Robotics posts

As elections at the national, state, and local approach, the political attack ads will increase. It’s the way of US politics, but it can often be almost as entertaining as it is disgraceful. Case-in-point: this video by a political action committee in Florida that supports Jim Frishe against Jeff Brandes for the State Senate seat in Florida’s 22nd District. In it, “driverless, remote control cars” are not just a waste of money but a danger to the elderly in the area. There’s really no need to expand on why this is ludicrous, but Jalopnik does anyway: She is the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” lady for…

The world watched as NASA put another rover on Mars. It wasn’t as much about the expedition – we’ve been to Mars before. This time, it was about the new method by which they put the rover on the planet. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Labortory put together this video made of 297 images taken from Curiosity as it landed on Mars. In the beginning, we see the heat shield being released (pictured above). …

Quirky gadgets are ones that make us want them, obsess over them and then… eventually they are the ones that we cannot live without. They almost become like little art pieces that create conversation and much like on the web, they become viral amongst friends. The best part is that you found them first and can own the cred for having a keen eye for cool things. Therefore, we wanted to ensure that we keep you up to speed on the gadgets that lean on the quirky side yet are useful and will serve you well for a decent amount of time, here are 4 quirky gadgets that will make your head turn.   1. BLACK Element…

According to a group of researchers, the robotic walking leg simulation in the video below is the closest we’ve come to being able to replicate the way biological organisms move. To some, it will be impressive. To me, it’s still pretty weird looking. You decide – am I being too picky? From the report: A key component of the human walking system is the central pattern generator (CPG). The CPG is a neural network in the lumbar region of the spinal cord that generates rhythmic muscle signals. The CPG produces, and then controls, these signals by gathering information from different parts of the body…

Families argue. It’s part of being a family. When your “family” is made up of unhappy robots getting ready for a nutritious meal of glowing objects, you know the only way the ensuing dispute will end is with dubstep and 3D graphics. Lights and flying radioactive cylinders highlight the short film by Fluxel Media with a dubstep remix of Nostalgia’s “Knights of Cydonia”. …

One of the biggest risks with drugs such as antibiotics that chemically attack bacteria and other harmful organisms is that a tolerance or immunity can be developed over time. There are also side-effects that can debilitate patients treated chemically. IBM hopes to have solved both issues through nanotechnology by developing “ninja polymers” that attack deadly bacteria such as Staphylococcus physically rather than chemically. When in the bloodstream or in contact with water, these polymers self-assemble into microscopic structures that target bacteria based upon their electrostatic…

  Forget about Newt’s plan to settle the moon. The folks over at Mars One want to put a human settlement on Mars by 2023. The plan according to co-founder Bas Lansdorp is to get four people to the planet using a 4-step process. 2016 – A communication satellite and supplies will be sent first. 2018 – A large planetary rover capable will land and search the planet for an appropriate area to colonize. 2020 – Living units, life support units, another rover, and more supplies will be sent. The rovers will build the various components and make it habitable. 2022 – September, the crew of 4 will depart for…

Play Angry Birds with chop sticks. Browse web pages without a mouse or touchscreen. Sign a document within 1 centimeter with pinpoint accuracy. These are just the tip of the possibilities iceberg for Leap Motion, the gesture-control technology unveiled today in the video below. The San Francisco startup says you can “Say goodbye to your mouse and keyboard.” The accuracy of the device may make that claim a reality for some considering that it’s reportedly 200 times more accurate than anything on the market today and can track the movements of all ten fingers inside a 4-cubic-foot space down to…

While Google takes on the role of trailblazer in Nevada, there are questions that surround the technology behind their driverless car. The questions aren’t about whether or not the technology will work but rather around who will actually allow themselves to be driven around. There’s an obvious demographic, of course. Those with disabilities such as Steve Mahan can be empowered by the mobility and freedom that a driverless car has to offer him. Will anyone who isn’t needing the use of driverless cars actually buy these in the future? Yes. In fact, there’s a very strong contingent particularly…

Every time there is a new smart phone put on the market, millions of people flock to the release in hopes of getting their hands on one on that opening day. However, what if technology changed and the smart phones of the past moved forward to what Google is now testing called Project Glass? What if we can explore and share everything about our world and everyday lives without pressing buttons? Google’s Project Glass is taking technology out of your hands and is instead putting it right in your face. Well, not literally in your face, but right in your view. Here is what it looks like: Now, while this could…