PixelBots: Making Things With Light! (And Robots!)

When I was growing up, one of my favorite toys was the good old Lite Brite. I’m guessing that it was an indication that I would later find myself hopelessly addicted to pixel art. Now, technologists are working on tiny robots which can create Lite Brite style art all on their own.

pixelbots 620x342magnify

Created by Disney Research and the Autonomous Systems Lab, ETH Zurich, PixelBots are round, palm-sized robots which have a LEDs inside of them, and a drive mechanism on their bottoms. An overhead camera tracks the positions of each robot and a computer controls each robot remotely. They’re designed to be able to swarm together to create rudimentary images composed of dots.

Currently, the robots can replicate images drawn on a tablet, and the can also change between images using gesture controls. They can also automatically recover their position if a user picks one up and moves it out of place.

One other neat thing is that their wheels are actually magnetic, so they could not only be used on tabletops, but they could stick to whiteboards too. While I’m not sure there are too many practical application for PixelBots, they sure look like fun, and I’d certainly love to have a fleet of them at my command.

You can read more about how PixelBots work in the research paper Image and Animation Display with Multiple Mobile Robots.

T-Mobile CEO Reveals Gold Samsung Galaxy S5

T Mobile CEO Reveals Gold Samsung Galaxy S5It was just yesterday that T-Mobile CEO John Legere showed the world the existence of a 24kt gold-plated HTC One (M8), announcing to the world that it exists via Twitter. What of the Galaxy S5, does it come in a shade of gold? It seems that Samsung were the ones behind this generous move of giving Legere his very own golden Samsung Galaxy S5 – although I am quite sure that other CEOs in other industries would far prefer a golden handshake as opposed to a golden handset, considering the vast difference in the monetary value.

The photo that Legere tweeted certainly showed off the Samsung Galaxy S5 in all of its golden glory, being shiny and all that. I do wonder whether it picks up fingerprints all too easily, and would it be recommended that you carry around an extra pack of tissues or a hanky to make sure that your gold Galaxy S5 remains in pristine condition all the time.

So far, we have not heard from Samsung concerning any actual gold versions of the Samsung Galaxy S5 rolling out in the future, but considering how the gold version of the HTC One (M8) exists, this ought to be produced in extremely limited quantities, if ever. After all, the asking price for the gold HTC One (M7) stood at £2,750 ($4,600 thereabouts), which would clearly put it out of reach for the average consumer.

T-Mobile CEO Reveals Gold Samsung Galaxy S5 , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Cellphones, , , ,

Gawker James Franco Went on SNL to Joke About Trying to Sleep with Teenagers | Jalopnik ‘Affluenza’

Gawker James Franco Went on SNL to Joke About Trying to Sleep with Teenagers | Jalopnik ‘Affluenza’ Teen Who Killed Four People Won’t Pay Much For Rehab | Jezebel Man Sues Ex Over Her Obsession With Snoopy Plush Toy | Lifehacker This Tipping Infographic Shows Who Expects Tips, and How Much

Read more…


Ditch That Laptop Brick With FINsix’s New Tiny Notebook Charger

FINsix_Dart_5 Many aspects of computing have changed, but the laptop charger has remained sadly stable over the years; no matter what, we never seem to be able to ditch the lumpy power brick, that mid-cable eyesore that takes up tons of space in your bag and presents a ready hazard for stepping on. MIT project turned startup FINsix wants to change all that, and you can help them by reserving your own Dart… Read More

The ‘world’s smallest’ laptop adapter debuts on Kickstarter for $79

Back at CES in January, MIT spin-off FINsix unveiled the “world’s smallest” 65W laptop adapter, and it even managed to nab a nomination for our Best Startup award. Fast forward to today, the company is launching this nifty device — now dubbed the…

Glow-in-the-Dark Roads Finally Exist Outside of Hot Wheels

Glow-in-the-Dark Roads Finally Exist Outside of Hot Wheels

The concept of glow-in-the-dark roads is an incredibly simple piece of safety infrastructure that feels like it should have been implemented years ago. Finally, it has been—on the roads of the Netherlands

Read more…




Watch Dogs coming to Wii U this Fall

Gamers all around the world are looking forward to the launch of the game Watch Dogs. We knew that the title was coming to the Wii U, PS4, and Xbox … Continue reading

Save On The Cameras You Want With These Bundles

Save On The Cameras You Want With These Bundles

Amazon is running several camera/accessory combo discounts through April 26th, so if you’re looking to replace your current gear, you should definitely take notice. Selection ranges from point and shoots to the amazing Sony A7 line.

Read more…




Oculus Rift Shares Developer Hardware Sales Data

oculus-rift-dk2 Were you to judge success by the response of “The Internet” when Facebook acquired nascent virtual reality hardware company Oculus Rift, developers didn’t like the deal. But were you to judge success by its actual sales, it may be a different story. Oculus Rift tells TechCrunch that it’s sold about 25,000 second-generation “DK2” development kits to developers… Read More

Adesso Tru-Form Media 1500GB Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard & Mouse unveiled

adesso-truform-1500There are times when you would need to bite the bullet and actually do something about your existing situation if you do not want the same old mistakes or scenarios to repeat itself. I am referring to the likes of putting up with an old, stuttering keyboard and mouse at your workplace, being frustrated when the cursor does not go where you want it to, as well as keyboards that have keys which do not register with a regular tap. Well, those who are in the market for a keyboard and mouse combo might consider checking out the recently announced Adesso Tru-Form Media 1500GB wireless ergonomic keyboard and mouse.

Yes sir, the Adesso Tru-Form Media 1500GB also goes by the moniker WKB-1500GB for short, where it allows users a couple of advanced input devices with ergonomic design, multifunctional features, and a wireless range of up to 30 feet. The asking price stands at an extremely affordable $69.99, and you will be able to pick up the Tru-Form Media 1500GB from major retailers and e-retailers.

The Adesso Tru-Form Media 1500GB comes in a stylish form factor as well as gently-sloped split keyboard design (reminds you of Microsoft’s old ergonomic keyboard, does it not?) that will complement the natural curves and positioning of hands, wrists, and forearms for maximum comfort and extensive use. Of course, if you’re a gamer, the way the keys are split right down the middle might not be the most optimal arrangement, especially when you need to access certain hotkeys, and a millisecond slower might result in defeat instead of victory. The Adesso Tru-Form Media 1500GB seems a whole lot more comfortable in an office setting, where its membrane key switches provide improved tactile response and a quieter typing experience, which is touted to last up to five million keystrokes.

As for the wireless, ergonomic laser mouse, it has laser sensor technology that delivers improved speed and accuracy, alongside a switch for DPI resolution control (800/ 1200/ 1600dpi), apart from a pair of Internet navigation buttons. Any takers?

Product Page via Press Release
[ Adesso Tru-Form Media 1500GB Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard & Mouse unveiled copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]