Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[BeetleCam's back with armor on board, and it brought a friend packing a Canon EOS 1Ds MK III]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/05/beetlecams-back-with-armor-on-board-and-it-brought-a-friend-pa/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/05/beetlecams-back-with-armor-on-board-and-it-brought-a-friend-pa/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/05/beetlecams-back-with-armor-on-board-and-it-brought-a-friend-pa/#comments Having braved the wilds of Tanzania and emerged with some brilliant photos, but a camera destroyed by a lion, the remote control BeetleCam is back at it. This time around, the buggy's got a Canon 550D, is sporting an armored shroud and it brought a buddy with some serious imaging chops to help it get up close and personal with a pride of lions in Kenya's Masai Mara. The new BeetleCam, dubbed the Mark II, has six wheels, two flashes, a Canon EOS 1Ds MK III for stunning stills and GoPro camera capable of streaming HD video. How did round two in Africa turn out? Pretty darn well, but as they say, the proof is in the pudding, so check out the amazing shots taken by the twin BeetleCams at the source below.

BeetleCam's back with armor on board, and it brought a friend packing a Canon EOS 1Ds MK III originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>africaanimalbeetlecamCanon 1Ds MK IIIcanon 550dCanon EOS 1Ds Mark IIICanon1dsMkIiiCanon550dCanonEos1dsMarkIiigoprokenyalionsphotographyphotosremote controlRemoteControlrobot cameraRobotCamerawildlifewildlife photographyWildlifePhotographyMon, 05 Mar 2012 04:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Fish are lazy, naive, easily led by robots (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/26/fish-are-lazy-naive-easily-led-by-robots/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/26/fish-are-lazy-naive-easily-led-by-robots/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/26/fish-are-lazy-naive-easily-led-by-robots/#comments Robotic fish leads real fish on merry journeyWhat does a fish look for in a leader? No doubt a nice fishy smell is important, and maybe a sense of direction too, but the overriding factor happens to be something much simpler, and indeed simple enough for a robot to mimic. Our old friend Maurizio Porfiri and a colleague from New York's Polytechnic Institute have shown that a fish-bot will quickly attract live followers if it has a nice, fluid swimming motion. When the stroke is just right, real fish will pull up alongside and visibly relax their own motion to conserve energy, just like geese flying at the rear of a 'vee' formation. It's hoped that, in the future, robots might be used to guide endangered fish populations away from oil spills and other calamities, in much the same way as battery-powered leaders have guided humanity since the dawn of time (allegedly).

Continue reading Fish are lazy, naive, easily led by robots (video)

Fish are lazy, naive, easily led by robots (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalanimal behavioranimal behaviourAnimalBehaviorAnimalBehaviourcyborgengineeringfishJournal of the Royal Society InterfaceJournalOfTheRoyalSocietyInterfacemaurizio porfiriMaurizioPorfirioceanpanzer fishPolytechnic InstitutePolytechnicInstituteporfirirobotroboticrobotic fishRoboticFishschoolscienceseaswimswimmingvideowaterweirdzoologySun, 26 Feb 2012 16:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Pinoky makes it easier to pretend like your stuffed animals are real friends (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/19/pinoky-makes-it-easier-to-pretend-like-your-stuffed-animals-are/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/19/pinoky-makes-it-easier-to-pretend-like-your-stuffed-animals-are/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/19/pinoky-makes-it-easier-to-pretend-like-your-stuffed-animals-are/#comments Seated above, from left to right, are Ms. Snuggleberry, Mr. Cuddlekins, and Professor Puddles. They congregated atop this egg yolk for what they thought would be another customary meeting of Mammalian Malice -- a vaguely neo-Jacobean slam poetry collective founded in the aftermath of the Crimean War. Little did they know, however, that they were walking straight into Yuta Sugiura's trap. Sugiura and his colleagues, you see, have created a toy known as Pinoky -- a small, ring-like device that wirelessly brings stuffed animals to "life," as Snuggleberry, Cuddlekins and Puddles soon discovered. Developed as part of a project at Keio University, Pinoky uses a micro controller, a Zigbee input device and a servo motor system to move an animal's extremities, with a set of photo sensors designed to measure the angle at which it bends. All you have to do is grab your favorite imaginary friend, strap a Pinoky around his limb, and use the accompanying remote controller to make him flail around like a fish on house arrest. See it for yourself, after the break.

