Well, folks, it’s finally happened. There’s an open-source robot on the way. An organization known as Unbounded Robotics yesterday announced the UBR-1; a semi-autonomous, one-armed robot which it claims is perfect for a wide range of industrial, business, and office applications.
James Newhard is Director of Archaeology at the College of Charleston, where he works to bring 3D imaging, mobile technology and geographic information systems to a field more popularly associated with shovels and dusty brushes. Gizmodo got in touch with Dr. Newhard to learn how he uses emerging tech to dig deep into ancient societies.
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Following on from this weekend’s International Archaeology Day, Gizmodo thought we’d take a quick look at some of the uses of digital technology in discovering, researching, and documenting historic sites, from the ancient to the comparatively recent, from the urban to the rural. It’s our own day of archaeology here on the site.
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When the news first leaked about Google Glass a few years ago, it
was pretty hard to imagine that such a device would turn out to be more
than an entertaining gadget. But now that Google Glass is being tested
by prospective users, medical professionals are taking the device very
seriously and, if you become a patient needing heavy-duty medical care,
you will be taking it seriously too.
If you like the look of tilt-shift and low-fidelity images, you should probably have a camera that looks the part. I’ve been playing around with one particular camera that fits both bills – creative lo-fi images and retro style.
The Bonzart Ampel Dual Lens camera is an unusual little camera that looks like an old-school twin-lens reflex camera, but in this case, each lens is being used to feed a five-megapixel digital image sensor. The top lens offers normal images, while the lower lens offers an optical tilt-shift effect.
The camera even has a clever pop open viewfinder like old cameras, which conceals a small 2″ LCD screen inside. This top-down position for viewing images while shooting takes a little getting used to, but is actually kind of fun once you do. As an added bonus, the pop-up sides around the viewfinder keep glare off of the LCD.
In terms of storage, the camera accepts standard SD memory cards, and gets its power from three inexpensive AA batteries. Controls for switching between effect and shooting modes are located on side of the camera, while the shutter and lens select buttons are on front. Menu controls for changing resolution, exposure, date/time and other settings are located on back.
So how about image quality? Well, I won’t say that the Bonzart Ampel can compete with today’s better digital cameras, but that’s not what it’s designed for. It’s designed to allow photographers to explore their creativity in the capture of artful, lo-fi imagery – and it does that well. Check out some sample images I shot below:
As you can see, it performs quite well in daylight conditions, and the tilt-shift effect is spot on.
Without any focus controls at all, it even captures pretty impressive macro images, complete with unplanned depth of field effects.
The camera also offers digital effect modes for vivid color, black and white, sepia tone, and something called “REF”, which seems like a washed out Fuji film style. While you could achieve many of these effects in post-production with image editors, it’s kind of fun to see them in real time on the LCD, and without need to boot up Photoshop.
In addition to still imagery, the Bonzart Ampel can shoot video in resolutions from 320×240 up to 720×480 at 30fps. It also offers a 1280×720 HD mode, but the frame rate is extremely poor at that resolution. Suffice it to say, this isn’t really designed for HD videography. Still, it’s kind of neat to be able to shoot SD video through a tilt-shift lens.
One caveat with this camera is that it’s pretty much useless in low-light conditions. It captures great daylight images, but even in dimly-lit indoor rooms this is the sort of result I got, even when playing with the manual exposure controls:
For those of you who like to use Instagram, the camera also has a built-in 1:1 proportion mode, so you can capture ready-cropped images for upload to the service (or for square picture frames).
Overall, this quirky little camera really grew on me, and I think it’s a fun addition to any photographer’s bag of tricks. If you keep in mind that it’s designed for creative imagery and not for precision, you’ll be much happier with the surprising and serendipitous results it produces.
The Bonzart Ampel Dual Lens camera is available from AC Gears for $180(USD).
Over the years we’ve seen a variety of concepts for portable augmented reality devices, but it seems as if Google Glass opened the floodgates for AR devices that are worn like eyeglasses. Case in point, the Japanese telecommunications company NTT Docomo, which recently showed off not one but four ideas for glasses with an AR interface.
