch (the vending machines were "only" 46-inches) billboard in Shinagawa is showing us that the future is indeed already here. Read The Full Story

Robotic Wheelchair Uses Distance Sensor to Follow People

, Aug 12th 2010 Discuss [1]

Robotics such as this, which showcase the idea that robots can be explicitly utilized to help humans, has us eagerly anticipating the future. Just watching the video below, which shows how easy the wheelchair handles following a human companion around, makes us realize how helpful robots will be the more advanced they become. That whole "self-aware" thing aside, this robotic chair from the Human-Robot Interaction Center in Saitama University, in Japan, is a great way for helpers to help those confined to a wheelchair. Read The Full Story

DIY LED Air Sensing Balloons Light Up to Signify Air Quality

, Aug 6th 2010 Discuss [0]

Being able to test the air that you breath on a regular basis is becoming a real thing that people worry about, so if we have to start doing it, of course we're going to find ways to make it so that it's cool to look at and use, right? And, if you can do it yourself, it just makes it so much better. In this case, all you need is some pretty big balloons, some LEDs, and air sensors, and you'll be good to go. Read The Full Story
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