November 10, 2006, 4:25 AM CT
Making Robotic Movement More Acceptable
Making Robotic Movement More Acceptable
Robots running amok and destroying property may be a staple in science fiction films, but they aren't welcome in factories, warehouses and other places where automatic guided vehicle (AGV) forklifts are used. Under a cooperative research and development agreement with Transbotics, a Charlotte, N.C., AGV manufacturer, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing advanced sensor processing and modeling algorithms to help robot forklifts verify the location and orientation of pallets laden with goods.
The experimental system utilizes two onboard, single scan-line LADAR devices to negotiate obstacles and hone in on warehouse pallets. (LADAR--Laser Detection and Ranging--is an optical technology which measures properties of scattered laser light to find range and other information about a distant target.) One LADAR device, located at the base of the AGV, is used as a safety sensor to detect obstacles such as humans in the forklift's path. It also can be used to scan inside a truck's cargo area to detect the presence of a pallet or define distances from the forklift to the truck's inside walls.
The other sensor, called the Panner, is a panning laser ranger mounted on a rotating motor at the top front of the AGV. The Panner acquires many scan lines of range data that allows the scene in front of the device to be reconstructed in various visual formats such as a pseudo-colored coded image (where colors indicate relative proximity to an object) or a 3-dimensional data point "cloud." A computer model is then derived from the data with the output sent immediately to the AGV's control center. This allows the robot forklift to maneuver, load and unload pallets, verify the remaining space within the truck being loaded, and track the number of pallets still needing handling.........
Posted by: Ryan Permalink Source
November 6, 2006, 8:21 PM CT
Pseudo French iPod Cases
What to do if you feel your cool factor on the wane? Get your Francophilia on. Le Pod by Your Sister's Mustache is a kicky little iPod holder with four designs to choose from. But be forewarned: none of them has anything to do with France, French culture, or anything remotely French-related. Or at least I don't think so. (hmm). Seriously though, who cares about the throwaway Franglish used to promote this product.
The important thing is you will feel that special je ne sais quoi when, instead of scrounging in your bag for your iPod, you slide it out of one of these colorful holders conveniently tucked around the strap of your cooly ironic, yet sartorially astute hipster handbag or tote.........
Posted by: Ryan Permalink Source
November 6, 2006, 8:11 PM CT
Laser Scanner to Convert Real-life Object into a 3D Model
ZCorporation has come up with its ZScanner 700, an accurate handheld laser scanner to convert any real-life object into a 3D model, which may fulfill your dream to become a computer graphics artist. The handheld scanner can capture almost any object from any angle, and wherever you want.
All you have to do is connect the system to your laptop with FireWire-, add the reflective targets to the object, attune without wasting any time and start scanning. Plug-and-play set-up saves your precious time. You may carry the portable, lightweight and mobile system anywhere you need.
Presenting Laptop computer, ZScan- software, Calibration plate validation, Carry-on case and Ergonomic support, the ZScanner 700 offers 0.1 mm (0.004 in) Z Axis resolution, weights 980 grams (2.1 lbs) and comes in 160 x 260 x 210 mm (6.25 x 10.2 8.2 in) dimension.
You may have to dig your pockets deep to get the ZScanner for $39,900.........
Posted by: Ryan Permalink Source
November 6, 2006, 8:09 PM CT
How to disassemble iPod Shuffle 2
iFixit recently published a complete guide on how to disassemble the world smallest MP3 player - iPod Shuffle 2. All you need are just a spudger and a Philips screwdriver #00.
Well, let skip all the dissassembling process. What I want to know is what the heck inside this tiny thing!
On the top of its circuit logic board, you can see five button sensors, ARM chip and data cable ribbon. No idea about the ARM chip, but it has the number: 337S3300 844A N05WDK01 0642 ARM.
The bottom of the board has a Li-ion polymer battery and headphone jack plug, which is most impressive part of iPod Shuffle 2. The plug is multi-modal and switches between USB, analog audio, and possibly power modes.........
Posted by: Ryan Permalink Source
October 31, 2006, 9:01 PM CT
Productive fun with Wacom's Cintiq
Kevin Kelley recently picked up a 21 inch Cintiq drawing display, and he's in love with it. The Wacom Cintiq is an LCD monitor with a touch screen sensor embedded over the image. Essentially it's a cross between a graphic artist's drawing tablet and an LCD monitor. Differing from standard touch screen monitors is the 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity that the input area is able to discern, and the unique "pen on paper" texture of dragging a pen across the surface. Kelly bought his $2,500 Cintiq on the recommendation of artist Scott McCloud who has said that the input method made him more productive, and completely eliminated the symptoms of his hand strain malady.
Wacom released the first Cintiq tablet seven years ago. It was a 15 inch flat panel touch screen display, and a lot of geeks discounted it as a one shot gimmick. Personally, I thought that it was a glorious evolution in computer hardware, and I remember dreaming of when the technology would be the standard for all computers. Sadly, prices of desktop tablet monitors have remained high enough that only professional interests, such as design houses and graphic artists, can justify the expense. I'd love to install one at home, but it's a hard sell when I didn't even spend $2,500 on my tricked out desktop!
