Engadget

Bio-chemical circuits may make you a man of a machine

Terrence O'Brien — Thu, 31 May 2012 06:26:00 EST

You'd be more than forgiven for not knowing who Klas Tybrandt is. The doctoral student at Linköping University is hardly a household name, but his latest creation may garner him some serious attention. The Swedish scientist has combined special transistors he developed into an integrated circuit capable of transmitting positive and negative ions as well as biomolecules. The advantage here is that, instead of simply controlling electronics, the circuits carry chemicals which can have a variety of functions, such as acetylcholine which the human body uses to transmit signals between cells. Implantable circuits that traffic in neurotransmitters instead of electrical voltages could be a key step in taking making our cyborg dreams a reality. We're already counting down the days till we're more machine than man.

Bio-chemical circuits may make you a man of a machine originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 06:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Russian researchers build partial android for bizarre mind-transfer project (video)

Anthony Verrecchio — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:18:00 EST

A Team of Russian researchers are building a conceptual mind-transfer android, and we're definitely not talking about Ice Cream Sandwich. However bizarre, their goal is to help mankind achieve immortality using a combination of humanoid robots and interstellar space travel to get away from a dangerous and overcrowded planet -- but most of the needed technology seems so far off that we could probably power cycle the world's slowest Linux computer a million times before we see any of it. One prototype includes the torso of an android that will one day house a a computer rig that would be theoretically capable of acting as a personal proxy -- essentially, a place to upload "human souls." This ~~absolutely insane~~ über-ambitious project is the stuff of science fiction, but the big shots over in the birthplace of Tetris say it'll all be possible by 2045. Need more convincing? Check out the two videos after the break.

Continue reading Russian researchers build partial android for bizarre mind-transfer project (video)

Russian researchers build partial android for bizarre mind-transfer project (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 May 2012 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Sharif Sakr — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:46:00 EST

What 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.

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Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O. 7 gaming mouse hands-on

Sean Buckley — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST

Mad Catz' Cyborg RAT series of adjustable computer mice has seen its fair share of minor revisions, and while wireless upgrades and whitewashed DPI tweaks have given consumers a hair of choice in transforming desktop pests, the differences between these devices has been modest, at best. Until now, at least. Enter the Cyborg M.M.O. 7, the outfit's latest addition to its aggressively styled line of gaming mice, minus the RAT moniker. Despite shedding the name of its predecessors, Mad Catz' latest point-and-clicker is as much of a RAT as the mice that came before it, but distinguishes itself with more buttons, more features and more color. Read on to see what's new, what's different and what should have stayed the same.

Gallery: Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O. 7 gaming mouse hands-on

Continue reading Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O. 7 gaming mouse hands-on

Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O. 7 gaming mouse hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O.7 gaming mouse now on sale, F.R.E.Q 5 headset hits pre-order

Mat Smith — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:15:00 EST

Gamers looking for some hardware assistance can breathe a sigh of relief; Mad Catz's latest eye-catching forays into gaming mice and headsets are almost, if not already, upon us. The Cyborg M.M.O.7 mouse ($130) manages to offer up 78 definable commands beneath those eye-catching metallic hues and is available to buy now, while its F.R.E.Q 5 headset ($150) has hit pre-order on the manufacturer's site. Acronym-loving thrill-seekers can check out both at the source below.

Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O.7 gaming mouse now on sale, F.R.E.Q 5 headset hits pre-order originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cyborg cockroaches inch closer to reality, blame science

Amar Toor — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:37:00 EST

Few things on this planet are more indestructible than the lowly cockroach -- except, of course, a cyborg cockroach. That's what researchers at Case Western Reserve University are looking to create, and they're a lot closer than you may think. In fact, chemistry professor Daniel Scherson has found a way to harvest energy from the chemicals swimming within these insidious insects, meaning that they may soon be able to create robot cockroaches with a more reliable power source. To do this, Scherson and his team incorporated enzymes capable of converting a cockroach's food intake into electrons, which can then be funneled through a fuel cell to generate electricity. Unlike similar developments, Scherson's technique doesn't rely on an external source like light, movement or batteries. All you need is a cockroach and a steady food supply -- basically, a college dorm room.

