Technabob » cat

Kinect-Controlled Cat Brushing Robot: One Small Step for Robot, One Giant Motion-Controlled Leap for Mankind

Lambert Varias — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:00:24 +0000

The inverse proportion of awesome Kinect hacks to decent Kinect games continues. Software engineer Taylor Veltrop used a combination of store-bought items and his non-store-bought brain to come up with a robot that mimics his movements sends video back to him in real-time. The robot’s first mission? Brush Veltrop’s cat.

Using a Kinect, a Wiimote, a treadmill and a custom made head-mounted display (HMD), Veltrop was able to control a NAO robot remotely and almost entirely through his movement alone. A couple of cameras mounted on the robot allowed Veltrop to see what the robot was seeing, which in this case was his unimpressed cat.

Wow. That took a while. Then again, that was the work of one man operating on a meager budget. Can you imagine if more work was done towards perfecting this? Businessmen of the future could hold meetings remotely and brush each other while talking about fiscal years and mergers and burgers and stuff! Seriously though, this is some Daimos-level technology. From here we can have easy to operate robots that will sub for us when it comes to dangerous activities such as bomb disposal, search and rescue, cleaning the toilet… the possibilities are endless. And it started with a video game device with no decent games.

[via Popular Science]

iPet Companion for People Who Can’t Bear to Leave Their Pets Alone

Hazel Chua — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:00:37 +0000

When I first brought my Shih Tzu puppy home, I spent every waking moment I had feeding, training, and playing with her. Of course, I can only do that during the weekends, because I still have to go to work. A huge lump would form in my throat whenever I’d leave the house on weekday mornings, with my tiny pup staring sadly at me with those earnest puppy dog eyes.

A lot of people probably feel this way because why else would a company come up with something called the iPet Companion? (And no, it’s not by Apple, even though it sort of feels like the name was borrowed from them.)

The iPet Companion actually consists of a set of robotic toys (two, to be exact), a webcam, and a wireless control box that’s linked to your home network. You control the toys via the controls and watch how your pet reacts at home via the camera.

It sounds like an interesting idea, but something just feels off about it. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like it takes out a huge chunk of the fun when it comes to playing with your pets. They probably feel the same way on their end, because your dogs or cats will obviously prefer something with a human touch rather than play with a swinging ball tied to some mechanical contraption.

The iPet Companion normally retails for $850 for cats, and $900 for dogs, but they’re currently running a promo so you can get the system for just $350 to $400. You can also give the iPet a go by checking out their site and playing with some animals housed in some shelters.

[via Gizmag via Dvice]

TARDIS Cat Fortress: Whiskers are Cool!

Conner Flynn — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:30:19 +0000

The doctor gets a lot of tail in his TARDIS. I don’t mean that he picks up cute girls and takes advantage of them within the TARDIS itself. I mean, the relationships are all platonic, he just gets a lot of tail coming through those TARDIS doors. And this TARDIS is no different. Meow.

Of course in this version of the show, the Doctor is a fat cat with a thick coat and the girls he brings into this TARDIS like to climb all over the place, mark it with their scent and scratch at everything.

This creation is the work of Astromark. It’s a half-scale TARDIS made just for his kitty, Kaylee. The detail on the outside is amazing and judging by how awesome the inside looks, I’m sure cats love it. Check out the whole building process over at TARDIS Builder.

[via Craftzine]

Glowing Kittens Bred by AIDS Researchers

Shane McGlaun — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 22:19:11 +0000

I would like a glowing cat just for the fact that I tend to step on the dumb felines at my house because they don’t get out of my way when it’s dark. If they glowed, I would be able to see them, not step on them, and when they barricade themselves under my bed I could find them. These cute glow in the dark cats have a higher calling than just making it easy to find them at night.

Scientists have inserted an anti-viral gene into the genetically engineered cats that help the resist the feline form of AIDS. The gene for a fluorescent protein called GFP was also inserted into the cats as well. Apparently, the glowing gene was simply inserted as a way to monitor the activity of altered genes. “We did it to mark cells easily just by looking under the microscope or shining a light on the animal,” said Dr Eric Poeschla, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, US.

The genes for glowing and for resisting feline AIDS were inserted into the feline eggs known as oocytes. Both cats and humans have proteins that typically fight infections that are not able to fight AIDS, whereas the anti-viral gene helps produce a protein that can resist AIDS-causing viruses. The researchers report that there was a reduced replication of the feline AIDS virus in the (glowing) cats with the additional gene.

