Hasta La Gadget!

Unless you actually work in robotics, you probably don’t get to see too many mechanical masterpieces in person. If you live in London, however, you’ve got at least one chance: the Italian Institute of Technology is slated to showcase its Hydrolic Quadruped robot (HyQ) in public for the first time. Starting August 1st, the four-legged assemblage of metal will be on display at London’s Natural History Museum as part of the Living Machines Conference. It’s the original model that’s going to be part of the event, though, so visitors won’t be able to watch the latest model’s new trick: stepping over obstacles like a boss. The new HyQ’s step reflex algorithm was developed to help it navigate rugged terrain by reacting to physical barriers. Because the unit’s legs feel out obstacles, the robot can now avoid stumbling in low-visibility areas — potentially preventing saving millions of dollars in limb repair. Although you can’t see the upgraded HyQ out in public, you can watch it conquer 11-centimeter planks in the video after the break.

Filed under: Robots

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Source: IEEE, HyQ

Sony’s first earnings report of the new financial year is in and it’s eked out a profit, albeit a small one. The $35 million net profit is an improvement from last year’s results for the same period, and the good news is most pronounced in its Mobile Products & Communications department. Revenue grew 36 percent from last year, partially due to changes in the value of the yen, but also thanks to higher sales for smartphones (9.6 million units), and a higher average selling price. The games division recorded an operating loss for the quarter, as sales of the PS3, PSP and PS2 dropped slightly while spending on R&D for the upcoming PlayStation 4 rose. Sony’s new TV strategy may have shown some results, with year-on-years sales up 18.2 percent and attributed to an “improved product mix in LCD TVs” and cost reductions.

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile, Sony

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Source: Sony Q1 2013 earnings (PDF), Slides

There’s not much to reveal about Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-GX7 since it leaked (nearly) in full just days ago, but now it’s official. This 16-megapixel Live MOS shooter is Panny’s latest Micro Four Thirds offering aimed squarely at prosumers. This retro-styled camera is a much svelter option than the video-focused GH-3 ($1,500) thanks to its magnesium alloy casing. Along with in-body image stabilization and a swift shutter that tops out at 1/8000th of a second, the ISO tops out at 25,600. If video is your concern, it’ll capture 1080p footage at 60 fps (24 Mbps) in AVCHD.

While the GX7 will burst shoot with autofocus tracking at 4.3 fps, its electronic shutter lets it hit 40 fps if pure speed is what you’re after — while we’re on it, the shutter will also operate in a silent mode. Notably, a vertically-tiltable 16:9 Live View Finder is onboard, packing a resolution of 2.76 million dots and the ability to fire off the autofocus once it detects an eye. Two control dials aid in manual settings along with a rear-facing LCD touchscreen, which tilts up to 80-degrees. If all that wasn’t enough, built-in WiFi and NFC allow for the likes of remote viewfinder apps and sharing media.

The GX7 will hit the US this November in a silver and black colorway priced at $1,100 with a 14-42mm kit lens, and $1,000 for just the body itself. A sleathier all-black variant will also be available, though only in Japan. Aside from the camera, a new Lumix lens with Leica tech will also hit shelves, offering a 45mm 42.5mm focal length with a speedy f/1.2 aperture — the fastest in the lineup to date. Hit the press releases after the break for more details.

Update: We’ve corrected the focal length of the fast prime lens, which is 42.5mm rather than the 45mm we originally reported.

Filed under: Cameras

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