invention
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Ear-A-Round headsets keep tabs on cows, make farming easier
In no way are we insinuating that farming is ever "easy," but a new headset designed for cows could make cattle herding a much less stressful experience. The Ear-A-Round headsets are the product of a project involving the USDA and MIT, and essentially, the GPS-infused devices would transmit stereo sounds directly in a bovine's ears in order to guide and direct his / her movements. Strange though the head-worn gizmos may look, the built-in solar panel should keep it juiced up and ready to dictate on command, giving farmers the ability to track and herd from the comfort of their computer desks. The overriding goal here is to "improve animal distribution on the landscape," though we can think of quite a few other positives to having such a robust virtual fencing system.[Via Core77]
Bottle-brush robot to clear pipelines the world over
Not like this is a new concept or anything, but Zhelong Wang and Hong Gu of China's Dalian University of Technology have created a "bristled pig" in order to clean the clogged pipes that traditional pigs simply can't. In most scenarios, unclogging devices (or pigs, as it were) are pushed through pipelines by force, though certain bends and changes in size can hamper their effectiveness. These bottle-brush styled bots can climb through portals on their own power and adjust to changes in order to make "unpiggable" pipes clean again. It's a dirty job, but something's got to do it.[Via CrunchGear]
NTT DoCoMo testing out eye-controlled music interface
If you're scouting the strange, the weird and the weirder, you'll find plenty to get absorbed in over at the research facilities of NTT DoCoMo. The Japanese giant is at it once more, but this time the invention is actually somewhat down to Earth. It's mission? To create a method for easily controlling a music interface (on a PMP or cellphone) with just your eyes. By rolling one's eyes and jerking them from side to side, the outfit is hoping to have the corresponding music player change tracks and get louder / softer. If you're not exactly keen with freaking out fellow citizens on the street with completely erratic eye movements, you may also appreciate a similar technology it's working up which can detect a user's finger tapping to achieve to same goal. Of course, said technology would be halfway useless on the smash hit-packed ZVUE Journey (no way you're bypassing any of those tracks, son), but we guess you could check out your toes every now and then to keep from constantly staying at 11.[Via ShinyShiny]
V12 Designs' dual-screen laptop coming in two years?
No, not that dual-screen, silly. Or that one. Or that one! The dual-screen lappie we're talking about actually has two LCD panels, one of which takes the place of a traditional keyboard / trackpad. Reportedly, V12 Designs -- which takes credit for dreaming up the design some four years ago -- is working with an undisclosed US firm in order to bring said concept to market. We're told that the keyboard display will likely support haptic feedback so users can feel when a keystroke is registered, and of course, voice recognition will also play a large role. It's not that we don't think these are coming, but V12's Valerio Cometti is suggesting that they'll be ready for consumption in a mere 16 months. Don't hate us for being skeptical, but... we're skeptical.
Sensor vest promises to affirm that we're always stressed out
So maybe your stress level isn't sky high just yet, but even after an extended weekend, all it takes is that one email to get you right back where you were last Wednesday. As if you really needed something to tell you that (and if you don't have time to wait for Sweety to become a reality), a host of researchers have created a sensor-laden vest that will be able to inform wearers just how stressed they are. Developed as part of the EU's CONTEXT project, this sure-to-be-hip vest packs ultra-sensitive electrodes which register changes in muscle tension as individuals get more and more stressed, and in theory, letting someone know what's happening will allow them to simmer down before they further jeopardize their health (and the livelihood of colleagues, if you dig). Eh, we still prefer the Dr. Whippy method, honestly.[Via Talk2MyShirt, thanks Tony]
Dyson actually not looking to build electric car, just a wicked fast vacuum
Look folks, just because Dyson can build a motor with enough oomph to power a vehicle, that doesn't mean it's actually going to. At least that's the message a company spokesperson wants you to believe. Contrary to earlier reports, James Dyson is not looking to enter the electric automobile sector in any way, shape or fashion. Said spokesperson was quoted as saying that "James Dyson did say that [Dyson's] new digital motor could power a car, but it is not working on, and [we] have no plans to create an electric car." Okay, but can you at least make the Ball 2.0 street legal?[Via AutoblogGreen, image courtesy of Telegraph]
Dyson looking to motor into the electric car arena?