We're just now sorting through the interface issues of tablet computing, but progress is being made. slowly. Some industries will have an easier time making a move to an alternative input scheme: video game controls are well suited to this type of human interface. The Nintendo DS has been an overwhelming success in part because of the novelty and utility of the touch screen, and the hands-on Starcraft video floating around is nothing short of sexy. Ben Kuchera disagrees with me, but I believe that this is the direction that all computer interfaces will move towards if the public can ever afford to adopt the hardware en mass.........
Posted by: Ryan Permalink Source
October 31, 2006, 4:25 AM CT
Technique Harnesses 3-d Game Engines
Production still of a robot avatar from machinima research at MIT.
Image courtesy / Beth Coleman, CMS
Student scientists working with Beth Coleman, assistant professor in comparative media studies and in the Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies, are exploring machinima, one branch of the rapidly evolving world of computer animation. As members of the Machinima Work Group, they are experimenting in the medium to find new modes of cinematic expression.
Machinima (pronounced "machine-ima," the word is coined from "machine" and "cinema") is animation that is made by harnessing 3-D game engines, such as those used in Xbox or PlayStation games, and adding original content--dialogue, dramatic situations, and new or modified characters. Relative to traditional computer-generated imagery (CGI), in which animators must create the characters, scenes (levels) and action from scratch, machinima is fast and cheap--though still enormously time-consuming. The most well-known work of machinima to date is "Red vs. Blue," a comic sci-fi series based on the popular Xbox games Halo and Marathon. But a number of, including Coleman's group, are working to expand the medium above and beyond the genre of parody and to gauge its potential for artistic and cinematic expression.
Coleman explained in a recent interview that the medium has really exploded in the past five years, to the point where you now see ads on television that are made in machinima.........
Posted by: Ryan Permalink Source
October 15, 2006, 9:03 PM CT
Mustek PD77 to Float Twin Screen DVD Player
Does your 7? LCD display proving too small to engage the entire family on a long journey? Mustek PD77 with its twin 7? TFT LCD displays is out there with a solution to your problem.
Attuned with CD, DVD formats along with MP3, DivX, XviD and AVI, the PD77 offers a resolution of 480 x 234 pixels and 16:9 widescreen images. Sound system is quite effective that presents good sound even in a traffic noise. You can own the couple 7? TFT LCD displays for just £179. Not a bad deal.........
Posted by: Ryan Permalink Source
October 15, 2006, 9:01 PM CT
IRocker IPod Chair
We have earlier told you about gaming chairs with built-in speakers and subwoofers that would increase your gaming fun multifolds! So, this time its for the music-lovers, iRocker - a chair with an iPod dock! The chair features an iPod dock, speakers, a LED indicator for the volume and other goodies to let you enjoy your music.
The chair is also compatible with other players besides the iPod. The iPod chair comes in six cool colors in a variety of models that range from $99 to $319 depending upon the features.........
Posted by: Ryan Permalink Source
October 12, 2006, 9:44 PM CT
3D Screen for Your PMP
Now there is no need to wear 3D glasses to take experience of a 3D video. Neovision Labs has developed a magical 3D screen, iFusion, for your Portable Media Player.
iFusion is an accessory which can be used with iUbi Blue PMP and when placed on it magically displays 3D content. No 3D glasses or any other software has to be installed to view the 3D pictures or Videos.
iFusion will support iUbi Blue as their first PMP and will be released by the end of this year. This device priced at a mere $50 won't even dig a hole through your pocket.........
Posted by: Ethan Permalink Source
October 12, 2006, 9:33 PM CT
Microsoft Zune
Now here's something that will give the Apple iPods a run for their money. and they may actually have a chance in hell of succeeding.
Microsoft has just unveiled the Zune brand media player. Microsoft claims that the Zune experience centers around connection - connection to your library, connection to friends, connection to community and connection to other devices.
With a suggested retail price of approximately $249.99, Zune will be available this holiday season in the United States in black, brown or white. Zune comes in a 30GB digital media player that features wireless technology, a built-in FM tuner and a 3-inch screen that allows users to play music, pictures and video.
The biggest hook for this device is its Zune-to-Zune sharing feature. Just by coming in close proximity to your Zune wearing friends, you will be able to wirelessly share full-length sample tracks of select songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with one another. They can listen to them 3 times, or 3 days, whichever comes first. If they wish, they can flag the songs right on your device and easily purchase it from the Zune Marketplace. Initially though, Microsoft will only sell music, but no video.
As per CNN.Com Technology page, Microsoft announced that it will sell a subscription pass for $14.99 a month, allowing the user to listen to any songs in the Zune Martketplace. However, after the pass expires, the user will not be able to access those songs.........
Posted by: Ryan Permalink Source
