Technabob » hawaii

Cukui Wooden iPhone Backplate Takes Your iPhone Back to Nature

Range — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:00:56 +0000

If you’ve gotten tired of your iPhone 4′s or 4S’ minimal glass back, then check out Cukui’s wooden backplate, which will surely jazz things up a bit. Just like other backplates, it’s a great alternative to a case to get that custom look you’ve desired.

It was designed by Orly Locquiao and it doesn’t just stick on. It completely replaces the glass backplate on your iPhone. This one has been etched out of Hawaiian Koa wood and will definitely look distinctive. The pack comes with the right tools needed order install it, along with an anti-glare screen protector, a squeegee and polishing cloth, as well as illustrated installation instructions.

There are only 100 of these available, so if you fancy it, you should order yours from the Cukui website for $99 (USD).

EVOLTA Robot Completes Hawaii Ironman Triathlon

Conner Flynn — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:00:43 +0000

Last month we told you about Evolta’s latest quest and how he was training for the event. We have news that everyone’s favorite little robot from Panasonic has now completed the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii.

The bot actually finished on October 30th. Three EVOLTA Robots powered by three EVOLTA AA rechargeable batteries had a goal of finishing within 168 hours. So did they beat their goal? This is EVOLTA we’re talking about. Of course the little guy(s) kicked butt.

The Swim Robot finished the 3.8km swim in 5hours and 36 minutes, while the Bike Robot finished biking 180.2km in 97 hours and 42 minutes. The running robot finished the 42.2km run in 63 hours and 38 minutes. That’s a total of 166 hours and 56 minutes, so it they did it with some time to spare. Both the bots and the batteries performed exceptionally.

[via Panasonic]

EVOLTA Trains for World Challenge IV and the Hawaii Triathlon

Conner Flynn — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:00:17 +0000

By now most of us into robots have heard of Panasonic’s EVOLTA robot. They have a new challenge for the little robot every year. This year Panasonic has EVOLTA World Challenge IV.

So what will it be this time? Bicycling across the country? Climbing a tall mountain? It will be a 230km triathlon that includes swimming, biking and running. I can hear the Rocky music now as EVOLTA trains. It is the job of robot creator Tomotaka Takahashi to design three suits for the robot for each of the challenges.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Sure, this is all to get you to buy Panasonic’s EVOLTA rechargeable batteries, but who cares? I’m still rooting for the little guy. He’s got heart. In 2008, EVOLTA, powered by two AA EVOLTA batteries, lasted 6 hours and 46 minutes when it conquered 530.4m of the Grand Canyon. I couldn’t do that with or without batteries.

For this latest challenge three robots will be used, one for each job. We here at technabob are cheering for the little guys.

[via Panasonic]

Tikitoonz Tiki Speakers Say Aloha

Technabob — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:30:09 +0000

Getting ready to throw that last big pool party before the Summer comes to an end? There’s nothing better than a Luau themed party, complete with a variety of rum-and-fruit-juice-infused cocktails served in some Tiki Tumblers. What better way to complement your Luau but with some matching Tiki speakers (blasting some appropriate Elvis or Israel Ka’ano’i Kamakawiwo’ole, of course) to set the mood?

These fun new Luau Luey speakers from TikiToonz should do the trick just fine. Based on the classic Polynesian carvings, these outdoor speakers crank out 80 watts per channel and are made from durable weather-resistant enclosures. They’re perfect poolside or anywhere you want to set that retro Tiki bar look.

A pair of the speakers retails for $149.95 USD from the TikiToonz website. And no – it doesn’t matter how many Zombies or Mai Tais you serve me, I won’t wear that grass skirt and do the hula.

Robots Do the Limbo and Dance the Hula

Technabob — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 03:23:25 +0000

What happens when a couple of robots have one to many Mai Tais? They do the Limbo and Hula, of course.

Designed and choreographed by custom robot builder Sumy Family, the bots were clad in grass skirts and native garb, and programmed to do some traditional Hawaiian dance as part of the final round of the 2007 ROBO-ONE competition at a Hawaiian-themed resort in Japan.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

My knees hurt just looking at that Limbo.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Mahalo very much, Mr. Roboto.

[via ROBOTS DREAMS]