[GadgetRatty] tag: arms

Persistent Unconventional Alarm Clock

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:34:36 +0000

Here comes different kind of alarm that wake you up stomping, chirping, and more. When the alarm goes off, the green little guy lights up its feet, opens its jaw and sends out a bunch of noises. It also beats its arms on the table. If you still got caught in slumberland, the Mood Lamp will then light up to its full brightness. Each device will cost you $40, so both pair will set you back for $80. [HasbroToyShop VIA SlashGear]

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Panasonic CN-HW830D

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:17:58 +0000

Panasonic and Kenwood seem to be in an arms race when it comes to 2DIN car entertainment navigation systems. Just the other day we heard of Kenwood DNX 8220BT and today we have Panasonic CN-HW830D which combines various useful features right to your dash.

It has an optical drive to support CD, MP3, and DVD playback. You can watch digital TV on the 7″ touchscreen with 800×480 resolution, or transfer files via high capacity SD cards or access your files on the hard disk drive. Speaking of HDD, that’s where navigation maps are stored so you’ll have your optical drive free for other stuff. You can also control your iPod with Panasonic CN-HW830D.

It looks like this device will stay in Japan (do let us know if you see it elsewhere) and will be available on September 12th for about $2500…
via

ASUS Brings British Chevalier Style into CPU Coolers

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:34:28 +0000

Asus today unleashed the second variant in its all copper-made CPU cooler range – the Asus Royal Knight. Keeping in line with its predecessor's effective cooling methods, the Royal Knight retains an all-copper buildup and utilizes 6 heat pipes to maintain low CPU temperatures for maximum stability.

The latest Asus Royal Knight presents itself in a retro-chic British Chevalier stylized outlook – integrating a crown, a coat of arms and an eagle that embraces the core spirit of the Knight Series. With the most advanced thermal solution to support impressive overclocking capabilities, coupled with such fine aesthetics, the stunning Royal Knight is truly a crowd pleaser in terms of looks and performance

Cute Duo Will Wake You Up With Light And Sound

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:19:28 +0000

By Luke Anderson

We’ve seen a lot of crazy alarm clocks that have creative ways to wake you up from your slumber, however, I think this is one of the first I’ve seen that actually interacts with other appliances in your room. This duo of devices works with one another to not only create an audible wakeup call, but a visual one as well.

The Room Tech Beingz Alarm Clock (seen on the left) will light up its feet in warning before opening its jaw and blaring out noises that should surely wake you up in addition to beating its arms on your nightstand. What really makes this clock interesting is that it will actually signal its partner the Mood Lamp (on the right) to turn on to its full brightness if they are within 15 feet of each other. If that doesn’t wake you up, I don’t know what will. Each device will set you back $40, making the whole package an $80 investment.

[ Hasbro Toy Shop ] VIA [ Dvice ]

Room Tech Beingz alarm clock & lamp

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:08:27 +0000

Meet the Room Tech Beingz Alarm Clock, and Mood Lamp. They’re buddies who collaborate and wake you as a team. The clock’s feet light up, the it opens it’s mouth wide to sound off in one of three different noises to wake you up. It will also move its arms up and down if you don’t get up. It will even play music and do a little dance to the tunes, .so it isn’t completely annoying.

The mood lamp is a bit more calm, with four different brightness settings depending on your mood. It too will dance, and respond to your touch. They sport a very cool retro look, with a modern twist. The pair can even communicate with one another if they’re within 15 feet. The Alarm Clock can get the Lamp to turn on it’s brightest setting. That added with the noise should get you up and make you hate them day after day.

[Entertainment Earth]

Room Tech Beingz alarm clock & lamp

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:08:27 +0000

[Entertainment Earth]

Room Tech Beingz alarm clock & lamp

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:08:27 +0000

[Entertainment Earth]

An alarm clock that can turn on the lights this is just trouble

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:29:36 +0000

On the left you've got the Room Tech Beingz Alarm Clock, and its buddy, Mood Lamp, to the right. After a short warning of its feet lighting up, the Alarm Clock will throw its mouth wide open and blare out one of three different noises to wake you up, beating its arms up and down if you aren't roused in time. It isn't all bad, though — it can play music and do a little dance to the tunes, too.

Mood Lamp is Alarm Clock's more chill cousin. It has four different brightness settings depending on how you're feeling. It will also dance to whatever music you're playing, and respond to your touch in an animated way.

Alarm Clock is kind of a bad influence on Mood Lamp, though, as they can communicate with one another if they're less than 15 feet apart. Alarm Clock can get Lamp to turn on as bright as it can and, mixed in with the noise, you've got two culprits to go after if you want to snooze.

RoomTech Beingz Alarm Clock & Mood Lamp, via 7 Gadgets

Robotic Legs Allow Paraplegics To Walk

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:00:32 +0000

Amit Goffer, who was paralyed in a 1997 accident, has invented ReWalk, which gives paraplegics the chance to walk again. Unfortunately, Goffer can't use the system himself, as it requires the use of your arms, which he doesn't have full use of.

The system, which requires crutches to help with balance, consists of motorized leg supports, body sensors and a back pack containing a computerized control box and rechargeable batteries. The user picks a setting with a remote control wrist band -- stand, sit, walk, descend or climb -- and then leans forward, activating the body sensors and setting the robotic legs in motion. "It raises people out of their wheelchair and lets them stand up straight," Goffer said. "It's not just about health, it's also about dignity."

Damn, that's probably the awesomest thing I've heard all day. Good looking, Goffer. I just hope these things don't fall into the hands of the non-paralyzed, lest they build a superhuman army. Again, awesome. Hit the jump for three more pictures, the second of which is Goffer himself.

R.A.D. Robots

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:44:04 +0000

The concept of robot as servant and protector seems perfectly represented by Toyshack's R.A.D. robot series. The original 1.0 version truly captured what people wanted robots to do in the '80s - shoot foam rockets and bring them Tab. By the mid '90s, subsequent versions R.A.D. 2.0 and R.A.D. 2.0 blue continued the tradition. Here is a great commercial for a R.A.D. 2.0.

The first R.A.D.s could bend at the waist, open their arms, and pick up items for you. If your sound mode was on, they would announce what they were doing. They could also carry the requisite robot tray just in case you needed two cans of root beer and some Doritos. R.A.D.s were controlled by either voice or remote and they did have decent mobility.

They could also function as mini-security systems, demanding a password from intruders and shooting foam rockets at any loud noises or lingering threats. Perhaps their most disturbing feature was the "spy" mode, which meant you could use your R.A.D. to eavesdrop on other people's conversations. I can only imagine the fascinating conversations the early '90s R.A.D.s overheard my friends and I participating in - we were probably discussing whether or not one of the New Kids on the Block was going to be marry me.

Further incarnations emerged as the R.A.D. 3.0 and 4.0, showing much more rounded styling. If I remember correctly, they sadly eliminated that bend-at-the-waist feature that allowed the robot to pick up your laundry. They did however add some new features like more sophisticated voice-recognition and an increased vocabulary.

In any case, what I find most interesting about the R.A.D.s, especially the earlier versions, is that they are so tempting to use as a base for hack projects. I included links below of people doing their own R.A.D. hacks in case you want to check them out. Now that I'm older, I am kind of hoping someone will program one to mix cocktails.

Special thanks to The Old Robot's Web Site