The first interface that NTT Docomo showed off was a projector that mirrored the display of a connected mobile device. The player appears to float in front of you and you can still see what’s in front of you in the background of the window. That in itself isn’t particularly revolutionary or practical, but when paired with sensors it turns into a really neat product. For instance, Docomo imagines a combination of a head-mounted camera and a face recognition app that shows you information about the people you meet.
The other two concepts were more exciting: the real-time translator that I talked about a couple of weeks ago and an external projector that can detect the size of the object that you’re using as a display surface. When used with a ring-shaped accessory, the glasses will also be able to detect your hand, allowing you to manipulate the projection as if it were a touchscreen.
There you have it, another exciting look at the future of augmented reality, and perhaps fashion as well. Out of all the concepts I’ve seen, the one I really want to own would still be the Sixthsense concept from back in 2009. I wouldn’t mind looking like a dork for that.
[via DigInfo TV via BitRebels]
A couple of years ago Triggertrap released its namesake device, an electronic camera trigger that activates your camera based on a variety of inputs. Recently the company launched a Kickstarter for an improved camera trigger, which they’re calling Redsnap. It’s modular, which not only makes it compact but versatile as well.
The Redsnap has a base block that you can connect to up to two sensors at once. The base block handles long exposure and time lapse shots. At launch, the Redsnap will have the following sensors: a laser sensor (with a built-in laser), a light sensor, a passive infrared sensor and a sound sensor. Triggertrap says they will release more sensors in the future.
Because you can connect two sensors at once, you can set up shots for a variety of conditions. For instance, you can rig your camera to shoot only when the light sensor and the sound sensor are both triggered. Or you can connect two of the same sensor if you wish. The Redsnap also has three trigger outputs, so you can connect multiple cameras or flashes and have them all go off at the same time.
Pledge at least £35 (~$57 USD) on Kickstarter to receive the base Triggertrap Redsnap kit as a reward – which is capable of shooting time-lapse photos. A kit with the light sensor goes for £60 (~$97 USD), and a complete high-speed kit with laser and sound sensors is £90 ($145 USD). Check out all of the available bundles over on their fundraising page.
Have you ever wanted to race some RC cars, but just ended up crying because no one was there to play against you? Anki Drive, a new toy (and technological marvel) coming out on October 23rd, 2013, is going to change everything. Mini remote control cars that know how to drive themselves by using artificial intelligence? YES.
Think that this isn’t the greatest thing ever? What if I told you that Apple gave Anki the stage at one of their most high-profile tech keynotes of the year? Now that I have your attention, take a look at what is sure to be one of the most revolutionary toys ever brought to market.
Anki Drive allows you to, using your iOS device, race remote control cars against your friends. But, in addition to that, it lets you race remote control cars against cars driven entirely by artificial intelligence. The Anki Drive vehicles analyze their relative positions on the track 500 times per second, and make decisions accordingly.
What’s more, players can give AI cars different tasks: when commanded to, computer-controlled cars will attempt to block a certain car by getting in front of it. They can also be told to put the pedal to the metal, of course.
This product is honestly mind-blowing to me – you can upgrade and level-up your cars, just like in video games, and you can use the cars’ weapons: tractor beams, shields, and more! Send opponents’ cars reeling or pull them towards you so that you can get a better shot! If this does not end up being the top-selling toy of Christmas 2013, I’ll eat both of my shoes.
The Anki Drive app is available for download on the App Store as of right now, but the product will not be available until October 23rd – more information is on the Anki Drive website.
Want more remote control goodness? Check out the remote control cockroaches and the world’s fastest remote control car, if you dare.
[via Uncrate]
The guys at Wicked Lasers recently sent me a couple of their top-of-the-line lasers to test out, including the recently announced programmable EVO laser and the insanely powerful Arctic Spyder III.
I’ll start out with the newfangled EVO laser, which has the unique capability of being controlled programmatically. Out of the box, the EVO works similarly to other bright green laser pointers, but screw on the Smartport and you can control the intensity of the beam electronically. The EVO I tested came with only the Smartport, which connects to devices via an 3.5mm audio cable, but there’s an optional Bluetooth module ($39.95) which lets you control the laser wirelessly as well.
Once the Smartport is connected to the laser, you can plug it into your smartphone’s audio port and run the EVO iOS or Android app. In its current state, the app lets you turn the laser on and off, adjust its intensity, make it strobe or pulse, and also comes with a couple of extra fun things like a morse code and microphone activated mode (which for some reason I couldn’t get to work on my iPhone.) One other note: I was unable to get the laser to activate as a standalone device while the Smartport was attached.
Despite only needing two AA batteries, the EVO I tested has a continuously variable output which kicks in around 20mW, and has a maximum output of 100mw. This is plenty bright for optical experimentation, but it’s not quite powerful enough to burn things. The EVO review unit came with the optional lens kit, which lets you create a variety of patterns with the beam as well. The add-on lenses definitely aren’t needed for science experiments, but they’re fun and could prove useful for photography, Halloween light shows and for impromptu raves.
The EVO’s programmability is definitely its most compelling feature, and I could see the potential to gang multiple EVOs together for use in multimedia and interactive art exhibits, as well as long-exposure photography.
I think it could be neat to do something with motion or gesture inputs to control EVOs. For those who want to go beyond the EVO smartphone app, Wicked Lasers offers documentation for building your own iOS, Android or OS X applications, as well as an optional firmware programming kit which lets you delve into the internals of the laser itself.
Now, on to the Arctic Spyder III. What can I say about this laser other than the fact that it’s the most powerful handheld laser I’ve ever had the opportunity to use. The model I had in hand is the beastly 2000mW (2 Watt) version, and it’s insanely bright. Now this isn’t some little laser pointer you carry around on your keychain. Measuring in at 10 inches-long and weighing about a pound, it’s more like a lightsaber – not that that’s a bad thing. It’s powered by a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery, which lets you use the laser for between 30 and 180 minutes depending on the laser’s power setting.
The Spyder III blasts out a bright blue beam that’s capable of easily dispatching dark colored objects (paper, plastic, balloons) in seconds. In the brightest model, it’s also bright enough to be seen from an astounding 34 miles away – though I didn’t really get to test that measurement.
If you opt for the 1 Watt model, the maximum beam distance at .25 lux is just under 29 miles, and the 1.4 Watt model can hit 24 miles. So with good reason, you never should point these things anywhere near airplanes. It also goes without saying that you MUST wear the included eye protection when using this laser. It’s dangerously intense.
In my unscientific tests, the Spyder III was able to completely illuminate a darkened room – in the low power mode. In full power mode, it’s brighter than I can describe in words – especially at its tip.
Its beam is completely visible without fog, doing a good job illuminating dust particles in the air all on its own. It’s also great for shooting long-exposure photos. Here’s a pic I snapped using the Arctic to light up my pinball machine.
And if you’re interested in lighting stuff on fire, this thing will definitely do the trick. Dark paper, balloons, matches, wood and even cigarettes are no trouble for the Spyder III. It’s a bit of a challenge to ignite white paper since it’s so reflective and there’s a bit of beam divergence, but with patience – and a steady hand or tripod, it will eventually burn through.
In conclusion, if you’re in the market for a serious handheld laser, Wicked Lasers has definitely got you covered. The EVO is a really compelling idea, with the ability to to program and control its beam with your smartphone or other application, while the Arctic Spyder III is just downright impressive for its sheer power and brightness. In addition, both lasers are fully legal to own, and include a safety switch which makes them much less likely to cause harm if the fall into the wrong hands.
The EVO sells for $169.95(USD) in a 75mW+ version, while the 100mW+ version goes for $199.95. Add another $39.95 for the expanded lens kit. The Arctic Spyder III starts at $299.95 for the 1W+ version, $399.95 for the 1.4W+, and $599.95 for the 2W+ model. The Artic’s expanded lens kit goes for $49.95, and for $79.95 you can grab the Phosforce attachment, which transforms the Arctic into a crazy bright 500 lumen flashlight.
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