Technabob » alternative http://technabob.com/blog Cool Gadgets, Gizmos, Games and Weird Science Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:55 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Chariot Skates: One More Way to Get a Sports-Related Injury http://technabob.com/blog/2009/12/22/chariot-skates/ http://technabob.com/blog/2009/12/22/chariot-skates/#comments Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:39:02 +0000 Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/?p=25088 This unusual looking contrivance most definitely isn’t your everyday roller skate. Chariot Skates combine the mobility of rollerblades with movements that are reminiscent of skiing.

chariot skates

To ride in a pair of Chariot Skates, you place your foot in the stirrup and then strap your leg into the top half. Pushing your legs from side to side propels the oversize carbon fiber bicycle wheels, and a small wheel in the back provides added stability. While they’re not intended to go as fast as speed skates, they’re designed for cruising, and gain and maintain speed more quickly than rollerblades, and can also be maneuvered over rough terrain. You can even walk up and down stairs while in motion. Did you notice I said you, not I? The video clip below will give you a better idea of how they work.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

At this point, the makers of the Chariot Skates are still testing them out and making sure that you won’t kill yourself when you get a pair. Heck, they haven’t quite figured out a way to add mechanical brakes yet, so you’ll have to go with one of these more primitive stopping methods…

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Expect the Chariot Skates to be released sometime in the first half of 2010 if all goes well. Pricing is still TBD, but I can pretty much guarantee you that the requisite helmet and knee-pads not included.

[via Likecool]

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2009/12/22/chariot-skates/feed/ 2 Don’T Tell Time, Read It With the Word Clock http://technabob.com/blog/2009/06/12/dont-tell-time-read-it-with-the-word-clock/ http://technabob.com/blog/2009/06/12/dont-tell-time-read-it-with-the-word-clock/#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:35:55 +0000 Alisha K. http://technabob.com/blog/?p=14810 math… stuff. But when it comes to something like telling time, why should we be restricted to the same ol’ boring clockfaces?  With the Word Clock, you can leave all that behind. You know what else you don’t get with this]]> Numbers. Who need’s em? Well, except for all that math stuff. But when it comes to something like telling time, why should we be restricted to the same ol’ boring clockfaces?  With the Word Clock, you can leave all that behind.

tb wordclock1

You know what else you don’t get with this word clock? Specificity. What time is it? It’s about three. Does it matter if it’s 3:02? So what if you miss the trailers? Mellow out.

Ditching the numbers will cost you, though: this Word Clock runs about $230, give or take.

[Generate Design via CraziestGadgets]

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2009/06/12/dont-tell-time-read-it-with-the-word-clock/feed/ 0 Mr. Hopkinson’s Computer: if Stephen Hawking Could Sing http://technabob.com/blog/2007/08/13/mr-hopkinsons-computer-if-stephen-hawking-could-sing/ http://technabob.com/blog/2007/08/13/mr-hopkinsons-computer-if-stephen-hawking-could-sing/#comments Mon, 13 Aug 2007 22:38:12 +0000 Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2007/08/13/mr-hopkinsons-computer-if-stephen-hawking-could-sing/ Radiohead to Portishead to The Stone Roses… in his computerized drone. In the video clip below, he even does a little sassy monologue and sings The]]> Text-to-speech software meets alternative music with this strangely compelling computer which has been programmed to sing.

mr hopkinson

Mr. Hopkinson’s Computer sings covers of everything from Radiohead to Portishead to The Stone Roses in his computerized drone.

mr hopkinson 2

In the video clip below, he even does a little sassy monologue and sings The Pixies classic Gigantic along with a live band.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Be sure to check out Mr. Hopkinson’s Computer Myspace page for more tunes. There are few more tracks here. (He’s also got a “girlfriend,” the Audrey 3000).

[Thanks for the tip, Heather!] 

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2007/08/13/mr-hopkinsons-computer-if-stephen-hawking-could-sing/feed/ 1