[via BBC]

Friskies Offers iPad Games for Cats Who Can Afford an iPad

Shane McGlaun — Sat, 21 May 2011 01:46:44 +0000

If you are the local cat lady or cat man and you have an iPad, you are in luck today. Friskies has unveiled some weird apps that are games for cats. The games include Cat Fishing, Tasty Treasure Hunt, and Party Mix-Up. I will let my kids play with my iPad, but I draw the line at cats.

Friskies says that the colors, movement, and game-play have been researched and tested for maximum fun for kitty. The games will run on the iPad and Android tablets. Friskies notes that the bare glass screen of their iPad stood up to cat claws with no problems.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I would suggest before you hand your iPad over to Princess, you get some sort of scratch film on the screen, although sharp claws may damage the screen film though. Check out kitty smacking some fish and more in the video above.

Princess Leia: Cat Edition

Technabob — Tue, 17 May 2011 01:43:53 +0000

Look what the cat dragged in over at the Official Star Wars Blog. I give you Princess Leia Amidala Skywalker Organa Felina Mousecatcher Solo…

Photo, costume and cat by Jennifer Kumpf in preparation for the eventual all-kitten edition of the Star Wars trilogy. Funny thing is that kitty looks just about as happy in her costume and hair buns as Carrie Fisher did.

Nyan Cat Gets Real

Technabob — Tue, 10 May 2011 02:36:02 +0000

For those not familiar with the Nyan Cat meme, I’ll just assume you’ve been living under a rock, or have better things to do than sit on the Internet watching an 8-bit Pop Tart cat farting a rainbow. But for those of you who do know Nyan, here’s something fun for your cubicle.

Our good friend Metin Seven is back with another one of his 3D printed creations – this time with a Nyan Cat sculpture, approved by PRguitarman, the inventor(?) of the crazy cat. Unlike his original digital manifestation, this Nyan even has a backside:

Nyan Cat was printed using the latest in 3D printing technology, and is a full-color sandstone print. Each one measures just 3.4″ (w) x 1.3″ (h) x 0.6″(d), and can be ordered for appx. $18 (USD) over at Shapeways.

And while you mull it over…

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Cats of War is Much Better than Lolcatz

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 06 May 2011 17:30:48 +0000

With word getting out that a bad-ass dog with bullet-proof armor that urinates laser beams (ok, I made that last part up) was used to help take out Bin Laden, cat lovers around the world have become jealous. Everyone knows behind every dead dog on the roads of our great nation is a cat hiding in the grass saying, “You can make it.”

Slate felt bad for cat lovers with the dogs getting all the glory and offered up its Cats of War series. The slideshow has cats placed strategically into photos that are real, courtesy of Photoshop. I really like the cat watching with Obama as Bin Laden is taken out.

No cats were harmed in the making if this series. Don’t worry about those cats jumping from the airplane with no parachutes. Everyone know cats always land on their feet and if things go bad, they have eight more tries to get it right if they don’t/

Negomimi: Mind-Controlled Cat Ears – Uh, Yeah.

Technabob — Fri, 06 May 2011 02:50:27 +0000

Despite the hardships and tragedies that Japan has had to endure of late, it hasn’t stopped them from occasionally taking time out from rebuilding their great nation to do something fun – like create a headband with cat ears you can control with your brain waves. Yep, Japan is on the mend.

Tokyo is making its comeback and starting to crank out the wacky tech once again. The Necomimi is a bit of funny-looking headgear from a company called Neurowear [JP], and it’s the first in what they hope will be a long line of mind-controlled fashion accessories. Yep, they definitely need to release a brainwave tail to go with these. Here, check them out in action:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

As you can see, the ears automatically respond to your thoughts, perking up when you’re concentrating, then laying down when you’re chilling out. Or, as the video example shows, they perk up when you eat a donut, and get all depressed when you come to the realization that you have no more delicious chocolate-covered donuts.

[via Japan Trends via CrunchGear]

Fire Trucks Finally Get Pet Oxygen Masks

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:39:16 +0000

People need oxygen in the aftermath of a fire to help flush the carbon dioxide from the smoke from their blood so they can breathe better. If you ever wondered what is done to help the pets caught in the same fire as their humans – apparently in the past, the answer was nothing.

