technology on technabob...

The latest Neatorama exclusive talks about large-scale experiments and research and the massive and complex equipment that they require. I’m pretty sure that you’ve already heard of most of them, like the Hubble Telescope, the International Space Station, or the US and USSR’s space race, that culminated in the Apollo 11 moon landing. Nevertheless, the…

I apologize to anyone who has seen Revenge of the Fallen and liked it, but personally I think I got ripped off on that one. My sentiments – and then some – have been represented elsewhere, so I’ll just leave it at that. So let’s look at here’s Robonova instead. Robonova is a programmable, fully articulating…

Created by “microwave expert” Gordon Andrews and designer Stephen Frazer in partnership with Heinz, the Beanzawave is the world’s smallest portable microwave. It’s powered via USB and uses “a combination of mobile phone frequencies” to heat whatever you put in there. Uhuh. I see. *chucks phone out the window*

Heinz, maker of Snap Pots, commissioned…

After the arguably unnecessary rejection of the Commodore 64 emulator for the iPhone, Technologizer’s Harry McCracken – whose last name would be much cooler if it ended with an exclamation point: McCracken! (and started with Zak) – decided to pit the iconic Commodore 64 with the future Hall of Famer, the iPhone 3GS, just for…

This is undoubtedly one of the most environment-friendly appliances that I have ever seen: using technology developed by professor Stephen Burkinshaw of Leeds University, the Xeros washing machine is so efficient it only needs a cup of water to clean an adult-sized shirt. That translates to 90% less water used compared to ordinary washing machines.…

HP recently introduced their latest printer called Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web (henceforth called PSPWTSW), a name which if stripped of marketing speak actually reveals the printer’s capabilities: it’s a photo printer (actually it’s an all-in-one) with a 4.33″ touchscreen, and it can connect to the web via WiFi. What the name doesn’t tell you…

The Go Computer, made by a company called firstSTREET, tries its best to be the most user-friendly computer on Earth. Unfortunately, in a tragic combination of stereotyping and a lack of imagination firstSTREET is marketing their device towards elderly people, neglecting the fact that there are old people out there who are already comfortable with…

DARPA’s Self-Explanation Learning Framework (SELF) program “seeks to construct systems that can participate in their own construction.” Imagine a robot helping build itself. Who or what runs DARPA these days? Are there still humans in there? Things are moving too fast folks. Let’s look at the matchup for a sec: Human fetus – looks cute/scary/funny,…

Yes, whereas Neil Armstrong had to walk on the moon to get to say his famous quote, this robot only had to open doors and plug power cords and voila – Robot Armstrong. How unfair is that. Seriously though, robotics company Willow Garage are on to something here. No matter how fast they can think or…

Kawasaki’s upcoming 1400 GTR may just be the world’s most technologically advanced bike on the planet, surpassing even the Blue Hawk and the Battle Hopper. Kidding. Expected to be unveiled this coming autumn, the 1400 GTR will be equipped with 2 infrared cameras on its rearview mirrors, giving the rider night vision, which can be…

iRobot’s new military robot might not have a personality per se, but the moment I saw them they reminded me of the Tachikomas from Ghost in the Shell. The little fella is called Ember, and its being developed as a disposable yet durable networked mobile swarm. The one-pound robot can be equipped with sensors and…

Acer displayed their first-ever phone, the tentatively named F1 at the ongoing Computex exhibition in Taiwan. You may be familiar with Acer’s obsession with Formula 1 racing, as they have made numerous tie-ins with the BAR-Honda and Ferrari teams. The F1 hopes to live up to its codename with the help of one of the…