SlashGear » toys

Parrot AR.Drone gets dogfight demo [Video]

Chris Davies — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:59:04 +0000

We can’t get enough of the Parrot AR.Drone iPhone-controlled quadricopter, and our all-too-brief play at CES back in January was enough to convince us that this is one “toy” we’ll be asking for when it launches later in 2010. Parrot have released a new video of the AR.Drone in action, this time with two of the units taking to the skies for an aerial battle.

Video demo after the cut

The AR.Drone is controlled via a WiFi link to an iPhone or iPod touch, but it also has some particularly complex onboard intelligence. Two cameras – one looking at the ground and one looking forward – are used to not only beam real-time footage back to the user, but also for the autopilot system. When you’ve got just one unit that’s used for object avoidance and stability, but when you’ve got two it makes dogfights more challenging.

Still, if you’ve only got one that doesn’t mean you can’t stage battles; the Parrot software can create virtual enemies shown on-screen to battle against. Parrot still aren’t saying anything specific regarding availability – only “later in 2010″ – or pricing, but we’re not expecting the AR.Drone to be especially cheap.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Fridge magnets look like iPhone icons

Shane McGlaun — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:05:52 +0000

One of the most popular brands of gear in all of geekdom is Apple. Pretty much everything Steve and his fruity cohorts make turns out to be gold, other than Apple TV anyway. Among the most popular devices Apple offers is the iPhone with hoards of dedicated users. If you want to show off your fondness for the iPhone, Jailbreak Toys has the perfect fridge magnets for you.

The individual magnets look like the icons form the iPhone home screen and can be arranged to whatever design you want. Each of the magnets measures 7/8″ x 7/8″ and are made from some sort of epoxy. The outer cardboard packaging is 9.5″ x 5″.

It’s not clear is the iPhone looking frame in the picture above (which could be the cardboard outer packaging) is included or just for showing off the magnets on the website. The company points out that the magnets are not affiliated with Apple. I have to wonder if Apple will go after these guys to stop them from ripping off their icons. You can get your own set now for $12.99 with free shipping if you order three sets.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Hacked Mindflex toy delivers shocks when you focus [Video]

Chris Davies — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:11:28 +0000

Mattel’s Mindflex toy is designed to show you the awesome power of your brain as you mentally guide a ball around a maze, but it’s just as happy showing you the awesome pain electricity can present to your body. Harcos Labs took the Mindflex brain-wave monitor and hooked up a QKits electroshock kit to make what they’ve called “the most painful toy hack ever“, one that shocks you if you dare concentrate.

Video demo after the cut

The idea is straightforward: just as Mindflex in its original form rewards your focus by advancing game-play, the same triggers in Harcos Labs’ nasty setup cause an electric shock to be sent through two wristbands. Keep your mind unfocussed and you can avoid the pain, though obviously that’s harder to do when you’re surrounded by co-workers desperate to see you squeal.

The video below says it all, really, but if we were to add anything we’d say “don’t try this at home, kids.” Electricity is, of course, dangerous, and the last thing you want to do is accidentally train your brain to leave you slack-jawed and perpetually absent-minded.

[Thanks Jon!]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

iPhone-controlled R/C Dalek: pointless but awesome [Video]

Chris Davies — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:14:21 +0000

Does anybody need an iPhone-controlled remote-control Dalek made from a bubble bath bottle? No, of course not, but that doesn’t stop us being madly jealous of Steve from BotBuilder who put his together using a new microprocessor board that can control up to 12 servos and record input patterns to be triggered from an external switch.

Video demo after the cut

Moving the iPhone around sends movement instructions to the Dalek via a serial connection, and you can independently control the movement, the lights and the head turret. The video below not only shows the Dalek in action, but how it was all put together too.

This is all really a demo for the new board Steve is putting together, which should go on sale later on in the year. If the thought of a compact servo-controller with twelve channels, three programmable outputs and recordable macros (with optional Bluetooth) fills you with joy, then keep your eye on Steve’s site.

[via UberGizmo]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Wild Planet Spy Video TRAKR R/C programmable robot packs kid-friendly app store

Chris Davies — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:33:21 +0000

There’s been some talk recently of the Big Trak re-release, but if you’re looking for a truly modern reinterpretation of the programable robot then Wild Planet’s new Spy Video TRAKR may better fit the bill. The remote-control ‘bot comes with a child-friendly PC-based programming system, which allows users to create custom routines and load them onto the TRAKR. As for the robot itself, it uses 2.4GHz wireless and has an integrated camera, speaker and microphone, and comes preloaded with motion-sensing and night-vision apps.

The idea is that Wild Planet will set up a distribution and sharing site for Spy Video TRAKR apps, so that owners can upload there code and try out other peoples’. Alternatively they can directly control the TRAKR via the remote control, viewing what it sees on the remote’s LCD display. There’s also an SD card slot for saving photos.

