Hasta La Gadget!

It isn’t all that often we get to talk about remote-controlled cars here at SlashGear, but the one we’re covering today comes with a few cool gadget-related features. Say hello to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, a new RC car from the folks at Silverlit. While it looks like a normal RC car at first – and largely is – there are a couple key differences between this and other RC cars we’re used to seeing.

First and foremost, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is controlled using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod. The car will connect your device using Bluetooth and a downloadable app that’s included along with your purchase. This setup allows you to use your device’s tilt controls to steer the car, and if you’re using an iPhone, you’ll feel force feedback as you rev the engine, which increases in intensity the faster the car is going.

While all of that is awesome, there’s one feature in particular that makes the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG RC really stick out from the crowd: music playback. You can use the app to play music from your device while you’re driving the car, or you can park it and play your music through the speakers this bad boy comes equipped with. The gull-wing doors on the car open to make sure you can hear everything nice and clear, and the lights on the car will even flash along to the music.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG comes with a price tag of $129.99 and will be launching sometime in Spring 2013. Silverlit is set to give the RC car a full reveal during CES 2013, which is right around the corner. Of course, we’ll be there reporting on all of the awesome stuff that’s sure to appear on the show floor, so keep it here at SlashGear for all you need to know!

Silverlit to introduce Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG RC car at CES 2013 is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

We’ve seen plenty of remote-controlled toy robots over the years. We’ve seen remote-controlled devices that can fly such as the AR Drone and remote-controlled devices that roll around on the ground as well. What I don’t recall seeing is a remote-controlled device that combines both ground and air capability into one device.

This cool little toy is called the Hybrid Terrestrial and Aerial Quadrotor (HyTAQ) and was designed by Arash Kalantari and Matthew Spenko. Both of the designers hail from the robotics laboratory at the Illinois Institute of Technology. The device looks a lot like your typical four rotor flying helicopter toy inside a cage to help prevent you from breaking it when you smack into the wall.

Rather than that cage being for the protection of the rotors alone, it actually acts as a large wheel that allows the remote control device to roll around on the ground. The cage is made from a combination of polycarbonate and carbon fiber and has a long axle that is attached to the sides of the quadrotor flying machine. While the primary purpose of the cage is to allow ground mobility, it does actually protect the rotors.

You can see the device in action in the video below. It appears that the same controls that control flight for the little machine also control movement on the ground. The robotic machine can transition from ground operation to flight impressively quick and appears to be controlled like any other quadrotor we’ve seen before. The HyTAQ is capable of operating on just about any surface.

[via Technabob]

HyTAQ robot rolls on the ground and flies through the air is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Big boys’ toys – these are the stuff that dreams of a starry eyed kid are made out of. Especially when one has already joined the workforce for a fair number of years, and have managed to stash away a little bit of dough. Well, if you have always wanted to purchase a remote controlled toy of your own but never got around to doing so, perhaps it is time to make things happen – with the new $39.99 R/C Water Cannon Helicopter. Yes sir, as its name suggests, the R/C Water Cannon Helicopter will not only hover around the air according to your whim and fancy, it will also carry with it a water reservoir that offers water blasting fun, now how about that?

You can juice up its battery thanks to a USB port, where counter rotating blades will deliver precision control. Definitely far more fun than a super soaker, and you can drive your cat nuts this time around (after it has done the same to you for countless times over the years, that is) by shooting at it strategically. Each purchase comes with a pair of spare tail blades, a couple of spare main blades, and a water injection tool set. It takes around an hour to fully charge it, and it will work within a range of 30 feet thereabouts barring any interference.

[ R/C Water Cannon Helicopter copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

The first TV remote control was released in 1951. The couch potato’s best friend has seen some improvements since then, but mostly in terms of its performance and capabilities e.g. no wires, more buttons and wider compatibility. A recent design project took a look at improving the physical form and ergonomics of the remote control as well. Here’s one such concept, called the Freehand.

Designed by ECAL student Cleo Jacquet, the Freehand consists of a pair of small buttons with suction cups on its back. Instead of coming up with a better alternative to the traditional stick form of the remote, the Freehand lets you define the shape of your remote. Do you always have a drink with you when you’re watching TV? Then stick the Freehand on your drink and make it your remote. Stick ‘em on your tablet or smartphone so you can multitask. Stick ‘em on your dog. Because you’re a free spirit.

Obviously the Freehand is way too impractical in its current state. But like the MaKey MaKey and AnyTouch, it’s a sign that the future of consumer electronics could have both software and hardware that can be tailored to our individual tastes. You can check out the other remote control concepts on Wallpaper.

Writing notes is so passé. Looking for a better way to pass messages around the house or office? Maybe it is time for dinner and you want to tell the kids. Or maybe your office mate asked you a question via email and you are looking for a humorous approach to answering. Sticky notes are no fun. Let’s use technology instead!

Brookstone has the perfect device for creative messaging – the Skywriter UFO. This is no ordinary flying device, resembling a pod rather than a plane. Program in up to about 20 words (170 characters) via the IR controller and let it take off. You control the flight pattern. LED technology displays your message via the fast moving propeller while in midair so you can communicate in a whole new way.  The controller requires 6 AAA batteries. But the UFO itself will automatically recharge its lithium-polymer battery through the controller. And the Skywriter UFO can be used by most of the family as it is safe for kids 8 or older. Brookstone features this programmable flyer for $34.99. Whether you need a new way to say “Happy Birthday” or a subtle colleague reminder of “Time for Lunch” or any other creative method of getting your message across the Skywriter UFO adds a new twist to communicating with others.

[ High Tech Note Writing copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]