[Image courtesy of The Life Files]

Cyborg cockroaches inch closer to reality, blame science originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mad Catz goes massively multiplayer with Cyborg M.M.O.7

Brian Heater — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:49:00 EST

Remember that intense Albino Rat Mouse from Mad Catz that we took for a spin and ripped apart way back in August? Meet its cousin, the Cyborg M.M.O.7. As you've likely already gathered, this rather intense gaming peripheral is all about the MMO world, featuring a staggering 78 definable commands thanks to 13 programmable buttons, a two-position MMO shift button and a three-position MMO mode switch. It's also one size fits all, thanks to adjustable palm and thumb rests. World of Warcraft fans will likely find a lot to like in the ability to assign spells to the mouse's buttons by dragging and dropping. The Cyborg M.M.O.7 is coming next month -- no word on pricing just yet.

Gallery: Mad Catz goes massively multiplayer with Cyborg M.M.O.7

Filed under: Gaming

Mad Catz goes massively multiplayer with Cyborg M.M.O.7 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stanford builds super-stretchy skin sensor out of carbon nanotubes (video)

Daniel Cooper — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:11:00 EST

An artificial skin that senses pressure, pinches and touch sounds like a macguffin from The Outer Limits (the episode "Valerie 23" if we recall correctly), but that's what a team from Stanford University has cooked up on the back of its pick-up truck. Sensors made of silicon films with a matrix of liquid carbon nanotubes ensure the material snaps back to its original shape no matter how frequently it's pulled about. When compressed, the electrical conductivity of the skin changes, and by measuring where and by how much, it knows the location and pressure of where you jab your fingers. The team wants to combine this super stretchy film with a much more sensitive sensor and if it can do it, then the technology could end up as an artificial skin for burn victims, covering prosthetic limbs or even replacing your multitouch display -- just be careful, you might hurt Siri if you pinch-to-zoom her too hard.

Continue reading Stanford builds super-stretchy skin sensor out of carbon nanotubes (video)

Stanford builds super-stretchy skin sensor out of carbon nanotubes (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scientists build digital cerebellum for Roborat: to protect, serve and spook

Daniel Cooper — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:31:00 EST

You'd be forgiven if talk about Cyborg Rats made you think about precision gaming mice, but in this case we're yapping about the real thing. A team from Tel Aviv University has found a way to restore lost motor function in rodents by building a digital cerebellum. As the story goes, they anesthetized a rat, disabled its natural abilities and installed the device -- and were able to teach the chip to make the rat blink when a sound was played. It's all very early-days, but the hope is to develop implants to aid people with long-term disabilities -- or to ensure our sewers are crime free. For those not paying attention, rat-brained innovations are on the up: in June, researchers at the University of Southern California were able to construct an artificial memory, not to mention last year's Tokyo brain-car. After all this mistreatment, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Cyborg Rats sided with the machines in the forthcoming Robopocalypse. Which, you know, is exactly what we need weighing on our conscience.

Scientists build digital cerebellum for Roborat: to protect, serve and spook originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DARPA harvests energy from cyborg beetles to keep them brainwashed

Daniel Cooper — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:43:00 EST

Beetles packing cybernetic implants that control their brains make a cheaper and more useful micro-air-vehicle than a fully robotic one -- but due to the weight of the battery packs required, development has been slow. Now a DARPA-funded team at the University of Michigan thinks it's eliminated that problem. By attaching piezoelectric generators to each wing, the researchers can harvest the energy generated in flight and use it to juice the mind-control circuits. At present, the system generates about half the energy the team thinks it can produce, as innovations in ceramic production of the miniature devices should solve that. An experimental robotics project in competition with a cyborg one? This all feels a bit too RoboCop for us.

DARPA harvests energy from cyborg beetles to keep them brainwashed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eyeborg filmmaker fires up eye-cam to document cutting edge prosthetics (video)

Terrence O'Brien — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:38:00 EST

In late 2008 filmmaker Rob Spence, caught our attention when he announced his plan to jam a video camera in his skull to replace an eye he lost to an unfortunate accident. Instead of connecting the camera to his brain, Spence sought to become a so-called "lifecaster," recording the feed on an external device. Now his bionic eye is up and running, and he's even partnered with a little company called Square Enix to create a documentary about state-of-the-art prosthetics and cybernetics. The short film, embedded after the break, was commissioned to celebrate the launch of Deus Ex: Human Revolution. But, this isn't just some over-long commercial for a game, it's a serious exploration of cutting edge leg, arm, and eye replacement technology. Check it out below, but be warned -- there are a few image that might not sit well with weaker stomachs.

