Hasta La Gadget!

Looking like a military version of Wall-E on steroids, Howe and Howe Technologies‘ latest robot is ready to extinguish fires while keeping human firefighters at a safe distance.

The appropriately named Thermite robot can pump out up to 600 gallons-per-minute of water or other firefighting agents. Its powerful dual-treaded design lets it drive into difficult terrains and over rubble and get much closer to the fire than you or I would want to.

It’s not designed to replace humans, but to keep them safe. In fact, the robot must be driven around by a remote firefighter who still needs to aim the ‘bot at the source of the flames, and use their firefighting know-how to put out the fire.

While its $96,000 price tag might seem expensive to the average joe, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to most serious firefighting equipment. Never mind the fact that the Thermite robot will be worth its weight in gold the first time it saves a life.

[via Danger Room via iEEE Spectrum]

This gadget is quite old in Internet Age, but the concept behind it is sound. If you find yourself playing “Where’s the Keyhole?” when you come to your home at night, you’re either drunk, a character in a horror flick that’s about to die or it’s just too damn dark at your doorstep. The Locklite can help with that last bit.

Made by True Utility, the Locklite is simply an LED in a rubber case. You then attach it to a round-headed key using the included two-piece steel casing. Unfortunately if you don’t have a round key, it’s not of much use.

Below is a demo video made by I Want One of Those:

There are lots of reflective or illuminating gadgets and accessories for bicycles and cyclists. But this is the first device I’ve seen that not only provides a light, it also creates an impromptu bike lane through the use of lasers.

The Bike Lane Safety Light has two red 0.5mW lasers that beams two lines on either side of the bike. Xfire claims that the lines are visible even under headlights and streetlights. The Bike Lane Safety Light also has Five LEDs to provide further warning. The lasers and LEDs draw power from two AAA batteries.

You can order the Bike Safety Light from Xfire for $40 (USD). I think the laser lanes are way better than rear lights. They’re less annoying or glaring to look at compared to a bright or pulsing rear light, and they give other people a better idea of your position and size. Plus lasers.

[via Inhabitat]

AT&T’s already working on an app to keep folks from texting while driving, but earlier this month it gave folks at a Los Angeles hackathon the chance to develop their own solution. David Grau, a creative director and designer at an interactive agency, and 11-year-old Victoria Walker were awarded $20,000 by Big Blue to bring their smartphone application to the public. Dubbed Rode Dog, the prize-winning software allows friends and family to organize themselves into “packs” and monitor their text messaging habits. Watchful users can spot when a fellow group member is texting and initiate a barking noise on the offender’s phone. Much like squawking seat belt systems, the app is designed to remind drivers of their wrongdoing and doesn’t stop the ruckus until they acknowledge it. If you’d rather have a chicken or other animal grab your attention, the duo crafted an in-app shop that offers other wildlife sound sound effects. Rode Dog isn’t expected to hit iOS, Android and Windows Phone until its fully polished, but you can sign up to receive word of its launch at the second source link below.

Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation, Mobile

11-year-old wins $20,000 at AT&T hackathon for creating app that discourages texting while driving originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 05:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Verge  |  Los Angeles Times, Rode Dog  | Email this | Comments

There’s a long list of reasons why you should keep your vehicle’s tires properly inflated—from better mileage to safer handling. Goodyear has made this motorist’s chore extra easy with its new Air Maintenance Technology system, which automatically keeps a tire at the proper PSI using a self-contained passive pump. More »