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running posts

ROPID the adorable humanoid can jump 3-inches into the air, sweep you off your feet

by Paul Miller posted Oct 28th 2009 at 9:01PM

It's been a while since we've seen a humanoid robot this size do anything very new or interesting -- mostly they seem busy with their slow-mo dance moves -- but the new ROPID bot by Tomotaka Takahashi, the man behind Panasonic's Evolta bots, not only has a few new tricks up its plastic sleeves, but has personality to spare. The bot can rotate its upper torso, which seems to help immensely in keeping it balanced while jumping, running and skipping around. It's still the tried-and-true "bent knees" method of balance, but ROPID is "rapid" enough to make it look almost lifelike. The movements are expressive enough, but with some slightly articulated hands and a moving mouth, ROPID ups the adorable-ness factor over some of its nuts and bolts counterparts. ROPID can also respond to a few voice commands and speaks as well. Takahashi designed and built the bot himself, which makes us wonder what we've been doing with our lives that's so-very-important for the past couple of decades. Video of ROPID in action is after the break.

[Via Plastic Pals]

Continue reading ROPID the adorable humanoid can jump 3-inches into the air, sweep you off your feet

Toyota's humanoid robot was born to run

by Laura June posted Jul 31st 2009 at 10:46AM

We essentially can't get enough of advanced robots doing things that look human -- probably in the same way we can't get enough of pretending our dog understands English. Anthropomorphism aside, Toyota's humanoid running robot is really impressive. It's got a super impressive sense of balance, and he's quite fast on his feet -- running at an average of 7 km an hour (yes, that's faster than ASIMO can run), too. We can say with 100 percent certainty that we'd like to hang out with this guy -- check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Toyota's humanoid robot was born to run

Nike announces updated Nike+ SportBand

by Donald Melanson posted Jul 14th 2009 at 4:16AM

The original Nike+ SportBand was pretty well received when it rolled out last year, but time marches on, and Nike's now back for another go 'round with a slightly updated model, plus a few other bonuses for the runners and walkers out there. In addition to some new two-tone color schemes, the updated Nike+ SportBand packs an improved screen with a white background for better visibility, along with a welded seal for water resistance and, of course, all the usual Nike+ features that can be used in conjunction with iPod nano, iPod touch, or iPhone (though you can also just use the device on its own). According to Boing Boing Gadgets' just-published review of the device (linked below), all of that is "pretty rad" and, at just $59, is certainly affordable, especially considering that it can also double as a watch. What's more, Nike's also announced that it has merged its existing nikeplus.com and nikerunning.com sites into one site, and it's dropped word that an iPhone / iPod touch-specific website is also in the works, although there's no word on a launch date for it just yet.

Read - Nike+ SportBand Press Release
Read - Boing Boing Gadgets Review

[Via ipodnn]

Sanyo builds prototype pedometer that powers itself while you walk

by Samuel Axon posted Nov 10th 2008 at 11:03PM

These portable power generating options are a dime a dozen now, but we thought you'd still want to know that Sanyo has invented a device that'll let you turn your health obsession into electricity to power your health obsession -- a vicious cycle if we've ever seen one. It's a pedometer that generates just enough energy (40 microwatts) to keep itself ticking when the swinging motion of its health-nut wearer's body causes tiny parts to move around. Sanyo hopes to use the technology for other low-power devices in the future. As for us, we'd rather remain utterly otiose and let our battery slaves do the work for us, though we can imagine something like this might, with some improvements, prove useful to those villagers who have to walk 12 miles to charge their cell phones. [Warning: read link requires subscription]

Apple has so much more where Nike+ came from

by Paul Miller posted Sep 11th 2008 at 9:40AM

Apple has a batch diagrams and patent-speak that it just shuffled past the patent office, detailing a next-generation Nike+ system that will make runners jump for joy, and non-athletes groan in agony. We're not sure if this is going to be something that Nike can just build shoes for and use existing Apple hardware, or if this'll be a reworking of the whole kit, but there's a lot of new stuff going on here. The system relies on integrating GPS and additional shoe-based sensors into the system, put to work in measuring your stride, the condition of the shoe, and perhaps even blasting you advertisements along your run route. The system can measure your velocity with accuracy in the range of 0.1 MPH, and let you know if you're a toe-planter or a heel-planter when you run. It just can't lug your lazy ass out of bed.

