Vubx Coolest Gadgets

Coolest Gadgets Forever !

Archive for August, 2008

The reason I have chosen these two examples is that both technologies allow people to communicate and give commands to the outer world without any physical movement or a bit of it (scrunching his right cheek) in the Stephen Hawking’s case.

Brainloop Mental Command Machine

Brainloop mental machine allows people to operate devices merely by imagining specific motor commands, in other words only thinking. In brief, imagination of movements such as “move left hand”, “move right hand” or “move feet” become non-muscular communication and control signals that convey messages and commands to the external world without any actual movement. In the following video you will see how the subject is able to navigate a Google Earth powered terrain and compose soundtracks by this technology.

Stephen Hawking’s computer is also interesting and deserves mentioning about it. I have included the information about this computer from Wikipedia as an excerpt here. It is interesting that it is always renewed by Intel after some periods of around two years to give Stephen Hawking more comfort and possibilities in communication and tracking information flow.

Stephen HawkingThe computer system attached to his wheelchair is operated by Hawking via an infra-red ‘blink switch’ clipped onto his glasses. By scrunching his right cheek up, he is able to talk, compose speeches and research papers, browse the Internet, and write e-mails. The system also uses radio transmission to provide control over doors in his home and office. His computer was created by an American engineer. He once joked that his computer “had an American accent.”

Hawking receives a new computer every 18-24 months donated by Intel. The latest computer was donated in June of 2007 and is based on the Centrino chipset. It consists of two pieces, a rear chassis which houses a single 300 watt hour battery, a laptop computer, and various external peripherals, and a front chassis, which houses a touchscreen LCD and speakers which project his hardware-synthesized voice. The two chassis are connected via a custom-designed umbilical cable which allows power and electrical signals to travel back and forth. Hawking’s computer can run for up to 7 hours without needing a recharge, or be switched to run directly from his wheelchair battery when needed.

The computer utilizes a wireless data card that runs on mobile phone networks. This allows Hawking to check his email and browse the web while away from a wireless LAN. Hawking can also make and receive voice phone calls via a mobile phone with an external microphone in front of his computer speakers.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Following me @muratos on Twitter is another option.

Horror GadgetsIt is a proven fact by Swiss psychologists that human souls are tend to be attracted by the things we fear most. (Ok, I admit that such pseudo-science claim is just a common hi-tech Turkish tradition we keep saying in our daily life)

Here is the step by step horror/goth gadget guide to freak out innocent guests (or at least zlorting a dark sarcastic taste for those who are not prepared) and entertain in this short life as much as the hell hounds do in flames.

1) Welcome your guest in front of the garden.

Be sure that you have a Garden Zombie there for the initial effect. Since your neighbors already are not talking to you anymore, you should not let your unique visitor escape. Wearing this Wrist Knife will boost the total atmosphere to a certain degree. Trust me. Keep a Burzum song alive from your open windows at the same time using the skull speakers.
Wrist Knife

2) In your living room.

Invite your guest with a honest smile to sit to Shocker Electric chair for some resting before the supper. Gothic Dragon Throne is a perfect choice for your place to tell who the master is at this home beforehand.

3) Bloody Supper.

Giving real blood to your guest in a Lord Byron Skull Goblet is not suggested also by several Swiss therapists. Use red wine instead. See these perfect antiques cutlery from Germany as well.German Antiques Cutlary

4) Shower time and sleeping

Your guest will like never forget this bloody shower for life. Tell that Mr. Alfred Hitchcock visits you time to time to discuss about his latest cinema projects.

North Norwegians says that keeping such a gloomy mirror at home always brings luck and wisdom to the owner in life.

Have a nice full moon day! Ashes to ashes, gadgets to gadgets !

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Following me @muratos on Twitter is another option.

JBL Control Now
Mounting the speakers anywhere you want, corners, walls, ceiling etc. in a cool way! Innovative designed JBL Speakers can be used as single units or in arrays up to 4 speakers. JBL promises the high sound quality with these sweet speakers as well which we are already used to.

You can buy JBL Control Now at Amazon.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Following me @muratos on Twitter is another option.

This is an exciting-to-play kaleidoscope animation construction game. Every single image you put on the area of this flash screen rotated and duplicated across regions to create beautiful moving effects reminding us cornflake shapes. Try it. Easy and fun software.

Interesting Kaleidoscope Effects

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Following me @muratos on Twitter is another option.

This is a senior thesis project of a Flickr user nicknamed as brittnybadger. She is a graduate of the Hartford Art School and shows us everyday objects from a new perspective by mixing art and gadgets. These photos are the common household appliances arranged their interior parts on a white sheet of Bristol board. You can see the whole 12 pieces set at the original site here

Beaters

Blender

Can Opener

Coffee Maker

Iron

Popcorn maker

Toaster

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Following me @muratos on Twitter is another option.

Roboreptile and Lego Mindstorms NXT
Are you interested in robots? This interest level can be from just simply playing with them using remote controls to amateur DIY efforts. There came to my mind several questions when I have read the features of latest Stephen Spielberg Jurassic Park style robo-toy, Roboreptile and needed to compare with the all-in-one robot creation gadget and software platform LEGO Mindstorms NXT.

This cold-blooded monster is interactive with the environment. It has moods like hungry (default), hooded or satisfied and behaves accordingly. Realistic movements including jumping, attacking, tail whipping etc. What kind of sensors do we have? Infra-red for obstacle avoidance, movement detection; sonic sensors to behave accordingly on voices, loud sounds and a touch sensor for human interaction. Pretty cool?

If you always thought that building a robot on such level is almost impossible and requires ultra engineering skills, please read further.

Actually you can create such amazing robo-creatures without any prior knowledge (eventhough a programming experience is useful) using Lego Mindstorms NXT. For example, as you can watch in the following video, this Rubik Cube solver was made completely using this set.

It is a complete system which consists of a brain (programmable module), 519 special Lego Technic elements, sensors (touch, sound, light, ultrasonic) and servo motors and drag&drop software to program.

After writing (or drag&dropping) your program (You can even write programs in well established languages like C++, .Net etc) you can run your robot using a usb or bluetooth from the computer.

Rubik Cube Solver Lego RobotThere are lots of good books for Lego Mindstorms NXT in Amazon. So, no need to behave like a lonely crazy inventor fighting with the unknown. The creativity is the limit after learning to build several models.

Roboreptile is sold for $49.99 at the manufacturer webstore, Wowwee

Lego Mindstorms NXT is $249.99 at both Amazon and Lego Store. Check the best for free shipping or other discounts.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Following me @muratos on Twitter is another option.

Japanese architect Yasuhiro Yamashita frees his mind completely from any traditional architectural dimensions. Especially, the partnership of the car and the home looks so natural as you can see in these photos. Maybe, it will be the most popular accommodation form to survive in Tokyo, overcrowded modern jungle. Effective usage of space and fashion. If you like weird designs check also my all time favorite, psychedelic building of Paris.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Following me @muratos on Twitter is another option.

These are concepts but I would be the first to go into the queue to buy if manufactured, especially that bloody dripping red table. Enough saying. Here are the pleasure boosters for eyes from John Nouanesing.
Love Me Table

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Following me @muratos on Twitter is another option.

Professor Zihni SinirProfessor Zihni Sinir (Nerved Mind in English?) is the creation of caricaturist (now also designer) Irfan Sayar which continues to be published since 1977. It is a showcase of very practical, curious and obviously humorous imaginary professor.

Irfan Sayar in latest years opened a workshop in Istanbul, Turkey where he gives both industrial and handmade life to some of his caricatures. I have tried to translate them with my poor English level. Anyway, I hope you enjoy them.










If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Following me @muratos on Twitter is another option.

I am so glad to write about LifeStraw. It is a great example that reminds us that there are poor nations in many continents , especially in Africa who are fighting with diseases which is a direct result of dirty water sources.

LifeStraw is an instrument which instantly purifies the water and makes it ready to drink with the chromatographic techniques and other well-known filter methods. A single personal LifeStraw gadget can process 700 liters of water in a year and usage life is 3 years. 2 liters a day is a great start to develop such products for future.

LifeStraw Water Purifier for Africa

There are two models : Personal and family. The difference is that even though family model is capable of removing all heavy metals, viruses, parasites, bacteria even in really muddy, over dirty water, personal Lifestraw model doesn’t filter heavy metals and some parasites. Family model can process 15,000 litres of water in a year, with life time of 2 years. Approximately 20 liters / day for a typical family is great helper for African families.

I understand that personal model is for extreme situations but I would like to see that personal model will also clear all dangerous things to health for perfection.

Well, I think LifeStraw can be a great symbol for developing Africa and actually aid concerts can be made to provide these life saving gadgets for families to people who need.

The LifeStraw was studied and tested by the University of North Carolina and developed by Vestergaard Frandsen of Switzerland and the USA with a mission of addressing disease control issues.

My congratulations to honest scientists who are thinking and working for a better world !

Via Green Launches

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Following me @muratos on Twitter is another option.
TwitterCounter for @muratos
Subscribe to Vubx
Subscribe to RSS Feed
Subscribe by E-mail

Enter your email address:

Featured