Archive for October 26th, 2009

Autonomous Indoor Robotic Helicopters

Advances in autonomous helicopters have been many over the years, but as far as we can tell, there’s essentially no limit to how awesome they can get. MIT’s recently developed an autonomous, robotic helicopter which is also able to navigate itself intelligently through a changing environment. The helicopter, which is equipped with a dual-camera array and a laser scanner, maps its terrain in real time, identifying changes along the way. An integrated autonomous exploration module allows the heli to interact with the changing, unknown environment it is mapping.

Harry Potter Like Van De Graff Levitation Wand

“Todays magic is tomorrow’s science”, and Harry Potter just turned science with this amazing Fly Stick Van de Graaff Levitation Wand.

The battery powered wand features a mini Van de Graaff generator inside. Push a button on the handle and the static charge built up in the wand causes the included 3D mylar shapes to levitate at your command. You can also do some cool tricks causing the shapes to jump back and forth from your hand to the wand.

The wands are available at ThinkGeek.

Via Neatorama

XKCD Pays Tribute To GeoCities

Online comic site, XKCD, have done a perfect GeoCities redesign on the day Yahoo closed the web hosting site forever.

Here are some more GeoCities tributes, for all you old school kids. It brings a tear to my eye.

World’s Smallest Working Model Train Set

Here is the world’s smallest working model train set, which measures 1/8th of an inch by 1/4 of an inch.

Model train enthusiast, David Smith created the 1-35200 scale train set, which features a five-carriage train traveling around an oval route, with a ride through a tunnel, using just a craft knife and a very steady hand.

Powered by a standard two-inch-long rotating motor head and carved out of mouldable plastic, the model train cost Mr Smith just over £6 to make. Accompanied with a powerful telescope and it’s the perfect gift for Christmas.

Best Apple iPhone Costume Ever!

This has got to be the best costume ever – a real life, walking iPhone.

Reko Rivera and John Savio created the walking iPhone which has a 42″ display and 1.5 hours of Battery Life. On top of this, the “real” iPhone can charge when connected to the USB on the display.

iPhone App Can Drive Your Car

German researchers have developed an iPhone application that allows motorists to drive a car using their mobile phone.

iDriver converts your iPhone into a real-life video game controller capable of steering and directing a vehicle, as well as controlling it’s acceleration and braking.

Take a look at it in action: