Researchers have long turned to insects for a little inspiration when creating robots, but things have entered a terrifying new dimension this week, with two separate groups each finding new ways to meld bug and machine. The further along of the pair is a group of scientists from Tokyo University’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, who have not only used a live silkmoth to control a toy car, but severed the head of a moth and wired it into the vehicle pictured above (look closely). By directing stimuli to the moth’s still-functioning antennae, the researchers were able to record the motor commands issued by the brain’s nerve cells and, in turn, control the vehicle — which, in addition to totally freaking people out, allows them to study and record data on how neurons respond to stimulus.

Slightly less far along on the road to bug armageddon is Pentagon contractor OpCoast, which is working on some full on “cyborg crickets” that behave like the real thing but have the added benefit of being able to form a mobile communications network in an emergency situation. That network, the company says, could eventually consist of hundreds or thousands of the crickets which, like real crickets, would communicate with each other through wing beats, and even be able to vary their “call tone” when they detect the presence of chemical or biological agents, or potentially even the scent of a person trapped in rubble.

Read - AFP, “Japanese scientists aim to create robot-insects”
Read - PhysOrg, “Cyborg Crickets Could Form Mobile Communications Network, Save Human Lives”

[Via reddit]

Filed under: Robots, Networking, Science

Researchers create robo-moth, dream of a cyborg cricket-filled future originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via [Engadget]

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Raon Digital: maker of UMPC monstrosities meets its maker?

There’s nothing official yet, but evidence is mounting to suggest that Raon Digital has closed up shop in similar fashion to OQO before it. Following rumors of bankruptcy and anecdotal observations of limited stock and reduced service, all Raon Digital communications have gone silent and the website’s been taken offline. If true, then the demise will be met with styli held at half mast by UMPC enthusiasts who were particularly fond of the overpriced ($879 at launch) and problematic Everun Note “premium” netbook. For everyone else, rejoice, your fears of a Vega 2 may have been assuaged.

[Via Pocketables]

Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops, Tablet PCs

Raon Digital: maker of UMPC monstrosities meets its maker? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ecomodo - The Best of Treehugger [Roundups]

Circuits made of plastic could revolutionize e-waste, but gadgets on fishing nets aimed to save sea turtles could end up adding to it. Plus, Italy gets a real WALL-E and Japanese tradition brings us cool ZenLight LEDs.

Two Australian researchers have devised a way to make circuits out of recycled plastic that would help eliminate much of our e-waste stream. Their research is aimed at greening our gadgets, and their video on TreeHugger explains the background on the project.

New gadgets that will attach to fishing nets could help save sea turtles. However, they also have the chance of ending up as e-waste. We weigh the pros, cons, and possibilities of this underwater eco-tech.

An interesting LED light uses ambient light sensors and motion detectors to keep a zen-like feel to hallways and dark corners. You can watch it in action at TreeHugger and see if you feel a little more one with the world.

WALL-E arrives in Italy! The DustCart is helping to keep the streets clean (and people out of the way) R2D2-style.

TreeHugger’s EcoModo column appears every Tuesday on Gizmodo.

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The Current State of Graphics Cards, In a Photo [Image Cache]

Meaningless numerical name? Check. Ostentatious styling added by a third party, completely unsuited for a component that you often can’t see? Check. Bizarre, irrelevant marketing claims? Oh, check.

The MSI R4890 Cyclone SOC, which shares as much aesthetically with a motorcycle engine as it does a PC component, is a perfect example of everything that is confusing, irritating and unnecessarily obfuscated with graphics cards today.

There’s a lot of impressive tech here—an overclocked 1GHz ATI Radeon HD 4890 GPU and 1GB of GDDR5 RAM— but instead of putting that into meaningful terms, MSI is content to just throw the numbers out there and brag about the card’s “200-year lifespan” and “largest ever” fan. I’m sure this is fun for the hardest of the hardcore enthusiasts, but for the rest of us it’s just a headache. The card should ship any day now, priced somewhere in the ballpark of $250. [Slashgear]

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Fonera 2 Router Upgraded With 802.11n, Support for YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, Others [Routers]

FON has done some elective surgery on their Fonera 2 router, released just a few months ago with NAS, 3G and BitTorrent support. On top of those previous upgrades, the newest version includes 802.11n connectivity, web app upload support and reduced power usage. But first: What the hell is Fonera?

A re-refresher, from last time they dropped new hardware:

All Fonera routers are open to all Fonera users, meaning that in exchange for providing Wi-Fi to the occasional Fonera-owning passerby, you get to tap into other Fonera users’ connections whenever you’re away from home. It’s a pretty cool idea, but it’s not clear that there are enough Foneras in existence for the concept to work in practice, at least in the US.

The company also has telco partners (albeit mostly overseas), who essentially subcontract hotspots to Fonera users. It’s an interesting concept even if it’s a little cultlike, and for the price—about $70—the Fonera 2n is a solid deal in strict hardware terms.

