Mindful Robots

In this video (see link at bottom), created by scientists in the UK, robotic prototypes are shown.  What makes these robots unique is there swarm capabilities.  They can join together like Lego’s to form one big machine, that may be capable of tasks too difficult or dangerous for humans to complete.  The idea here is to create a swarm of robots that can physically self-assemble.

It is estimated that within the next 5 years, these robots will be able to physically join and create a three dimensional, artificial organism.  The video shows the robots assembling into a four-legged spider-looking thing that uses its legs to walk across the table, and a small group of caterpillar-looking ones, that also move kind of like a caterpillar.  The video shows how the swarm robots actually operate together.  The goal is that eventually, these swarm robots will be able to manage their own hardware and software, and even heal themselves when damaged.

On one hand this technology seems kind of spooky, but it also has great potential.  There are many possibilities of what these robots can help us with.  They could work alongside emergency workers in rescue operations or searching collapsed buildings for survivors.  This is really cool.

Green Battery Start Up

Imara is now researching and making new lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are supposedly much better for the environment, and also they last longer than any given normal battery. These batteries will be sampled early next year, and “Imara” believes that this could be a huge boom in the market. The hope of these batteries are to be able to use them in elctric cars which would be especially clean for the environment. Here is a link to more about these new green batteries from “Imara.”

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/green-battery-start-up-begins-with-drills/

Gears of War 2 Graphics and Gameplay

The new game released for Xbox 360 that everyone has been waiting for has finally been released. Gears of War 2. Personally this is my new favorite video game making it to me better than call of duty and halo 3. The graphics are absolutely amazing. The makers use the already well know Unreal Engine 3 for the grapgics. Here is a link for more information on the game and the graphics.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Gears-of-War-2-Fact-Sheet-Published-79303.shtml

Dell’s Adamo might be thinner than MacBook Air.

I just read an article about new laptop that is being made by the DELL.  The article on NY Times said that Dell is making a laptop that will rival MacBook Air. Adamo might sound really infamiliar and if you put Adamo and Dell, you might not get something that is interesting. But this product has its own website and that says that it is coming soon. They think that they could make this product cheaper than Apple, so Dell Adamo might have an advantage over Macbook Air.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/dells-mystery-adamo-could-be-thinner-than-air/

Behavioral screening at airports

Security experts are now looking into analyzing the passengers emotions and intentions instead of checking and screening their baggage.   They are working on a detection system that picks up on signs of emotional strain and security would be able to take that as a red flag.  They are hoping that this process will be more effective and faster than traditional methods.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/12/02/airport.security/index.html

Helping the Blind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r_OrlUsw3o

This new invention helps those who are blind to be more independent.  I have a friend who is blind, and one of his main points of emphasis is that he be treated just like everyone else.  I only see one problem with these devices.  How do the blind get  up close to the device if there are many people waiting to cross the road?  I know it would be hard for a blind college student to get in front of a crowd in between classes.

Smart Shopping

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSlEa1udYGw

This video shows a new way to shop in the future.  The new smart fridge would tell you when you are running low on something, and how much you need to buy.  The new grocery store will eliminate long lines.  I think that this would be helpful because your shopping list appears on your cart, and it shows you how much you have spent.  The new story would also eliminate stealing because everything has a smart chip on it, and you have to walk through a door to deactivate them.

Would you rather give up the internet or sex?

In a poll done by Harris Interactive, nearly half of women said that they would give up sex so they could keep using the internet.  Only 30% of men said they would give up sex for the internet.  The survey queried 2119 adults last month.  It is just interesting to see what people would give up to use the internet because it plays such a big part in our everyday lives.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10123138-52.html?tag=rtcol;pop

The Blackberry Storm is no iPhone?

I do not think that either phone is better than the other. I believe that the iPhone is a great phone for those who do not have Verizon, and for those who have Verizon, the Storm is a phone for them. The iPhone and the Storm have some of the same features, and they can do some of the samethings. Of course the iPhone is going to be known by more people because it has been out longer, but that does not make it a better phone. I think that just as many people will buy the Blackberry Storm because they want something new.

http://news.cnet.com/the-blackberry-storm-is-no-iphone/

Computers of the Future

I thought this was interesting how technology is improving everyday.  Computers went from being real bulky to paper thin, and now they are talking about making one the size of a pen.  The only problem I would have with this new PC is losing it.  Especially for a college student.  I know how bad i lose pens now, so I do not know how this will work.  I guess if i paid $1,000 for a pen I would be forced to keep up with it.