Thursday, January 08, 2009
Keep your coffee off my table.
Posted by
CitizenMags
at
9:11 PM
1 comments
Labels: animation, computer, digital video, table top, touch screen
Intel i7 processor powered workstation
Posted by
CitizenMags
at
3:37 PM
0
comments
Labels: computer, flatscreen, i7, intel, workstation
Monday, May 05, 2008
Domo Arigato, Rocky Roboto!
Meet Rocky, the doppelganger "robo-squirrel" residing on the lush, green campus of Hampshire College. Rocky's mission: to help observe animal (group interaction, individual behavior and patterns) behavior in a more "natural" fashion, as opposed to laboratory testing. The technology inside Rocky, who's a few years old, is constantly being updated.
Rocky's anatomy: a basic computer and speakers that mimic various squirrel calls. And yes, he can even discreetly connect to laptops!
"One recent afternoon...[they] brought Rocky out for field testing and placed him near real squirrels. Mounted on a board, he was shielded by a camouflage hood and a long cord connected him to the researchers' laptop.
After the computer's program flipped the hood open, Rocky went into a sequence of tail-flagging, barking and other motions squirrels recognize as warnings of danger.
The most successful experiments are when the real squirrels respond by 'flagging' their own tail, halting their foraging to check for danger, scamper up a tree or take other actions that show they picked up on the signals..."
Of course, optimal results can only be achieved if the actual species being tested is reasonably capable and intelligent. (Also, the smaller the easier when it comes to mimicking body language and signals.) Among other animals/reptiles/critters tested are lizards, wild parrots, sage grouses and even sea slugs!
Thoughts? Could this potentially be pulled off with some small dog breeds? And please, let's not call the robo-Chihuahua "Tinkerbelle."
Posted by
frattarolio
at
12:25 PM
0
comments
Labels: animal behavior, computer, doppelganger, inventions, robotic squirrel, robots, Rocky, speakers, technology
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Nifty Laser-Guided Wheelchair
This chair's computerized laser power says it all. Will the FDA hurry up and approve it already!?
http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/30/researchers-show-off-laser-guided-wheelchair-that-docks-with-veh/
Posted by
frattarolio
at
7:49 PM
0
comments
Labels: computer, freedom sciences, gadgets, inventions, laser, laser-guided, remote control, scanning technology