Technabob » boxing

Bionic Bopper Robot Cars: Real Steel Gets Real

Conner Flynn — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:00:49 +0000

If you are rich enough to afford your own battling robots, these Bionic Bopper Cars will be your next purchase. You and a friend can battle with these motorized robots. They allow you to stand inside the protective cage and throw punches like a large game of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.

When you connect, the robot’s head flips back. Bumper cars and robots! Why didn’t I think about that? They can hold drivers up to 300 pounds and they have some power since they are powered by Honda gas engines that will give you a max speed of 3 mph.

The controls are in the cockpit. You get some buttons on two joysticks that activate the arms to land all of those punches. They are good for up to 5 hours of fighting and driving thanks to rechargeable 12-volt batteries built-in. If you have a spare $17,000(USD) you can buy them from Hammacher Schlemmer.

[via Random Good Stuff via Gizmodo via Geeky-Gadgets]

Punching Pro: The Literal Punching Bag

Lambert Varias — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:08:51 +0000

Kris Tressiden is working on something with a lot of potential: a robotic punching bag that punches back. He calls it the Punching Pro. Apparently the current model is powered by a couple of 12-volt windshield motors. Tressiden claims that the robot’s speed, power and agility are adjustable, as well as its punching patterns. But since its still in its very early stages right now – and I say this with all due respect to Kris – watching it in action is freakin’ hilarious.

If this doesn’t make you laugh, then you need to be punched:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The poor thing just keeps on punching. Want more? Of course you do. Thanks Punching Pro! You made my day. I haven’t laughed that hard in weeks. Seriously though, I hope Kris gets the funding and support he needs to turn his invention into a real contender. Then he can build one with legs and voila – robot boxing.

[Punching Pro via Uberreview]

Banpresto Fight Bell Alarm Clocks Are Ready to Rumble

Technabob — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:44:37 +0000

If you’re into boxing or pro-wrestling, or just like to watch grown men beat the crap out of each other – here’s an alarm clock you might want to put by your bedside table.

Banpresto’s new GONG! alarm clocks look like those bells that they have by the side of the fighting ring. The difference here is that these ones are designed to wake you up. When it’s time to get up, a referee’s voice starts to count down from 10. If you don’t get out of bed within the 10 count the “round” is over, and the bell rings. An internal vibration sensor detects if you’ve actually gotten out of bed of if you’re still lying there like a lump.

For now, the clocks are only available in Japan, so if you want one of these you’ll want to Google “ゴング！目覚まし時計“. Good luck with all that. If you can be patient, I’m sure the guys over at StrapyaWorld will eventually sell these worldwide.

R/C Boxing Robots Offer Up a Technical Knock Out

Technabob — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:35:23 +0000

These little toy robot kits from Japan do one thing and one thing only. They beat the crap out of each other.

Tamiya’s Robocraft boxing robots come in a kit that’s easy enough to assemble if you know your way around a screwdriver.

Each robotic boxer operates on a wired remote, which lets you control each of two gearboxes which drive the robot’s punches and movements. The same gears drive the punching action and forward/backward movement, making them a bit wobbly and unpredictable – both excellent traits for a boxer. Just as Mickey Rourke.

A simple adjustment lets you switch between two punch types: upper-cut and straight jab.

Pow, right in the kisser!

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

They’re sorta like a modern-day version of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, no?

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Tamiya USA sells individual blue boxing ‘bots (along with a little punching bag) for $37 USD, and pairs (in colorful pink and yellow so you can tell ‘em apart) for $67 USD.

USB Boxer Doles Out the Punches

Technabob — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:23:30 +0000

Seems like a day doesn’t go by when some new bit of USB wackiness finds its way to my computer. Today’s find: this desktop boxer that connects to your USB port.

The pint-sized prizefighter is more sophisticated than your average USB gizmo, letting you throw punches using your computer keyboard. The left and right arrows control the fists, while the up and down arrows rotate the turntable. An on-screen score card keeps track of how many punches you land successfully.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The USB Boxer is available from I Want One of Those for £29.95 (appx. $59 USD). That’s not exactly cheap, but according to the marketing collateral, it’s “The most advanced USB toy of 2008″, so maybe that’s worth extra.

Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out Scarf is a Real T.K.O.

Technabob — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:59:54 +0000

One of the greatest boxing games of all time has been immortalized in wearable form. This oh-so-awesome handknit scarf features the fighters from the NES classic Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!

Created by El Paso crafter Beatboxtaun, the scarf features the likenesses of two of the game’s pixelated pugilists. At $175, it’s not cheap, but the scarf represents many, many hours of hand crocheting.

If you want to be the proud owner, you better head on over to Etsy, since this is a one-of-a-kind piece.

Inflatable Wii Boxing Gloves Are Here to Pump You Up

Technabob — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:13:25 +0000

Are you really ready to get into the boxing ring on you Nintendo Wii? I don’t think you really are unless you’re wearing a pair of these goofy looking boxing gloves.

Just strap your Wii-mote and Nunchuk controllers into these inflatable gloves, pump them up with air, and you’re ready to duke it out with your favorite boxing game. Regardless of the extra padding the cushion of air might provide, I don’t recommend that you punch your $2000 plasma screen with these.

If you don’t mind looking a bit silly while you play a little Hajime no Ippo Revolution, you can pick up a pair of the gloves for just under 15 bucks here.