Technabob » reptile

New Robot Design Gets Lizard Tail

Conner Flynn — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

To build a better robot, researchers from the University of California, Berkeley are adding lizard-like tails. They have created a new kind of robot inspired by lizards. Leaping lizards use their tails to control the orientation of their bodies when leaping through the air, and that’s what the new design is all about.

The video shows how both the lizards and the robot are able to control their body orientation with the tail. The researchers came up with a mathematical model to determine how much tail swing would be necessary to compensate for various amounts of angular momentum of the body.

And so the Tailbot was born. It’s basically a small radio-controlled car with a motor-controlled tail, and a gyroscopic sensor that replicates the leaping lizards’ control. It’s a fascinating video, so make sure you check it out. I wonder if this would work for humans. Maybe someone can create a special suit with a tail that will help them leap around like a lizard. Someone, get on that!

[via Gizmag]

Dinosaur USB Flash Drives Destroy Cities, Not Data

Technabob — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:38:16 +0000

Imagine if you will, a gigantic killing machine, descending on your town, crushing everything in its wake. Now imagine that same monster can fit in your pocket, and protect all your precious computer files.

Bone Collection’s Dinosaur Drivers are USB flash memory devices that look like cartoony versions of their prehistoric brethren. And if pocket-size dinosaurs aren’t enough, these ones are of the fire-breathing variety.

These aren’t just any old green dinosaurs, they’re available in a variety of colors including an oh-so-wrong hot pink. Each one is made from a flexible silicone shell that flips open to reveal the USB connector.

So crush, crumble and chomp your way over to X-Treme Geek and grab one of these guys for $21.95 (USD) for a 4GB dino.

Xbox 360 Gator Casemod Rises From the Swamp

Technabob — Sun, 11 May 2008 03:36:48 +0000

Here’s an amazing Xbox 360 that looks like it just crawled its way out of the Everglades. The alligator-themed 360 is covered with a lizard-textured skin, and even has an realistic alligator eyeball in place of its power switch.

Rest assured, no actual alligators were harmed in the making of this console. Xbox 360 modder dfwmonkie created the system’s scaly gator skin using hand-sculpted layers of Bondo, coated with paint and clear-coat to give it the glossy wet look.

I certainly wouldn’t want to run into this thing in a dark alley. I’d be afraid that some big pointy teeth might chomp down on my hand as I placed my game disc into the DVD tray.

[via The Llama's Game Console Forum]

Roboboa Robotic Snake Comes to America

Technabob — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:49:33 +0000

The latest robotic critter from RoboSapien creator WowWee is the reptilian Roboboa. The snake-like robot can roam along the floor and raises its front end up like a real Boa Constrictor.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The Roboboa not only can slither around thanks to its snake-like articulated body, it can serve a variety of fun an practical purposes too. The robot has electronic “vision” sensors which let it track and react to your movements. Thanks to an LED illuminated head, the boa can even be used as a movable desk lamp. It’s also got a built in alarm clock feature that’s sure to wake you from your deep slumber. Beyond its automated reactions, you can program your own custom sequences using an included 40-function remote control.

The robot has been available in Europe for a couple of weeks now, and can now be purchased in North America too. It’s $99 from the WowWee Online Shop.

[via RobotsRule]