Dyson (yes, that Dyson) could be looking to play a role in the next great electric automobile. Just let your brain simmer on that a moment, and see if you can stifle any forthcoming laughter. Believe it or not, the British inventor famous for his iconic vacuum designs is actually developing a "powerful lightweight motor that could enable electric cars to zoom along for hundreds of miles without causing pollution." In theory, the eventual vehicle would scoot about much quicker than the majority of sluggish electric vehicles and solar panels would be tacked on the roof for regeneration in sunlight. Of course, some analysts are suggesting that he continue to keep his innovative motors in household gizmos, and rather than strike out on his own to invent a new car, he could simply partner with an existing automaker and toss in his design genius to craft something that's not horrifically ugly. Sounds pretty good to us.[Via Core77, image courtesy of Telegraph]
Virtually waterless washing machine edges closer to production
You can find a washer just about anywhere that promises to consume less water than most of its rivals, but finding one that's "virtually waterless" is still a chore. Yeah, there was that one contraption from Singapore a few years back, but c'mon, it's no bona fide washing machine. Nevertheless, a University of Leeds spin-out company -- dubbed Xeros -- has already received £500,000 in order to commercialize a device that "uses less than 2% of the water and energy of a conventional washing machine." Instead, it relies on a plethora of plastic chips that are tumbled with the clothes to remove stains. We're not sure how comfortable we really are with the thought of that, but folks that have already warmed to the idea can look for these things to hit the UK market in 2009.[Via MetaEfficient]
Hydraulic transmission gives engines, wallets a break
Another day, another potential find to avoid the imminent fuel crisis. On the docket today is Ernie Brookins' hybrid drive system, which "captures, compresses, and stores wasted drive-train energy produced when a vehicle's engine is running." Ernie here has concocted a hydraulic transmission that can reportedly power vehicles without the engine running all of the time, and he expects the solution to save motorists around 50-percent in fuel costs. Better still, the contraption could theoretically work on nearly any vehicle -- from school buses to grain trucks to high-octane Power Wheel Jeeps. As these things seem to always go, the project has hit a roadblock without a source of funding, so if any VCs out there are looking for a somewhat solid place to shove $250,000, give this man a ring. [Warning: read link requires subscription][Thanks, Rachel]
Self-propelled microboats could save your life
Cheng Luo, an engineer from the University of Texas at Arlington, has created a self-propelled microboat based on the toy boats he played with as a child. When an object -- say, a toy boat -- floating on water has a drop of oil on it, the change in surface tension propels that object in the opposite direction. With this principle in mind, Luo has created a microboat that measures just millimeters, contains its own reservoir of isopropyl alcohol as a propellant, and cruises at around 30 cm per second. "But, why?" you ask. Luo explains that these tiny boats could be used to deliver drugs in blood vessels or even to diagnose and treat ailments. Sounds good to us -- wash one of these down with some self-healing goo and you could be all set. But before we go, try saying "toy boat" three times really fast.
Canon develops pair of LCoS reflective LCD panels
Though Canon has been focusing on SED and locking down LCD partnerships throughout the earlier part of the year, the firm will be showcasing its very own LCoS reflective LCD panels at InfoComm next month. The first panel is a 0.71-inch WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200) model, which is said to be the "world's first LCoS panel of its size to achieve such a level of resolution." The second is a 0.55-inch SXGA (1,400 x 1,050) version, which can also be used in conjunction with other Canon technologies to bring new projectors to market. Beyond that, it seems we'll have to wait until June before finding out more, but you can certainly peek the read link and attempt to read between the lines.
DS Daily: Feature invention
We couldn't stop telling ourselves all day yesterday how cool the newest feature in Band Brothers DX is. That got us to thinking about our lovely little chat topics we have every day and what some of you wonderful readers might have knocking around your noggins.So, in line with what Band Brothers DX is doing, what upcoming game would you like to see have something like this? In fact, what ideas do you have period? Whether it's just as simple as in-game currency exchanging between a Wii and DS game or for a special Channel on the Wii (we envision something like hosting a Pokémon tournament and having live stats tracking through the Wii), we want to hear it. Hit us with your best ideas!
Rogue Signal: EVE Online's gear progression
For players coming from other MMOs, EVE Online can sometimes be a bit unsettling. The lack of classes and levels gives some players the feeling that there is not a measurable means of determining one's on progress in the game. What EVE players use to determine each other's relative skill at a glance revolves around two things: ship type and module tech level. Billions upon billions of ISK get moved around every day in the buying and selling of Tech 2 (T2) ships and modules. As a new player, Tech 2 can feel like the playground of the veteran, but this isn't necessarily always the case. With the character creation improvements introduced about 18 months ago, new characters are well on their way to being able to equip some of the shiny modules that used to be the domain of the bitter old veteran.
