Technabob » head

LEGO Minifig Propane Tank is a Real Hot-Head

Technabob — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 17:15:30 +0000

While I did love the R2-D2 smoker, the Death Star grill the BBQ casemod, this is about as awesome as geeky grilling gets. This LEGO minifig head tank is full of propane, and equally full of win.

Painted by Icedvovo. Spotted over on Instructables. To be duplicated by me before my next BBQ party.

Disembodied Head Can Sing You a Lullaby or Two

Hazel Chua — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:16:52 +0000

Don’t worry, it’s not the disembodied head of a real person, although it definitely looks like one. This humanoid head is smarter than it looks, because it can actually read simplified music scores before singing it to you (or your child.)

I don’t think a parent would want to have this robot head sing lullabies to their babies, although it’s more than capable.

The man behind the head is Chyi-Yeu Lin of the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology in Taipei. Lin and his colleagues didn’t program the head to read music by inputting anything into it; rather, the head’s eyes are equipped with cameras that can take snapshots of sheet music, read it, and then produce an output from the musical score.

Pretty advanced technology, although the bust looks just a tad too creepy overall.

[via New Scientist via Dvice]

Professor at New York University has Camera Installed in His Head

Shane McGlaun — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 14:30:11 +0000

When it comes to art, I am a bit of a purist. I like Italian artists from back in the renaissance days. There is some modern art that I think is pretty cool, but here are some things that folks try and call art that is really questionable. I mean a pic of your house from the back of your head is not art.

A professor of photography at New York University had a camera installed on the back of his head at a piecing shop. The camera will take a photo every minute and then send those photos to an exhibit at the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. The photos are for an exhibit the professor called “The 3rd I.”

The guy is an active teacher and according to report, he has to cap the camera when on school grounds to protect the privacy of students. I guess the privacy of all the other folks that will end up pictured in his exhibit doesn’t matter. I’m betting he caps the camera when he drops a deuce too; no one wants to see that.

[Via CNN]

Iwoz: Steve Wozniak Pixel Bust

Lambert Varias — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 12:30:05 +0000

We already featured Metin Seven’s Steve Jobs bust. Here’s his take on Apple’s other Steve:

Who wouldn’t be cheered up by that pixelated smile? I personally would rather have this than Jobs’ scowling mug. Woz’ smile and chubby face remind me of those smiling Buddha statues.

That big face translates to extra material though, which explains why Wozniak’s bust is slightly more expensive than Jobs’. You can grab one at Shapeways for about $140 (USD). Segway not included.

8-Bit Head Costume: Not Strong Enough to Break Bricks

Lambert Varias — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:49:44 +0000

Greeting card illustrator Dan Liuzzi originally wanted to wear a giant version of his head for Halloween. Why? Who knows? Maybe he secretly thinks his head is too small, and Halloween gave him a great excuse to correct his anatomy, even for just one night. Anyway, his plans for a giant head had a small problem – he had no idea how to make one. But he persevered and experimented, and finally came up with a costume that is not only a larger version of his head, it also combined his love of all things 8-bit.

Liuzzi said it took him 2-3 weeks and the following materials to make an analog version of his digital head: insulation foam, joint compound, a cardboard box, glue, some gesso spray and acrylic paint. I wonder if he remembered to cut out eye holes on his costume. Rounding his costume out is ThinkGeek’s popular 8-bit tie.

I think it’s Luizzi’s neat coloring that makes the costume work. Although I have to say if I encountered him with his 8-bit head on at night I would freak out. His frozen smile kinda reminds me of the mascot boss in Dead Rising 2. That guy was scary as hell.

[via Dan Liuzzi's blog via likecool]

Steve Jobs Gets Busted

Technabob — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 02:01:21 +0000

…and by that, I mean he gets his likeness carved into a bust. In this case, I’m talking about a fun retro-pixel art bust you can put on your desk alongside your shiny new iToys.

Designed by Dutch artist Metin Seven (who also created the awesome Technabob voxel mascot), this Steve Jobs bust not only looks cool, it’s made with a high-tech 3D printing process, thus completing the circle of geek life. The only thing better would be if you could dock your iPhone or iPod Touch on it. You hear us, Metin?

You can get your hands on Steve Jobs’ head over at shapeways for about $117 (USD).

[Thanks for the tip, Metin!]

Phrenology Head: What’S Really Going on Inside That Brain of Yours

Technabob — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:08:17 +0000

Do you miss the scientific quackery of the early 18th century? Then have I’ got a deal for you. This phrenology head is the perfect way to figure out what’s wrong with your brain – as long as you don’t care if it’s wrong 100% of the time.

Perfect for wannabe charlatans, this Phrenology bust is actually a reproduction of the original “medical” evaluation tool used by Phrenology madman L.N. Fowler, who theorized that you could point to specific personality traits based on the shape of your skill, mapped out into 48 faculties of your brain. It’s guaranteed to make you look way smarter than you really are.

Want one? Head on over to Amazon.com and you can find them for a wide variety of wacky prices, ranging from $35 to $888 (USD). Why are the prices so all over the map? Because they’re craaaaaaazy!

[photo via flickr]

Giant Gundam Statue Loses Its Head, Still Keeps Its Cool

Technabob — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:43:21 +0000

While Japan’s Giant Gundam statue is but a distant memory, that doesn’t mean his dismembered body parts can’t be used for good.

It turns out that despite the dismantling of the Giant Gundam his head still lives on. It’s sort of like that movie They Saved Hitler’s Brain, where they kept the evil Furor’s head alive in a jar. Or was that a Futurama episode I’m thinking of? Now I can’t remember. Either way, it doesn’t matter.