That is changing though, and the fire trucks in cities like Denver, Colorado are now being fitted with specially designed masks for giving the family pet oxygen. I am sure it won’t be long before we hear that a firefighter lost a nose to a dog attack while trying to administer oxygen. The masks have been around for years and are used by vets in their clinics.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Despite the fact that it’s a life-saver, that dog doesn’t look too happy to have that mask on his face. In fact if we could read doggie minds I bet he’d be thinking, “Hey wait a minute, the last time I had one of these on I woke up with no balls.”

It’s worth noting the masks were donated by the Invisible Fence company, as part of Project Breathe. You can contribute to the project here.

[via Gizmodo]

Necono: This Cat is a Camera

Technabob — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 03:25:11 +0000

Leave it to the wacky Japanese gadget makers to come up with a camera that doesn’t look like a camera at all. Instead, this digital camera looks like a cat.

Designed by Japan’s Powershovel and Scandanavian designer Lisa Larson, the Necono digital camera not only looks like a little stripey cat, he’s got tiny magnetic feet, so you can hide him in inconspicuous locations and snap pictures.

While the cat doesn’t have a built-in LCD monitor, it does have a self-timer and interval modes which can grab unattended photos of whatever it may see out of it’s cat’s eyes. Actually, one eye is the camera, and the other is the self-timer’s LED indicator. And the little stretchy cat has a USB and A/V out connectors in his belly so you can download images to your computer or watch them on your TV.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The camera grabs low resolution (3MP) images and (640×480) videos onto a microSD card, and has modes like “vivid color” and “bitter black and white” to create a variety of artsy-fartsy images. They’re also offering a base that does add an LCD monitor, but I think it’s the wacky, impromptu photos this cat can capture on his own that are the real reason to own this thing anyhow.

The Necono digital camera is available for pre-order over at Superheadz for ¥15,750 (appx. $191 USD).

[via Impress Watch(JP) via Digital Gadgets Freak (JP)]

Thanko USB Kitty Mask Helps You Breathe While Looking Stupid

Range — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:07:21 +0000

While face masks are only common in the US in hospitals, you will see quite a lot of them in Asia. It’s strange at first, but you quickly get used to it. When everyone is wearing a face mask, people try to distinguish themselves in other ways, including this strange kitty face mask by Thanko.

The only mask I have is a Respro pollution mask for when I’m driving the motorcycle around Taipei. In fact, I never leave home without it, as the pollution from scooters and motorcycles can get quite bad in any big Asian city. This kitty face mask can be powered via USB or batteries and will help filter and circulate the air, all while making you look like an idiot. It will set you back ¥1,980 ($24 USD).

Thanko says that it made this mask because people had trouble breathing with face masks on. Right now, it’s only available in Japan and it will probably never make it to the US.

[via DVice]

TRON Cat Costume is Way More Entertaining than TRON:Legacy

Range — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:57:43 +0000

While I thought that the story of TRON: Legacy was execrable, at least the visuals were awesome. And the plot of the movie didn’t stop someone from dressing up their cat in a TRON costume.

This is a step back (up or most likely sideways) from the TRON bag. While I know that cats like flashing lights, it’s just funny how this cat is looking at itself in the mirror. There’s no way that the TRON cat will be heading onto the Grid.

Does this cat like to be TRON-ified? It probably likes it more than getting bedazzled, and at least the cat will be easily visible. It won’t be able to stalk around the house, up to no good. This could work also on dogs, especially if you walk your dog at night.

[BuzzFeed via Make:]

Cat Head Mousepad Heater Eats Your Mouse, Then Your Hand

Technabob — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 14:19:34 +0000

Now, I’ll start out by saying that unless I’m sitting in an igloo, my mousing hand doesn’t really get too cold. That said, if you’ve got poor circulation, you might want to keep your fingers warm while you’re using your mouse. I’m just not sure this is the best way to do it…

This ridiculous looking thing is designed to keep your fingers toasty and warm while you surf for porn or snipe some enemies in your favorite FPS. Frankly, I’d be worried that I’d trigger the cat’s gag reflex if I stuck my hand inside this USB heated cat head mousepad.