Continue reading Eyeborg filmmaker fires up eye-cam to document cutting edge prosthetics (video)

Eyeborg filmmaker fires up eye-cam to document cutting edge prosthetics (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DARPA M3 program to make cheaper, more mobile robots for the US war machine

Michael Gorman — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:46:00 EST

DARPA, that governmental black magic factory that gave us the flying Humvee and Hummingbird spybot, has unveiled its new Maximum Mobility and Manipulation Program (M3) program that plans to put us on the fast track to our robotic future. M3 aims to improve robotic research through four specialized development programs -- design tools, fabrication, control, and prototype demonstration -- that divvy up the work between commercial labs and universities. The program will not replace existing bionic projects, but some, like the Autonomous Robotic Manipulation (ARM) program, will be folded into the new scheme. DARPA anticipates that the plan will result in cheaper bots superior to those we have today, but not superior to man... we hope.

DARPA M3 program to make cheaper, more mobile robots for the US war machine originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Power Knee motorized prosthetic officially available in US, Europe -- race of cyborgs still in infancy

Christopher Trout — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:47:00 EST

We reported on Ossur's robotic prosthetic back in 2009, and now amputees in Europe and the United States have become the first official recipients of the Power Knee. According to the company, "the world's first and only motor-powered prosthetic knee" was recently approved for reimbursement by the German National Health System, covered by private insurance in France and the UK, and picked up by select healthcare providers in the US. Power Knee combines "artificial intelligence," motion sensors, and wireless communication to learn and adjust to the walking style of its users -- that's one small step for real-life cyborgs and one giant leap for prosthetic technology.

Continue reading Power Knee motorized prosthetic officially available in US, Europe -- race of cyborgs still in infancy

Power Knee motorized prosthetic officially available in US, Europe -- race of cyborgs still in infancy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp brings quartet of phones to India, maintains some of their Japan-ness

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:17:00 EST

Think this phone looks like a device destined for the Japanese domestic market? Not quite -- its manufacturer is Japanese, but this puppy's an export. That's right: Sharp has announced four phones that'll be going on sale in India later this year, ranging in price from Rs. 6,499 up to Rs. 17,999 (about $146 to $404). Cheapest is the Blink, a simple clamshell with dual SIM support; stepping up a notch is the Alice, a low-end full touchscreen phone. Up another notch from that, though, is where things start to get interesting: pictured above is the awesomely-named Cyborg, featuring the pivoting clamshell design made famous in Japan with a 3.2 megapixel camera on board. Finally, you've got the Tango, featuring 3G support -- 3G is just starting to go live en masse in India, remember -- and a 5 megapixel camera. Hard to say whether any of these would sell in the US, but heck, we wouldn't mind if Sharp gave it a shot.

Sharp brings quartet of phones to India, maintains some of their Japan-ness originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mad Catz courts Xbox 360 dogfighters with pricy F.L.Y. 9 flightstick

Sean Hollister — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 09:27:00 EST

Yo, Mad Catz. We both know there aren't a lot of good flight sims on the Xbox 360, but that's no excuse for releasing a bargain-budget stick like the Aviator as your first foray into the console space. It doesn't do Saitek's reputation justice, and fliers like us won't stand for it. We want something a little more substantial. Something like your fancy Cyborg X flight stick for PC... What's that, you say? You've done it? Fan-tastic. With nearly all the bells and whistles of the original stick but added buttons, a removable lap rest and completely wireless functionality, the Cyborg F.L.Y. 9 looks like just the stick to strafe our Xbox 360 budget this spring for $100. But hey, that's not cool -- what's with doubling the original Cyborg X's $50 price? Press release after the break.

