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Remote Control Mario Kart toys tested, don't drift but do shoot (video)
To win at Mario Kart on a console you must master two things: drifting and power-ups. Half of that is replicated in these R/C Mario Kart toys, which we saw standing still last month but now can finally see in action motoring around what looks to be either Corporate Carpet Raceway or CDR Castle. The controller emits that familiar jingling item select sound when you've snagged a virtual power-up, and you can see how mushrooms boost your speed while banana peels cause your opponents' cars to freak out. Sadly there is no drifting to be found in this version of the game, but we're wondering if a little tape on the rear wheels wouldn't help address that shortcoming. [Thanks, Jarom]
Xbox 360 controller dictates R/C racer on video
At this point, off-the-shelf Arduino microcontrollers aren't anything special, and honestly, neither is an Xbox 360 gamepad that manipulates them over USB. What is special, however, is the dedication that turned this unassuming R/C car into a reality-blurring 3D racing videogame. Like any Xbox 360 racer worth its salt, the triggers make this car stop and go, the left analog stick aims the front wheels, and the right stick offers full camera control. Though the wireless camera's a little wonky and the Bluetooth modem's range is limited, a video demonstration proves it capable of canine annoyance from an adjacent room. Think of the potential with a proper sidewalk racetrack... and some turtle shells. Video after the break, code to roll your own at the source link.
Tomy Mario Kart RC cars use power-ups, blow our minds
Well, science, you've really done it this time. We've had to tighten our belts to notches unknown in light of these tough economic times, but we won't be able to resist importing Tomy's Japanese line of Mario Kart remote-controlled cars. Now, this isn't exactly a brand new idea, but Tomy's toys don't just drive around -- they also use power-ups and shoot virtual shells and bananas at one another. Racers get periodic power-ups, which appear on an LED display on the controller. Each car comes equipped with infrared sensors capable of detecting when they've been hit with a weapon, which causes them to rumble and slow down. Each car will run you 2730 yen (around $30), but your makeshift replica of Bowser's Castle Circuit could cost around $600, depending on how much you invest in the pyrotechnics. [Thanks, Yogesh]
Horizon's H-Cell 2.0 hydrogen fuel cell for R/C cars now shipping (video)
You may have a hard time buying yourself a full-sized hydrogen-powered auto, but thanks to Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies you can at least get a 1:10 scale version. The company's H-Cell 2.0 fuel cell kit, unveiled back in February, is now shipping to forward-looking enthusiasts and comes with everything you need to mount it on a tiny boat, little plane, or R/C car (like the Tamiya TRF416 shown above). While Horizon indicates the cell will keep that car moving at 45mph for a full hour, an impressive figure, they still haven't told us another very important number: the cost. We do, however, have the full system specs just after the break, along with a demo video of the thing in action. It may not be as fast as your neighbor's nitro-powered beast, but what has he done for the environment lately? %Gallery-93639%
Spy Video TRAKR runs custom kid-built 'applications' for stopping snooping siblings in their tracks
We didn't know the toy industry was ready to jump into the app store game, but apparently' we've underestimated its fad-grabbing prowess. Wild Planet is calling its new Spy Video TRAKR remote controlled robot the first "app-enabled" toy, with special filters and routines that kids can program for the vehicle and share online. We sort of thought Lego's Mindstorms beat them to the punch on this, but we'll try not read too far into things. The bot itself is equipped with a camera that streams video to an LCD-equipped remote, and videos and stills of the TRAKR's exploits can even be stored to an SD card. Sample programs include a routine to detect an intruder, shout a few choice words at the doomed sibling out of the TRAKR's built in speaker, and scurry off into the night, but Wild Planet hopes kids will program even more imaginative routines and share them online. The bot will be available in October for $120.