Continue reading Pinoky makes it easier to pretend like your stuffed animals are real friends (video)

Pinoky makes it easier to pretend like your stuffed animals are real friends (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accelerometeranimalanimalsjapankeio universityKeioUniversitykidsmicro controllermicrocontrollerphotosensorpinokyscaryservo motorServoMotorstuffed animalsStuffedAnimalstoytoysvideowirelessYuta SugiuraYutaSugiuraMon, 19 Dec 2011 16:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: magnetic highways, MoMA tech exhibit and lasers in the sky]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/04/inhabitats-week-in-green-magnetic-highways-moma-tech-exhibit/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/04/inhabitats-week-in-green-magnetic-highways-moma-tech-exhibit/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/04/inhabitats-week-in-green-magnetic-highways-moma-tech-exhibit/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

Renewable energy supercharged our transit system this week as Inhabitat showcased Vycon's plans to tap speeding subway trains for immense amounts of kinetic energy, and we took a look at an innovative magnetic highway system that harvests energy from passing cars. Biofuels also got a boost from several unlikely sources as researchers discovered that bacteria in panda poop is incredibly efficient at breaking down plant matter, and scientists developed a way to recycle newspaper into biofuel. We also showcased a real-time energy monitoring device for kids, we learned that some radioactive areas around Fukushima are more dangerous than Chernobyl, and we took a look inside a subterranean atomic shelter that has been transformed into a cavernous underground office.

How do machines communicate with people? If you're pondering that idea, you'll be interested in this exclusive video interview with Museum of Modern Art curator Paola Antonelli on MoMA's new 'Talk to Me' technology exhibit which recently opened in New York City. We were also amazed by several artistic innovations this week as Wacom unveiled a pen that instantly digitizes anything you can draw and Sarah Garzoni created a beautiful series of printed paper butterflies.

In other news, we shined the spotlight on several brilliant advances in lighting technology as scientists successfully created rain by shooting laser beams into the sky and a designer unveiled a solar OLED tile system that can transform skyscrapers into zero-energy displays. We also brought you several bright ideas in wearable tech as Halston unveiled a glow-in-the-dark sequin gown, a ghostly troop of illuminated radiation suits wandered through the German countryside, and a Cornell student developed a type of clothing that traps toxic gases. Meanwhile the Hudson River lit up with a luminous field of 200 LEDs and Laser Power Systems unveiled plans for a nuclear powered car. Speaking of green transportation, we also spotted a high-tech E-Max motorcycle that converts pressure into power, and we watched Toyota's all-electric P001 racer become the first EV to break the Nurburgring's 8-minute speed record.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: magnetic highways, MoMA tech exhibit and lasers in the sky originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalanimalsbacteriacare-maxeco-friendlyelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleEVglowglow in the darkGlowInTheDarkgreeninhabitatInhabitats Week in GreenInhabitatsWeekInGreenlaserlaser beamsLaserBeamslightlightingmotorcycleoledp001pandaradiationsolarsolar powerSolarPowertoxictoyotaVyconSun, 04 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dyson unleashes DC41 Animal vacuum cleaner for pigpen apartments]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/01/dyson-unleashes-dc41-animal-vacuum-cleaner-for-pigpen-apartments/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/01/dyson-unleashes-dc41-animal-vacuum-cleaner-for-pigpen-apartments/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/01/dyson-unleashes-dc41-animal-vacuum-cleaner-for-pigpen-apartments/#comments
We normally wouldn't leave our housework in the hands of an animal, but Dyson's new DC41 Animal vacuum cleaner may force us to reconsider. The company's latest Ball-based sweeper uses Dyson's proprietary (and complicated-sounding) Radial Root Cyclone technology to maximize its 235 air watts of suction power -- most of which is concentrated at the cleaner's head. It also ships with a mini turbine head, which you can use to clean up the hair that real animals leave on your car seat. In true Dysonian fashion, however, this Ball-bearing beast won't come for cheap. You can scoop one up at the source link below, for a cool $600.

Dyson unleashes DC41 Animal vacuum cleaner for pigpen apartments originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalballcleaningdc41dc41 animalDc41Animaldysondyson balldyson dc41 animaldyson vacuumDysonBallDysonDc41AnimalDysonVacuumexpensivehouseholdminipostmoneypowerpriceradialradial root cycloneRadialRootCyclonesuctionvacuumThu, 01 Sep 2011 19:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Garmin's Astro 320 GPS handheld offers nine-mile coverage, keeps your hunting dogs in line]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/02/garmins-astro-320-gps-handheld-offers-nine-mile-coverage-keeps/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/02/garmins-astro-320-gps-handheld-offers-nine-mile-coverage-keeps/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/02/garmins-astro-320-gps-handheld-offers-nine-mile-coverage-keeps/#comments Before you and your pooches head out to hunt innocent ducks this year, you might wanna check out Garmin's new Astro 320 dog tracker -- a handheld GPS device designed to help hunters keep even closer tabs on their four-legged sentries. The latest addition to the Astro family can simultaneously track up to ten hunting dogs per receiver, with a revamped antenna and three-axis electronic compass covering up to nine miles of flat terrain. Boasting a 20-hour battery life, the 1.7GB handheld can also tell hunters whether their canines are running or pointing, while its mapping capabilities provide their precise coordinates relative to powerlines, buildings, and individual trees. All this information is displayed on a 2.6-inch display, where users will be able to access 100k or 24k topographic and satellite maps. A keypad lock function, meanwhile, will make sure you don't accidentally press any buttons while you're in the thick of a hound-led hunt. The handheld will be available in July for $500, with the full system (including a DC 40 tracking collar) priced at $650. You can flip through the gallery below for images of some antenna-toting doggies, or head past the break for a more testosterone-laced pic and the full PR.