Unfortunately we’ll have to wait a while to get our hands on the Spy Video TRAKR (what can we say, we’re big childish geeks here at SlashGear); it’s not set to arrive until October 2010. Still, at $120 it’ll be cheaper than a WowWee Rovio.

Press Release:

First App-Enabled Toy Debuts at American International Toy Fair

Spy Video TRAKR Puts Toy Technology into the Hands of Children

Toy Fair 2010
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–2010 will be the first year in which kids are given the tools to create and share custom apps that can be downloaded, at no cost, onto a toy. The first app-enabled toy, the Spy Video TRAKR from Wild Planet, will debut at Toy Fair in New York in February, eight months before its public release.

“With the Spy Video TRAKR, we’re teaching kids how to write their own applications and program their toys to do exactly what they want them to do.”

“Play should not be confined by the concepts and programs toy companies create,” says Daniel Grossman, CEO of Wild Planet Entertainment, Inc. “With the Spy Video TRAKR, we’re teaching kids how to write their own applications and program their toys to do exactly what they want them to do.”

The Spy Video TRAKR is a remote-controlled vehicle that digitally transmits color video, audio and data and allows users to create, download and share custom programs. Once kids create new programs, they have the option of posting them on a designated website for other kids to access, at no charge, from all over the world.

“We believe kids will fuel the spread of app-sharing in toys,” says Grossman. “It’s empowering when something you created becomes of interest to other people. Kids will take pride in having programs they designed downloaded by others.”

Like the iPhone, and other app-enabled consumer electronics, the Spy Video TRAKR will have the ability to perform its main function immediately upon purchase, right out of the box. It will come with three apps already installed, and a collection of free apps will be available online when the product launches, giving users instant access to a wide variety of programs.

Though the Spy Video TRAKR can be used without ever being hooked up to a computer, tech-minded kids will be quick to connect their toy and start the customization process. Beginners can access an online application modulator that will allow them to modify existing apps as they familiarize themselves with writing code. All the tools they need to write their own unique programs will be available online, for free.

“App-sharing will inspire kids to make more apps and better apps,” says Grossman. “They’ll come up with things toy industry executives would never think of. The apps that will be downloaded the most will likely be the ones created by kids.”

The Spy Video TRAKR will come pre-loaded with a night vision app. Kids can drive their Spy Video TRAKR in total darkness, yet see everything in the vehicle’s path on the color screen on their remote. If they’ve installed a motion alarm app, they can park the vehicle in front of a doorway and convert the camera into a sensor that will trigger a siren when someone enters the room. If they’ve created and downloaded a custom app, the vehicle can snap a picture of the person who crosses the threshold, call out “You’re busted little brother, I’ve got a picture of you sneaking into my room,” then squeal its tires and automatically navigate its way back to the driver.

The options for custom programs are as vast and varied as the imaginations of children. The Spy Video TRAKR’s 2.4GHz digital RF transmission, internal processor, full-color LCD, SD Card slot (for recording capabilities), integrated speaker and microphone, and development kit provide kids with the materials to make the toy of their dreams. The Spy Video TRAKR puts toy technology where it belongs, in the hands of children.

The Spy Video TRAKR will have a mass retail price of $120 when it hits store shelves in October 2010.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Rubik’s Cube turns 30

Shane McGlaun — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:05:05 +0000

Any child of the 80’s like me will remember the Rubik’s Cube. I had one and the only way I was ever able to solve it was to pull of the stickers and put them in order. I can remember being very impressed when this Asian kid solved it in like a minute on That’s Incredible.

It’s hard to believe the Rubik’s Cube is now turning 30 and to celebrate the anniversary the maker of the game cube is offering new box sets for schools and youth programs that challenge the kids to solve the cube. The makers of the cube claim that the device helps kids learn critical thinking skills.

The program provides a kit with12 of the cubes along with solution guides, a DVD, cube sign out sheets, stickers, and award certificates for when the kids solve the puzzle. This is certainly a school assignment I would have been glad to do when I was a kid.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Parrot AR.Drone hands-on at CES 2010

Ewdison Then — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:53:16 +0000

We’ve always had a soft-spot for remote control helicopters here at SlashGear, and so Parrot’s AR.Drone quadricopter - which throws iPod touch/iPhone remote control, video streaming, augmented reality gaming and military-spec auto-pilot functionality into the mixture – was bound to appeal. We caught up with Parrot at CES Unveiled this evening to grab some hands-on photos and video; check out our first-impressions after the cut.

Unfortunately the WiFi-soaked show floor meant that Parrot’s iPhone remote control wasn’t playing ball; instead they were demonstrating the arguably more impressive (in a technical sense) auto-pilot systems. The AR.Drone navigates using two cameras – one on the nose and one facing downward – together with accelerometers and other sensors (more details in our initial post from this morning). Parrot include several brightly-colored objects which the AR.Drone can use to navigate, responding to their position so as to maintain safely in the air.

