Let's face it -- we owe a great deal of gratitude to the robots that get up each and every morning to explore far reaches of the universe that we humans are just incapable of landing on. But there's still the problem of we humans having to tell these things what to do from our humble laboratories here on Earth. The brilliantly named Wolfgang Fink, a physicist and senior researcher at the California Institute of Technology, has plans to remedy said quandary by creating autonomous spacecrafts "that will be able to analyze data about points of interest as it passes and then make quick decisions about what needs to be investigated." In essence, he's looking to remove the Earthlings from the equation, which would enable smart robots to explore on their own and possibly discover new pools of purified water, REEM-B's long lost siblings or the real most innovative NES-in-a-whatever mod. 2020 folks, mark it down.

[Image courtesy of NASA]

Believe it or not, engineering minds have figured out a way to gadgetize even coasters, but Sentilla's Smart Drink Coasters hope to be the zaniest yet. Designed using vanilla glass coasters from Michael's (an arts and crafts store), one of Sentilla's diminutive pervasive computers, a handful of LEDs and a few other ingredients, these units can not only blink in different ways depending on how full / empty one's beverage is, but they can be used to create a whole new world of drinking games. Reportedly, the gizmos can be programmed to understand when a drink is on it and when a refill is needed, theoretically enabling a bartender or server to be alerted of one's drink status without even going over to check. Additionally, a set of coasters can be used to replicate a memory game much like "Simon," which could undoubtedly create a room full of laughs in the right circumstances. Granted, this all works under the assumption that you'll actually slam your container down on (i.e. not just nearby) the intelligent coaster, but if you think you're that coordinated, hit the read link for a full description and a video demonstration.

In case the digital pill box is a bit too much for you current needs, Vitality is looking to give those one-off prescriptions a bit of added intelligence to make sure they get taken on time. The firm's GlowCaps seem to have been around for some time, but who's not kosher with having one less thing to remember each day? The caps purportedly fit onto standard prescription bottles, and can alert users that it's time to open wide by softly glowing, emailing the user or remote caregiver, and mailing you a monthly report of how you minded the signals. Additionally, an optional feature will actually enable the device to send in refill requests as your pill count begins to deplete, and if you use multiple caps, they can each talk wirelessly to the NightLite adapters that can translate the glow to your AC outlet. Pricing details aren't readily available, but we're sure a personal med-minder won't run you cheap.

[Via Infosthetics]

We've all heard the diehards claiming that the whales are the ones we should save, and thanks to an autonomous glider crafted by Webb Research, they're finally getting their wish. Recently, a trial was pursued in which a radio / satellite phone-equipped Slocum Glider was sent up to 200-meters beneath the depths in order to survey, pinpoint, and record location data for various whale pods swimming about. The device then surfaces and "phones home" the recently gathered information, which can then be disseminated out to ensure nearby vessels don't enter whale-packed territories. Jim Theriault of Defense Research and Development Canada, Dartmouth ran the experiment, and noted that this iteration of whale sensing and reporting improved on previous attempts by being uber-stealthy, featuring a remote data reporting system, and boasting a signal processor capable of tracking even the baleen whale's "lower-frequency call." Currently, the torpedo runs on batteries which last a month or so without needing a recharge, but future renditions are planned to scour the waters for "between five months and a year" by utilizing a special recharging gel. Look for these to hit your nearest ocean later this summer, and try not to be too alarmed when it surfaces beside your craft.

[Via The Raw Feed]

We'll admit, we didn't think MyDo's Bururu vibrating spectacles would be topped anytime soon, and while the University of Washington's smart sunglasses don't snatch the crown outright, they certainly make a solid case. The admittedly gaudy prototype certainly isn't the most attractive eyewear we've ever seen, but researchers are insisting that we focus on the electrochromic material that enables on demand color / tint changing rather than the bulky frames. The film can purportedly alter its transparency depending on the electric current that flows through it, essentially giving athletes and motorists an easy way to instantly adjust the level of reflection and tint depending on the ever-changing circumstances around them. Touted as "more active and more intelligent" that existing specs, this watch-battery-powered device allows the wearer to alter the shade by simply spinning a wee dial on the arm, and while we wish we could tell you that U-Dub's swank new specs would be arriving before the bright summer rays, it'll be quite "a few years" before these hit commercialization.

[Via Primidi]

While the choices are nearly limitless when it comes to automating your crib, the novelty factor of turning your microwave on from your bedroom will probably fade with time. Japan's SGI is aiming to making home automation a seamless, all encompassing affair with the RoomRender system. The self-proclaimed "intelligent room system" can not only control all the electronics, lighting systems, and appliances in a given room based on voice commands, but can even release perfumes and dim the lighting in response to emotions. Aimed at luxury hotels, board rooms, and A-class superstars, the system relies on AmiVoice technology to recognize spoken words, which can be used to automatically record specific programs, turn on your home stereo, or grind away those leftovers in the trash disposal. Additionally, the "FeelingWall" component relies on Sensibility Technology (co-developed with AGI) to interpret emotions "based on the intonation and rhythm of voices, adjusting the color and lighting accordingly." The pinnacle of all this, however, is the planned ability to call upon Segways if necessary; a user can demand that his / her Segway be cranked up and rolled over to them, so they don't even have to get up to fetch the reverse-minded machine. Although we're not sure when these will be rolled out in Japan, a working system has already been installed in the company's own office building, and it plans on fetching between ¥5,000,000 ($43,464) and ¥6,000,000 ($52,156) when they go mass market.

[Via Pink Tentacle]

While domesticated robots are becoming a (frighteningly) common inclusion in techno-friendly homes, Korean 'bot manufacturer ED has a home-ready robot that sports a plethora of communication venues including ZigBee and RFID. The ED-7270 (dubbed U-ROBO), touts a sophisticated similarity to the pioneering R2-D2, and can complete a myriad of in-home chores by using the included software to program its pathways, actions, and movements. While we aren't sure if the "ubiquitous robotic companion" can manhandle a broom or cook dinner, the innards are fairly potent nonetheless; beneath the U-ROBO's cute outfit is a 1GHz Intel Pentium processor, 512MB of RAM, WiFi, Ethernet, USB 2.0, ZigBee cooridinator, RFID reader, and a RS-232 serial port. It also rocks a 6.4-inch touchscreen, programmable display beneath his "eyes," voice recognition, motion / light detectors, and an eight-axis motor that has no qualms wheeling up slopes or braving extreme temperatures. Although we don't know precisely when these intelligent robots will start mopping our floors (or taking over our domicile), we're sure the undisclosed price will keep them in the hands of the rich and famous for awhile anyway.

[Via AVing]