Gallery: Garmin Astro 320

Continue reading Garmin's Astro 320 GPS handheld offers nine-mile coverage, keeps your hunting dogs in line

Garmin's Astro 320 GPS handheld offers nine-mile coverage, keeps your hunting dogs in line originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.7GB100k2.6-inch24Kanimalantennaastro 320Astro320collardc 40dc 40 collar trackerDC40Dc40CollarTrackerdog trackerdogsDogTrackerelectronic compassElectronicCompassgarmingarmin astrogarmin astro 320GarminAstroGarminAstro320hunthunterhuntingkeypadkeypad lockKeypadLockmappingmapssafetysatellite imagerySatelliteImagerythree-axistopographic mapTopographicMaptrackerThu, 02 Jun 2011 12:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers build a robot inspired by caterpillars, nightmares (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/researchers-build-a-robot-inspired-by-caterpillars-nightmares/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/researchers-build-a-robot-inspired-by-caterpillars-nightmares/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/researchers-build-a-robot-inspired-by-caterpillars-nightmares/#comments
There's a long history of robots modeled on animals, and some researchers from Tufts University have now taken things in a particularly creepy-crawly direction. They've built a robot that's able to mimic the way a caterpillar balls itself up to bounce away from predators. As you can see in the video above, while the robot (dubbed GoQBot) is quite a bit bigger than the actual bug, is does indeed do a pretty good caterpillar imitation. What might such a bot be used for? Well, the researchers say that the so-called "ballistic rolling" behavior could be used to improve on some of the many existing robots that are modeled on worms or snakes -- which could let them fling themselves into a disaster area, for instance, and then wiggle around to aid in search and rescue operations. Head on past the break to see the bot in slow-motion.

Continue reading Researchers build a robot inspired by caterpillars, nightmares (video)

Researchers build a robot inspired by caterpillars, nightmares (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalbotcaterpillargoqbotrobottuftstufts universityTuftsUniversityvideoThu, 28 Apr 2011 20:37:00 EST<![CDATA[StripeSpotter turns wild zebras into trackable barcodes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/stripespotter-turns-wild-zebras-into-trackable-barcodes/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/stripespotter-turns-wild-zebras-into-trackable-barcodes/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/stripespotter-turns-wild-zebras-into-trackable-barcodes/#comments We've heard plenty of stories over the past few years about tagging animals with RFID chips, but we've never been particularly keen on the idea. Well, now a team of researchers has come up with a much less invasive way of tracking individual animals -- specifically zebras -- by essentially using their stripes as barcodes. StripeSpotter, as it's known, takes an isolated portion of a photograph of a zebra and slices it into a series of horizontal bands. Each pixel in the selection is then fully converted into black or white, and the bands are in turn encoded into StripeStrings, which eventually make up a StripeCode that resembles a barcode. All this information is stored in a database that allows researchers to directly identify particular animals without ever having to get too close. StripeCode may be a zebra-centric application for now, but its developers see it making a mark across the food chain with the inclusion of other distinctly patterned beasts, like tigers and giraffes. Animal tracking hobbyists can get their own free copy of the application by clicking on the source link below.

StripeSpotter turns wild zebras into trackable barcodes originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalanimal idanimal identifierAnimalIdAnimalIdentifieranimalsbarcodebarcode scannerbarcode scanningbarcodesBarcodeScannerBarcodeScanningencodingimage recognitionimage researchImageRecognitionImageResearchimagingMayank LahiriMayankLahirinatureopen sourceOpenSourcestripecodeStripeSpotterstripestringstagtaggedtrackingtracking systemTrackingSystemUICuniversity of illinoisuniversity of illinois chicagoUniversityOfIllinoisUniversityOfIllinoisChicagozebrazebra IDZebraIdzebrasMon, 11 Apr 2011 10:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Hamster-powered miniature Strandbeest proves that sometimes, cute is a gadget]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/hamster-powered-miniature-strandbeest-proves-that-sometimes-cut/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/hamster-powered-miniature-strandbeest-proves-that-sometimes-cut/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/hamster-powered-miniature-strandbeest-proves-that-sometimes-cut/#comments
Sometimes, after a hard day of gadget blogging, you just want to sit down at your terminal and watch a funny, heart-warming video of a hamster running furiously (as they will) in a plastic ball attached to a Strandbeest traveling across a table to the delight of watching children. Right? Video is after the break.