Terrafugia hopes to showcase drivable airplane this summer
Make no mistake, Terrafugia's outlandish airplane / motorcar hybrid has been on the drawing board for years, but it looks like the rubber is about to hit the proverbial road (or take to the skies, whichever) this July. A team of ten is working feverishly to ready the Transition for its debut at this year's AirVenture, where it hopes to catch more than a few eyes with its zany "roadable aircraft." As you can likely guess, this thing is meant to both fly and drive, and yes, that means it'll have to pass safety regulations from both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If all goes well, the startup expects to deliver its first vehicle to a customer in 2009, while mass production isn't scheduled to happen until 2012. We're no experts in the field, but it seems like it'll take a Christmas miracle for either of those feats to actually be accomplished.[Via Slashdot]
Eyebeam demonstrating Cubit DIY multitouch table
DIY multitouch surfaces may be relatively new to the do-it-yourself library, but we have a feeling they won't be fading anytime soon. Engineering and design firm Eyebeam has spent the weekend demonstrating a kit (Cubit) that enables folks to build their own multitouch tables, and all individuals will need to provide in order to enjoy their very own is an "inexpensive" video camera and projector, among other small pieces of hardware. Unfortunately, details beyond that are pretty scant, but we'd count on hearing a lot more in the coming days now that it has stolen the limelight at Maker Faire.[Thanks, Duke]
Portable medical scanners built to interface with cellphones
You know those elephant-sized medical scanners? Totally amazing machines, sure, but things like that aren't apt to be shipped into obscure jungles throughout Africa. Thankfully, a team of researchers have developed something that could bring medical scanning to an even larger chunk of the world: a real live Tricorder. Of course, it's not really going by that moniker, but the diminutive scanner is able to interface with a cellphone via USB and utilize its 3G / WiFi access to send raw scan data to servers and receive images back. Granted, you won't get any high-resolution viewing from your average mobile, but it's certainly a step in the right direction.
LeaveMeAloneBox perpetually closes itself, should win some kind of award
We can't say for certain that this is the most pointlessly sophisticated contraption we've ever seen built, but regardless of all that, we dare anyone to deny its greatness. In essence, the LeaveMeAloneBox does nothing more than turn itself off after a pestiferous human flips it on -- time, and time, and time again. Really, the beauty of this thing can only truly be seen in video, so click on through for what's likely to be the best 29 seconds of your day.[Via MAKE]
Former professor creates vibrating Braille handset
Braille phones in and of themselves aren't all that unique, but a former professor (who just so happens to be completely blind) from Tsukuba University of Technology has crafted a variant that jumps and jives. Dubbed the world's first vibrating Braille cellphone, the device is programmed to emit pulses depending on which key is pressed; more specifically, a pair of terminals attached to the handset "vibrate at a specific rate to create a message." Those currently involved with the project are now toiling to make the keypad-to-vibration converters smaller, but there's no word just yet on whether the technology will be picked up commercially. [Via FarEastGizmos]
Inventor proclaims laziness, shows off self-making bed
It's one thing to exemplify laziness; it's another to buck the habit just long enough to invent something to keep you idler, longer. Enter Enrico Berruti, an everyday fellow who has created something that almost anyone with a bed could see as useful. His Selfy bed, quite simply, uses a variety of moving parts, bars and linens to make itself at the push of a button. To be fair, Mr. Berruti was thinking of disabled individuals who would have a difficult time making their own traditional bed when conjuring this thing up, but he didn't hesitate to mention his own indolence as motivation. Hopefully there's some kind of safety feature to prevent users from accidentally activating the thing while they're still snoozing -- can't imagine that being any fun.[Via Physorg, image courtesy of AFP / Getty Images]
LED / LEC hybrid lights could infiltrate flat-panels
As if you didn't have enough display technologies to wrap your noggin around, here comes yet another dark horse around turn three. Reportedly, researchers in California have "developed a hybrid light that is cheaper, longer lasting, more energy efficient and is as bright as traditional light emitting diodes (LEDs)." Interestingly enough, the resulting light actually blends the aforementioned LED technology with newer light emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) in order to create a hybrid light that would play nice in flat-panel HDTVs. LECs by their lonesome have experienced lifetime issues in the past, but the new combination seems to nix that quirk altogether. Not surprisingly, there's no word on when this discovery could actually find its way into the commercial display realm, but here's to hoping it fares slightly better than the ill-fated SED.[Thanks, bitguru]
