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Showing posts with label innovation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label innovation. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
DIY methanol powered scooter functional
With the importance of an alternate source of fuel rising steadily, many of us might wonder if methanol could be used as a fuel, though it is highly volatile and inflammable. Recently, a member on WebX took up a project to build a methanol powered homemade scooter. The first version had a prop and a 10cm thundertigre methanol glow engine, which didn’t work too well. In the second version, he changed the engine to the more powerful OS60 MAX without any props. However, this was too big for a scooter of this size. In the third and final version, he changed the engine shaft to 23mm diameter. A simple homemade filter was used, and the engine board is made of a 10mm thick alu arm, which allows flexibility. This version reduces the size of the engine, and there are no over-heating problems. Now, such things may not be legal to drive on our streets but then, it is always nice to know how things work, and they could set the stage for something legal to be manufactured.Monday, August 04, 2008
Logitech launches Tri Color Mouse for this I Day
We share the feeling of patriotism. We don’t mind fighting against terrorism, standing in the theater for the national anthem or even hoisting a flag in our office but using a mouse to show how patriotic we are doesn’t seem to work for us. Logitech’s brainy marketing team decided to come up with something unique to appeal to the Indians and voila, here is a mouse with Indian tri colors sans the Ashoka Chakra.
Nothing extraordinary here except the visual appeal. And if it triggered your patriotic senses, head over to a retailer to grab one for Rs. 640 ($15).
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Dell Hybrid Desktops
For nearly two decades now we haven't seen any innovation in design from makers of Wintel PCs or laptops. Over the last few years it has been solely Apple that was coming out with cool designs - whether it was Mac Mini or Macbook Air. So I was happy to see finally a PC manufacturer investing on design. I am talking here about the new Dell Hybrid desktops. Check them out they don't seem to have compromised on the technical specifications either which seems to include everything you may want in an average desktop PC - Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, Vista OS, 320GB HDD, DVD Writer, 5 USB, IEEE 1394, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and more. What is very cool is the availability of a Eco-Friendly Bamboo casing.
I wish this is just a beginning of design innovation coming from all the competitors in the Wintel PC world (Dell, Lenovo and HP) and we will see some new form factors in laptops as well.
I wish this is just a beginning of design innovation coming from all the competitors in the Wintel PC world (Dell, Lenovo and HP) and we will see some new form factors in laptops as well.
Terminator 0.0.1 (alpha)
The French start up Aldebaran-Robotics based in Paris has high hopes for its humanoid robot called NAO. The device is 57 cm high and weighs 4.5 kilograms (about the size of a 6 month old baby) and you may be about to see a lot more of it. The company has sent a simplified version to 16 teams playing in the Robocup humanoid football league this year.
NAO looks an impressive device, judging by the design, which the company has posted on the arXiv today. And others clearly agree. Earlier this year, the company picked up Euros 5 million in venture capital funding to help commercialise the device. The target market is university research labs involved in developing the next generation of software and hardware for robotics.
That’s a smart move because it could make NAO a de facto standard.
NAO doesn’t come cheap, however. A single robot will set you back Euros 10K but that is significantly cheaper than most other humanoids. Fujitsu’s HOAP costs $50K, for instance, and Honda hasn’t been able to put price on Asimo.
The company hopes that economies of scale will bring down the price as production scales up. Eventually it hopes to sell NAO to the public for Euros 4K each.
Better start saving.
Ref: arxiv.org/abs/0807.3223: The NAO Humanoid: A Combination of Performance and Affordability
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Innovative Bike Has Parents Riding High
Active parents love convenient outdoor gadgets, and thanks to Zigo, you can stay fit while hanging out with your little ones at the same time.
We’ve all seen those flimsy bike trailers, with toddlers swaying precariously back and forth on open trails or busy street sidewalks. While some parents hold their breath and hope the safety ratings are accurate, others are investing in a Zigo with its four different traveling modes.