Continue reading Hamster-powered miniature Strandbeest proves that sometimes, cute is a gadget

Hamster-powered miniature Strandbeest proves that sometimes, cute is a gadget originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 23:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalanimalscutehackinghamsterStrandbeestvideoWed, 09 Feb 2011 23:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Robot camel jockeys found packing illegal stun guns, Dubai police say 'Don't tase them bro!']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/robot-camel-jockeys-found-packing-illegal-stun-guns-dubai-polic/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/robot-camel-jockeys-found-packing-illegal-stun-guns-dubai-polic/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/robot-camel-jockeys-found-packing-illegal-stun-guns-dubai-polic/#comments It's been awhile since we've talked about the remote controlled robot jockeys used in Arabian camel racing, but a recent scandal that has rocked the camel-racing world compels us to revisit the topic. The Dubai police discovered that some shady characters have been selling robot jockeys equipped with stun guns to "encourage" camels to run faster. We're pretty sure that the animals don't need any more incentive to run -- they already have a robot whipping them -- and it's good to see that the powers-that-be agree with us, as the two men selling the machines were arrested. Now that our dromedary friends need no longer fear being tased in the name of sport, we only have to worry about over-zealous peace officers using them on all of us.

[Image Credit: ZDNet]

Robot camel jockeys found packing illegal stun guns, Dubai police say 'Don't tase them bro!' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 22:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalanimalscamelcamel jockeycamel jockey robotcamel racingCamelJockeyCamelJockeyRobotCamelRacingcamelsrobotRobotsstun gunStunGuntaserMon, 24 Jan 2011 22:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Satellite-borne lasers tracking woodland happenings, who knows what else]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/21/satellite-borne-lasers-tracking-woodland-happenings-who-knows-w/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/21/satellite-borne-lasers-tracking-woodland-happenings-who-knows-w/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/21/satellite-borne-lasers-tracking-woodland-happenings-who-knows-w/#commentsIt may shock your senses, but this actually isn't the first time we've heard of lasers being used to track birds and their habitats. But this go 'round, an Idaho University team is using a satellite-borne laser in an effort to "predict in which part of a State Forest the birds might be living." In particular, the crew is developing methods that'll help them track the North American pileated woodpecker, namely because these creatures are pegged as being great indicators of overall bird diversity. Currently, the laser is only capable of analyzing vital characteristics of a woodland, but scientists are using this information to take a stab as to where the aforementioned birds would be. Essentially, this laser spotting approach enables gurus to spot highly dense sections of forest -- plots where the pileated woodpecker loves to hang -- from above, dramatically cutting down the hide-and-seek that would previously take place on foot in much larger areas. Now, if only they could get lasers onto the birds, we'd have an all new brand of rave to consider.

Satellite-borne lasers tracking woodland happenings, who knows what else originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 06:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalbirdbirdsforestidahoIdaho UniversityIdahoUniversitylasernasaPileated woodpeckersPileatedWoodpeckerssatellitesciencespaceWoodpeckerTue, 21 Dec 2010 06:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Typewriter parts used to construct model deer, give small children nightmares]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/typewriter-parts-used-to-construct-model-deer-give-small-childr/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/typewriter-parts-used-to-construct-model-deer-give-small-childr/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/typewriter-parts-used-to-construct-model-deer-give-small-childr/#comments It's a deer. Made out of typewriter parts. And for whatever reason, it's downright terrifying. Jeremy Mayer's creation (yeah, that Jeremy Mayer) was recently shown at the Device Gallery in San Diego, measuring an intimidating 20- x 36- x 38-inches. It's apparently dubbed the Deer III, which means that at least two others could be roaming an unlit street near you. Something tells us your insurance company will never believe the story should you be unlucky enough to collide with one.

Typewriter parts used to construct model deer, give small children nightmares originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalartdeerdesignjeremy mayerJeremyMayerkeyboardkeysrecyclestrangetypewriterweirdMon, 27 Sep 2010 20:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Artificial bee eye gives diminutive robotic air drones wider range of vision]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/09/artificial-bee-eye-gives-diminutive-robotic-air-drones-wider-ran/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/09/artificial-bee-eye-gives-diminutive-robotic-air-drones-wider-ran/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/09/artificial-bee-eye-gives-diminutive-robotic-air-drones-wider-ran/#commentsWe'd bother telling you up front that it also gives them a new sense of purpose, but you're already versed in how the impending Robot Apocalypse is going to go down. Wolfgang Stürzl and his best buds over at Bielefeld University in Germany have just published a report detailing how an artificial bee eye could improve the vision of miniature robots -- ones that fly, in particular. By using a catadioptric imaging system, which captures an image using both mirrors and lenses, they were able to utilize a single camera to capture a full 280-degrees of vision, and a lowly internal computer is able to stitch the two panes together in order to create a usable image that humans can interpret. The idea here is to provide more sight with less space, bringing us one step closer to actually having our very own 'fly-on-the-wall' moment. Comforting, no?

