Technabob » capsule

USSR Era Space Capsule For Sale: Own Your Own Piece of Space Junk

Range — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:01:21 +0000

One slightly used 1961 Vostok space capsule is going to be up for grabs in a short while. Have you got the money to buy it? Probably not, but the Vostok 3KA-2 is one heck of a piece of space history.

The Vostok 3KA-2 was shot into space on March 25, 1961, exactly 18 days before Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space. Gagarin used an identical capsule to go into space. 3KA-2 didn’t have an astronaut, but it did have a mannequin and a dog named Zvyozdochka, both of whom returned safely to Earth from orbit.

Sotheby’s in NYC will put the capsule on the auction block on April 12, and it’s expected to fetch between 2 and 10 million dollars.

[via GearLog via DVice]

Robo Catcher is Way Cooler Than the Old Arcade Claw Game

Technabob — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 06:01:35 +0000

Remember those games from the arcade where you have to try and grab a prize by delicately positioning a claw around your booty of choice? Those things always frustrated the crap out of me. At least this new version of the game looks like a bit more fun, thanks to its plentiful use of robotic technology.

Mechatrax’ ROBO CATCHER is a new take on the classic claw game that replaces the claw with a small humanoid bipedal robot. Instead of trying to direct the claw to grab your prize, you steer the robot towards a prize capsule, direct it to pick it up, and walk it to the prize drop at the edge of the machine.

Sound like fun? Check out the videos below to see ROBO CATCHER doing what he does best.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

If you haven’t seen one around your neighborhood yet, ROBO CATCHER is coming to a Japanese arcade near you – if you happen to live in Japan, that is. And if you happen to have ¥990,000 (appx. $10,790 USD) to spare – plus shipping, you can buy one for yourself.

[via Gigazine]

Capsule Train Will Let You Ride in a Mini Fortress of Solitude

Karen M. — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:30:58 +0000

This “capsule train” concept will give each person their own little train compartment fiefdom to rule on their way to work. Their are individual capsules that fit one person, or larger 4-person capsules.

The concept was designed by Hamit Kanuni Kuralkan from Melbourne, Australia. There’s no word as to whether or not this thing will ever get made.

Check out this video for a 360 degree view, which maddeningly only shows the outside of this concept train (which I deem to be pretty much super lame because the whole capsule thing is all about the inside of the train.)

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

While I appreciate innovation, it looks pretty claustrophobic to me, and could only be viable for shorter journeys since obviously you wouldn’t be able to get to the bathroom or the snack car. And who doesn’t love an early morning power breakfast of Cheetos and weak coffee from the snack car?

[via Dvice]

U27 Space Capsule Media Player Splashes Down

Technabob — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:45:34 +0000

With a name like U27, this all-in-one desktop audio system may sound like some sort of old German submarine, but its looks are clearly inspired more by Apollo 13 than by Das Boot.

The system combines both an MP3 player and a compact speaker system in a single conical device. Just plug it into an outlet, add your tunes on an SD or MMC memory card, and you’re ready to play your tunes. The system recently landed at DealExtreme for just under $90, including a 1GB Toshiba SD card.

All this talk about space capsules, and now I can’t get that 1970s Far Out Space Nuts show out of my mind.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

“I said lunch, not launch!” Classic stuff.

Lexon Apollo 2: Space Capsule or Radio?

Technabob — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 19:42:18 +0000

Renowned design shop LEXON has introduced their latest radio design, featuring looks inspired by the Apollo space capsule.

The appropriately named Apollo 2 digital AM/FM radio comes in a retro-modern package that would make NASA proud. The radio has nicely integrated its controls into the design, rather than relying on buttons and knobs. To turn on the radio, simply turn the antenna. To change frequencies, just rotate the case.

The Apollo 2 comes in five zesty colors: aluminum, yellow, turquoise, pink and green and will set you back 45 Euro (appx. $58 USD).