Taking its cue from the traditional bike trailer, Zigo allows you to attach your child’s riding compartment onto the front of your bike, allowing you the chance to see how safe your child is riding. You can also use the compartment (known as a “child pod) on its own as either a standard or jogging stroller. Lastly, a 4th mode allows you to use the bike independently, for when you just need a little time for yourself away from the kids.
Available on both their official website and through various cycling shops through the U.S., Zigo continues to impress parents all over the nation.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wonderfully Wacky Toy Art
What can you do with those old used up toys that your children used to play with, but are now collecting dust in the corner of your attic? Artist Robert Bradford makes good use of them and creates sculptures out of these toys.
I asked Robert how he got started in doing this: "For a long time I had always liked to use materials that were not bland i.e. had some kind of history of weathering or use. One day about five years out in the studio I was looking into my children’s box of outgrown / discarded toys which happened to be out in the same building and responded to the random collection of colours shapes and forms they made. I figured that if I could find a way of putting them together to constitute a larger form they would have great potential as a larger scale sculpture. Over the next few years I experimented with various construction methods (which all had their downsides) - before one day about a year ago in frustration I tried putting a screw through a toy and then many others. To my surprise most didn’t crack or shatter and the new series has been largely based around and developed from that fact."
I was also curious as to the type of reaction he recieves from the public when they view his work. Here’s what he had to say: “Public reaction is largely very positive (in some cases gleeful)- in some cases children drag their parents to come and look at the pieces and then a whole sequence of recognition and recollection usually begins, naming the various toys and recalling the times and circumstances of their use. There is usually some fascination, both with them and with the process of their construction and sometimes outright laughter. There is usually a whole process of going back and forth between looking at the sculptures as a totality and the individual parts they are made up from (which of course is my intention). Some people of course just say they are rubbish which of course is perfectly true! There is also often talk about consumerism and waste, which whilst not being my central concern is also in my view positive when it occurs. Some find the sculptures beautiful/ curious/ scary/ weird/ emotional and etc. (which considering all they are really is bits of what is usually seen as rubbish) is great."
"In a way the sculptures are also history pieces in the sense that you could date any one of them roughly from the time that the last toy screwed on to the structure that was produced.”
I don’t think they’re rubbish, these are actually pretty cool. I’d love to have a backyard filled with every one of these sculptures. But I’m sure my neighbors would think I’m weird; a 30-year old woman with toy sculptures in her yard. Oh well, I’ve done worse.
Many thanks to Robert Bradford. You can view more of his amazing art at his website.
Ten Even More Weird and Bizarre Japanese Soft Drinks
Our list comprises the bad, the even more bad and the downright ugly, and we'll lead off the same way last year's list did – with Pepsi Japan's latest weird summer soft drink!
10) Pepsi Blue Hawaii
Wasn't there already a blue Pepsi, called umm, er, oh yeah - Pepsi Blue? It faded from the scene fairly quickly; a fate certain to be shared by Pepsi Blue Hawaii. Flavored with Pineapple and Lemon, you just know PBH is going to be sweeter than Hello Kitty in insulin shock – actually, it would probably be her IV drip.
9) Fanta Furufuru Shaker
8) Melon Milk
Melon Milk doesn't taste bad... it does taste kinda strange though. Sort of like milk, with a melony overtone. You sip some, think “that can't be right”, then sip a little more. Before you know it you've drained the whole can – all part of Pokka's dastardly plan, no doubt. Melon is actually a major fruit flavor in Japan. If it's green & fruity, there's probably a melon involved. Consider yourself warned.
7) Bilk
Bilk... according to my dictionary, it means “to cheat out of something valuable”. It also makes a terrible name for a new drink – unless that drink is an unholy marriage of milk and beer, in which case it's entirely appropriate. Besides, Japanese dairy farmers are pretty much swimming in surplus milk and if Bilk doesn't work out they could resort to something truly awful, like a cheese drink (shudder).