Artificial bee eye gives diminutive robotic air drones wider range of vision originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalartificialbeeBielefeld UniversityBielefeldUniversitycatadioptriceyeeyesfisheye lensFisheyeLensgermanyimaginginsectoccularRobot Apocalypserobot visionRobotApocalypseRobotVisionsciencesightuniversityvisionMon, 09 Aug 2010 10:42:00 EST<![CDATA[HP data center fueled by hopes, dreams and... cow dung]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/hp-data-center-fueled-by-hopes-dreams-and-cow-dung/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/hp-data-center-fueled-by-hopes-dreams-and-cow-dung/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/hp-data-center-fueled-by-hopes-dreams-and-cow-dung/#commentsWe've seen data centers use excess heat for greener purposes, but how's about injecting a little green into the other side of that equation? HP Labs is on that very wavelength, going so far as to publish details on how these centers could be partially powered by none other than cow manure. Yeah, cowpies. The essential thought process went a little something like this: "Data centers need a lot of energy. Dairy farms create a lot of methane. Let's make it happen." Purportedly, 10,000 dairy cows could "fulfill the power requirements of a 1-megawatt data center -- the equivalent of a medium-sized data center -- with power left over to support other needs on the farm," and heat generated by the data center could "be used to increase the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion of animal waste." The stomach-twisting details can be found beyond the break, but we can't be held responsible for any images you conjure up. Remember -- once your third eye sees it, you can't un-see it.

[Thanks, Bob]

Continue reading HP data center fueled by hopes, dreams and... cow dung

HP data center fueled by hopes, dreams and... cow dung originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 May 2010 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative energyAlternativeEnergyanimalcomedycowcowsdata centerDataCenterelectricityenergyfunnygreenhphp labsHpLabsManurepowerresearchserverwasteweirdWed, 19 May 2010 14:07:00 EST<![CDATA[BeetleCam wildlife photography secures stellar snaps in the wilds of Tanzania]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/20/beetlecam-wildlife-photography-secures-stellar-snaps-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/20/beetlecam-wildlife-photography-secures-stellar-snaps-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/20/beetlecam-wildlife-photography-secures-stellar-snaps-in-the-wild/#comments We won't even front -- we've got a thing for visiting National Parks, and in a way, we're dangerously envious of these fellows who crafted this here BeetleCam. In short, the device is a wildlife photography robot: a four-wheeled, remote control buggy that holds a DSLR, a couple of flashes and enough torque and battery life to power through African wilds for hours on end. After months of testing, building, rebuilding and rebuilding again, the BeetleCam was packaged up and carried over to Tanzania's Ruaha and Katavi National Parks. During the fortnight-long excursion, the buggy managed to survive being mauled by a lion (sadly the same can't be said for the Canon EOS 400D) and get staggeringly close to elephants, African Buffaloes and other untamed fauna. Frankly, this is one of the more amazing homegrown gadgets we've seen in quite some time, and we couldn't encourage you more to hit up that source link for the full spill.

BeetleCam wildlife photography secures stellar snaps in the wilds of Tanzania originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>africaanimalbeetlecambuggycameradiydslrmodphotographyremote controlRemoteControlrobotrobot cameraRobotCamerarobotic cameraRoboticCamerawildlifeTue, 20 Apr 2010 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Confused pig face mobile phone has paw print buttons, Winnie the Pooh sticker]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/18/confused-pig-face-mobile-phone-has-paw-print-buttons-winnie-the/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/18/confused-pig-face-mobile-phone-has-paw-print-buttons-winnie-the/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/18/confused-pig-face-mobile-phone-has-paw-print-buttons-winnie-the/#comments Oh China, how we love the gadgets you produce. Particularly those of the homegrown variety. We can't say we spotted this pig face mobile during our recent jaunt through the gadget sectors of Hong Kong, but boy, do we wish we had. In one of the most extreme cases of product confusion ever, it looks as if we've got a clamshell phone with the face of a pig, a 0.3 megapixel camera, light-up eyes, a smattering of misplaced Walt Disney logos, paw print send / end buttons and rear speakers, and a random Winnie the Pooh sticker on the rear -- you know, to really cap things off. We're guessing this is some failed attempt to generate yet another KIRF Disney phone, but seriously, a glowing pig? Hello Kitty is not pleased.

[Thanks, Chris]

Confused pig face mobile phone has paw print buttons, Winnie the Pooh sticker originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 02:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Dog buys 5,000 Microsoft points, says he just wanted to check out the Abbey Road DLC

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Dog buys 5,000 Microsoft points, says he just wanted to check out the Abbey Road DLC originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's not like we haven't seen slightly funny / interesting / unorthodox USB flash drives before, but there's just something about a headless penguin hanging from a USB port that gets us chuckling. Available in 2/4/8/16GB capacities, the simply titled Penguin drive even gives a portion of its proceeds to the World Wildlife Fund, providing you with even more reason to cave to the urge and pick one up. This little fellow's up on Amazon right now for $12.95 to $42.95.

