invention
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Homegrown security bot heckles vagrants, longs to be a real cop
Rufus Terrill's stocky handmade robot is more than your average drinking buddy -- in fact, the four-foot tall, 300-pound robotic security guard makes it his job to discourage vandals and vagabonds from marring the streets of Atlanta. The inventor is an engineer-turned-bar owner who got tired of drifters and thieves hanging around his business undeterred. Rather than calling in the professionals, he constructed a remote controlled robot that can flash a spotlight, blast out water and resist even the toughest of 40oz. cans that inevitably come its way. Best of all, he can even make the creature talk, and apparently, its array of scare tactics has been fairly effective thus far. Talk about protecting and serving.[Via MetaFilter]
Synthetic rubber mends itself after being sliced
Self-healing materials are far from revolutionary, but a team of gurus at France's National Center for Scientific Research has teamed up with Arkema to create a newfangled material that can literally reattach itself if simply pressed together after a break. Reportedly, the self-mending takes place due to weak hydrogen bonds that mesh networks of ditopic and tritopic molecules back together, essentially acting as a kind of "atomic glue." The matter is able to reconnect with any long lost pieces at room temperature (at least 68°F), and apparently, creators are already looking to commercialize their discovery and get products on the shelves within two years. So much for breakaway cables, eh?[Via Physorg]
GPS-enabled helmet calls for help post-accident
We've seen some pretty well equipped helmets in our day, but UMass Amherst student Brycen Spencer seems a touch more interested in safety advancements than integrated speakers. His concoction, dubbed the Wireless Impact Guardian (WIG), looks like your average helmet at first glance, but a quick look inside reveals electronics designed to sense an impact, judge if you're conscious and dial for help if necessary. Essentially, an alarm is triggered upon impact, and if you're not cohesive enough to disable it after 60 seconds, it automatically rings up 911 and beams out your location via GPS so that medical personnel can get moving. Currently, the device is quite a ways from going commercial, but considering that Mr. Spencer has already invested in a provisional patent, we'd say it's well on its way.[Via textually]
Posey makes playing with snap-together blocks okay for adults
C'mon, be honest -- the unofficial cutoff age for playing with Legos sans kids is sometime way before puberty, but thanks to a new development from Carnegie Mellon University, we adults may soon be able to unashamedly indulge in those desires once more. Posey, hailed as a "hands-on way of interacting with computers," features a plethora of snap-together, sensor-laden parts that can communicate with PCs through ZigBee. When a user attaches a leg to a body, for instance, an on-screen representation immediately mimics the movement, providing hours of fun and some real promise for future applications. No word on whether these things are set to go commercial anytime soon, but we'd sure love to replace this aging (and seemingly busted) voodoo doll with one of these critters, pronto.[Image courtesy of Posey Code Lab Wiki]
Earth-saving mystery material unveiled to be...wait, not unveiled
Alright, so we're not exactly sure what went down at the Fortune Forum -- that swanky dinner in London last night where a radical, climate-changing "new science" was supposed to be unveiled -- but we do know that the event came and went with nary a mention of the supposed "super material." Apparently the only major news is that Al Gore was there, and he gave a speech praising UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown for his work on global warming, which sounds about par for the course. No word on whether or not anyone tracked down British Inventors' Society founder Kane Kramer to ask him about his claims, but we'll keep a sharp eye and let you know if we hear anything.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Mystery, climate-saving invention to be unveiled at swanky dinner
While some past pronouncements of world-changing inventions haven't exactly panned out as promised, this latest one will at least have a pretty large stage on which to prove itself, with none other than Al Gore and others paying £1,000 or more apiece in the audience. As you might expect, however, things are being kept as vague as possible ahead of the big unveiling, which is set to go down later today in London. One of the few apparently clued in in the matter, British Inventors' Society founder Kane Kramer, would only go so far as to describe it as "a new science, a Super Material," adding that, "It would be 80 per cent cheaper than any alternative means of production, and it will contribute in a major way to reducing climate change." So, it's "something," but we'll just have to wait and see if it delivers as advertised.