Bilk... 70% beer, 30% milk, 100% disgusting. Supposedly, Bilk possesses a subtle sweetness that women should find most appealing. Beer bellies, belches and lactose intolerance, not so much. Bilk can be bought at 6 outlets in Japan's northern province of Hokkaido where bears outnumber humans 2:1. Guess they like the stuff, for their pic-a-nic baskets and all. (via Japan Probe)
6) NEEDS Cheese Drink
In fact, it seems the only ones who DO needs NEEDS are those pesky dairy farmers in Hokkaido, who “needs” to do something about growing stocks of surplus milk. If only there was something, sort of like a baby but still a cow, who could drink the surplus milk... ah well, never mind. (via F*cked Gaijin)
5) Hawaiian Deep-Sea Water
Koyo USA Corp wants you to forget all that. The maker of MaHaLo brand “Hawaiian Deep-Sea Water” is making a killing on desalinated deep ocean water thirst-crazed Japanese are falling all over themselves to buy... at between $4 and $6 per 1.5 liter bottle, no less.
Koyo USA Corp produces 200,000 bottles of processed seawater a day and can barely keep up with demand in Japan. According to company spokesman John Frosted, “At this point, we can't make enough. We have no surplus.”
Thank goodness for that, because the thought of seawater beer or seawater cheese drink would drive ME insane!
4) Kid's Wine
Kid's Wine – not just a road trip complaint anymore! Kid's Beer topped our list last time around, but did you know the same company, Sangaria, makes “wine” specially made for children? They also make their website play the cheesiest, most annoying music ever heard online. Maybe you have to be drunk on Kid's Wine to truly appreciate it.
3) Placenta Drink
Thank you ladies, really... but there comes a point where bizarre beauty potions intended to make you luscious, just make us nauseous – and Nihon Shokuten's eerie series of placenta products are a prime example.
Made with swine placenta, the drink carries the automotive-sounding name of "Placenta 400000" - perhaps it's made from the ground & pressed extract of 400,000 placentas? Nihon Shokuten's not telling, but their revolting beverage should come pre-packaged with mints because there's nothing worse than placenta-breath in the morning.
2) Eel Soda
These days though, one doesn't always have time for a leisurely lunch of delicious barbecued eel.
No problem – Unagi Nobori bottles essence of eel along with 5 essential vitamins in a carbonated medium. Make my medium small, if you don't mind... and by the way, Unagi Nobori is brought to you by the nice folks at Japan Tobacco, known for "healthy" products with smoky flavors. (via Japan Marketing News)
1) Okkikunare Drinks
Okkikunare is Japanese for “make them bigger”, and do I really have to tell you what “them” refers to? Well, maybe I do - lest guys with macho issues rush to place orders, the apple, peach and mango flavored drinks are quite popular among teenage girls in Japan.
Seems a little sketchy to me... then again, the drinks are also sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, which has been linked to obesity. Therefore, EVERYTHING gets bigger the more you drink, not just the, umm, apples, peaches and mangos. (via DumpSoda)
And there you have it, Ten Even More Weird and Bizarre Japanese Soft Drinks. And, in case you were wondering, no Pocari Sweat again this time. Not even the doggie version, “Pet Sweat”. Odd as it sounds, Japan can do much better... or worse, as the case may be.
So, consider yourself warned, Japan can pack a few surprises for the unwary, thirsty traveler. Be sure to pack some Canned Bottled Water on your next trip there – it's lighter than the Bottled Canned Water and likely has even fewer calories!
Check out last year's list here.
The Washing Machine That Uses Hardly Any Water
Companies are constantly trying to outdo each other in the world of laundry, but one new invention just might eliminate the competition.
Source: Shiny Shiny
Instead of using water alone, the Xeros washing machine uses a new formula: plastic chips, friction and solvent. Confused? Don’t be; the machine is simple to understand and use.
Basically an individual starts a normal load of laundry and a cartridge in the back of the machine drops in the plastic chips to mix with a cup of water and detergent. The water dissolves the stains and dirt, which is then absorbed by the chips. Once the load is near the end of the cycle, a grill at the bottom of the washing machine opens up, collects the plastic and leaves you clothes that are almost dry.