Continue reading Mad Catz courts Xbox 360 dogfighters with pricy F.L.Y. 9 flightstick

Mad Catz courts Xbox 360 dogfighters with pricy F.L.Y. 9 flightstick originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mad Catz Cyborg Rat: a guided tour (video)

Ross Miller — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST

We've talked up Mad Catz's Cyborg Rat before -- and even given it the hands-on treatment -- but even still, we thought it'd best to show you with the power of moving pictures all the crazy functions of this Franken-mouse (that's pronounced "Fronk-in-mouse," thank you very much). Check out the guided tour of the Rat 7 from the CeBIT show floor, and an explanation of the differences in each series iteration - after the break, care of global PR manager Alex Verrey.

Gallery: Mad Catz Cyborg Rat at CeBIT 2010

Continue reading Mad Catz Cyborg Rat: a guided tour (video)

Mad Catz Cyborg Rat: a guided tour (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mad Catz Cyborg Rat hands-on: true customizable mouse madness

Paul Miller — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:40:00 EST

We've seen plenty of gaming mice with adjustable DPI and swappable weights, but the new Cyborg Rat lineup from Mad Catz is truly stunning. The mouse is adjustable in almost every dimension and angle, thanks to certain sliding aspects, some hex key-adjustable mechanisms and buttons galore (including a very useful aiming button for slowing down the cursor in those heated sniper moments). The real winner is the Rat 9, which is wireless and has a nifty little "home base" that continuously charges a hot-swappable replacement AA battery and keeps some extra weights warm as well, though with a $130 pricetag it's not for the faint of heart.

Gallery: Mad Catz Cyborg Rat hands-on

Mad Catz Cyborg Rat hands-on: true customizable mouse madness originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mad Catz adds mice to Cyborg PC gaming line, (doesn't) blend human and mouse DNA

Christopher Grant — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:01:00 EST

Rabid feline news now, with the erroneously spelled peripheral maker announcing "a new range of premium Cyborg gaming mice" expected to be in(side?) consumer's hands by Spring 2010. We feel like we can confide in you: we also assumed Mad Catz had finally done it, actually blended human flesh with a traditional gaming mouse to create a new class (and species!) of PC gaming peripheral. Alas, no - it's just the addition of four mice, ranging in price from $50 to $130, to their currently keyboard-heavy existing Cyborg PC gaming lineup. "The Cyborg mouse range was developed entirely in house and I believe they are the most comfortable gaming mice you'll ever use," said Mad Cat Darren Richardson. "Also, upon contact with your hand, it will merge with your DNA and create an entirely new appendage blending the greatest aspects of the human body and the gaming mouse." Alright, we made that last part up ... but how about actual half-robot-half-rodent tech ...

Gallery: Mad Catz adds mice to Cyborg PC gaming line

Mad Catz adds mice to Cyborg PC gaming line, (doesn't) blend human and mouse DNA originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IBM simulates cat's brain, humans are next

Vlad Savov — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:11:00 EST

Almost exactly a year ago we noted DARPA pouring nearly $5 million into an IBM project to develop a computer capable of emulating the brain of a living creature. Having already modeled half of a mouse's brain, the researchers were at that time heading toward the more ambitious territory of feline intelligence, and today we can report on how far that cash injection and extra twelve months have gotten us. The first big announcement is that they have indeed succeeded in producing a computer simulation on par, in terms of complexity and scale, with a cat's brain. The second, perhaps more important, is that "jaw-dropping" progress has been made in the sophistication and detail level of human brain mapping. The reverse engineering of the brain is hoped to bring about new ways for building computers that mimic natural brain structures, an endeavor collectively termed as "cognitive computing." Read link will reveal more, and you can make your own cyborg jokes in the comments below.

Filed under: Science

IBM simulates cat's brain, humans are next originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Concert Hands teaches you to play piano, whether you want it to or not

Ross Miller — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:28:00 EST

Look, we're all for accelerated learning, but somehow the idea of strapping our limbs into the Concert Hands setup is a wee bit disconcerting. Locked at the wrists onto a sliding mechanical bar, the apparatus guides our paws to the proper keys, while pulses are sent to your fingers to tell you what keys to press. Intimidating? Sure, but honestly, we're more worried about what our idle hands might learn if this thing was hooked up to the wrong AI... okay, probably just a Chopin piece, but you never know. See for yourself and imagine the horrors after the break.