Gallery: Penguin USB drive is infinitely cute, hilarious

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Penguin USB drive is infinitely cute, hilarious originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Active MediaActive Media ProductsActiveMediaActiveMediaProductsAMPanimalcharityflash driveFlashDrivePenguin DrivePenguinDrivestorageusbusb driveusb flash driveUsbDriveUsbFlashDriveWorld Wildlife FundWorldWildlifeFundWWFWWF Penguin DriveWwfPenguinDriveWed, 10 Jun 2009 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Remote Pet Feeder feeds your pet, encourages your animal voyeurism habit]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/09/remote-pet-feeder-feeds-your-pet-encourages-your-animal-voyeuri/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/09/remote-pet-feeder-feeds-your-pet-encourages-your-animal-voyeuri/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/09/remote-pet-feeder-feeds-your-pet-encourages-your-animal-voyeuri/#comments The last time we saw a computerized internet-controlled pet feeder, it had been lovingly, creatively cobbled together by a child. Well, it seems the idea's really got legs, as they now seem to be available on a mass-scale, in a nearly identical (albeit slightly more polished) form. Yes, just like the one designed by a boy somewhere in the 8-years-old-range, the Remote Pet Feeder comes with a webcam, a slightly modded bulk kibble feeder / bowl combo, and a 24-hour programmable timer. It's available now for about $290.

[Via Coolest Gadgets]

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Remote Pet Feeder feeds your pet, encourages your animal voyeurism habit originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What goes well with a communication-enabled water dish? Why, a Twitter / RFID-enabled kitty door, of course! The so-called Tweeting Cat Door is undoubtedly the most hilarious, insightful and useful DIY contraption we've ever seen to wed RFID, social networking and computer programming. Essentially, this homegrown cat door was crafted to only open when Gus or Penny walks up with their super special RFID tags; once they approach, a mounted camera snaps a picture and uploads it (along with a quip) to Twitter. Don't deny it -- your feline is steaming with envy from the corner of your desk right now.

[Via Switched]

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Intelligent cat door utilizes Twitter, RFID masterfully originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[Via news:lite, thanks Charles]

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Jacketed hamsters demonstrate movement-powered nanogenerators originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalanimalsenergygeneratorgeorgia techGeorgiaTechgreenhamstermicemousenanogeneratornanotechnologypiezoelectricresearchrodentscienceuniversityFri, 27 Feb 2009 00:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Geolocator-equipped backpacks to track bird migrations]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/geolocator-equipped-backpacks-to-track-bird-migrations/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/geolocator-equipped-backpacks-to-track-bird-migrations/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/geolocator-equipped-backpacks-to-track-bird-migrations/#comments
We've seen birds tasked with carrying around sensors in order to provide data about external happenings, but up until now, tracking birds' migration patterns from start to finish has been a tedious, if not impossible task. Gurus from York University in Toronto have apparently figured out the solution, and it all sounds much simpler than you might imagine. By equipping birds with minuscule "backpacks" -- which weigh less than a dime and use geolocators to collect all sorts of information about flight times, patterns, stopovers and speed -- scientists can get an accurate look at where the animals were and when they were there. In a recent test involving 34 birds, researchers were able to retrieve the packs from 7, and while that may not be a majority, biologist J. M. Stutchbury noted that this "was 7 more than anybody else." Right you are, Doc.

[Via New York Times, image courtesy of PaulNoll]

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Geolocator-equipped backpacks to track bird migrations originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In case you weren't already convinced that animals across the globe simply prefer high-definition content, here's yet another research study to pound it through your thick skull. Renata Pronk utilized both SD and HD content in order to judge the reaction of octopuses when seeing a fellow octopus, a crab (read: dinner) and a random bottle. Her findings? The creature's eyes were simply too fast to view the SD content as anything other than a meaningless series of images, while the HD material caused it to puff up / scurry away, open wide or carry on aimlessly, respectively. Who says creatures of the wild don't have discerning taste?

[Via Slashgear, image courtesy of Deviantart]

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Octopuses found to be fans of high-def, not so much SD originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We're going out on a limb here and assuming that the Haute Diggity Dog iBone comes jailbroken and ready to rock, or at least that's the impression we get from checking out that heretofore unseen bevy of icons. Customized for the "tech savvy dog on the go," this here iPhone chew toy gives dear Fido access to bark / hand-shake training, posture lessons, Washington Huskies sports updates (it's the Clemson Tigers in all honesty, but work with us here), a mysterious fitness app and a bone application for times when supper just seems too far away. You know your pup's worth the $11.95, you just know it.