Since tests have already shown that the machine can get rid of all kinds of stains, the product is sure to be a success once it hits the UK market in 2009. The only concern about the innovation is whether or not the plastic chips themselves are environment-friendly. But seeing so many companies are trying to please the environmentalists these days, the plastic chips are probably going to be safe in some sort of way.
To find out more, you can visit the following website.
Cool Invention: So busy that you wish you had another hand?
The people at Spot Industries have taken this concept quite literally with an articulated robotic human-like hand and forearm assembly appropriately named "Handy". The heavy industrial giant's first foray into the consumer market was actually precipitated by a proprietary battery technology and the availability of high strength, cheap to produce and 100% recyclable polymers that could actually bring concepts such as Handy into the reach of a much broader consumer market.
Spot Industries spokesperson So Soon Dun states "Handy could be useful for any number of domestic tasks such as washing, hammering, painting, digging, kneading, the only limit is your imagination." He went on to mention that "Handy has a very, very firm but soft grip and its ability to oscillate up and down at select speeds is quite satisfying."
The first model of the Handy is being planned for initial release into the marketplace sometime in the next two years. The Handy is very lightweight at less than 7 Kg. It can be folded down to fit in a typical briefcase. So Soon Dun tells us that the first version will be the "tabletop model" which could easily fit on any side table, desk or workbench. Future editions may come with freestanding legs, wheels or possibly even a harness to allow for greater user mobility and ease of use.
Handy will come with USB and midi ports and be wireless capable for use with ipods, keyboards and computers. Handy's fuzzy AI logic will allow it to learn its owners preferences very efficiently. So Soon Dun reminds us that whether a robotic device builds cars or waters your plants - the job should be done right.
We concur, hands free never had it so good.
Rod Bland InventorSpot.com
Our Guest Blogger, Rod Bland, is an aspiring inventor and has worked as a visual effects artist and animator for the past 15 years in the television, movie & advertising industries.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
150 mph British Steam Car - Hacked Gadgets
I have been thinking about ways of reducing my fuel expenses due to the increasing gas cost. If this 150 mph British Steam Car could be converted from liquid petroleum to french fry grease we might just have my next vehicle pick.
"Burning liquid petroleum gas at 750° F to pressurize that 360-hp Curtis turbine, the 25-ft.-long Steam Car can turn 10.5 gallons of water a minute into some boiling-hot action for the record books—and wicked fast, with velocities in excess of 150 mph.
Unlike a steam locomotive, which uses a steam-powered injector system, the British Steam Car uses compressed-air-powered hydraulics to inject distilled water and pre-prime itself. The water is pumped into the start of 1.86 miles of tubing to develop three megawatts of heat to convert water into 750 F steam. This super-heated “dry” steam is then directed down the car via heavily lagged pipes and two enormous industrial steam valves, which act as throttles, and then into the two-stage turbine. “That’s where we turn pressure into velocity,” says Candy. The steam is injected into the turbine at over two times the speed of sound; under the assault, the turbine revolves at up to 13,000 rpm. The turbine drives the rear wheels via a conventional crown wheel and pinion. The vehicle turns 10.5 gallons of water a minute into super-heated steam at 40 times atmospheric pressure.
It takes longer to start the machine than it can run—eight minutes to get going with enough fuel, compressed air and water to run for three minutes, although the vehicle only needs two minutes to cross the measured mile. “We’ll actually coast through the line,” says Wales. “We’ll then let it roll to a stop rather than use the brakes, and by the time the team manages to find it, things should be cool enough to turn it around and prepare for the return run."
Via: TechEBlog and New Launches
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Buy Gas Now and Pay Less Later
Everyone has been feeling the crunch when buying gas. As the price creeps closer and closer to $5.00 per gallon, more and more people are wondering what they are going to do. A new program called MyGallons may be the answer.
The system is basically the same as a guaranteed gas price for life system. Once you purchase the MyGallons Card, you receive a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and all the information. You pay for gas at whatever the price you area has been designated at, then no matter what the price is, you will have a pre-paid card to cover it.