It’s a far more effective system than, say, WowWee’s Bladestar R/C ‘copters, which use a more rudimentary IR system to hover and avoid obstacles. Of course, Parrot’s AR.Drone is likely to be a whole lot more expensive than the Bladestar; the company is staying quiet on exact figures, only saying that the flying gadget will arrive sometime in 2010.

It’ll come with access to an SDK with which developers will be able to create their own applications – including in-air battle games – for the AR.Drone. That also means Parrot can sit back and wait for others to come up with alternative methods of remote control; as it stands, if you haven’t already got an iPod touch or iPhone then factor in buying one of those as well, since there isn’t a “native” controller in the box.

It all seems reasonably rugged, with a foam chassis that protects the blades when you experience the inevitable crash-landing, and we’re assuming that direct control with the iPhone’s accelerometer (which will also see birds-eye footage from the front-facing camera beamed back to the smartphone’s display) will be similarly responsive as the auto-pilot mode. We’ll save wholehearted appreciation until we’ve heard exact pricing, but right now we reckon this is one gadget a whole lot of geeks young and old might be putting on their 2010 holiday gift list.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Parrot AR.Drone WiFi helicopter gets augmented reality iPhone control

Chris Davies — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:55:04 +0000

We primarily know Parrot as a purveyor of all things Bluetooth, but now the French company is segueing into remote controlled devices. The Parrot AR.Drone is a quadricopter – i.e. a four-propellor helicopter – that’s packed with WiFi for remote-control from an iPhone or iPod touch, two video cameras (one for auto-pilot, another for streaming birds-eye footage back to the pilot) and various sensors and gyroscopes. Parrot are also releasing an SDK so that developers can create games and other software such as augmented reality (AR).

Multiple video demos after the cut

For instance, while the AR.Drone can be enjoyed as a standalone R/C toy, piloting it by tilting the iPod touch or iPhone as well as controlling altitude and other factors by on-screen buttons, Parrot will release with it an AR game allowing for remote in-air battles. Two AR.Drone owners will be able to battle in the same virtual airspace, with each opponent seen on the iPod touch’s display. That way, gamers can compete even if they’re in different countries, and then share footage recorded through the quadricopter’s camera on a dedicated Parrot site.

Parrot claim to have used military-spec technologies – such as wind compensation – in the AR.Drone, making it perhaps one of the most complex R/C models we’ve seen to date. No word on pricing (we’re thinking it won’t be cheap) but the Parrot AR.Drone will be available to consumers sometime in 2010, as well as part of a developers’ pack.

Parrot AR.Drone flight demo:

Parrot AR.Drone prototype flying test:

Augmented Reality video games demo:

Parrot AR.Drone optical recognition demo:

Parrot AR.Drone front-camera object recognition:

Press Release:

The Parrot AR.Drone project:
When video games become reality…

Parrot AR.Drone, the first quadricopter using augmented reality and piloted by Wi-Fi.

Parrot, leader in wireless products for mobile phones, is unveiling the first quadricopter using augmented reality: Parrot AR.Drone.
With intuitive mobility and universal use, Parrot AR.Drone is piloted initially with an iPhone™ or iPod touch® and allows you to take a spectacular flying journey. In addition, this unique quadricopter can be part of a large number of video games in the real world.
Streaming video on the iPhone™ or iPod touch® screen enables you to pilot the AR.Drone as if you were sitting in the pilot’s seat; the image processing allows for the integration of real-time special effects of augmented reality…
‘Parrot AR.Drone’ project
The idea of the Parrot AR.Drone project is to create a working quadricopter with the best of today’s technologies, exploring new places through mixing video games and the real world. This is augmented reality.

Parrot AR.Drone: create dreams
“At Parrot, we have been developing wireless concepts for video games for 4 years. Our first project was a Bluetooth race car. We developed it, but I was not satisfied. A video game should contain part of a dream that I missed with the Bluetooth car,” explains Henri Seydoux, founder and CEO of Parrot. “It should fly! So I started with the idea of a quadricopter. With video cameras and a powerful computer, we have developed a very stable drone that is easy to control and flies like a dragon-fly.”
Parrot AR.Drone is the outcome of a dream: to invent a high-tech drone for kids and adults, whilst developing a new concept of video gaming using augmented reality. It is initially designed for iPhone™ and iPod touch®.

Parrot AR.Drone: a cutting-edge video quadricopter
Parrot AR.Drone is composed of a central cockpit which is surrounded by 4 propellers, each being driven by an engine. It offers amazing possibilities for piloting, excellent maneuverability and extraordinary stability.

The heart of AR.Drone contains all electronic components and two cameras:

· The first camera, under the structure, is connected to an Inertial Measurement Unit. Thanks to this unit, the AR.Drone is capable of measuring its speed and performing mind-blowing flights. PSP (Parrot Smart Piloting) technology also compensates for wind during outside flights. These technologies are usually used for professional and military applications, but have been adapted for the gaming universe for the first time.

