motorized
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Google patents a motorized Chromebook hinge that can open itself
If you've been struggling to open your own laptop each day, a new patent granted to Google for its Pixel line of notebook computers may be just what you need. Titled "Notebook Computer with Motorized Display Positioning," the patent shows a motorized hinge that will open the display with some sort of touch on the top of the portable computer. The patent also mentions sensors that can detect users from specific distances as well as detect your face so the display can adjust its angle automatically.
RocketSkates let you zip along the sidewalk at a top speed of 12MPH
Let's nip your enthusiasm right in the bud: No, these motorized skates you see above aren't actually powered by rockets. Now hold on, don't close the browser tab just yet. Just launched on Kickstarter, Acton's RocketSkates do have a rather misleading name. But they're actually quite the improvement over the Spnkix, the company's previous effort at a pair of motorized skates (which, incidentally, unceremoniously crashed our podcast stage during CES 2013). Unlike the Spnkix, the RocketSkates are about six pounds lighter, have four hub motors instead of two, are 15 percent smaller and can zoom up to 12 miles per hour. Oh, and most notably, the RocketSkates don't require a remote to operate. That's right; just like regular skates, these motorized puppies can let you zip around the sidewalk completely hands-free.
VizTools reveals HandiZoom video accessory for Canon DSLRs
Wanna shoot really serious video of the sidewalk on your DSLR, but can't get along with those dicey standard controls? Then maybe VizTools has a solution -- or at least a working prototype it's readying for NAB. The HandiZoom can be operated with only one hand and does motorized zoom with adjustable speed settings, as well as various other primary controls. It hooks up to compatible Canon DSLRs using USB and a rail system, with the aim of making the camera feel more like a traditional news shooter. Check out the video after the break, and then maybe throw down a few more pennies to pair it with one of these.
iRoom iDock imounts your iPad to your iwall
One sure fire way to make sure you never lose your iPad? Stick the thing in your wall. Now available in North America from Bracketron, the iRoom iDock is a motorized dock for your Apple tablet that can be flush-mounted into your wall. Once connected to your power supply, the system's proximity sensor will open up when you're around to accept your tablet into its docky clutches, for some serious wall-charging action -- and if there's a power outage, the thing will open up automatically, so you can grab your slate back. The dock is available in landscape or portrait orientation and comes in black, aluminum or white -- or you can get a custom color to match your home's walls, because why not go all out with your wall-mounted iPad dock thing? Press release after the jump.
Zen master Zimoun asks: what is the sound of 138 motorized cotton balls rolling on cardboard? (video)
Unlike most of us, Zimoun sees a pile of DC motors, cotton balls, and cardboard boxes and thinks "I can work with this." That, along with his mysterious single name, is what makes him an artist. We're all fans of gadget-centric art -- especially when it involves fire or seemingly worthless parts -- and the Swiss sculptor certainly loves the latter. His installations feature dozens of motorized cotton balls rolling across cardboard; the result sounds something like a heavy rainstorm. Or like the incessant, deadly chewing of the Langoliers, depending on your point of reference. Check the video after the break to decide for yourself.
Gaming gets immersive thanks to union of pico projector and eye tracking camera (video)
Although in the earliest stages of development, this virtual reality gaming rig already looks pretty intriguing. Engineered by clever kids at the University of Texas at Austin, it hot-wires an eye tracking camera to a motorised pico projector with the result that the player literally can't take their eyes off the screen. Wherever they look, that is where their view of the gaming world is projected. The rig makes most sense in a first-person shooter, although the students have also tried it in a flight simulator where the player uses their head to roll and pitch the aircraft. Yes, it looks rather similar to the Microvision PicoP laser projection gun we wielded at CES, but there's a key difference: the player does not need to hold anything or have anything attached to their body. This unencumbered Kinect-esque approach could potentially allow a greater sense of freedom -- except that, for it to work, the player is forced to sit directly in front of the eye tracker. Find a way to fix this, dear Longhorns, and you could be onto something. Video after the break.