[Via Engadget German]

Continue reading Video: Concert Hands teaches you to play piano, whether you want it to or not

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Robots

Video: Concert Hands teaches you to play piano, whether you want it to or not originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Researchers create robo-moth, dream of a cyborg cricket-filled future

Donald Melanson — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:06:00 EST

Researchers have long turned to insects for a little inspiration when creating robots, but things have entered a terrifying new dimension this week, with two separate groups each finding new ways to meld bug and machine. The further along of the pair is a group of scientists from Tokyo University's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, who have not only used a live silkmoth to control a toy car, but severed the head of a moth and wired it into the vehicle pictured above (look closely). By directing stimuli to the moth's still-functioning antennae, the researchers were able to record the motor commands issued by the brain's nerve cells and, in turn, control the vehicle -- which, in addition to totally freaking people out, allows them to study and record data on how neurons respond to stimulus.

Slightly less far along on the road to bug armageddon is Pentagon contractor OpCoast, which is working on some full on "cyborg crickets" that behave like the real thing but have the added benefit of being able to form a mobile communications network in an emergency situation. That network, the company says, could eventually consist of hundreds or thousands of the crickets which, like real crickets, would communicate with each other through wing beats, and even be able to vary their "call tone" when they detect the presence of chemical or biological agents, or potentially even the scent of a person trapped in rubble.

Read - AFP, "Japanese scientists aim to create robot-insects"
Read - PhysOrg, "Cyborg Crickets Could Form Mobile Communications Network, Save Human Lives"

[Via reddit]

Filed under: Robots, Networking, Science

Researchers create robo-moth, dream of a cyborg cricket-filled future originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exmovere's wearable Chariot: for the mild-mannered cyborg

Donald Melanson — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:44:00 EST

What does it take to make robotic exoskeletons look like a quaint relic of the past? This -- a new wearable transportation device concept that Exmovere Holdings has dubbed the Chariot. Apparently, the device is specifically intended to help amputees and people that have difficulty standing, with a range of sensors used to let the wearer control the device at speeds up to 12 miles per hour with a minimum amount of physical effort. Better still, Exmovere looks to have even more ambitious plans for production versions of the device, including on-board vital sign sensors, built-in wireless and cellular connectivity and, yes, even specialized versions for military and law enforcement customers. Head on past the break for more evidence of the future.

Update: As commenter Videoranger Commander has noted, the device in the picture is almost certainly a fake -- it's actually the bottom of a Showbots uniform. Lame. What's interesting is that Exmovere put out a full press release, so we're guessing the company was just hoping no one would catch this little lie while they work on a real product -- if one actually exists.

Continue reading Exmovere's wearable Chariot: for the mild-mannered cyborg

Filed under: Wearables

Exmovere's wearable Chariot: for the mild-mannered cyborg originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Movie Gadget Friday: Brazil

Ariel Waldman — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:57:00 EST

Ariel Waldman contributes Movie Gadget Friday, where she highlights the lovable and lame gadgets from the world of cinema.

We last left off Movie Gadget Friday on board the Icarus II in the near-futuristic film of Sunshine. This week we transition from space travel to a totalitarian, 20th century, terrorist-ridden society in Terry Gilliam's Brazil. A hybrid between the sexy saxophone solos and gender role reversals of the 1980's with the "Keep Calm and Carry On" culture of the 1940's and 50's, this film dabbles between reality and a dream-like state.

Cyborg Typewriter

This "handhold" device clamps around your hand and five fingers for allowing typing speeds upwards of 150 wpm. Wired between stereo headphones and a flat touch-sensor keyboard, the brace around the hand augments the user's typing accuracy and pace. The exposed wires act as inputs from any user-received audio and mechanically command via electric impulses exact transcripts to be typed out. The system is spoken-language friendly and can determine onomatopoeias, thus eliminating Google-like "did you mean...?" behavior. While it may make a secretary job more efficient, we have to wonder if the inevitable constant hand cramps are worth it. More after the break.