For example, let's say you have been quoted a price of $3.80 pr gallon. 100 gallons would cost you $380 at that time. 2 months down the road, gas now costs $4.10 per gallon. 100 gallons would cost you $410. Overall you will have saved $30. Even though this may not seem like much, you have to remember that gallons never expire. If 100 gallons will last you 12 months, and the price goes up by $1.00, you will have saved $100 in the long run.
For more information and pricing and availability, please visit MyGallons
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Move your body to charge your phone
There are several ways in which a person can capture natural energy. Forget using wind, the sun, tides, and geothermal activity — you can use your own body to produce energy to charge all sorts of electrical devices.
Orange, a music company, and GotWind, a firm specializing in renewable energy, have teamed up to create a device named the Dance Charge. Dance Charge weighs 180 grams and you strap it around your arm. Dance Charge then uses the kinetic energy generated by your body in motion to charge up whatever you have connected to it.
The neat contraption also uses a system of weights and magnets to produce electric current to top up the storage battery. A prototype of the device was shown and tested at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.
Noah: High Performance Personal Vehicle
Designer Andrei Fraça’s has created Noah, a high performance vehicle that looks like a unicycle. However, on closer examination, it can be seen that there are actually two tires mounted on a tandem. Noah’s basic design is meant to have a human driving and controlling it. It is controlled by the person leaning forward, backwards, or side to side. These factors control acceleration, braking, and turning. Everything is done without pedals or buttons. The tires act as stabilizers for the vehicle through turns as they shift up and down against one another to give more control to the driver. Zoom on!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Small Wonder - Solar Powered Cell Phone Charger
The new, compact portable solar cell phone charger from Japan's Strapya World is without a doubt, the right product at the right time. With "eco" the trendy buzzword of the moment in Japan, this lightweight (40gm, or less than 2 ounces) power source absolutely fills the bill. Clean, environmentally friendly power from the sun... now, at last, you CAN take it with you!
The 2.16 inch (5.5 cm) tall charger comes in black or white, and there are two versions available depending on what type of Japanese cell phone you own. That's right, "Japanese" cell phone - the charger is compatible with either FOMA/SoftBank3G or AU/CDMA phones; there's a complete model listing at the Strapya product page.
This revolutionary new portable power source will absorb its maximum amount of solar energy in 6 to 10 hours, perfect for a day at the beach. If you don't have that amount of time or it's a cloudy day, just attach it to an AC adaptor and fill it up in only 3 hours. It takes roughly 15 to 25 minutes to charge up a dead cell phone and once charged, you've got 40 minutes of talking time.
Strapya and Tokyo Coil Engineering have partnered on the development of this very cool little device, and you can be sure that upcoming versions will not only be compatible with foreign cell phones, but other personal electronic devices like mp3 players. Pricing, at least for the current model solar charger, is surprisingly cheap at just 1,995 yen ($19.75). Free power, low initial cost and never needing to buy a cell phone battery again? Priceless!
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For those of you who aren’t into the camera scene, the Hasselblad company has been making some of the best cameras for many proud generations. In fact, these guys have been making cameras since photography was invented. If Hasselblad cameras are gourmet food, then all other cameras are like McDonalds.
The company’s newest flagship camera is the H3DII-50. It is so named because it has 50, count ‘em, 50-megapixels. It also features Kodak’s 36 x 48mm sensor which is about twice the size of the largest 35mm sensors.
Other features are improved controls and functionality, better sensor cooling, a new and more intuitive interface, plus a bright 3-inch display. It also has a terrific assortment of large and bright viewfinders, and a wide range of HC and HCD lenses.
Like I said, Hasselblad cameras are the gourmet of cameras, and this is the high priced food that you would get at a high-priced restaurant. Hasselblad cameras are definitely “for professionals only”, and the best photographers will probably trying like mad to get their hands on the H3DII-50 when it comes out in October. They probably pay top dollar for it, too.
Via [Engadget]