Purported iPhone Nike+ screenshots found to be fake

by Darren Murph posted Aug 21st 2008 at 7:57AM

And to think, we actually believed that Nike and Apple were this close to delivering the long-awaited running application for the iPhone. While it was widely reported that these shots were indeed the real deal, AppleInsider is pointing out a chink in the armor: Cupertino doesn't offer iPhone developers a programming interface for accessing one's music, yet this mysterious program clearly showed someone listening to Chris Martin and friends (an unreleased song, evidently) while attempting to make it to 0.02km. The take away? It's still pretty likely that the two outfits are working to create a fitness program for the App Store, but those screenshots ain't it.

[Thanks, Michael]

Screenshots of iPhone Nike+ running app emerge, we're out of breath already

by Darren Murph posted Aug 19th 2008 at 7:26PM

It has taken its sweet, sweet time in arriving, but it seems the iPhone Nike+ running application is just... about... here. A slew of new screenshots of the application have emerged, and while there are no juicy tidbits to accompany 'em (release date, cost, etc.), we all know how many lines of text a single snapshot is worth. Hang tight runners, the app you've been waiting (and waiting) for can't be far from the finish line now.

[Via MacRumors]

Airun Plus shoes include speed and weight sensors for your mega-intense workouts, dude

by Joshua Fruhlinger posted Jul 15th 2008 at 9:31PM

The latest word on effective cardio exercise is that you should go for short, intense intervals rather than waste hours on the Stairmaster. Shorter workouts, you say? Good with us, but what about the gear to go with all that? The Airun Plus shoe is designed for the HIIT exerciser who wants to track his BMI and caloric burn rates all the while controlling shoe weight. The built-in Smart Technology controller records BMI and calorie burn results while the weighted insoles can be added or removed based on your needs. Weight and speed information comes from a sensor in the right shoe, while the entire kick is designed with shock absorption and safety in mind. Ready to buy? If you're serious about your body, these things will run you £112.50 ($224) and they come all the way from England.

Nike+ SportBand purchased early, unboxed for all to see

by Darren Murph posted Apr 9th 2008 at 3:31PM

Nah, it's not April 10th just yet (in most of the world, at least), but one particular bloke managed to score one of Nike's new SportBands at a London marathon exhibition today. The going rate on that side of the pond was £40 ($78), but we wouldn't mind that dreadful exchange rate too much if you're curious about eventual US pricing. Nevertheless, feel free to tap the read link to peep the unit fresh out of its packaging, but be forewarned, there aren't any surprises.

[Thanks, Terry]

Nike+ SportBand, Coach gets official

by Darren Murph posted Apr 2nd 2008 at 12:31PM

Right on cue, Nike's making things official with its oft-rumored (and still unpriced) Nike+ SportBand and even had the time to toss in details about Nike+ Coach, too. The band, which opens up features at the NikePlus website along with enabling runners to check out distance, pace, time and calories burned, is indeed marketed as a standalone device for those who'd prefer not to have a DAP flanking their arm when exercising. Moreover, the outfit's online Nike+ Coach system will allow runners to have the information they need to appropriately train for long distance events or achieve customized goals. Get those kicks cleaned up prior to April 10th -- after all, that's the day you'll be sprinting out to pick this thing up, right?

Gallery: Nike+ SportBand, Coach gets official

Nike's SportBand ready for April launch?

by Darren Murph posted Mar 15th 2008 at 10:42AM

Make of it what you will, but Germany's own Mac Life has apparently grabbed hold of a few more details concerning that SportBand we saw sashay into the FCC's database late last month. Reportedly, the unit isn't meant to replace the Nike+iPod system; rather, it's an alternative for runners who'd prefer not to have earbuds in and a DAP on their person when logging their treks. As expected, time, speed, distance and calories will all be tracked, and each run can be captured and stored on the outfit's website after you thumb a ride back home. We're told to expect said device in April for €59.95 ($93), but only time will tell if that's an accurate assertion (and true worldwide).