I suppose if you’re the type of person who would buy a Hello Kitty laptop, this thing might be for you. Otherwise, save yourself $36 bucks and buy a pair of gloves. Those would keep your keyboard hand warm too.

iPhone/iPad Cat Petting App: Perfect for Lonely Japanese People

Range — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:21:49 +0000

Most places in Japan won’t let you have any animals. I guess this is why this iPhone/iPad cat app makes sense. Honestly, if I wanted another cat, I’d just go out and catch one of those stray kittens, even if my place doesn’t allow any animals (it doesn’t, and we’ve got a cat and a dog anyway).

The virtual cat reacts to your touch and movement. You can pet it, virtually of course! There’s even an augmented reality function that allows you to project the cat on your current background, via the camera. You could pretend that the cat is on your bed.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The product page for this app is here [JP], and you can download the app here [opens iTunes]. Personally, I think it’s whack. I much rather prefer real animals to fake ones.

[via CrunchGear]

Ninja Cat Gets Lightsaber

Technabob — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 01:51:32 +0000

I first saw this hyper-fast Ninja cat over on our sister site, The Awesomer. But it only took a couple of days for some digital video maniac to embellish the already dangerous kitty with a touch of Star Wars whimsy. So without further ado, I give you Ninja Kitty With Lightsaber…

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

George Lucas would be so proud.

[via Mister Honk via Nerdcore]

Cat Plays Theremin, Humans Plug Ears

Technabob — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 01:19:33 +0000

What could be better than a cat playing keyboards? I’ll tell you what – a cat that can play the theremin, that’s what.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Actually, I think this cat has no idea what he’s doing with that Gakken Mini-Theremin in his paw. Maybe he thinks he’s killing some sort of squealy critter.

Anyhow, if there’s anything the Internet taught us this week, standing cats are funny, cats with electronics are funny too - so this must be twice as funny, right?

[via Make:]

Grungebuds Are Clearly Not Grunge Buds

Lambert Varias — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:28:13 +0000

…not when they’re embedded with Swarovski crystals that form the shape of a cat. A pink cat.

You can pick up a pair of GrungeBuds Crystal Cat Pink at Atomic9′s online store for $40 (USD). You can also “choose your grunge” from other designs – designs which I am not making up – like a dragon, a monkey, and a panda. I don’t know what grunge means anymore.

[via Chip Chick]

Cat Got Your iPhone?

Technabob — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:17:02 +0000

…well at least with this thing your cat won’t get your real iPhone.

Handmade by Catsicle, this silly-looking felt and fleece iPhone is made just for kitty. It’s loaded up with “64 gigs of organic catnip,” and even has a pair of dangly headphones for your cat to get tangled up in.

Available over at Etsy for $17.50 (USD), the catPhone is a bargain compared to letting your cat knock your actual iPhone 3GS onto the kitchen floor. Of course, knowing how absolutely stoned my cat gets on catnip, he’d probably rack up $500 in roaming charges on my AT&T bill.

My Pet Speaker: a Speaker for Pets, Not, Unfortunately, a Pet Speaker

Lambert Varias — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:58:42 +0000

How awesome would it be if you had a speaker as a pet? It won’t poop, won’t bite, and doesn’t need to be taken out for a walk. It won’t grow old, won’t die, and it can play music! So you can imagine how disappointed I was when I read the whole press release for My Pet Speaker. Turns out it’s a pet’s speaker – specifically for cats, dogs & horses. Sorry ant and iguana owners.

Why would anyone want or need this speaker? It’s no secret that different animals have different hearing sensitivities. According to Pet Acoustics, makers of My Pet Speaker, their product “features an Omni directional speaker with a 4” drive unit and cone reflector which disburses the music in 360 degrees recreating how animals hear in nature. By producing limited frequencies and featuring a soft bass design for listening comfort, your pets will not be startled or disturbed by jarring volumes and piercing sounds that put them on alert.”

In other words, My Pet Speaker lets you play your music in a way that’s adjusted to your pets’ hearing – again, provided that your pet is a dog, cat or horse. We can’t guarantee its effects on a pet monkey or spider. Or pet bears. Actually nothing’s certain when it comes to pet bears.

You can pre-order the My Pet Speaker at Pet Acoustics’ online store for $250 (USD). It has a 3.5 mm jack, so most of today’s music players are compatible with it. I suggest that you try their iPhone app before dropping money on the speaker. The app has “specially designed” music for cats, dogs and horses. If the app works on your pet, then you can consider buying the speaker.