remotecontrolled
Latest
NC State gurus build remote control bats, freak out Dukies and Tar Holes
Micro-aerial vehicles, or MAVs as they're called in the elusive underground, are far from new, but a team from NC State University is hoping to advance the field with an all new critter. The Robo-Bat is a remote controlled creature that relies on a super elastic shape-memory metal alloy for the joints, which is said to provide a full range of motion while enabling it to "always return to its original position -- a function performed by many tiny bones, cartilage and tendons in real bats." The crew is also utilizing other "smart materials" in the muscular system, giving it the ability to react in real time to environmental changes such as sudden wind gusts. Ideally, this bionic chiropteran would be used to chivvy those who dare step foot on Franklin Street or inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, but in less malicious situations, it could help well-meaning scientists get the bottom of that whole "aerodynamics" thing.
Video: Silverlit's Heli-Mission SWAT Truck brings your Blue Thunder fantasies to a rockin' reality
We've seen remote controlled toy helicopters and remote controlled toy cars, and they were good, but never have we seen before a product that brings the greatness of the two together. Silverlit's Heli-Mission SWAT truck is that holy union of RC, a butch-looking controllable truck with flashing lights and a cavernous cargo bay that swings open to release a three-channel helicopter. The heli is hoisted into position and can then be launched to go rescue your Transformers figurines from the clutches of your evil sister, brother, husband, wife, or pet. This wireless duo will set you back £59.95 when it releases in Europe, about $100, but sadly we're not finding it up for order anywhere else at the moment. So go ahead and relax, Brazilian prison guards -- at least for now...[Via SlashGear]
Video: Wii Nunchuk controls motorized Beancat chair
Nintendo's Wiimote (and the Nunchuk, by extension) have certainly been wired up to control their fair share of oddities, but we honestly can't think of a more suitable use for a spare 'chuk than this right here. The so-called Beancat is nothing more than a motorized beanbag chair that takes direction from a wired Nunchuk, and while we can't exactly speak from experience, it certainly looks thrilling from afar. Have a glance yourself just past the break, and tap the read link if you're eager to see how it all came together. [Via MAKE]
Corkscrew nanopropellers may one day deliver drugs internally
Clearly, vaccinations are so three years ago. As the race continues to find the best, most mobile internal transportation device for delivering drugs to remote places within the body, Peer Fischer of The Rowland Institute at Harvard University has teamed with colleague Ambarish Ghosh to concoct the wild creation you see to the right. The glass-derived nanopropeller was designed to move in a corkscrew motion in order to plow through syrupy, viscous liquids within the human frame. The device itself is fantastically small, measuring just 200 to 300 nanometers across at the head and 1 to 2 micrometers long. Fischer points out that each of these can be controlled with a striking amount of precision via an external magnetic field, though we don't get the impression that they'll be on to FDA testing in the near future. Ah well, at least our gra, er, great-grandchildren will be all taken care of.
Disney's $249 remote-controlled Wall-E up for pre-order
So it's a full $59 more than we were expecting, but with Wall-E's tremendous success at the box office, we have a feeling Disney can get away with it. The Ultimate Wall-E remote control robot is now up for pre-order, promising kids and adults-longing-to-be-kids alike hours upon hours of fun. For those who missed this creature frolicking on video, here are the highlights: he can chat with his owner, dance, play music, dazzle you with those eyes and even sense / avoid obstacles. Unfortunately, all $249 will buy you is a place in line, as this fellow isn't expect to ship until October 16th. [Thanks, Toadlet]
Tmsuk demonstrates remotely controlled shopping robot
Tmsuk is back with even more crazy humanoid antics, this time demonstrating a shopping robot that can be controlled from far, far away. The modified TMSUK-4 humanoid showcased in Kitakyushu, Japan was actually being controlled by an elderly lady in her home via an NTT DoCoMo video-capable cellphone. Essentially, the technology enabled her to see through the eyes of the robot and presumably control its movements via the keypad. We are told that she was able to successfully browse the hat section and finally make a purchase, but who knows how many innocent bystanders were unknowingly mauled in the process.[Via Pink Tentacle]
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.
