Eclectic junk from the four corners of the ‘Net. And pictures too!
This is worth reading. The integration of robots into society is best seen in Japan. I don’t know exactly what the cause is but whatever it is, it could be the way of the future.
Kiyomori surely catches people’s eyes but is it something worthwhile to talk about when there are already other humanoid robots that can stand on two feet?
we make money not art: Whatever You Imagine, Including Kiyomori
I wish I could find more information on this item. All I know is that it’s a pinhole camera system that includes variable focal lengths (wide, normal, telephoto) by using different length bodies, multiple slide in pinholes (0.2/0.25/0.3/0.35/0.4 mm) to give it different F stops, comes with different shutters (bulb and a timed one that looks like it’s a gravity shutter), and that it takes 120 film.
The site the mini review is on is kind of odd, it’s one of those little niche Japanese bars that has a certain twist on their business. Its called "Camera & Bar Antiquary". Cameras and booze, sounds like a cool place to hang out at. Good drink and walls of high quality photos. Stop by and have a drink and talk about your hobby with fellow patrons. I need to find one of those here.. or open my own. Hum…
It’s started, the robots are beginning to rebel. Well, maybe just the ones that are given the opportunity to kill their masters. Lesson one when working around industrial robots: never enter the operating envelope when there is power to the system! This guy did and he got biffed in the head, chucked him a few yards and killed him.
This is a little collection of 25 very cool pop classic paper robots that you can make all the way from Japan!. Paper Forest has some navagation instructions in case you get lost:
Though in Japanese, the site is fairly intuitive to navigate. Just click on the robot you are interested in and then click on the link to the left of the enlarged model picture. Next you’ll click on the PDF icon and you’ll be ready to print
I love Paper Forest!
[via Paper Forest]
Researchers in Japan have been implanting microcomputers and electrode backpacks into the bodies of roaches in order to control them remotely. Their aim is to be able to give directional commands to them so he insects can search through small spaces like earthquake rubble or pipes. Using the electronics laden bugs as literal bugs for espionage work is also a possibility.
Humm, the Japanese are at it again. This time they are using a virtual reality head mounted unit to map the image of a real person over a 3D representation that is colored chroma key green. The idea is to enhance communications, for instance if you shake hands you will get tactile feedback from the dummy. They are working on a version that uses a robot and not a dummy to enable the user to interact better with the person that they are talking to.
[via engadget]
Virtual Humanoid Project (translated)