What matters is that the big Gundam head has been decapitated from its body and surfaced as booth dressing for Bandai Namco’s booth at the 2009 Tokyo Game Show.

Please to enjoy some video footage of the head…

I hope the next stop on the giant head’s world tour is my front lawn. Yeah, my neighbors would appreciate that, I’m sure.

[via Destructoid, photo via Flickr]

Brando’S Latest Gadgets Are Real Head-Scratchers

Lambert Varias — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:00:57 +0000

This is like the code that you need to enter in Cid’s rocket in Final Fantasy VII: the only way that you’ll be able to guess the function of these gadgets correctly in one try is if you already know what they are. Ready? Okay what the hell is this?

No, it’s not an unfinished egg beater. No, it’s not a super spaghetti-scooping fork. Give up? Okay then what the hell is this?

Obviously the two are related, but super spaghetti-scooping fork is still a wrong answer (I should patent that idea though). No, it’s not a dwarf’s rake. Give up? Of course you do. They’re “funny tools to ease your tire.” Yeah, that helps no one. They’re head massagers. If that still doesn’t make sense then I’m sorry but that’s all I got.

The girls in the picture seem pretty happy though. Wanna give it a shot? Both the “circular wire” and the “double layers wire” massagers sell for $10 (USD) each at Brando’s online shop. The code is o s x x, btw.

Build a Talking Robot Head (Just Hope It Doesn’T Sass You)

Karen M. — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 12:00:14 +0000

Have you been alienating friends by over-twittering and now need a substitute robot friend to pal around with? Good news, because as of right now, making this talking robot head is well within your reach.

This nifty bot was made by L. Scott Hudson, who put a terrific how-to video up so that like-minded folks could make one too. What’s cool is that the video is narrated by the talking robot head, who explains how to make herself.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Basically, you install the speech API, such that the .net app sends commands that can be tied to voice events. Then you assemble the LED mouth, attach it to the head, and hook up the circuits. At some point you have to glue eyes onto a tupperware container, but I guess he figured you didn’t need a tutorial for that part.

The talking robot head was part of Make Magazine’s recent Dorkbot Austin event. You can learn about the other geeklicious projects from the event here.

Clone Trooper Voice Changing Helmet: Send in the Clones

Technabob — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:50:05 +0000

With the new Clone Wars animated film hitting theaters next week, why not show up to the premiere in style? This new helmet not only makes you look like a Clone Trooper, it lets you sound like one too.

Just slip the helmet over your head, switch it on, and it makes your voice sound like that static-y radio chatter that you hear when Clones talk to each other. And if you’re at a loss for words, press another button and the helmet will speak on your behalf – with phrases like “Get ready to turn those clankers into scrap metal,” and “I’ve got a bad feeling about this, sir”.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

While you’d think the helmet was something for the kids, it’s adjustable to fit head sizes from age 5 through adult.

You can find the helmets over on Amazon for about $29 (USD). Why not buy a dozen, and show up to the movie with you and 11 of your closest genetically engineered friends in tow?

Faceapi: 3d Head Tracking With Any Webcam

Technabob — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:40:49 +0000

Here’s some pretty cool news which could provide entirely new ways to interact with your computer or game console. This new technology will enable automated 3-dimensional tracking of heads and faces using a webcam along with some very special tracking software.

Seeing Machines faceAPI is a developers’ toolkit which provides easy head tracking on all three axes. When combined with the proper game concept, this type of technology could provide for some really unique experiences, including the ability to interact with environments just by looking around.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Amazingly enough, it’s all feasible with a single, standard webcam, and no special hardware is required.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

In addition to tracking head movements, faceAPI can detect changes in facial expressions, regardless of skin color or facial hair, and even works you’re wearing glasses or makeup. It can automatically find the face in the current scene, and reacquire it if the subject leaves the frame. It’s also able to work in pretty much any visible or IR light situation, so it’s not overly sensitive to changes in lighting.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Currently, faceAPI works with any Windows compatible webcam, but the technology could theoretically be ported to other platforms if the demand is there. The faceAPI website isn’t live yet, but for now you can check out SeeingMachines’ product page for more specifics.

Are You Looking at My Headgear?

Technabob — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 05:10:58 +0000

So what do you suppose this strange contraption is? Could it be some kind of thought control device? Perhaps a new version of the Flowbee hair-vacuum? Maybe it’s an alien brain extraction system? Or is it just the latest fashion trend from the runways in Milan?

Sorry to burst your bubble, but this goofy looking helmet is a newfangled head massager. The Head Spa claims to reduce stress and tension by increasing blood circulation and stimulating your scalp through acupressure. It does not claim however, to reduce the level of embarrassment and humiliation you’ll feel wearing it.

According to the product description: “The patented design is lightweight and easy to use while at your office desk, on the morning commute, or while enjoying your evening television program.” I think if you wore one of these on the bus or at work, you’d get hauled off to the loony bin.

If you can manage to get over the stares that’ll come your way, I bet it’s actually pretty relaxing. So head on over to Edmund Scientific and you can strap one on for just $49.95.

Gundam Head Makes for One Strange Looking Speaker

Technabob — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 21:29:20 +0000

If you’re looking for a set of speakers for your media player, and want something that’s a little different, have I got something for you.

Inspired by Japan’s popular Gundam Anime series, these decapitated mech heads sure to draw attention wherever you set them up. Just open up the flaps on the back of the head to reveal a pair of hidden stereo speakers.

These Gundam Head Speakers simply plug into any portable media player and run on batteries to give you robot-head sound on the go.