Hasta La Gadget!

Here’s a fun and trippy hack made by programmer Peter Nitsch. Nitsch’s website converts feed from Google’s Street View to ASCII art in real time. You can also search for locations, just like in the vanilla web app. And yep, it has a “green mode.”

Here’s a closer look at that shot:

And here’s the Matrix mode:

You really should see it for yourself. Nitsch recommends using Chrome or Firefox 8 and above. The characters change as the view slowly pans. It’s like looking at the world from the point of view of a computer.

[via Waxy]

Most of the console mods we feature are either portable versions of older consoles or add aesthetic features. Rarely do we come across a hack that was made for the heck of it, like this coffeemaker that was transformed into an SNES. Why? Tinkerers do or do not, there is no why.

The mod was made by YouTuber Tyler and his dad. This is actually the second Mr. Coffee that they turned into a Mr. Videogame. Neither of the mods work as a coffeemaker anymore – perhaps Tyler can work on that in the future. Tyler also stated in the description of the first Super Nincoffee video that they originally wanted to make a Super Nintoaster but they found it too hard. Tyler, if you still want to get on that project I think you and your dad should check out this video. The rest of you can see the Super Nincoffee Jr. in action below:

Obviously the whole thing could turn out to be fake. Hopefully Tyler and his dad can post a video of the steps involved or at least the electronics inside the mod.

[via Kotaku]

Some people find human babies to be a bit creepy at times. They certainly can be a bit weird, but we all were one at some point. Aside from looking like Winston Churchill, all babies are pretty much aliens. They have no idea about anything and have to learn how to conduct themselves like civilized humans. This robot baby called Affetto however, is creepier than any real baby.
It has taken a year, but Osaka University’s Affetto baby now has a torso and a pair of arms to go along with it. It is amazing how very baby-like its movements are. All fluid and awkward. Just like the real deal, it even accidentally hits itself in the face during the video.

They were able to get this kind of movement thanks to about 20 pneumatic actuators. The face doesn’t seem to do anything yet, but once they sync it up with the body, this is going to be totally nightmare inducing. You don’t want to babysit this little demon.

[via Geeky-Gadgets]

Sometimes it’s mind-boggling how companies are able to come up with solutions to problems that seem pretty trivial at first glance. A perfect example is the Camitool, an automatic toilet paper dispenser which was probably developed in response to all the complaints that germophobes unleashed against having to use toilet paper that (ick) others have already touched.

We’ve already got automatic faucets, automatic soap dispensers, and automatic hand dryers in public restrooms. So why not automate one more thing so that people will virtually not have to lay their hands on anything at all?

On a serious note, it actually does help people with rheumatism grab toilet paper without the pain or the hassle. And the less hands that touch it, the cleaner.

Users can program just how many inches of toilet paper to dispense before having Camitool automatically cut it. Several Japanese hospitals already have the Camitool installed, but it might take a while before we see this hit public restrooms on a massive scale, no thanks to its 60,000 yen (~$765 USD) price tag.

[via CNET]

Beicho Katsura III is a rakugo master and is kind of a Living National Treasure in Japan. Rakugo, for those who don’t know, is an early Japanese form of entertainment. Basically, a storyteller. This guy sits on stage and uses a paper fan and small piece of cloth as his only props. The Rakugoka uses these as he narrates a long story. The robot seen here wants to take his job, like so many robots are apt to do.

This robot was created to honor the 86-year-old Beicho Katsura III and is the work of Osaka University professor Hiroshi Ishiguro and makeup artist Shinya Endo. The million dollar robot mimics the great storyteller pretty well with its head movements and facial expressions. It’s the usual creepy uncanny valley stuff and at times (maybe it’s just me) it looks just like Regis Philbin.

The Beicho Android will perform hourly impersonations of Beicho Katsura III at the Sankei Hall Breeze next month. Don’t miss it if you are in the area.

[via Ubergizmo]