Technabob » diet

Autom The Diet Robot Now Shipping, Keeps You from Cheating (on Your Food)

Conner Flynn — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:00:50 +0000

Autom is a little robot that is designed to help you lose weight by being a good buddy and coach. The robot will talk to you every day and get to know your habits, then react accordingly. Don’t worry, it won’t call you “fatty” or crack wise in order to bully you into weight loss.

Autom simply asks what you’re eating. Then you tell her (yes, she’s a her) through on-screen prompts about your diet. She will remind you to weigh yourself and give you encouragement. But does it work? Well, people are at least getting cozy with the little bot. During testing, users began to dress their robots up in funny clothes and came to consider them friends. And if you have a friend helping you, that’s already a big plus, right?

Autom will cost you $199(USD) and the weight loss service, which includes nutrition help, is $20 a month. Despite what the video says about pre-ordering, Autom is available now, and you can buy one here.

[via TechCrunch]

This Man Hasn’t Eaten in 70 Years

Lambert Varias — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:03:40 +0000

…or so he says. The man you see below is Prahlad Jani. He’s being studied by India’s Defense Research Organization, because Jani claims that he hasn’t had anything to eat or drink in 70 years. The Telegraph says Jani is known as a breatharian, i.e. he only needs air to survive. He’s been under observation for six days, and so far has shown no signs of lethargy despite his extreme diet. Maybe he’s already dead and he just doesn’t know it. Just kidding.

Jani claims that he is “sustained by a goddess who pours an ‘elixir’ through a hole in his palate,” while others deem him to be a fraud. Still, the Indian government is keeping an eye on him, in hopes of learning something that could help soldiers last longer on the battlefield or stranded victims of disasters to hold on while waiting for help. The article does say that Jani’s claim has already been put to the test once, in 2003, but people began doubting his claim when he started to lose weight after (only) ten days without food and water.

[via The Telegraph]

Diet Scale: Eat What You Weigh

Lambert Varias — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:44:02 +0000

From the same demented mind that came up with the Redundant Clock comes the cruel Diet Scale. If large numbers don’t affect you anymore, how about being told that from now on you should only eat… water?

I think it’s safe to assume that Google Creative Director Ji Lee doesn’t necessarily expect his designs to become actual products. Also, big toes look really weird don’t they? Have you ever seen a decent looking big toe?

[via Coolest Gadgets]

Recording Can Fridge Guard Freezes Fridge Thieves – Including You – in Their Tracks

Lambert Varias — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:30:11 +0000

If you’re on a diet, Kitsch’N'Fun’s talking fridge guard can be your conscience: record a message in the can – like “I sure hope you’re just getting water” or “Hey Hurley. Stop eating!” – and then leave the can inside your fridge. The talking fridge guard is light-activated, so it will play back your message whenever you open the fridge. I don’t know about you, but the sheer freakiness of hearing myself scolding me would be enough to make me shut the fridge.

Of course you can also use it to stop people from eating your food, or to remind them that . Decorate it and then place it in your kids’ bathroom, so when they go to brush their teeth in the morning, you can greet them even if you’re actually still asleep. Record a spooky message or just plain scream into the can, hide it in your friend’s fridge, and wait for the shrieking and cursing. The possibilities are not endless, but they are many.

The recording can fridge guard lets you record messages up to ten seconds long. It’s powered by 3 AA batteries (not included). You can get it for £6 (appx. $9 USD) at Drinkstuff.

[via Gadget Blog]

Soda Claims to Aid Calorie Burning

Technabob — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 18:14:01 +0000

This new soft drink from Coca-Cola and Nestl