Continue reading Movie Gadget Friday: Brazil

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Movie Gadget Friday: Brazil originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cyborg beetles commandeered for test flight, laser beams not (yet) included

Ross Miller — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:02:00 EST

Remember that DARPA initiative from a few years back to create cyborg insects? With funding from the agency, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have managed to control a rhinoceros beetle via radio signals, demonstrated in a flight test shown on video at this week's IEEE MEMS 2009 conference. A module placed on the arthropod uses six electrodes affixed to the brain and muscles to commandeer its free will. The device weighs 1.3g -- much less than the 3g payload these guys can handle, and with enough wiggle room to attach sensors for surveillance. Ultimately, scientists say they want to use the beetle's own sensors -- namely, its eyes -- to capture intel and its own body energy to power the apparatus. Keep an eye on this one, we expect it to play a major role in the impending robots vs. humans war.

[Thanks, Mimosa]

Filed under: Robots, Wireless

Cyborg beetles commandeered for test flight, laser beams not (yet) included originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filmmaker hopes to replace false eye with webcam, become a superhero

Darren Murph — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:34:00 EST

There are quite a few eerie similarities between Rob Spence and Tanya Vlach. For starters, they're both artists, and secondly, they both currently have one prosthetic eye. The real kicker? Each of 'em wants a camera stuck in there instead. In what we can only hope is (or isn't?) a freakishly growing trend, Mr. Spence has reportedly sought consultation from the University of Toronto's Steve Mann, a self-proclaimed expert in the field of wearable computing and cyborgs. Essentially, Rob is hoping to install a webcam in his eye socket in order to become a so-called "lifecaster." The camera wouldn't actually be wired to his brain, thus his level of vision would remain subpar, but it would make him a living science experiment that would surely prove insightful to an array of others. As of now, it sounds like the road to installation is long, but we get the impression that this guy isn't apt to give up until the proverbial fat lady begins to bellow.

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Wearables

Filmmaker hopes to replace false eye with webcam, become a superhero originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monocular San Francisco artist wants webcam installed in her prosthetic eye

Laura June — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:57:00 EST

Tanya Vlach, a San Francisco-based artist, lost her eye in a 2005 car accident, and now keeps a blog chronicling the "monocular life." She's got a real-enough looking prosthetic peeper, but Tanya's a self-described "sci-fi geek," and, with the approval of her doctor, she's put out a call for engineers to build her a camera... for her fake eye. Likening her possible future self (the one with the eye-cam installed) to a cyborg, Tanya reasons that her aesthetic-only eye could become a source of "augmented reality," and she's got a list of possible specs up on her blog for would-be engineers to begin with. Just some of the things mentioned for inclusion are: DVR capabilities, MPEG-4 compression, a microSD slot, A/V out, and Bluetooth. In other words, Tanya Vlach is insanely cool. Emphasis on the insanely part.

[Via Digg]

Filed under: Portable Video, Wearables

Monocular San Francisco artist wants webcam installed in her prosthetic eye originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP's Handheld sp300 All-in-One scanner/printer brings cyborg revolution to warehouses everywhere

Joshua Fruhlinger — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:03:00 EST

As managers race to turn their warehouse workers into cyborgs, HP is there to help with its Handheld sp400 All-in-One scanner / paperless printer of arm-mounted doom. This strap-on contraption is a wireless scanner / printer / barcode manager that turns warehouse drones into human intake and inventory machines. To be fair, the sp400 does have some benefits, like not requiring thermal labels and a reduction in paper waste with its built-in document imprinting function. Most importantly, though, be sure to see the video at the read link -- you'll be wishing you too could work in such an efficient warehouse!

[Thanks, Sonya]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

HP's Handheld sp300 All-in-One scanner/printer brings cyborg revolution to warehouses everywhere originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New bionic limbs to be controlled via brain-mounted sensors

Darren Murph — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:02:00 EST

Researchers at Osaka University are redefining "thought-controlled" limbs. Hailed as the first endeavor to dabble in the world of bionic phalanges by requiring open-skull surgery, the research is seeking to develop "real-time mind-controlled robotic limbs for the disabled." Of course, it's not the goal that's striking, but the means. Essentially, gurus working on the project are hoping to place electrode sheets directly on the surface of the brain in order to "obtain a more accurate signal," and amazingly enough, they're currently working to sign up willing subjects that are already scheduled to have brain electrodes added to deal with "monitoring epilepsy or other conditions." Maybe the bionic beings really aren't that far off, eh?