Horizon debuts H-Cell 2.0 hydrogen fuel cell system for R/C cars
We just checked out Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies' personal MiniPak fuel cell charger at CES last month, but the company's already back with another product that promises to take fuel cells where you might not expect them: hobbyist R/C cars. That comes courtesy of the company's new H-Cell 2.0 hydrogen fuel cell system, which is an add-on kit that's designed to replicate the full-scale hydrogen systems now being used on actual cars. In fact, it can even be refueled using a model-scale hydrogen refueling station, which itself can be outfitted with solar panels or wind turbines for a completely carbon-free experience. No word on pricing just yet, but the kit will apparently be available on March 15th -- head on past the break for a quick video demonstration.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: turbines, rubber circuits, and cola-powered cars
We're happy to introduce The Week in Green, a new item from our friends at Inhabitat. Each week they'll recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us. Welcome! Sure, the iPad happened this week, but we also caught sight of several hot green gadgets and clean tech innovations this week that stand to shape the future of green consumer technology. First off, design star Philippe Starck brought haute design to clean tech with two novel designs for home wind turbines. Starck's high-profile products have made him a household name, so we're interested to see if his latest creations kick off a trend towards "designer" wind power. We were also impressed by researchers at Princeton University who recently found a way to integrate piezoelectric chips into flexible, durable rubber-based circuits. We've seen piezo power sources before, but applications for the new chips are sure to put bounce in your step: energy generating shoes, movement-powered microsurgical devices, and self-charging pacemakers are right around the corner. Interest in green transportation is building as Florida rides high on the government's recently announced grants for high speed rail -- the sunshine state is set to blaze a trail with $1.25 billion in funding. And for those with a soda habit, Takara Tomy's cola-powered RC car is one sweet ride. The biobattery-powered car can convert any sugary liquid to energy, so pour in some Jolt and you're good to go. Finally, love it or hate it -- the launch of Apple's iPad has dominated the newswires all week. While we appreciate the device's toxin-free, recyclable construction and impressive battery life, we have to ask: is it really green?
Mattel rolls out foldable Stealth Rides R/C cars
We haven't seen too many notable R/C cars since Takara Tomy's wall-climbing AeroSpider RC turned our world upside down way back in late 2008, but it looks like Mattel thinks it might just have the next big thing with its new foldable Stealth Rides cars. Like a Transformer that turn into a box, these promise to spring into life at the push of a button, and should give you about 30 hours of playtime on a single charge. Naturally, Mattel also seems to have a number of licensing deals lined up, with a Batmobile Tumbler being one of the five models that will debut at next month's Toy Fair in New York. You'll have to wait until August to actually get your hands on them, however, when they'll run you $25 apiece.
Halo RC vehicles aren't just for Avatars anymore
Why should your Avatar have all the fun with a Warthog prop? Available from NKOK, a RC controlled Warthog can be yours for a mere $25. So save that money you'd have spent on your Avatar and spend it on yourself. You're worth it! Later this month, NKOK will also release an RC Mongoose (that's the dune buggy-thing) and the Hornet (chopper-thing) for $25 and $35, respectively. Now, not to look a gift horse in the mouth but ... where's our RC Scarab? [Via 1Up]
What do you get when you combine a Wiimote, Balance Board, RC car, and a laptop?
This video! Witnessing the powers of the Wiimote, the Balance Board, an RC car, and a laptop combine together in the above video reminds us of Saturday mornings with Voltron and our Lucky Charms, for some reason. It's not the most accurate way to steer a toy car around, as you can see, but you have to give these guys credit. It's like their inner child broke its restraints and came forth from their bodies to tinker around. And we love it when grown folks don't act their age.If you want the video in higher quality, hit up their site here.%Gallery-23865%[Via Balance Board Blog]
Takara Tomy's wall-climbing AeroSpider RC car ships this month
We came for the car, we stayed for the promoter. Takara Tomy's previously announced AeroSpider RC car, which mystically scales walls and cruises upside-down, is finally shipping this month in Japan. Cool though that may be, the real news here is the overgrown 4-year old used to show off just how amazing this minuscule vehicle truly is. Head on past the break to see what we mean -- trust us, we wouldn't lead you on like this for nothing.[Thanks, Clyde]
R/C Mini cars move beyond mini
Not bad eh? These tiny 35 x 25 x 20-mm remote controlled cars fit inside your choice of sport-themed balls which double as the controller. You can even dangle your ball from a lanyard... perfect for all you athletic supporters. While no real technical details are provided regarding battery life or RC range, for $13 you can afford the surprise.
