Hasta La Gadget!

In this world of Star Wars inspired gadgets, sometimes the same device gets rehashed. Yes, we’ve seen an R2-D2 alarm clock before, but that model simply projected the time on the ceiling. This new one actually has movements and sounds like the little droid when it wakes you.

A recent import from Japan, this R2-D2 Action Alarm clock is a precisely-detailed model of R2 (other than the part where there’s an LCD clock hiding out in his chest.) What’s cool about this droid is that you can set him on the floor, and he’ll drive around when the alarm goes off. His head even lights up, and the alarm sounds are based on samples from the films. Just be sure not to step on the 6.5 inch-tall droid on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

You can choose wake-up sounds from Princess Leia’s “Help me Obi Wan Kenobi” message, several R2-D2 beeps and bleeps, as well as the main title music from Star Wars and Cantina Band if you feel like dancing first thing in the morning. Sorry, no Yub Nub, though.

So scoot on over to Strapya World now, where you can grab the R2-D2 Action Alarm Clock for about $100(USD).

I guess you can more or less say that Admiral Ackbar’s most famous line in his Star Wars “career” would be, “It’s a trap!”, when he realized that his fleet of Mon Calamari cruisers are outnumbered and outgunned by the Imperial fleet of Star Destroyers. Well, you can now bring home a cute version of the good admiral himself in the form of the $29.99 Admiral Ackbar Talking Plush, where he comes across as a Star Wars Celebration 2012 exclusive. All you need to do is give this cute little plush a nice squeeze, and Admiral Ackbar will then blurt out his signature phrase – as long as the batteries inside last, of course. Do bear in mind that only limited quantities will be available, as once they are sold out, the only way you can get your hands on one would be to look out for it on a second hand shop or via online channels.

To make sure it retains a sense of authenticity, there are the words “Star Wars Celebration VI” printed on the bottom. The Admiral Ackbar Talking Plush measures approximately 8″ in height.

[ Admiral Ackbar Talking Plush copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Oh boy, who can forget the nail-biting podrace where Anakin Skywalker actually managed to beat Sebulba against all odds, securing his freedom from Watto unknowingly in the process? Well, I guess that it does not really matter just which galaxy you are from, but a race is still a race – full of excitement and adrenaline rushes. Having said that, Thinkgeek might have just the thing for you if you want to recreate the Beggar’s Canyon scenario right there and then in your living room.

You will be able to zoom around with these Star Wars slot car kits, where you can choose from Death Star Attacks and Battle of Endor sets. These are professionally done and well-detailed, boasting 1/32-scale models and will retail from $99.99 to $149.99, depending on the set that you choose.

The Death Star Attack set will comprise of Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing and Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter, a glow-in-the-dark track, and a Death Star trackside feature. Those who prefer a more landed setting can have the Battle of Endor set, where a couple of speeder bikes (Luke and a Scout Trooper) will race around a woodland track.

[ Scalextric Star Wars Race Tracks copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

For the past two weeks Inhabitat has been reporting live from the Solar Decathlon Europe in Madrid, where 18 student teams from around the world have been competing for the title of the world’s most efficient solar-powered prefab house. As usual, suspense was running high in the final days of the competition, and we’re excited to announce that Team Rhône-Alpes’ Canopea House has been named this year’s winner! The beautiful modular house took top honors in the architecture and sustainability categories, and it features a 10.7 kW photovoltaic array on the roof that produces more than enough energy to power the home.

Some of the other standouts at the Solar Decathlon Europe include Germany’s ECOLAR House, which features a flexible, modular design that can expand or shrink to accommodate the needs of its owners. It came as no surprise that the German team was tops in the engineering category, and the team incorporated hemp insulation in the floors, walls and ceiling to prevent thermal loss. Team Andalucia’s Patio 2.12 House, which consists of four separate prefabricated modules built around an interior courtyard, scored high marks for energy efficiency and innovation. And although Italy’s MED in Italy House might not look like much on the outside, step inside and you’ll enter a different world altogether. The highly efficient home features a central courtyard and a rooftop photovoltaic array that generates about 9.33 kWh of energy per year — roughly double what it needs. Team Rome also added wall layers that can be filled with heavy materials to provide high thermal mass once the home is installed.

Continue reading Inhabitat’s Week in Green: ECOLAR house, transparent solar panel and Star Wars terrariums

Filed under: Misc, Transportation, Science

Inhabitat’s Week in Green: ECOLAR house, transparent solar panel and Star Wars terrariums originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Sep 2012 10:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Your beat-up ride may not be able to make the Kessel Run, is smaller on the inside and can only go where you’ve already gone before, but you can always use your imagination. Though that could be mentally taxing depending on the state of your car, so you might want to make it easier with these geeky car emblems.

The official-looking emblems are made from silicone and then painted black and chrome to look like a traditional car badge. It already comes with “all-weather, automotive grade” double sided adhesive so your only problem will be deciding where to stick it.

Etsy seller EmpiraCraft makes these geeky car emblems, which are typically priced between $12 to $15 (USD). Hate your car? There’s an emblem for that.

[via Daily of the Day]