education on technabob...

robot learns to make facial expressions, is rewarded with a measly “signal”

scaryeinstein

At least dogs get food when they get things right. This poor robot Einstein, made by computer scientists from the Machine Perception Laboratory at the University of California, San Diego, was given time to play with its 31 artificial facial muscles while “staring” at its reflection in the mirror. The robot was also equipped with…

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July 10th, 2009 comments (2) stumble it! digg it! author: lambert v.

filed under: future tech interactive robots strange + wonderful technology

space invaders explain their simple plan on your wall, courtesy of blik vinyl decals

a_simple_plan_space_invader

How do you think the Space Invaders figured out their marching orders? With this simple plan, of course!

Now you too can embellish your bedroom wall with a constant reminder of exactly how to increase speed, drop down and reverse direction – just in case you need to do that sort of thing for your…

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June 8th, 2009 comments stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

filed under: design geek art + craft retro video games

tap your screen if you’re present: iphone to take attendance in japanese university

iphone-in-school

If there’s one thing I can say about the Japanese, it’s that they’re weird. Now if there are two things I can say about the Japanese, then I say they’re weird and they’re quick to embrace technology. Case in point: beginning this June, Aoyama Gakuin University in Sagamihara city will be giving iPhones to students…

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May 29th, 2009 comments stumble it! digg it! author: lambert v.

filed under: future tech gadgets gps + navigation mobile tech technology

the 8-bit computer is back, ready to hack, and plays nes games to boot

8_bit_computer

When you think of 8-bit computers, classics like the Atari 400/800, the Commodore 64 and the Apple II probably come to mind. But there’s a new kid on the block that hopes to bring 8-bit computing back – this time for the hacker community.

This bare-bones looking “TV Computer” is based on the same 1MHz…

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March 27th, 2009 comments stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

filed under: hacks + mods retro technology video games

high school drafting made fun

Atari Joystick Drafting

While I cut my teeth playing my Atari 2600, I never realized that I could use mine as a creative solution to completing my homework assignments. I guess I just wasn’t that crafty. Here’s a guy who managed to turn an Atari joystick into a drafting project for his high school industrial arts class.

Back…

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January 2nd, 2008 comments (1) stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

filed under: just plain fun retro video games

sound lab teaches kids circuit bending

GeoSafari Digital Recording Lab

Whether your child is an aspiring audio engineer or just likes to make weird noises, this educational toy looks pretty cool.

The GeoSafari Digital Recording Lab lets kids (and kids at heart) experiment and create their own electronic sound effects. There are 59 different projects they can build, creating everything from an alarm clock, to…

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July 9th, 2007 comments stumble it! digg it! author: technabob

filed under: gadgets just plain fun