First-person RC car to revolutionize sibling rivalries
This certainly isn't the first time anyone has mounted a video camera to an RC car and taken it for a spin, but the new system from Fat Shark to do so is certainly the most comprehensive yet. A set of wireless VR goggles provide the display, and there's a built-in accelerometer in the goggles to control the tilt and pan of the camera installed on the car. You can buy the system with the car, or purchase the components separately to hook onto a plane or for some other nefarious purpose. No word on price, but we would've traded our NES and two good tubs of Legos for a shot at this growing up. Somebody has to keep that up-to-no-good sister of ours and her dastardly playmates in check. Video is after the break. [Via Autoblog]
Who needs a ride? The Halo inspired RC truck
Someone call Microsoft! This nitro injected radio controlled behemoth that was found on Hobby Media looks like the red-headed step child of Halo 3's Warthog. This reminds us of that old Conan segment where he'd show you what a kid would look like if two celebrities hooked up. If a Warthog made sweet lovin' to Grave Digger, you'd get something that looked a little like this. Something you don't talk about at family reunions.[via Hobby Blog]
The H2GO RC racer with fuel-cell power plant -- a panacea?
The achilles heel of RC racers has always been the battery. A few minutes of play after hours of charging is no way to waste the sacred years of youth -- we have video games for that. Now this race fans, the H2GO racer fueled by hydrogen cartridges from Horizon Fuel Cell. Produced by Corgi International, the clean running H2GO is designed by the slightly mad, Red White Barron of design -- Luigi Colani -- and ships with a water refueling station, solar panel, and remote control. Details are otherwise frustratingly scarce. Though we can assume that the car features water-activated HydroPak Mini prototype cells and will easily cost a couple of Benjamins by the time it goes production. Unfortunately, that would be sometime in late 2008 or 2009 based on Horizon Fuel Cell's earlier estimates of commercial fuel cell availability. Oh, the agony.
SolidAlliance's USB RC Mini: finally, something we want
Could it be... why yes, something we'd actually purchase from none other than SolidAlliance. The USB RC Car takes on a charge while parked in the garage. Flip open the door and turn the Mini loose on the mean cubicle circuits of your beige-soaked accounting dreams. Bad news: Win2k or XP PC, only. Good news: just ¥3,480 or about 30 bucks. Video after the break.%Gallery-6172%[Via Impress]
Remote controlled car shoots for 200mph
200 miles-per-hour on steam? Yeah, you may catch us believing that one, but squeezing that kind of top-end power out of a 29.6-volt direct drive motor would be all kinds of impressive. Granted, the vehicle we're talking about is but a fraction of the size of a standard automobile, but Nick Maslowski is nevertheless hoping to break his own remote control car speed record of 134.4mph with the oh-so-drab X2. This little vehicle certainly won't win any Best in Show medals, but the streamlined design, melt-resistant foam tires, and onboard stabilization system will hopefully enable it to cruise somewhere close to its theoretical maximum speed of 274mph. Check out an (admittedly unexciting) video of a few test runs after the jump.[Via OhGizmo]
Dream-Racer lets disabled kids race RC cars
Racing RC cars was definitely one of our favorite things to do when we were mere gadget-obsessed tykes (at least until we turned 16), and soon disabled kids will be able to join in on the fun, thanks to English outfit Dream Technology. The two-person pit crew's Dream-Racer uses a baseball cap with four integrated motion sensors that controls a modified Nikko RC car. Instead of the conventional pistol-trigger controller, you simply tilt your head in the appropriate direction to operate the vehicle. The company developed the tech in response to a request from a charity group that later found the £159 ($315) toy helped disabled children improve their cognitive skills and play independently (gee, ya think?). That's terrific, but we don't see any reason to limit sales to just disabled kids when this thing is ready to ship later this summer -- what kid wouldn't want to pretend they have a mind-link with their car?[Via MedLaunches]
Play R.C. Pro-Am with Wiimote, real-life style
Just another device hacked for Wii-control, yes, but this one's a radio-controlled car! An Austrian fellow claims to have modded his toy car to receive tilt inputs from a Wiimote, making for some novel R.C. Pro-Am throwback action. We're not convinced the setup is as "simple" as its creator claims, but the result could inspire some clever retail products.What's stopping Nintendo from releasing its own Wiimote-controlled car -- or R.O.B. 2.0? Why confine Wii to the telly?
DIY RC floor sweeper
Uncomfortable trusting such an all-important task as cleaning the floors to the machines but also not willing to get off the couch? Well, our lazy, tinfoil hat-wearing friends, you now have an alternative to putting up with dirty floors, though you will need some (very) minimal DIY skills. Windell of the Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories seems to have shared your dilemma and whipped up this little solution, combining the wonders of Swiffer technology with the human-controlled safeness of RC cars. While the parts list includes a blank printed circuit board, rest assured, there's nothing fancy going on under the hood here -- it apparently just happens to be perfectly designed for mounting dust mops to toy cars. [Via MAKE:Blog]