[Via textually]

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iBone chew toy gives sneak peek at dog-centric App Store originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We're going out on a limb here and assuming that the Haute Diggity Dog iBone comes jailbroken and ready to rock, or at least that's the impression we get from checking out that heretofore unseen bevy of icons. Customized for the "tech savvy dog on the go," this here iPhone chew toy gives dear Fido access to bark / hand-shake training, posture lessons, Washington Huskies sports updates (it's the Clemson Tigers in all honesty, but work with us here), a mysterious fitness app and a bone application for times when supper just seems too far away. You know your pup's worth the $11.95, you just know it.

[Via textually]

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iBone chew toy gives sneak peek at dog-centric App Store originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just under a year ago, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced his hopes that one day he could pinpoint the location of his black Labrador, Koni, at any time of the day. Today, a dream has been realized. Mr. Putin has finally procured a satellite collar that will enable him to track the lab regardless of which of the eleven times zones she may be in while waltzing through Russia. Once the collar was slipped on, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov immediately said "she looks sad, her free life is over." Putin didn't miss a beat when snapping back: "In Soviet Russia, GLONASS track you!"

[Image courtesy of Picasa, thanks MJ]

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Vladimir Putin finally acquires satellite collar for his dog originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For those of you (we know, pretty much everyone in existence) who already picked up a set of Pink Pig PC speakers a few years back, you can carry on with your daily routine. For everyone else that owns an iPod, hold it right there. Speakal is delivering the iPod docking iPig, a unique speaker system that packs five total drivers (including a 4-inch subwoofer), adjustable bass controls, 360-degree sound distribution and a very debatable design. You'll also find a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack for hooking up every other source, and the bundled remote makes it easy to switch tracks and such from your sofa. The only problem? That $139.99 price tag. Check the full release after the jump.

Continue reading Speakal's iPig speaker system rolls in the mud with your iPod

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Speakal's iPig speaker system rolls in the mud with your iPod originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Verizon pulls pit bull LG Dare commercial after PETA bombardment

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Verizon pulls pit bull LG Dare commercial after PETA bombardment originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[Via Core77]

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Ear-A-Round headsets keep tabs on cows, make farming easier originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's hard to say if the pigeon you see above actually understood what he / she was doing, but apparently these birds can be taught to at least play App Store games in a very poor manner. The creature's owner does note that Mr. Pigeon was pretty awful at racking up high scores on Tap Tap Revenge, but the important thing to realize here is that pigeon pecks do register as presses on the screen. Now that this is all out in the open, we fully expect a follow-up video next week of someone teaching their bird to dial a number on command. Vid's after the break.

Continue reading Video: pigeon learns to "play" Tap Tap Revenge

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Video: pigeon learns to "play" Tap Tap Revenge originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's hard to say if the pigeon you see above actually understood what he / she was doing, but apparently these birds can be taught to at least play App Store games in a very poor manner. The creature's owner does note that Mr. Pigeon was pretty awful at racking up high scores on Tap Tap Revenge, but the important thing to realize here is that pigeon pecks do register as presses on the screen. Now that this is all out in the open, we fully expect a follow-up video next week of someone teaching their bird to dial a number on command. Vid's after the break.

Continue reading Video: pigeon learns to "play" Tap Tap Revenge

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Video: pigeon learns to "play" Tap Tap Revenge originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It has been a hot minute since WowWee let the Alive animals out of the zoo, but this particular White Tiger Cub has just recently been loosed from its cage. Although it's just dying for an I Can Has Cheezburger? caption (feel free to drop your best in comments below), this cute cat looks to be the perfect play toy for small children or adults hoping to rekindle some of that youthful innocence. We're also told that the eyebrow and mouth movements are "quite realistic," but its the individual personality that really makes it worth coming back to. Check out the unboxing and a brief review in the read link, and peek a video of the feline in action after the cut.

Continue reading WowWee's Alive White Tiger Cub gets unboxed, showcased on video

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WowWee's Alive White Tiger Cub gets unboxed, showcased on video originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Look, that USB-powered fish tank was fine during your teenage years of irresponsibility, but it's really about time you started acting your age. Of course, we're not suggesting you actually work harder -- just smarter, is all. The DIY Automatic Fish Feeder is an exceptionally cheap, easy and almost life-changing creation that will never, ever forget to keep your fishes well fed and well lit. By attaching a makeshift pill bottle dispenser to a timer, Baha Tanju was able to create an automatic feeder that barely requires any attention. We know fish have a way of forgetting everything they ever knew every three seconds or so, but they'll love you three seconds at a time for never leaving 'em hungry.