[Thanks, Susanne]

Lightning strikes twice for unsuspecting iPod users

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jul 12th 2007 at 11:31AM

In a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine, doctors from Vancouver General Hospital detail the case of a 37-year-old jogger who was admitted for treatment of lightning-related burns on his neck, face, and chest -- and they say that the iPod the man was wearing conducted the current through his body. According to the letter, the man's eardrums were ruptured, his jawbone broken in four places, and both of his jaw joints were dislocated when lighting struck a tree near the runner during a storm. The doctors say that while the use of an iPod won't increase your chances of being stuck by lightning, the metal in the device's earbuds can direct current "to and through" ones head. This is strikingly similar to this case that we saw in July of last year, though it can be assumed that any earphone-equipped music device could have this rare effect, so don't go dumping your Apple stock just yet.

[Thanks, psxp]

Jogging over Distance technology makes it a social experience

by Conrad Quilty-Harper posted May 14th 2007 at 7:46AM

Technology is inexorably tied to progress, but when it busts into our lives and subtly tells us that we're doing something wrong -- in this case, getting some "us" time on a solo jog -- we've gotta admit to being a little peeved. Even for those who like to share their second most sweaty experience on the day-to-day, this is probably a bit of an overkill. A prototype technology called Jogging over Distance is being developed at the University of Melbourne which uses GPS, cellphone tech, and 3D audio simulation to make it seem as if two joggers from separate cities are actually slogging it out together. The advantage over just whipping out a cellphone is that as one runner goes faster, their voice appears to be coming from further ahead to the other runner, which could presumably help motivation. To each their own we suppose, but we'd take some loud music over the grunts of a fellow jogger any day. Or, indeed, a form of motivation that helps us -- no, forces us -- to start jogging in the first place.

[Via textually]

Thanko's Vonia BCT SportsHeadband: bone conduction fun on the run

by Jeannie Choe posted Mar 14th 2007 at 11:30PM

Thanko's already rattled our skulls with its Vonia bone conducting earphones, but they couldn't leave well enough alone. The Vonia BCT SportsHeadband kicks out the jams using two waterproof bone conduction speakers near the temples, and also has a compartment conveniently located smack on the forehead to hold a small MP3 player. It's too bad the compartment isn't waterproof, since that'd be necessary to use this thing underwater -- so without a waterproof player we're not really sure how these will play out with the swimmer crowd, who Thanko is also marketing the headband to. On the other hand, runners, joggers, sprinters, skippers, and speed-walkers should be a-ok to blast some bone-rocking beats while keeping their ears open for oncoming traffic and catcalls.

[Via Crave]

Nike+iPod Serial-to-USB adapter tracks nearby runners

by Darren Murph posted Feb 27th 2007 at 6:52PM

While not even the Nike+iPod was exempt from a bit of tinkering in its lifetime, this well-planned modification certainly takes the cake. In what's sure to drive privacy advocates unnecessarily mad, the crafty gurus over at Spark Fun Electronics have taken those widespread Nike+iPod tracking warnings and developed a product to exploit them, resulting in the Nike+iPod Serial-to-USB adapter. Deemed a "simple interface" to plug the Nike+iPod receiver into your USB port, the device then utilizes a VB program "to listen for all foot pods in range and display the raw data including foot pod IDs." Essentially, you can turn your PC into a spying machine for tracking nearby runners, but considering the range on this thing tops out around 60-feet, you're best option is to grab your laptop and camp out under the brush at a nearby running trail, but you didn't hear that from us. Of course, this creation could indeed be used for less devious matters, but regardless of your intentions, you'll be forced to buy at least ten units at $22.46 apiece, but we all know the truly voyeuristic will need a few dozen just to get started.

[Via Podophile]