· The second camera, at the front of the quadricopter, broadcasts and streams on the iPhone™ or iPod touch® screen, what the drone is seeing as if the player was in the pilot’s position. It plays a major role for video gaming, thanks to the use of augmented reality.

Parrot AR.Drone: intuitive piloting
The Parrot AR.Drone generates its own Wi-Fi network so you simply need to connect an iPhone™ or iPod touch® to turn it into a true piloting station.
An unseen mix of captors (wide angle camera and high speed camera, MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanicals Systems), 3 axes accelerometer, 3 axes gyro, ultrasound sensor) associated with a powerful computer makes the piloting easy and accessible even for the youngest or non-technologically savvy person.
Thanks to the accelerometer of the iPhone™ or iPod touch® that detects users’ movements, the AR.Drone is very easy to pilot by leaning the iPhone™ forward to move forward or sidewise to corner and change direction.
On the touch pad of the iPhone™, command buttons also indicate some actions such as rise, down, rotate, move back, move forward… Observing the AR.Drone obey each movement of their hands is an incredible experience for the player.

Parrot AR.Drone: imagination has no limits
Parrot AR.Drone is designed for flying inside and outside.
For flying inside, a hull surrounds the propellers and protects the quadricopter if it hits an obstacle. For outside flights, a shaped hull reduces the area to the wind for better maneuverability of the quadricopter.
Every flight with the AR.Drone will always be a new experience. Outside, the user will have to take into account the changing elements of the real environment, such as the wind, the sunshine, shadowed areas or any obstacles that appear.
Parrot AR.Drone is also offering an unprecedented multi-player possibility.
Thanks to augmented reality, it is possible to recreate an aerial fight between two quadricopters. The worlds of video gaming and radio controlled models collaborate for the first time, simultaneously evolving in both universes.

Parrot AR.Drone: an open development platform
Parrot intends to extend the possibilities of AR.Drone so the project is a development platform opened to game developers.
A Software Development Kit (SDK) is available today for the developers who want to create games for the AR.Drone by using the techniques of augmented reality enabled by the frontal camera. Developers just need to register on www.ardrone.org to download the SDK and contribute to the AR.Drone Open API platform.
Development kits, including a prototype of the drone, available soon, will be subject to acceptance of development projects by Parrot.
With AR.Drone, all kind of games can be created: shooting, adventure, races, arcade…

Parrot AR.Drone: a technological first
For the first time, a consumer product encompasses:
A quadricopter made in carbon fiber and high resistance PA66 plastic
MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) and video processing to ensure extremely intuitive piloting of a radio controlled object
Wi-Fi and video streaming to enable interfacing with an iPhone™ or iPod touch®
Images processing software for augmented reality

Parrot has worked for 15 years on wireless technologies. Engineering is the keystone of the work of Parrot and the R&D department of the company consists of 150 engineers.
Parrot maintains its investments in R&D to the highest level, with an important focus on the software and signal processing. Parrot develops complete products from the initial stage; software, electronics, design and also manufacturing are the daily work of the research department.

Note:
Parrot AR.Drone is today open to video games developers.
The quadricopter should be available for consumer in 2010.
A dedicated website will also enable owners of AR.Drone to be part of the AR.Drone community and to share their videos…

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

iPhone-controlled DIY solar-powered tank [Video]

Chris Davies — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:39:50 +0000

As iPhone remote control projects go we’ve certainly seen bigger than this Arduino-based iPhone-controlled tank, but it does have the benefit of being somewhat more achievable for the average DIYer than a full-sized car, say. Chris Rojas threw together the tabletop tank from a basket full of SparkFun parts, and now has a solar-powered vehicle he can control from his cellphone.

Video demo after the cut

The tank uses an XBee wireless connection, and the TouchOSC app to convert Open Sound Control signals into serial commands that the tank can understand via Processing. In fact, you don’t need an iPhone to do all of this; anything that can squirt signals into Processing will do the trick.

Chris generously offers up his Arduino code, too, so a brief shopping spree at SparkFun and you can be up and running reasonably quickly. Anybody tempted?

[via Hack N Mod]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

WowWee Joebot gets unboxed, video demo

Chris Davies — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:00:38 +0000

Fancy a sneak preview of what Christmas morning might be like for various tweenage kids expecting a new WowWee robot this holiday season? RoboCommunity’s appropriately-named Rudolph has picked up the company’s second new ‘bot, the Joebot, and has shared an unboxing photoset together with some hands-on feedback.

Video demo after the cut

As you’d expect from a modern toy, there are plenty of wire-ties keeping everything in place; no screws, though, so we’d recommend snipping those ties before an over-eager child accidentally garrottes Joebot in their haste to extract him. The bipedal walking robot supports various LED facial expressions and, in addition to having a joystick built into his hands, responds to voice commands.