Pyglet creation enables CD-to-DAP transfers sans a computer
We've seen our fair share of transfer devices, including CD-to-SD and even vinyl-to-CD versions, but a four-member team from the University of Adelaide is hoping to commercialize a CD-to-DAP device that won first prize in a recent eChallenge event. The so-called Pyglet -- which seems to function a lot like the iPod-only iLoad -- gives music lovers the ability to transfer songs from a CD to a MP3 player of their choice sans the need for a computer, and "Pyglet Enterprises" is expecting to have a prototype ready to rock rip in the next few months. Reportedly, the unit would sell for around $150 for personal users, while "more complex devices" would run businesses upwards of $700. The group managed to take home a nice chunk of cash and a bit of consulting from the win, so we'll give 'em a few weeks to party it up in the Caribbean before they actually get this thing moving towards production.[Via Australia's News Network]
BevyTech's Gadget Bottle: it holds water and gadgets
On today's episode of "why didn't I think of that," we present to you BevyTech's Gadget Bottle, which is as self-explanatory as they come. This very standard looking water bottle sports a semi-translucent motif, delightfully vivid orange cap and four bands that keep your gadget of choice strapped into the 4.625- x 2.125- x 1-inch pocket. The bottle itself can hold 22-ounces of your favorite liquid, and the firm's FAQ even states that the bands are designed to not mash buttons at random. Those interested can get their order in now for $8.25, and if all goes to plan, it'll be headed your way late next week. Click on through to take a peek at our favorite example of what this thing can do.
CSIRO developing power-generating shirts
We've seen a plethora of shirts made for more than just satisfying a core necessity in life, but a team of scientists over at the CSIRO's Energy Technology Division are hoping to have "power shirts" at your local flea market (or other fine establishments) within five years. By using piezo electrical materials, the garb could reportedly "produce electricity as you move," enabling users to juice up their DAPs, mobiles and air conditioned pants just by staying active. Other potential applications include powering battlefield-related equipment on soldiers and monitoring systems on the elderly, but making sure it can handle the oh-so-intimidating wash cycle remains a challenge. [Via PopGadget, image courtesy of CSIRO]
Switchbike goes from bicycle to Chopper in seconds flat
We've certainly seen a few unique bicycles in our day, but the Switchbike truly caters to a very unique crowd. This interesting creation, seen at Holland Innovation, looks like your average cruiser at first glance, but by simply leaning back and pulling up the handlebars, this thing becomes downright Chopper-like. Reportedly, the inventor is still looking for firms to take this thing commercial, but feel free to check out the in-action demonstration waiting after the jump.
Yet another anti-snoring pillow on the horizon
As if there weren't enough anti-snoring options (let alone ones that fall in the pillow category) already out there, Daryoush Bazargani, professor of computer science at the University of Rostock, has conjured up another. Reportedly, the inventor has developed a "computerized pillow that shifts the head's sleeping position until the noise stops," and he was showing off a prototype at a recent health conference in Germany. The pillow is said to be "attached to a computer, which is the size of a book, rests on a bedside table, and analyzes snoring noises." Subsequently, air compartments within the pillow can be enlarged as needed "to facilitate nasal airflow and minimize snoring." No word on a launch timeframe just yet, but Mr. Bazargani did state that several US outfits had already shown interest.[Image courtesy of FreePatentsOnline]
Project E helps you communicate, make friends
We'll be honest, we see nothing wrong with just phoning someone up and venting your frustrations, but for those looking to insert yet another layer in their relationship, Project E could apparently help. This interesting prototype consists of a web-based backbone (Eco), a central hub (that Exo creature pictured to the right), and a wearable piece of jewelry (Evo). Essentially, these Bluetooth-enabled devices respond to gestural based inputs and can communicate your feelings to other Project E members, and just in case you're feeling adventurous, you can pair up your Evo with a complete stranger and immediately have them added to your aggravation contact list. All in all, this just smells all too tweeny for us to dig, but we're sure there's a niche out there somewhere willing to give it some love.
Transparent Toaster gives you clear view of bread's crispiness
You know, it'd be quite nice for toaster manufacturers to actually grab hold of one of the numerous concepts floating around out there and give the tried and true machine a facelift, but until then, conceptualizers are keepin' the ideas a-coming. On deck is the Transparent Toaster, which hopes to utilize clear panes of "heating glass" that allow you to clearly see precisely how burnt your bread is becoming. Of course, we'd certainly hope some sort of self-cleaning apparatus would be added if this thing were to go commercial, but it ain't a half bad idea as it is.[Via ShinyShiny]
Charmr concept transforms glucose monitoring
Just three days ago, we saw the nifty GlucoPhone receive the FDA's coveted stamp of approval, and now Adaptive Path has conjured up a conceptual device of its own that could transform the way diabetics are forced to live out their lives. The Charmr itself is a small wirelessly-enabled thumb drive (of sorts) that can be worn anywhere you prefer, and boasts a display that continuously shows glucose levels and stores trend data for future PC analysis. The unit would purportedly interface with a waterproof patch that includes an insulin reservoir, a glucose sensor, an insertion needle, and a wireless transmitter to speak to the Charmr. Currently, the design is still waiting for a pharmaceutical company to pick it up and actually bring it to market, but be sure and check out the demonstrative video after the jump.[Via DiabetesMine, thanks Allison B.]
