Hasta La Gadget!

Crafted by car kit maker and Florida Man Mike Vetter, the ETV (Extra Terrestrial Vehicle) is a custom body kit that makes cars look like their gullwing doors are about to open and a bunch of bug-eyed aliens are going to crawl out with laser blasters to conquer earth. I must have one.

The Mike Vetter ETV can actually be fit on several different vehicles, but this one was built on a 2008 Chevy Cobalt, powered by a 2.2 liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine producing a blistering 148 horsepower. I sure hope Mike includes racing harnesses in the kit!

This particular model, which was previously on display at the London Motor Museum (presumably in The Hall of the Future) prior to its closure due to the COVID pandemic, is now being sold through the Bonhams auction house, which estimates it’ll fetch between $10,000 – $16,000. For reference, Mike’s original asking price was $95,000, so it’s really a steal if you think about it. Just don’t think about it too hard. Or at all, just raise that bidding paddle and buy it for me.

[via Jalopnik]

Determined to win the costume contest at this year’s Halloween party? Look no further than the Skeletonics kinetic-energy powered exoskeleton – perfect for taking your Transformer costume to the next level. The next level being the 1st place pedestal at the costume contest, just so we’re clear. I can practically feel that $100 gift certificate to Spirit Halloween in my robotic hands!

Unlike some other exoskeletons, the Skeletonics relies on no outside power source, instead using a wearer’s kinetic energy to mirror their movements on a larger scale – including hand and finger movements like grasping. The whole thing stands approximately 9-feet tall and weighs only 88-pounds, making it easy to strap to the top of your car like you just bagged yourself a Decepticon.

The video demonstration really is impressive, considering the lack of an external power supply. Granted, the Skeletonics exoskeleton might not be capable of picking up a car or battling an alien queen like a Power Loader, but I really don’t want to be battling alien queens anyway – I just want to win a costume contest for once.

[via TechEBlog]

Researchers are returning to the Alabama coast to assess the sunken remains of the last slave ship to bring captive Africans to the United States.

Because you can’t even get married today without getting superheroes involved, ring maker Manly Bands has teamed up with DC Comics to produce The DC Collection, a line of superhero-themed wedding bands. Currently available rings include The Wonder Woman, The Superman, The Bruce Wayne, The Joker, The Flash, and The Aquaman. That’s one for each finger if you have six fingers like the man who killed Inigo Montoya’s father! Details about each ring are below.

• The Wonder Woman, $995: Cobalt Chrome with 1mm 14K Yellow Gold Inlay, .5mm Blue Cerakote Inlays, Red Cerakote Sleeve, and Wonder Woman Logo Engraving
• The Superman, $595: Cobalt Chrome with 2mm Blue Cerakote Inlay, Red Cerakote Sleeve, and Superman Logo Engraving
• The Bruce Wayne, $2,395: Black Zirconium (charcoal gray color) with .02 Black Diamonds and Batman Logo Engraving
• The Joker, $995: Black Zirconium (charcoal gray color) with 3mm Damascus Steel Inlay, 1mm Green Cerakote Inlays, Purple Cerakote Sleeve, and Joker Laugh Engraving

• The Flash, $2,195: Black Zirconium (charcoal gray color) with 1mm Asymmetrical Red Cerakote Inlay, Solid 14K Yellow Gold Sleeve, and Flash Logo Engraving
• The Aquaman, $795: Black Zirconium (charcoal gray color) with 3mm Abalone Shell Inlay, Green Cerakote Sleeve, and Aquaman Logo Engraving

So, which is your favorite? I thought they were all pretty cool, but I’m really holding out for a Swamp Thing band made out of green organic matter! How cool would that be? I just feel like no other superhero quite captures my essence than a monster who lives in a swamp and doesn’t want people messing with it. My wife, I tell you — she’s one lucky lady for sure.

[via Neatorama]

Presumably a little drunk and inspired by how comfortable a dog bed looked at the time, University of British Columbia students Noah Silverman and Yuki Kinoshita developed the Plufl, a giant dog-style bed intended for human use. Alternatively, just buy an x-large dog bed and curl up in that. Just don’t be surprised if the cat beats you to it and swats at you whenever you come near.

The $399 Plufl is currently an already funded Kickstarter project, and Noah and Yuki say they engineered the bed “to provide the optimal napping experience” and “maximize comfort and foster a sense of security, delivering relief for those who have ADHD, stress, and anxiety-related issues.” I’m pretty sure that covers everybody. Like a security blanket… in a dog bed. See how I tied all that together? I didn’t briefly consider going to journalism school for nothing.

Admittedly, it does look comfy – but $400? That’s an awful lot of money just to constantly try to explain to my dog that the dog bed that looks like it’s for her is actually for me. Eventually, I’ll give up because she’s just too cute and return to sleeping on the sofa while she sleeps in my Plufl – probably with my pillow too.

[via Sleepopolis]