Archive for October 20th, 2009

Parody of the Pixar Film Intro

Beware of homicidal lamps … although you’ve got to feel a tiny bit sorry for ‘him’ at the end. Who doesn’t love lamp?

Geek Marriage Proposal With Super Mario

Take a look at what has got to be the ultimate geek marriage proposal. One very creative guy called Brad Smith, used a program called Lunar Magic to create his very own Super Mario level, with the words “Lisa … Will You Marry Me?”, written out in coins at the end of the game. He then coaxed his girlfriend into playing some Super Mario and voila, she said yes! What a genius.

Skiing Robot Races Down Snow Slope

Developed by Bojan Nemec, from the Jožef Stefan Institute in Slovenia, this skiing robot can navigate autonomously using a video camera and various other sensors.

The laptop control center plans the robot’s trajectory, using a camera to measure its distance from the race gates. Gyros and force sensors help the bot stay stabilized on the slopes.

The robot carries a GPS unit, but it’s used to help measure speed, not for trajectory planning. That makes sense, if you’re trying to build a robot that works more like a human, relying on vision.

Click the link for some skiing robot bloopers and outtakes!

Link

Weird Gadget of the Day: The Solafeet Foot Tanner

Here is the Solafeet Foot Tanner, and this is (apparently) why you need to buy it:

If you always feel like people are gawking at your white feet and the unsightly tan lines around your ankles when you wear sandals or pumps, then you need the Solafeet foot tanner. Those tan lines can be gone in 5 to 10 days with just fifteen minutes a day. Then you can go from the golf course to the clubhouse in confidence.

What?! Are people really so insecure that they need to buy a $229.99 foot tanner to get rid of ‘white lines’ around their ankles? I may be naive, but this single appliance sums up everything that is wrong with the world … everything!

Balloon Boy Song

Balloon Boy Song. (Some strong language).

15 Inspired Artworks From Japan’s Superflat Movement

Superflat is a postmodern art movement, founded by the artist Takashi Murakami, which is influenced by manga and anime. Embracing high and low art forms, pop culture and mass media, Takashi coined the term Superflat to describe contemporary smooth-surfaced Japanese art, graphics and animation.

Feast your eyes on 15 of the best examples of Superflat artwork in the link.

Link (Thanks Andy!)

Glenn Beck: Obama’s Call For Volunteerism = “Communism”

Here’s Glenn Beck slamming Obama for encouraging volunteerism – 10/19/09. Maybe this theory will get him some viewers, or maybe not. Not the best idea you’ve ever had, was it Glenn?

The Amazing Bouncing Pebble Toad

The amazing pebble toad tumbles down a cliff face to escape a toad-eating tarantula. It is so small and weighs so little that it doesn’t even hurt itself as it bounces off the rocks.

Incredible Kinkaku-ji LEGO Pop-Up Box

This LEGO pop-up puts traditional pop-up books to shame. It is a replica of the Buddhist temple, Kinkaku-ji, which was originally built in 1397.

It took Youtube user, Talapz, 4,500 LEGO bricks to build, and it weighs 4kg. I’m speechless.