Making a Life-Size Wall-E Robot

If I had the resources (time, money, geeky knowledge for this sort of stuff), I would certainly be making my own droids as well! But I have no time, money, nor the geeky knowledge, so I will content myself with this video of how Mike McMaster's Workshop recreated Wall-E from the hit CGI movie of the same name. Awesome work.

Description for this video:
"The beloved Wall-E robot was just computer generated graphics in the Pixar movie, but fans have spent years trying to bring him to life. We visit Mike McMaster's workshop to see his incredible life-size Wall-E, a remote controlled robot that lives among an R2-D2 droid and other pets on Mike's orange farm."

Macross 7 VF-17D Transformation

Geek mode time!  I have this exact action figure - minus the gun armament :-(.  I do not have the manual, so I am so lucky to have found this video instruction.  This is the second time I searched for this though and it took me a while so I have decided to place it here for easier reference next time.

How do Glow Sticks work? Now you'll know

A Day Made of Glass, made possible by Corning

Hope I'm still around when this stuff becomes commercially possible!

Google Motion

With the Kinect getting a lot of interest lately, I thought Google was able to develop a similar technology and adopt it to their apps when I came across Google Motion.

And then I started viewing the demo.... and I could not help but laugh at the ridiculous gestures which, amazingly, was being translated into a perfect business-oriented e-mail!

Nice one, Google.  Oh, and late as it may seem, Happy April Fool's Day!

"Nike" Hindsight

This is an interesting piece of work that was able to get some internet mileage: a pair of glasses that increases your peripheral vision by 25% on either side. Meant for cycling enthusiasts, the rider will be able to see beyond the normal field of vision (the extreme left and right), which can potentially be a lifesaver especially on busy streets.

It uses Fresnel lenses normally used in lighthouses to afford the wearer that extra range of vision using refraction.

The glasses were designed by Billy May. I tried searching for this product in the Nike site, and when I didn't find it referenced there, I soon learned that this is a concept, and the "Nike" part is a "wishful thinking" sort of product placement.

Still a cool idea though. This concept has potential.

Sound of Music | Central Antwerp (Belgium)

I can't get enough of this video, and I would like to share it with you. A feel-good video to make your day!



A description of the video reads:

More than 200 dancers were performing their version of "Do Re Mi", in the Central Station of Antwerp. with just 2 rehearsals they created this amazing stunt! Those 4 fantastic minutes started the 23 of march 2009, 08:00 AM. It is a promotion stunt for a Belgian television program, where they are looking for someone to play the leading role, in the musical of "The Sound of Music".

Stink-free underwear, anyone?

Well, this isn't another gadget, gizmo, or a game for that matter, but this is something equally interesting, isn't it? Let's have a scenario... what if you were stranded on an island and only have a few articles of clothing with you? Underwear that resists stink-formation, dries up easily, and is comfortable to boot is something that will really come in handy. No need to go for that Tarzan look!

Come to think of it, some people don't even make a daily change of underwear in this urban jungle! ewww.

If you guessed the Japanese are behind this invention, that's a lucky guess! But aren't they behind crafty inventions anyways? This one, though is being seriously considered for use in space. Designed by researcher Yoshiko Taya, this underwear (and clothes using the same technology) kill bacteria, insulate the body, dries quickly, flame resistant, and anti-static. It can keep you spic and span for a week! How clothes can suddenly become all hi-tech is a wonderment to me, but Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata is currently testing these in the International Space Station. Which is a really clever application for such clothing, because you do not exactly have a washing machine buzzing merrily in the ISS.

Reference: Yahoo! News

Mugen Pop Pop

Have you ever grabbed hold of a bubble wrap, pressed on one of the air-filled bubbles and heard its pleasing pop?  So irresistible is this popping sound and the feel of the bubbles on your fingers that you just can't stop until all the bubbles are gone?

It must be based on this human reaction towards the bubble wrap that this toy, the Pop Pop, was based on.  I'm sure you know how it works just by looking at it.  See?  It looks irresistible already.

Do they sell iPhones?

A mobile phone shop at Robinson's Place in Manila

Wishing for WALL-E

There have been more than a couple of instances where I got all excited about a toy, but because of its steep price, these have all become just flights of fancy. In the past, I wished for my very own Astromech Droid, Lego Technic, Aibo. And now here comes another toy that I would love to have!

The WALL-E Robot Toy has audio and vision sensors, fully-articulating tank treads, remote control (though it can also act on its own), and collision detection. And as an added bonus, WALL-E looks like a younger brother to the 80s character Johnny 5 from the movie Short Circuit! I have seen some videos in the Net featuring the WALL-E Robot toy in action and it's to drool for!

But am I willing to shell out US$199.00 for it?

*sigh*

I guess I will have to settle for an Origami WALL-E.

(Looks at the paper pattern)

Maybe not.

WALL-E! Join me, and together we will rule the galaxy!