A.R.E.S. Telepresence Tank gets kill commands via WiFi
As if you had any reason to believe that killbots weren't multiplying by the minute, here's yet another case to strike fear in your heart. Project A.R.E.S. was designed with a few key goals in mind: to replace human soldiers and to demonstrate that a weapons system could be controlled wirelessly / remotely. The designers also set out to "provide a form of feedback so that the user could navigate the robot without actually being present," and the current version has been equipped with a semi-automatic turret and a wireless camera to give the controller a good view of the surroundings. We don't get the idea that this bugger has enlisted just yet (boot camp is a chore, you know), but be sure and check out the video of it prancing about after the jump.[Via Hacked-Gadgets]
Remote controlled Aeryon Scout snaps stills from above
Though certainly not the first gizmo designed with aerial photography in mind, the Aeryon Scout is a notch above most alternatives. The hovering platform enables users to capture still shots and log digital video from up above, and while it can be controlled remotely, we're also hearing that autonomous navigation isn't totally out of reach. Currently, the device is still looking to escape the prototype stage, but its creators are already eying police forces, security firms and surveying / engineering businesses in hopes of landing a few clients. Considering the stunningly high $30,000 to $50,000 price tag, we'd say they're looking in the right (read: only) direction.[Via Coolest-Gadgets, image courtesy of InventorSpot]
Hummer H3 converted into remote controlled vehicle
After this, you'll never have the same mental image when hearing "remote controlled car" again. Ever. Resident engineer and all around madman Dr. James Brighton took a break from his rigorous teaching duties at Cranfield University and whipped up a RC Hummer H3 -- as in, the man converted an actual Hummer H3 into a remotely controlled toy. Amazingly, the conversion was completed in just a month, and it's reportedly able to "climb a 407-millimeter vertical wall, traverse a 40-percent side slope and operate in up to 610-millimeters of water." Hit up the read link for a few more images of this guy having the time of his life.
Cameraphone remotely activates cameraphone in DIY venture
We've seen some fairly intuitive home security creations in our day, but this little wonder ranks pretty high up there. Utilizing a couple of cameraphones, a microcontroller, solenoid relays, a photoresistor, wires galore, a soldering iron and a robust picture messaging plan, this cameraphone activated cameraphone can be used to snap pictures of a pre-defined location whenever you get curious. We could even see building an entire fleet if you're really paranoid, but by the time you add all those additional lines, you may be better off just pulling the trigger on a bonafide CCTV system. Nevertheless, feel free to follow the read link and hack until your heart's content, and check out a video of this setup in action after the jump.
RC Pterosaur lets you terrorize the neighborhood prehistoric-style
Professor Falken would have been proud of this one: a company in England is selling an RC Pterosaur with a 100-foot range, allowing you to chase any non-paleontologists off your land from the comfort of your easy chair. The ten-minute flight time provided by the internal rechargeable battery won't give you a lot of time to do your dirty work, however, and the cartoony facial expression and distinctly non-terrifying flapping wings mean you'd better have a solid Plan B. Available now for £40 ($80). Check the read link for a video of the beast in flight.[Via ShinyShiny]
Remotely controlled armed robots deployed in Iraq
While the Army is already taking good care of our wounded robots patrolling through Iraq, a recent deployment of three special weapons observation remote reconnaissance direct action systems (SWORDS) has placed rifle-equipped bots in the line of fire. The trio, which all handle M249s, are "are remotely controlled by a soldier through a terminal," and while their exact whereabouts and missions remain classified, the armed machines were reportedly designed to handle "high risk" combat scenarios if necessary. Currently, there's no record of a SWORD actually firing its weapon, but considering that each of these devices can potentially remove a human from harm, don't be surprised to see full blown platoons being unleashed when finances allow. [Via Wired]
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]
RC2 unveils V_Bot three-in-one toy robot
Sure, you could throw down for a robotic car, Transformer, and speaker station whenever you well please, but how's about snatching all three in one fell swoop? RC2 is sure hoping that the aforementioned trio goes well blended together in a remote-controlled creature, as the V_Bot brings together all of those elements for what it dubs "the ultimate remote control robotic experience." The device can morph from vehicle to robotic beast in a matter of seconds via the handheld remote, and if digital driving controls and a host of built-in dance moves weren't enough to satisfy you, you can throw it in park and enjoy some tunes when you've had your fill of burnin' linoleum and breaking it down. Not too shabby at all for £129.99 ($267).
WowWee's Roboquad gets reviewed
Although you may expect all of WowWee's creations to start to bleed together at some point, reviewers over at PC Mag would be quick to deny such a claim, as it deemed the Roboquad a creature "unlike any toy or robot it had seen before." In a few hours of at-home testing (you know, with rambunctious children), it managed to get everyone involved and keep them from bouncing off the walls, and while controlling the critter wasn't always simple, it's "Autonomy" mode proved most exciting anyway. Overall, the Roboquad fits best into families where unusual and unique are commonplace occurrences, and if you think your offspring (or yourself, it's okay) could spend hours on end tinkering with a robot akin to a "drunken crab," WowWee's latest just might be worth your $99.
Remote controlled VS Tanks engage in small-scale warfare
Nothing like full-on tank warfare to release the pent up frustration from waiting in line all day to acquire an iPhone, right? The remote controlled VS Tanks kit consists of two infrared-enabled machines, two controllers (that eerily resemble those on the Atari Jaguar, to be honest), and a battlefield. Each tank sports a rotating turret, a sweet "super spin" move for times when only a spray 'n pray maneuver will do, a machine gun, and flashing LEDs to show when you've been hit. Each unit fires out AirSoft pellets and can be equipped with an "action cam" to record the carnage for future viewing, and while the £50 ($100) set may cater to the younger crowd, even the suits can't deny the rush experienced when gunning your opponent down on the field. Peep a demonstration video after the break.[Via Coolest-Gadgets]
Vortex's wall climbing robot peeks in windows
While not the first wall climbing machine we've come across, Vortex's VRAM Mobile Robot Platform (VMRP) machine weds ascension and undercover surveillance in fine fashion. Aimed at law enforcement tasks, military missions, and fanatical hobbyists, this clinger is remotely controlled with the capacity to add "onboard intelligence and sensors to monitor VMRP status and health." It utilizes a vortex vacuum to suction itself to vertical surfaces, and then relies on the wheels to get it movin'. Moreover, this bot was built to withstand mild weather hazards and communicate wirelessly back to the user, and its ability to wield microphones, video cameras, and proximity sensors make this the ultimate eavesdropping tool. Sadly, we've no idea how much it'd take to get one of these in your needy palms, but free free to indulge in the video waiting after the break.[Via OhGizmo]
Smallbone remote controlled cabinet lock fends off hungry invaders
Chances are fairly high that you've perused the foodstuff located in your pal's cupboards a time or two whilst hanging out at his / her domicile, but if you've swiped a few too many precious cookies in your day, the next bash could leave you high and dry. Giving stocked cabinet owners a right to maintain their non-perishable goods when dozens of roaming individuals are scouting out free food, Smallbone of Devizes is offering up a remote-controlled cabinet lock to keep that Cheetos stockpile away from grubby hands. The system installs a steel prong within the cupboard doors that can be automatically locked and unlocked in much the same fashion as a keyless entry system on modern vehicles, and aside from a general lock / unlock all function, it can be programmed to work with multiple receivers for selective locking in case you're willing to give your contracted chef unadulterated access to the Ginsu drawer. Still, the confines of your kitchen cabinets better hold some seriously valuable delicacies, as each installed lock will run you just about $650 on new Smallbone cabinetry.[Via ShinyShiny]
Wowwee's FlyTech Dragonfly now shipping
It might not be as flashy as some of those other Wowwee creations, but it makes up for it with some pretty innovative wing-flapping action. Plus, for $50 it won't break the bank. Just in case you missed it the first time around, Wowwee's FlyTech Dragonfly is RC controlled up to 30 feet (apparently that 150 feet we heard before was quite a bit off), rechargeable, and built out of carbon fiber for living through the occasional rough landing or (hopefully) frequent dive-bomb attacks. The included controller sports a magnetic perch and charges the bot in about 15 minutes for 10 minutes of flight time. Inside the box there are a couple of extra sets of wings and a spare propeller. For the moment this one looks to be a RadioShack exclusive.[Via RobotsRule]