[Via Pink Tentacle]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

New bionic limbs to be controlled via brain-mounted sensors originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cyborg insects survive to adulthood, ensure our doom

Darren Murph — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:51:00 EST

Remember those cyborg insects that seemed so much like a pipe dream just two short years ago? Yeah, those frackin' things have somehow survived into adulthood, and are closing in on being ready to infiltrate enemy camps and extract vital information. According to a recent update on the DARPA project, the insects -- which have "modified body structures and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) embedded" within -- have lasted into adulthood, and now those behind the endeavor are hoping to enable remote control of the bugs via "mechano-sensor activation" or something similar. Additionally, scientists are hoping to harness the energy emitted during locomotion to actually power the internal MEMS. Sure, as long as these critters can be swatted down with a newspaper, we're solid, but we aren't too sure we dig where this could be headed.

[Via Wired]

Filed under: Robots

Cyborg insects survive to adulthood, ensure our doom originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sarcos' military exoskeleton becomes a frightening reality

Joshua Topolsky — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 04:02:00 EST

Have you been waiting for a legion of half-man, half-machine storm troopers to descend upon your city and blaze a round of hellfire in all general directions? If you said yes, that's kind of weird. At any rate, you can consider yourself one step closer to cyborg annihilation thanks to a company called Sarcos and its semi-scary exoskeleton -- which will make any regular old soldier into a Terminator-like killing machine (as far as we can tell). Sure, they demo the unit lifting heavy equipment and reducing fatigue of the user, but we know what this thing is really for -- and it doesn't involve food drops. Check the video after the break to have your mind shattered into a million delicious pieces.

Continue reading Sarcos' military exoskeleton becomes a frightening reality

Filed under: Robots, Wearables

Sarcos' military exoskeleton becomes a frightening reality originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Nov 2007 04:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saitek intros Cyborg gaming mouse

Donald Melanson — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:23:00 EST

Saitek's got a new gaming mouse for those in need of a little more precision than your standard off-the-shelf model, with its new Cyborg mouse cranking the dpi all the way up to 3200. That, of course, can be dialed back to accommodate various mousing tasks, and you'll get a good number of non-standard mouse features as well, including a programmable four-way hat switch, and two extra buttons that can be set up however you like. While there still doesn't seem to be any official word on a release, Gizmos.es points out that Amazon UK currently has it listed with a release date of January 11th and a list price of £40 (or $83), although it can be had for £30 (or just over $60) at moment.

[Via Gizmos]

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Saitek intros Cyborg gaming mouse originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adgadget: Fantasy fembots market male products

Ariel Waldman — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:43:00 EST

Ariel Waldman contributes Adgadget, a column about the intersection of advertising and technology.

Technologically better equipped than booth babes, fantasy fembots seem to be popping up everywhere in ad campaigns these days. Alcohol seems to be popular with the fembots -- they're employed in ads from both Heineken and Svedka -- but Philips is utilizing them in a campaign for an electric razor as well.

It's pretty easy to be creeped out by the influx of ready-to-serve robots -- and not just because these fembots could be the beginnings of the Singularity in disguise. (C'mon, what more suitable "smarter-than-human brain-computer-interface" would be better to take over the human race than one that offered kegs and clean shaves as a "gift from the Greeks"? And who better to be behind the downfall of society than advertisers?) Misogynist undertones run rampant throughout all the ads, so it's no shock that feminine cyborgs are used exclusively in advertising targeting young males -- they tap right into stock fantasies of complete feminine subservience.