Enicycle, the electric unicycle, gets ridden on video
While the Enicycle may look eerily similar to Focus Design's SBU unicycle, it's decidedly different when looking at the nuts and bolts of things. As of now, just two of these devices exist in the entire world, and one Ortis Deley was able to scoot over to Italy in order to give one of them a ride. Thanks to what is described as "a clever system of gyroscopes, embedded processors and a 1,000W hub motor," the bike was said to be exceptionally easy to control, and the foot-steering apparatus seemed to also work quite well. We'd say that this doesn't really have a chance in hades to make it in the commercial market, but if the P.U.M.A. can find buyers, absolutely anything is possible. Check the exhilarating vid in the read link.[Thanks, Steve]
Sanus joins the tilting wall mount crowd with VisionMount LT25
With Stewart Filmscreen and OmniMount doling out all new motorized mounts for CEDIA, we reckoned it was only a matter of time before Sanus hollered "me too!" Right on cue, the VisionMount LT25 has been revealed, boasting aluminum alloy rails and high-grade ABS decorative end caps, a weight of just 3.5-pounds and post-installation height and leveling adjustments. The device can handle HDTVs from 30- to 60-inches in size (up to 175-pounds), and best of all, the $219.99 price tag won't sting too awfully bad when picking one up in black or silver.
OmniMount chucks out motorized flat-panel mount of its own
A year after introducing the Ultra Low Profile Series flat-panel mounts, OmniMount has shown up at CEDIA time once more with a new way to hang up your set. While not nearly as unique as Stewart Filmscreen's Media Décor, the new Motion40 will still put a little motor into your mount. The remote-controlled device was designed to hold up "medium-sized" flat-panels, and with just a press of a button, the screen can tilt, swivel and wow onlookers while barely making a peep. If you've got a 23- to 40-inch set that weighs under 66-pounds, OmniMount's Motion40 can get it lookin' good upside your wall for $399.95. Full release is after the jump.
Chief / Sanus to debut automatic motorized TV tilt mount
You know what time it (almost) is, so you'll be prepared to handle a whole new breed of TV mounts as well. With CEDIA upon us, Chief Manufacturing and Sanus are both rolling out the same automatic motorized tilt mount, though it'll be dubbed LT15 for Chief and CM8 for Sanus. Put simply, this was designed for folks who want / need to mount their set higher than eye level. Upon receiving a signal via optical cable that the set was turned on, it automatically tilts the unit downward in order to give everyone a better view. Surprisingly, the asking price on this is just $299, which -- all things considered -- isn't half bad.
INCA offers up motorized pop-out TV mount
Joining the already crowded market of flat-panel mounts, INCA has introduced its 900810-5A-WPS, which is an elaborate way of saying Motorized Wall Mounted Pullout and Swivel. Said device is fully automatic and remotely controlled, can hold sets up to 100 pounds and should accommodate mostly any HDTV thanks to the optional mounts. You'll also find a built-in cable management system and the ability to manually override the "popping out" -- you know, in case you'd actually need to... for whatever reason -- but sadly, we have no clue how far this unit will set you back.[Via SlashGear]
iSlide: the skateboard / Segway hybrid
Granted, the whole Segway-esque skateboard idea has been tossed around (and patented) before, but Tal Ofir decided to conjure up his own design, anyway. Dubbed a "motorized skateboard for an urban environment," this transporter touts a centrally placed wheel and a "computerized weight balance unit" to keep you upright, and it seems that it would be constructed primarily from epoxy and fiberglass. Reportedly, Ofir is fielding interest from potential investors who'd like to make this thing the next Razer scooter, but attaching any sort of hip factor to it will not be a simple task. Click on for another glimpse.[Via Gizmag]
Mitsubishi's motorized swivel-TV unveiled at CEATEC
Sure the wireless remote has enabled us lazy-types to control our boob tubes without leaving our ass-groove on the couch, but so far there have been few ways (save for custom stands / installations) to adjust the physical TV without some serious physical exertion -- until now, that is. There's not a whole lot to go on, but based on what we've gleaned online, Mitsubishi is demoing a new TV at CEATEC that comes on a motorized swivel, the first such model that we know of to come with this handy feature out of the box. The as-yet-unnamed LCD has 30 degrees of rotation each way, displays high definition content, and lets you get your swivel on with the press of a button on the remote. Thank you Mitsubishi, for bringing us one step closer to the day when we'll never have to leave our chairs at all, content with sitting in a pile of Doritos crumbs as our robotic servants deliver us one deliciously intoxicating beverage after another.[Thanks for the translation, Lane R.]