Volkswagen conjuring up adaptive sunshade
Just a day after a clever Jetta owner figured out how to chart his joyrides with a Wiimote, it looks like Volkswagen has a trick up its own sleeve, too. Reportedly, the automaker is developing an "adaptive sun visor" that recognizes the position of the sun and darkens the areas that require it in order to make your drive a less squint-filled one. The technology supposedly works around curves and elevation changes, meaning that leaving your sunglasses behind may not ruin your afternoon commute. As expected, further details are few and far between at the moment, and while there's no set date (nor vehicle) for the innovative sunshade to be launched on, the sun-lovin' Eos wouldn't be a bad guinea pig.[Via Foursprung]
Bluetooth SoundBall makes a racket when kicked
Although we're sure you've had your fill of soccer thanks to the recent onslaught at RoboCup 2007, Aleksei Stevens' SoundBall was just too good to let roll by. This Bluetooth-enabled, sensor-laden soccer ball may not look all that paranormal, but giving it a swift boot triggers communication between the ball and a nearby computer, which then converts the signals into beeps, boops, and other far out katzenjammer. As expected, different blows, rolls, and turns send out varying notes, and while talking about sound can only convey so much of the story, why not take a listen for yourself after the jump?[Via CNET]
Kent State creation enables handicapped to turn PCs on / off
We've seen a smorgasbord of off the wall creations designed to help those with limited motor skills interact with the average PC, but a group of Kent State researchers have returned to square one and devised a more useful method of actually getting the computer turned on in the first place. The team, which including a graduate assistant who has quadriplegia, found the solution by "adding a jack to the back interior wall of the tower and paralleling it to the on / off circuit of the motherboard." Subsequently, any number of sip / puff switches (pictured device is for reference) could be attached to the jack in order to power the machine on without the use of one's hands or feet. Sadly, there was no mention of bringing such a useful creation to market, but with the right handyman, we're sure this project wouldn't be too hard to replicate on your own.[Via Physorg]
Australian develops diminutive wind turbine for household energy
Generally speaking, wind turbines have been reserved for more macro-scale operations, but a West Australian inventor "believes he has developed a way to generate electricity for homes using wind power." This residential approach utilizes a modular turbine that is minuscule enough to perch atop nearly any roof without causing too much unsightliness, and can create power for the house to consume as the wind pushes its blades. Additionally, Graeme Attey suggests that solar panels could be used in conjunction with his creation, giving you double the renewable energy opportunities (at least during the day). Currently, Mr. Attey's device is being partially funded by the West Australian government, and homeowners who toss one up on their crib could receive a rebate if in fact this is ready for commercialization next year.[Thanks, Strayan]
Automatic waffle maker hits version 2.0
While it certainly looked about perfect to us, we know how picky engineering inventors can be, so it's not too surprising to see the folks behind the automatic waffle maker crank out a version 2.0. We can't be sure, but the video (shown after the jump) does seem to suggest that the newest iteration cooks up your breakfast without quite as much mess as the original, and the hardware behind the magic looks to have seen upgrades all around. Best of all, however, is the title splash screen that lets you know you're still looking at a beta creation, which ought to mean there's an even more sophisticated version around the bend. Bargain bin griddles, watch out.
DuPont unveils host of flat-panel HDTV technologies
While we knew the company famous for bringing miracles of science into our daily lives was lending a helping hand with OLEDs, a recent announcement has detailed that the company plans on getting into a whole lot more than just that. Among the technologies it hopes to integrate into tomorrow's flat-panel displays are thermal color filters, direct bonding, Optilon anti-reflective coatings, advanced composite reflectors film for improved luminance, Drylox, and a smattering of niceties around field emission displays. Of course, there's way more here than we could possibly cover in this space, so do your curious mind a favor and dig right in to the detailed read link.