[Via Hack-A-Day]

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DIY Automatic Fish Feeder is outstandingly simple, rewarding originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Traditional fish should definitely start keeping their guard up, as we've seen a noticeable influx of robotic alternatives flapping around here recently. Joining the school today is the Robofish, a robotic swimming creature developed at the University of Washington. Reportedly, a trio of the units have been built, and during a recent workshop, the bots were able to communicate with one another and successfully swim in either one direction or in different directions. Eventually, researchers hope that these mechanical animals could explore underwater caves, track moving targets or plunge beneath ice sheets, but there's still work to be done before the creature's coordination ability is up to the challenge. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

[Via Slashdot]

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Robofish communicate with each other, engage in synchronized swimming originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unless you've specifically been lookin' out, you may have very well forgotten about WowWee's crazed robotic dog that was uncaged at CES. After lasting through its first few days of training (which we'll call a review for our purposes), we're led to believe that this pup is "the silliest robot you'll ever love." Reviewers weren't shy in calling it like it saw it, as Wrex was hailed as "absolutely terrible at being a dog and even worse at being a robot." Of course, it's fairly easy to see this bugger was meant to provide comedic relief and not sophisticated companionship, so those pointers aren't exactly negative. Overall, Wrex is almost guaranteed to make you chuckle on a daily basis, and if you don't believe that, just check out the video waiting after the break.

[Via MAKE]

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WowWee's Wrex the Dawg reviewed: puts real canines to shame originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hate to say it, but Pleo ain't got nothing on Sparky. Created by five interaction design master students, this robodog actually responds in sensible ways to positive / negative scenarios going on around it. For instance, the creature will drop its head, whimper and collapse down if faced with "carbon monoxide, cigarette smoke, alcohol, too much dark lighting, hitting and yelling." Consequently, he'll perk up and show signs of excitement when standing in broad daylight or going on walks. All the pluses of having your own pet, minus the excrement and doggy daycare costs -- brilliant! Peep Sparky's day out on the town after the jump.

Continue reading Sparky the robodog reacts accordingly to surroundings

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Sparky the robodog reacts accordingly to surroundings originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you're somehow able to gaze upon the Digital Photo Urn without emotion, you'll find a fairly useful product. Still, we can't help but be a little creeped out by the notion. Nevertheless, those with differing views can certainly procure one of their own, which was meant specifically to hold the remains (or at least some of them) of your lost pet and continually show pictures of its life on the built-in 7-inch display. In case you're still not freaked out, the unit even supports audio, so you can "hear the precious barks, whines and purrs anytime." At this point, we highly doubt you care about the 256MB of integrated storage space, USB connectivity or Oak / Walnut motifs, but those not shaken can secure one now for around $250.

[Via picturesnob, thanks Jay]

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Digital Photo Urn is just too creepy to be useful originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 May 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animaldeathdigiframedigital photo frameDigitalPhotoFramepetpet urnPetUrnurnweirdTue, 20 May 2008 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Beavers and bugs inspire robotic creations]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/15/beavers-and-bugs-inspire-robotic-creations/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/15/beavers-and-bugs-inspire-robotic-creations/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/15/beavers-and-bugs-inspire-robotic-creations/#commentsRest assured, this won't be the first or last time you hear of insects and mammals being used as inspiration for robotic creatures. Nevertheless, a recent MIT mechanical engineering course saw students craft bots that could handle "beaver-like tasks" such as "knocking down trees and gathering food in the form of street hockey balls" while fending off competitors in 45-second rounds. Separately, the EU-funded SPARK endeavor is seeking to "develop a new robot control architecture for roving robots inspired by the principles governing the behavior of living systems and based on the concept of self-organization." There's plenty more material to make your skin crawl in the read links below, just don't feed the mechs, okay?

Read - SPARK project
Read - MIT competition

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Beavers and bugs inspire robotic creations originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 May 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After an absolutely heart-wrenching video of Pleo being annihilated by a sadistic ComBot emerged yesterday, we're thrilled to add a little balance to the whole thing with a totally heartwarming clip today. Down at Sea World, Pleo was politely introduced to a number of animals in the park, though its interactions with the dolphins were particularly special. In the vid posted after the jump, you can go ahead and fast-forward to around the two minute mark -- there you'll find the true definition of a stud. Or maybe the pod just thinks miniature dinosaurs look extraordinarily tasty.

[Thanks, Robert]

Continue reading Pleo communes with nature, woos Dolphins

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Pleo communes with nature, woos Dolphins originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 May 2008 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Most of the squirrels on our college campus were massive, hyper-intelligent little beasts that were best dealt with by vigilant avoidance, but it looks like Hampshire College professor Sarah Partan is taking the opposite approach, using a robotic squirrel named "Rocky" to interact with the local rodents up close. Rocky is controlled wirelessly from a laptop, and can realistically move his tail and body to communicate with other squirrels, as well as play pre-recorded squirrel noises from built-in speakers. The goal is to study how animals communicate, and it looks like Rocky's doing a good job -- the local squirrels seem to respond to him just like any other. That's pretty impressive for a bot (or pretty weak for the squirrels, depending on your point of view), but we're just waiting for Partan and her team to discover the shocking truth: that the squirrels are really studying them.

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Robotic squirrel used to study real-life squirrel behavior, steal nuts originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 May 2008 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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