Rudolph reckons that voice-control makes things a lot more straightforward than the original Robosapien’s somewhat confusing button-encrusted remote, which hopefully adds up to a toy with more longevity. As for the company’s first new ‘bot of the season, that’s the RoboRover; more details here.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Pleo robo-dino back on sale for $349

Chris Davies — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:43:16 +0000

Endearing robo-dino Pleo may have faced a second round of extinction earlier this year, but the autonomous robot has weathered the storm and gone on sale again this week. PleoWorld are offering the dinosaur for $349, with shipping to the US, Canada and the UK, together with those all-important accessories such as replacement battery packs and chargers.

Pleo’s fate was in question after Ugobe, the firm first responsible for the dino-bot, filed for bankruptcy. IP rights for the robot toy were among the assets auctioned off, and Jetta – who were already physically manufacturing Pleo units – acquired them, promising to relaunch the dinosaur together with its accessories.

Your money gets you an autonomously-learning robot packed with touch, infrared and sound sensors, together with a camera and orientation sensor, and which develops from a shy little baby dino to a rambunctious adult. PleoWorld are also offering a number of downloadable Pleo personalities, including games, which can be loaded to the robot via an SD card.

[via RobotsRule - thanks Robert!]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Jada adds touch technology to toys for kids

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:01:45 +0000

The power of touch is huge in the consumer electronics market right now. Many of the smartphones, computers, and monitors that are hitting the market feature touch sensitive technology. Touch sensitive pads are replacing buttons and other switches on many gadgets today. Touch technology is also making its move into the toy realm for kids.

Jada Toys has announced a new line of kids toys based on characters from the Marvel universe that feature touch technology. The line of toys is called Touch Tech and they feature large buttons that are easy for kids to activate. The Touch Tech also means that the buttons don’t interfere with the looks or design of the toys either.

The new vehicles are from the Marvel Super Hero Squad brand, which is an animated show that debuted on Cartoon Network this month. Other classic Marvel characters are featured as well. Prices for the new Touch Tech toys range from $7.99 to $19.99 with 18 different varieties available. These should prove to be cool gifts for the holiday season.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

WowWee Roborover and Joebot robots revealed

Chris Davies — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:28:37 +0000

Earlier this month we were lamenting the dearth of consumer robotics in 2009, and it seems someone at WowWee has heard our cries. The company has released preview information of two upcoming ‘bots, the WowWee Roborover (left) and the WowWee Joebot (right), both with remote-control functionality as well as autonomous modes.

Roborover is the first ‘bot in WowWee’s range to use a tank-track style system, and that allows him to climb over small obstacles rather than falling flat on his face. Either direct remote-control is possible – including a number of preprogrammed games and verbal content – or you can set Roborover to follow you around. The arms and waist aren’t motorized, but are poseable, and the ‘bot’s “personality” develops the more you play with him.

As for Joebot, he’s a walking robot with control either by spoken commands or by tapping his arms as joysticks. Obstacle avoidance is built-in, together with various games and a sentry mode, and you can apparently “shoot” him with any IR remote control.

The Roborover is expected to arrive in October, priced at around $69.99, while the Joebot is $99.99.

[via RoboCommunity]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

WowWee FlyTech ads make us want to be kids again [Video]

Chris Davies — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:05:32 +0000

Since we’re big geeks here at SlashGear, we’re allowed to get unduly excited at the first inklings of WowWee’s upcoming holiday range. The toy and robotics company has revealed their latest ad campaigns for their new remote-controlled gadgets, including an update on the FlyTech Dragonfly, the CrashFX plane we saw back in April and a mini UFO with LED messaging.

Video demos after the cut

The Skyhopper has a new design that adds bouncing legs and improved control, while the CrashFX is less about aerial gracefulness and more about staging dogfights. Back down on the ground, the Hoverpod is a tiny hovercraft; more details here.

Finally, the FlyTech Lightstar is a helicopter similar to the Bladestar we reviewed. Pricing for the Skyhopper is yet to be confirmed, but the CrashFX is $29.99 while the Hoverpod and Lightstar are each $19.99.

WowWee Skyhopper:

WowWee CrashFX:

WowWee Hoverpod:

WowWee Lightstar:

[via Robocommunity]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

EyeClops Night Vision 2.0 Goggles ready for the holidays

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:52:54 +0000

Kids today have it really good when it comes to sweet toys and gadgets. Back in my day, if we wanted to see in the dark we had to open our eyes really wide or go old school and get a flashlight. Today kids can get their own inexpensive night vision goggles.

Jakks has announced that it has updated the cool EyeClops Night Vision goggles that hit market last year to version 2.0. The new version for the goggles gets a $20 price cut and adds some nice new features. The set pictured is version 1.0.