Continue reading Adgadget: Fantasy fembots market male products

Adgadget: Fantasy fembots market male products originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saitek unveils Cyborg Rumble Gamepad, Headset for PC

Darren Murph — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 01:04:00 EST

Saitek, the creator of quite a few sexy PC peripherals, has apparently unveiled a duo of new PC accessories that take styling cues from console counterparts. While hardcore FPS gamers have long yearned for a mouse / keyboard combo for their disadvantaged consoles, Saitek could be hoping that the same mantra will prove true in reverse, and has introduced the Cyborg Rumble Gamepad and Cyborg Headset in order to give PC gamers a solid alternative to the age-old WASD method. The standout feature on the gamepad is its Precision Control mode that reportedly "allows gamers to select the sticks and buttons on the controller that, when the mode is activated, are desensitized so as to allow for the most precision." As for the headset (shown after the break), it boasts a "5.1 surround setup" and includes a trio of drivers in each ear, and while we wish pricing and availability details were already disclosed, it looks like we'll all be playing the wait-and-see game on Saitek's latest pair.

Continue reading Saitek unveils Cyborg Rumble Gamepad, Headset for PC

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio

Saitek unveils Cyborg Rumble Gamepad, Headset for PC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 01:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Living' cyborg chip stores rudimentary memories

Darren Murph — Wed, 30 May 2007 10:08:00 EST

The journey to pack more (proverbial) internal storage into the human brain has been going on for years, but a recent development at Tel-Aviv University could actually bring us one step closer to storing rudimentary memories on a manmade device. Reportedly, a new experiment has shown that it is indeed possible to store said memories "in an artificial culture of live neurons," which is a fairly significant step towards the "cyborg-like integration of living material into memory chips." Essentially, Itay Baruchi and Eshel Ben-Jacob carefully examined the firing patterns of a sea of electrodes and found that they could "deliberately create additional firing patterns that coexist with the spontaneous patterns." These forced patterns could theoretically represent simple memories stored in the neuron network, and after giving it a go on their own, they were able to see "memory patterns" persist for over forty hours in a homegrown concoction. Of course, the duo isn't likely to stop before producing "the first chemically operated neuro-memory chip," and while we could all use a longer train of thought every now and then, the studies could also "help neurologists to understand how our brains learn and store information."

[Via TGDaily]

Filed under: Desktops, Storage

'Living' cyborg chip stores rudimentary memories originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2007 10:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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g.tec launches ready-to-go brain computer interface kit

Conrad Quilty-Harper — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:30:00 EST

We know what you're thinking [1], how come no-one has made any of the various brain interface technologies out there into a commercial product? Well, your dream last night [2] took a step closer to becoming reality with the announcement of the "ready-to-go" g.BCIsys Brain-Computer interface kit by the Austrian company g.tec. Out of the box, the BCIsys can play simple games and comes with a P300 spelling device which, with a little training, can read your thoughts and place single letters on a screen. Ok, so you're not exactly going to want to throw away your QWERTY just yet, as the P300 can take as many as 20 "flashes" to correctly read the word that you're thinking; nor should the weight conscious be concerned that Wii Sports will be moving back to the sofa just yet, as the only included game is Pong. Also, this system isn't exactly what you'd call a commercial release (lets just say that g.tec's distribution partners aren't the "one click purchase" type). In fact, we can't find any information about how much the kit costs, or even whether simpletons like us would be allowed to get their hands on one. Little steps, little steps.

[1] No, we didn't place one of the brain interface kits onto your head whilst you were sleeping: it's just a turn of phrase ...

[2] ... honest!

[Via gizmag]

Filed under: Robots

g.tec launches ready-to-go brain computer interface kit originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Climber to wear HAL cyborg suit, carry quadriplegic man to summit

Paul Miller — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 13:45:00 EST

We're still waiting for someone to toss one of these HAL cyborg suits on and do battle with the forces of evil, but until then we'll have to celebrate the little things. Or not so little things, in this case. The "hybrid assistive limb" suits are going to be used by two mountaineers to ascend the peak of a Swiss mountain while carrying a 43-year old quadriplegic man and a 16-year old student with muscular dystrophy. The two climbers will start 930 feet below the summit, with one carrying the 43-year old Seiji Uchida on his back, and the other dragging the 16-year old Kyoga Ide in a sled. Sounds like quite the task, even with a muscle aiding cyborg suit, but we're sure the climbers could totally p0wn any ninjas that might come in between them and the summit.

[Via The Raw Feed]

Filed under: Robots

Climber to wear HAL cyborg suit, carry quadriplegic man to summit originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Apr 2006 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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