GO!SCAN 3D Captures Accurate 3D Models, Point-and-Shoot Style

You’ve heard me talk frequently about how excited I am about 3D printing technology, but this tech is still limited in that you need to know about 3D modeling to recreate objects. But with the advent of 3D scanners, you can even skip that step, and just scan in the objects you’d like to replicate.

go scan 3d scanner

The GO!SCAN 3D is a handheld 3D object scanner, which allows you to quickly and easily grab 3D images of real-world objects, and convert them into digital 3D models. These models can then be used for everything from CGI effects to video games, to serving as models for 3D printing. It uses a bright white LED as its light source, and offers a resolution of .500 mm, with an accuracy of 0.1mm. It’s scanning area can be as large as 15″ x 15″, and it can capture as many as 550,000 measurements every second – which its maker claims is about 10 times faster than standard 3D scanners.

goscan 3d scanner 2

This lightweight (2.4 pound) scanner caputures objects with a simple point-and-shoot method – all you have to do is aim the scanner at the object, and move it back and forth until it has all of the surfaces. You can even capture objects by moving them around, since the scanner doesn’t require a rigid setup like other 3D scanners. Perhaps the best way to see how cool the GO!SCAN really can be is to see it in action:

Wow. Pretty impressive, no? I so want one of these now. Creaform, the company behind GO!SCAN 3D doesn’t list pricing on its website, but I’m betting that the device isn’t cheap. If you’re interested in purchasing one, you can request more information here.

[via Boing Boing]


Ben Heck Shows You How to Build an Xbox 360 Laptop

I lack any of the skills you need to make cool mods and DIY projects of just about any type. That is certainly not true when it comes to modder Ben Heck. This geek took his hobby of building modded consoles and other items and turned it into his own web series. On the latest episode of his show, Heck returns to his console-modding roots showing us how to build one of his portable Xbox 360s.

xboxultra

Heck’s latest Xbox 360 Slim laptop has a 16-inch LED backlit display and a custom-routed and 3D printed enclosure housing the electronics from the gaming console. I’m not sure how easy something like this would be to pull off for your average DIY person with nothing but everyday tools. The fancy custom enclosure that Heck made required a computer-controlled router and a 3D printer, so unless you have ready access to those tools, you might be a little behind the curve. You can decide how difficult it might be by checking out the entire episode below:

I guess you could build something out of plywood to put your own portable console mod together. Still, even if you can’t pull off such a mod on your own, it’s very cool to see an Xbox 360 that can be played anywhere you happen to be – assuming an electrical outlet is nearby.


Tech Deals of the Day: 10/22/2012

Our friends over at TechBargains.com compiled a list of daily deals and we wanted to share them to help you save money.

Keep in mind that as with any true deal, the products are limited quantity and can sell out quickly – so don’t hesitate to check them out now. Also if you’re looking to buy a product from a specific store, you save money with updated and verified coupon codes here.

Computers & Peripherals:

Home Entertainment:

Personal Electronics:


Robot Walks a Tightrope: Robot Circus is One Step Closer

Well, there goes my plan of hiding on a rock cliff from robots who can’t get me because they don’t know how to walk a tightrope. It appears they can now walk tightropes with the greatest of ease. Then again, I’ll just bring some scissors with me. That’ll teach ‘em.
robot walking tightrope
Check out this video of a humanoid robot walking a tightrope with no problems at all, complete with techno music to accompany the feat. It takes its time doing it, but still it’s doing it way better than most humans. The robot spreads its arms to help maintain balance and slides its feet one at a time.

So I have my supplies ready, including scissors and I have a nice high spot picked out to survive the robot apocalypse. Even if they deploy a high wire, I can cut it with cable cutters. I will probably starve up there after my supplies run out, but they can kiss my cold dead corpse.

[via Hackaday via Geekosystem]


GoPro HERO3 Black Edition: Price, Specs, and Release Date (Best Action Cam Yet?)

This week, GoPro revealed its new HERO3 series of action cameras, and this batch could definitely give the competition a run for their money. As the dominant player in the action cam space, GoPro doesn’t look like it will be resting on its laurels anytime soon. At the top of the heap is the HERO3 Black Edition, a gadget that will likely be topping many Christmas lists this year.

go pro hero 3 black camera

The HERO3 Black Edition is 30% smaller and 25% lighter than previous models, but that doesn’t mean it’s less powerful. Taking a page from Apple’s playbook, they’re packing more capability into a smaller package. GoPro claims the camera shoots video at twice the resolution and speed as the HERO2, and captures stills 3 times as fast. It’s also got an improved lens, designed to reduce distortion, and offers selection between ultra-wide, medium and narrow fields-of-view.

go pro hero 3 black camera 2

The HERO3 can capture 1080p video at a full 60 frames-per-second, and can also shoot 4:3 1440p video at 48fps, or 720p at 120fps, and a DVD+ quality 848×480, 240fps mode for slow-mo shots. It can also capture 12 megapixel stills at up to 30fps, and even has a razor-sharp 4K mode – though it is limited to 15fps. It actually supports many other modes as well, listed below:

go pro hero 3 black modes

The camera has full Wi-Fi control support, and can be operated with an iOS or Android app – or the included keychain Wi-Fi remote (a $79.99 value). It also includes a durable waterproof housing, which will protect the camera down to depths of 197 feet (or 60 meters.) Here’s an overview of the HERO3 Black Edition from GoPro themselves:

And if you care to check out some footage, look below, then go into full screen 1080p mode for the ultimate experience. Keep in mind, you’re looking at a video after its been uploaded to YouTube – so the video directly downloaded from the camera will likely be even higher quality:

The HERO3 Black Edition is available for pre-order now for $399.99(USD) and is estimated to ship around November 14th, 2012. Be sure to go for the Surf Edition if you want the surfboard mount instead of the standard ones.  If $400 is too expensive for your budget, you can always go for the less-expensive Silver Edition ($299.99) or the White Edition ($199.99), but these sacrifice image resolution and low-light performance. But if you can afford it, I say go for the Black – and if you can’t, save long enough that you can.


Car & Bike Horn Mod is Bleepin’ Loud

Peter Olt nearly got into an accident when a car suddenly cut into his lane, unable to hear – or perhaps ignoring – his honking and cussing. The incident prompted him to make some noise, so to speak. Olt invented a loud vehicle horn called the Screaming Banshee. Now he’s raising money to produce a smaller variant, the Whining Siryn the Plug & Play Screamer.

plug and play screamer by screaming banshee

When installed, the Plug & Play Screamer gives you two horns. Tap your car or motorcycle’s horn button and you’ll get the standard sound. But if you hold it down you’ll get a 120dB sonic attack and your headlights flash for a split second.  The Screamer is quieter than the Screaming Banshee, which can go as loud as 139db, but it’s also easier to install. It has four wires – two connect to the stock horn, one to the battery and one to the high beam lights. Olt will also make easy to follow video instructions for newbies.

Pledge at least $79 (USD) on Olt’s Indiegogo fundraiser to reserve a Plug & Play Screamer. The only thing I don’t like about this invention is that it could be abused in the wrong hands. We have enough obnoxious drivers as it is.

[via Autoblog]


Tech Deals of the Day: 10/19/2012

Our friends over at TechBargains.com compiled a list of daily deals and we wanted to share them to help you save money.

Keep in mind that as with any true deal, the products are limited quantity and can sell out quickly – so don’t hesitate to check them out now. Also if you’re looking to buy a product from a specific store, you save money with updated and verified coupon codes here.

Computers & Peripherals:

Home Entertainment:

Personal Electronics:


3D Printed Resin Clock Radio Features Retro Nixie Tube Display

3D Printed Resin Clock Radio Features Retro Nixie Tube DisplayJapanese designer electronics manufacturer Inter-Culture has introduced a trio of retrofuturistic nylon resin clock radios that combine cutting-edge 3D printing technology with the warm Cold War-era glow of high-voltage Nixie tubes.

Amiigo Activity Monitor Tracks Movements and Vital Signs While You Work Out

There are a number of wearable devices on the market these days which can monitor your activity when you exercise, but they’re all pretty much glorified motion sensors, which extrapolate your activity level based on movement. Now, a team of engineers from MIT is working on a new kind of wearable sensor which could not only monitor motion, but vital health statistics.

amiigo monitor 1

The Amiigo wearable sensor is not only capable of detecting movements and gestures, but also your heart rate, blood oxygen levels and skin temperature. All of these data points can help you monitor the effectiveness and safety of your workout routine. In addition, the Amiigo monitor is waterproof, so it can even go in the swimming pool, making it a great gadget idea for triatheletes and winter sports buffs.

amiigo monitor 2

The device will come with two sensor components – one worn on the wrist, the other clipped onto the shoe. A companion smartphone app will track all of your workouts and physical activities in detail, as well as enable competition and sharing with friends. A set of proprietary discrimination and machine learning algorithms can even discern exactly what sort of activities you’re partaking in and record these automatically. For instance, it could identify the difference between a bicep curl and a pull-up.

amiigo monitor 3

The guys behind the Amiigo also plan on offering an SDK for the device, which would allow for the creation of custom software which could leverage the data from the sensors – whether for other fitness or health applications, or even for gaming.

The Amiigo will be launching a crowdfunding campaign at the end of October, and you can sign up to be notified about it over on their website.


Transient Electronics: This Gadget Will Self-Destruct

Scientists at the Tufts School of Engineering and at the University of Illinois have created simple electronic devices that harmlessly dissolve after a set period of time. The scientists call their invention transient electronics, devices which could have a huge impact on medical devices and on the environment in general. Future computers could melt in your mouth and in your hand. Or anywhere else for that matter.

transient electronics by tufts school of engineering and university of illinois

The devices were made using silicon components that are only “tens of nanometers thick.” These components are then encased in sheets of silk protein. This silk casing can be tweaked to determine the lifespan of the device, and the scientists say the range could be anywhere from minutes to years. Here’s a short video showing how these circuits could dissolve in water.

This breakthrough could lead to medical devices that can be safely left in a patient’s body (and eventually decompose) as well as consumer devices that eventually dissolve instead of piling up in landfills.

[via Tufts Now via Inhabitat]