Jakks says the new goggles are more comfortable to wear and now allow the wearer to see with both eyes. That has to be great for depth perception. The IR night vision set up allows the wearer to see in total darkness for up to 50 feet and the goggles will now sell for $59.99. I wonder if Santa will hook me up?

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Dasarobot Genibo dog-bot gets new video demo

Chris Davies — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:04:26 +0000

The demise of Sony’s Aibo has left a big niche in the not-especially-useful robotic dog market, and that’s a niche that Korean firm Dasarobot intends to fill. Their Genibo dog is already available from mainstream retailers in the country, and judging by the video demo after the cut he’s capable of walking, flashing his tail and flailing his limbs.

Video demo after the cut

The new ‘bot seems to be an update on an earlier 2005 design, already available in Korea, which is described as “mischievous and charming”. As with Aibo, it seems that there are various touch sensors which are used to interact with the dog.

Full specifications of the latest model are unknown, but it does look to include wireless networking and be programmable as well as have autonomous modes. Dasarobot sell the Genibo robot itself for the equivalent of $1,211, and offer a wireless router and programming CD kit for a further $121.

[via AVING]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Man Burns Down His House Over Loss of Gundam Models

Evan Selleck — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:39:49 +0000

Sometimes we need a break from the daily grind, and what better way to do that then to take a look at some completely insane news from around the world? What we have here is a man who really, really loves his Gundam and it seems he took the whole “do anything for you” thing a bit too far.

Police arrested a 29-year old factory worker named Yoshifumi Takabe on suspicion of burning down his own home on Sunday. The suspect reportedly doused his home with kerosene and then let it rip at about 2:10pm. The house, which was a two story building, about 2,700 square feet and partially made of wood, eventually burned to the ground.

To make matters worse, police say the suspect doused himself with the kerosene as well, but luckily he managed to escape before he incurring any injuries. His 55-year old mother was also in the home, but she too escaped without injury. Just when it started to look like your run-of-the-mill arsonist experiment, it seems the man had a reason behind the whole thing: according to police, the suspect said that his mother had gotten rid of his “valuable” Gundam model collection, so he wanted to kill himself. So no one was hurt, except maybe those Gundam models, which at the time of this writing, there is no word on their whereabouts.

[via Anime News Network]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Sega Toys’ Yume Neko “Dream Cat” Venus: Robo-kitty gets an upgrade

Chris Davies — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:01:27 +0000

Long-time readers may remember Sega Toys’ robotic cat that stole my heart, Yume Neko Smile; now the company is back with an upgraded version [pdf link] of the electronic-kitty. Yume Neko “Dream Cat” Venus is a life-sized Norwegian Forest Cat, with more possible movement than the original Smile version together with the ability to respond to your voice.

Well, I say ”respond”; apparently Sega Toys worked Tohoku University’s Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer in Northern Japan to make sure Yume Neko Venus responds appropriately to touch or vocal prompts. If, for instance, you say “there there” in Japanese, she’ll purr at you.

Movements, meanwhile, include laying down, reaction to touch from a number of hidden sensors, reaction to light from a hidden forehead photo-receptor, and the ability to move her paws around. She measures 490 x 240 x 230 mm and comes, like the original, with a plastic comb for grooming. Japanese buyers will be able to pick up Yume Neko “Dream Cat” Venus on July 30th, priced at the equivalent of around $110; the rest of us will have to wait for importers to get their act together.

[via CrunchGear]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Silverlit Heli-Mission SWAT Truck: R/C car with hidden helicopter! [Video]

Chris Davies — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:17:40 +0000

What’s better than a remote-controlled truck? Why, a remote-controlled truck with a hidden remote-controlled helicopter inside it, that’s what! The Silverlit Heli-Mission SWAT Truck is a full-function toy truck, the rear section of which flips open to reveal an indoor helicopter on a rising launch platform.

Video demo after the cut

What’s not entirely clear is whether you have a separate controller for the helicopter or use the same one as for the truck. All we know is that it’s a 3-channel system and uses the same contra-rotating blades as other toy choppers that makes piloting them relatively simple. Still, we never see the helicopter land back on the truck launch-pad in the video below, so you likely need some skill to get it back into the transport solely on propeller-power.

Still, we won’t allow user-ineptitude to blind us to such a fantastic toy. The Silverlit Heli-Mission SWAT Truck is apparently “coming soon” priced at £59.95 in the UK ($99).

[via OhGizmo!]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

WowWee Hoverpod R/C hovercraft coming July

Chris Davies — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:29:57 +0000

Robot-maker WowWee’s latest toy has been previewed, and if piloting their Bladestar helicopter left you in fear of your walls, lights and pets, then the WowWee Hoverpod should prove a little more manageable. A micro-hovercraft made from impact-resistant EPP foam, the Hoverpod uses WowWee’s usual IR remote for controlling and recharging.

A ten minute re-juice from the battery-powered remote is good for five minutes of play, with the Hoverpod apparently capable of venturing off of smooth wooden and tiled floors and up onto short carpet. The 2-channel digital proportional remote controls the main prop, for drive, and the rudder, for steering.