The company says the product is now out in “major retailers” in the US, though perhaps tellingly doesn’t name any. A full feature list below: [Fonera via Ryan Block’s Twitter]

Caters to Web 2.0 with Faster WiFi, Home Network Access, and Manages File Uploads/Downloads - Even With Your PC Off

MADRID, July 14 /PRNewswire/ — FON today introduced the Fonera 2.0n WiFi router in the US market, combining FON’s revolutionary WiFi sharing and money making features with seamless integration and management of popular Web 2.0 services such as YouTube, Facebook, Picasa, Flickr, BitTorrent, RapidShare, and other content — even while users’ PCs are off. The Fonera 2.0n is on sale now at major retailers. This announcement is significant because anyone can now upload, download and synch ALL of their web apps while away from home, without getting stuck for hours waiting for something to load.

“If there’s one annoying aspect of the otherwise great internet, it’s the time it takes to upload videos, pictures, or download movies, tv series, games, and software from the internet,” said Martin Varsavsky, FON CEO. “The Fonera 2.0n is the first WiFi router that frees up your computer from those tasks. Close your computer, continue uploading and downloading!”

Built around the faster 802.11n standard, Fonera 2.0n has a greater WiFi reach and faster throughput than 802.11g routers, and its more powerful processors and sophisticated software enable it to run parallel applications and simultaneous uploads and downloads. A built-in USB hub and Fonera 2.0 management software allows users to connect external hard drives and other USB devices. This enables users to share data wirelessly, upload videos or photos automatically to YouTube, Flickr, Picasa and Facebook, or download* torrents or files directly from BitTorrent, RapidShare, and Megaupload without a computer running at the same time. Additional features include the ability to backup files to a hard drive, print, or access a remote webcam via WiFi, and convert an HSDPA or 3G dongle to WiFi.

Fonera 2.0n can also help users save money on energy and reduce their CO2 output. A Fonera 2.0n router consumes less than four watts while downloading, instead of a PC that averages 100 watts, so users can reduce their CO2 emissions by 273Kg a year — equivalent to driving an SUV more than 1,500km per year. **

“The deep integration of online file sharing, social networks, and other Web 2.0 content into our already busy daily lives translates into more hours spent at the computer, greater energy use and more greenhouse emissions,” said Varsavsky. “By enabling users to handle basic computing tasks from the router instead of the PC, we’re taking a small step towards reducing power consumption without limiting functionality.”

Fonera 2.0 also maintains all the features of previous FON WiFi routers. Once connected, it creates two WiFi signals, one private and one public, that allow for a secure, wireless Internet connection at home and free access at FON Spots worldwide. Fonera owners can also choose to make money*** by selling FON WiFi access passes or letting guests roam at their FON Spot.

Fonera 2.0n is based on open source and developers are encouraged to create and share additional applications.

For further information about the Fonera 2.0, visit www.fon.com.

About FON:

FON started the free WiFi revolution in 2006 with the first Fonera WiFi router and the goal of free, ubiquitous WiFi for everyone. Today, FON has more than 350,000 FON Spots, over 1.3 million registered foneros, and a growing list of Telco partners who add FON functionality to their ADSL modems. Google, eBay, British Telecom, Index Ventures and Sequoia Capital are investors in FON.

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Rocking Motorcycle Is a Toy For Tough Kids [Toys]

Want your kid to grow up a wussbag? Give him a rocking horse. Want him to grow up to a hard-drinking badass who punches wussbags in the face? Give him a rocking motorcycle. [The Blog Paper via NotCot.org]

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Actually, it’s just a sculpture with articulated joints, but by all the gods of steampunk, it looks glorious. The product of 60 hours’ labor and a selection of used transmission parts, disemboweled household appliances and 20-gauge steel, the mechanical cheetah stands 24-inches tall and 50-inches long. It looks like a stripped down robocat skeleton, and its joints can be maneuvered to mimic the movements of the real feline or to strike some downright awesome poses. Hit the read link for video of the mech cheetah simulating a run, as well as creator Andrew Chase’s thoughts on the project, or click past the break for more images — including a bonus snapshot of a mech giraffe.

[Via Wired]

Continue reading Mechanical cheetah comin’ atcha!

Filed under: Robots

Mechanical cheetah comin’ atcha! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via [Engadget]

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Rocking Motorcycle Is a Toy For Tough Kids [Toys]

Want your kid to grow up a wussbag? Give him a rocking horse. Want him to grow up to a hard-drinking badass who punches wussbags in the face? Give him a rocking motorcycle. [The Blog Paper via NotCot.org]

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Feedback [Funny]

This round goes to you, Zak McFlimby. [b3ta via Boing Boing Gadgets]

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More alleged Chrome OS screenshots for your viewing pleasure

Well, here we go again — another set of unverified, likely-fake Google Chrome OS screenshots has just landed in our inbox. Our tipster claims that while most apps are online, Picasa runs locally for photo and movie viewing, and the “System” tab displays the contents of SD cards and digital cameras. Do we believe it? Well, no — all of this is just too easily mocked up — but it’s certainly interesting stuff, and there’s something about that super-nasty blue scroll bar that we find oddly intriguing, even though it’s mysteriously missing some pixels at the top. We’ll leave it up to you to decide if this is real — hit the gallery and let us know what you think.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

More alleged Chrome OS screenshots for your viewing pleasure originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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