Crashes should be less than fatal, as the EPP body is tough and the propeller mainly enclosed; that also makes it a little more finger-friendly, we’d imagine. The WowWee Hoverpod is expected to land in the US in July 2009, with an expected MRSP of $19.99.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Rubik’s 360 puzzle hits shelves July 15th

Chris Davies — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:50:05 +0000

If the Rubik’s 360 puzzle caught your eye and you’ve been waiting, hands all twitchy, for it to hit shelves, pleasure is nigh. The UK release for the 360 has been confirmed as July 15th, when the 10cm puzzle-ball hits famed toy retailer Hamleys.

Set to be as fiendishly frustrating as the Rubik’s Cube, the 360 consists of three nested transparent spheres, with six balls rolling around at their center. Twisting and rotating the 360 aligns and shifts holes between the spheres, and the aim is to navigate each of the colored balls to their respective nodule-nooks studding the outside layer.

No word on official pricing as yet, nor US or other international release dates, but the assumption is that it’ll cost roughly £15 ($24) in the UK. The likelihood is that it’ll see broader availability at around the same time.

[via Pocket-lint]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

PD-100 Black Hornet: smallest video R/C helicopter in the world

Chris Davies — Wed, 06 May 2009 10:13:37 +0000

Proxdynamics have been demonstrating their PD-100 Black Hornet remote-control helicopter, the latest chopper from their stable and the smallest in the world to come equipped with a video camera. Just 15g with a blade-span of 10cm, the PD-100 is controlled by a 6-inch LCD-equipped handset that can also record all wirelessly-received footage for later review.

Video demos after the cut

Top speed is 20mph, and it’s reportedly silent in operation and can be airborne in a minute. The company expects the Black Hornet to be used for remote investigation of hostile environments, such as warzones or sites of contamination. If that hasn’t given it away already, the bad news is that the PD-100 won’t go on sale to the general public: when it launches in 2010 only official organizations such as the military will be able to buy one, with volume shipments expected in 2011.

There’s nothing we hate more than seeing a cool new toy – especially a radio-controlled helicopter – and then being told we can’t have it. No word on how much the PD-100 package will cost, but our friends in the military and emergency services will get three PD-100 choppers, the remote and a transport box with integrated charger.

[via Crave]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

iPhone-controlled R/C helicopters & planes

Chris Davies — Fri, 01 May 2009 10:52:31 +0000

Mark another one up for the iPhone’s hacking potential: using the cellphone’s accelerometers to remotely control airplanes and helicopters. FliPhone is a home-grown app by Josh Ziering, which allows him to link his iPhone to a Linksys WiFi router onboard the R/C planes.

Video demo after the cut

The router is running DD-WRT, and hooks up to a number of servos which have been modified with Cat5E plugs. As for the iPhone app, it uses the accelerometers for direction and has on-screen throttle controls that you use with the touchscreen. Vibration feedback gives indications of how much throttle is in use, so you don’t have to constantly look down at the display, and it’s possible to control more than one engine for redundancy.

That’s obviously an over-simplified explanation, and there were plenty of issues to work around. Not least, the fact that any time a call came in, the FliPhone app quit so Josh could answer it; that might be okay if you’re playing Pacman, but it’s not so great if an expensive R/C helicopter is about to come crashing to the ground.

[via Slashdot]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

WowWee FlyTech CrashFX R/C Plane

Chris Davies — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:51:46 +0000

Details of the latest remote control aircraft in WowWee’s FlyTech range have emerged, describing a plane that’s begging to be crashed into the ground. The WowWee FlyTech CrashFX is of a more traditional design than, say, the WowWee Dragonfly, but uses a new Easi-Snap system whereby the wings and tail section are designed to be easily broken off and then quickly clipped back on.

That means crashing your R/C plane is no longer a guilty secret but something to be pleased about, and raises the possibility of in-air collision dogfights. Like other WowWee systems, the CrashFX will use dual-band IR rather than radio for its 2-channel proportional-control remote, which itself is powered by four AA batteries. Recharges from the remote take 10 minutes and give up to 5 minutes of flight.

No word on pricing as yet, but the WowWee FlyTech CrashFX is expected to hit the market in late September or October of this year. We’ll let you know more when we hear it officially.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

MicroFly Tiny R/C UFO makes for super small fun

Brenda Stokes — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:01:10 +0000

If you’re one to indulge in a semi-useless gadget every now and again, you’ll be delighted to hear that you can now get your hands on the MicroFly Tiny R/C UFO for a real bargain. Not to mention, it’s just plain cool.

This little toy is really small and hovers around for your amusement. With just a 10-minute charge, the gizmo will fly around for between 5-7 minutes. Featuring a single propeller, this little UFO spins around in the air and has a flashing blue LED light.

To control it, all you have to do is slide the control up and down. That’s all there is to it. You can use more than one MicroFly on the same remote, however, so you could control your own little UFO army. The only drawback is that they require 6-AA batteries. You can get the MicroFly Tiny R/C UFO now for $19.99.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Eston MID stolen at trade-show

Chris Davies — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:49:20 +0000

It’s hard enough bringing your new MID to market without someone stealing your prototype, but that’s what Eston Technology have had happen at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair. Tech-On! stopped by to check out the touchscreen slider, which is based on an Intel processor and uses either Windows CE or Linux, but was told that someone had “walked away” with the mockup shortly after it was unveiled.

“The mockup has been stolen. It drew a crowd immediately after we unveiled it and someone seemed to have walked away with it in the confusion” Eston booth attendant

Eston are responsible for the software of the MID, with Chinese firm Guangzhou Skytone Transmission Technologies behind the hardware. It’s unclear whether the device stolen was a working prototype or a non-functional unit intended for photography.

That left Eston merely showing off their talking pen toy, which can read tiny barcode-like encoded dots printed in books and cards, triggering audio files. Bizarrely, Tech-On! compare it’s price to that of a beef bowl in Japan. Since I’m not there, I don’t know if that means it’s cheap, expensive, or reasonable (can anyone tell me if a beef bowl is sensibly priced in Japan?)

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Ugobe files for bankruptcy: no more Pleo

Chris Davies — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:11:15 +0000

Robot dinosaur maker Ugobe have confirmed that they are filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, as rumored earlier this month. The company, responsible for the Pleo dinosaur toy, dismissed all employees on Friday, but still owes $353,500 in unpaid royalties to the Pleo and Furby creator.

According to Ugobe, 100,000 Pleo dinosaurs were sold in 2008, with takings of $20m. That hasn’t been enough to hold off liabilities of $3.6m, however, with the Pleo and Furby creator Caleb Chung (who was also CEO of Ugobe) still waiting for more than a quarter of a million dollars in royalty fees.

The company’s bankruptcy trustee will now be responsible for deciding how best to sell off Ugobe’s assets, which include $1.5m-worth of tools and machinery used to manufacture the Pleo. It’s likely that they’ll be looking to sell off the failed business to a rival toy firm.

[Thanks Robert!]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Pleo maker Ugobe not going out of business

Brenda Stokes — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 23:42:17 +0000

Despite rumors to the contrary, it seems Ugobe, the company that manufactures Pleo, the robotic dinosaur, is not going out of business after all, and are merely downsizing and relocating their web hosting to a different location.

We don’t know much else than that. Prior to this release, people thought Pleo had gone extinct and that Ugobe had liquidated, but this just doesn’t seem to be the case. Caleb Chung, CEO of Ugobe, said today of the company:

“We’re going to respond to a lot of these rumors; we’re just going to do it in an organized way,” he said. “…Our company has always tried to have as much transparency as possible.”

Which really doesn’t tell us a whole lot, but Chung said that a press release addressing all of these rumors and rumblings would be coming in the next few weeks. I guess we’ll just have to wait with bated breath until then!

Thanks, Robert!

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Tomy Space-Invaders Piggy Bank video demo

Chris Davies — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:01:33 +0000

The Space Invaders Piggy-Bank was one of the more recent gadgets to make us wail at not living in Japan, and just to rub it in the Akihabara team have been playing with one. Made by Takara Tomy, the 1/6th scale table has a working game built into its lid, triggered by feeding it coins.

Video demo after the cut

While Takara Tomy say you’ll need a 100 Yen coin, in actual fact it will work with pretty much anything that will fit into the slot. Altogether the piggy-bank holds 80 coins, while the game and its sound-effects require three AA batteries.

The game counter keeps track of how many coins you’ve pumped in, and unlike the real thing you’re allowed to open it up and retrieve your money, rather than see the arcade manager pocket it all. Still no word on a US release, but over in Japan you’ll need to have saved up 5,775 Yen ($59).

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

gCubic 3D cube display gets touchscreens: Video

Chris Davies — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:31:32 +0000

The gCubik 3D mini cube display first showed up last year, when the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology in Japan (NICT) demonstrated the handheld collaborative viewing gadget. It’s now been updated, with six touchscreens, allowing virtual objects “inside” the box to be manipulated and viewed from all sides.

Video demo after the cut

Rather than the three passive displays on the first prototype, the new gCubik has six 3.5-inch touch panels running at 640 x 480 resolution. When an object is loaded into its memory – such as the plastic duck in the video below – it can be viewed from all sides but also rotated and manipulated by touching the displays.

NICT have also added 6-axis accelerometers and speakers, and the displays are apparently three-times as bright as the original. No word on when we could be able to buy one ourselves, but NICT’s original plan for the gCubik was to commercialize it in business and science, as well as with video games companies.

[via CrunchGear]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear