Hasta La Gadget!

It’s a fairly menacing sight, an aluminum robot sporting big tank treads — that is, until you watch one of its creators do a handstand on top of the thing in a pair of cargo shorts. And really, while the ‘bot wouldn’t look too out of place with a small machine gun strapped to its front, its intentions are peaceful, seeking to extend the WiFi connections to hazardous places lacking in network infrastructure. We first heard about the project last week, when the team of computer and electrical engineers at Northeastern University that created it first revealed their work to the media. A visit this weekend to our favorite Somerville, Massachusetts-based hackerspace provided the opportunity to check out the beast in-person and discuss the project with a couple of its creators.

After the limited machining resources at Northeastern failed to meet their needs, the students found a home at Artisan’s Asylum, where they learned the skills necessary to put together this ambitious project, utilizing classes and the metal shop provided by the space. The result is an impressive sight, a robot capable of climbing stairs and supporting the weight of two adult humans — the latter of which they happily demonstrated for us in a yet-to-be-occupied new wing at Artisan’s. The former, on the other hand, we were unable to see, sadly, as the internals were mostly gutted at the moment on the ever-evolving project. Team member Dan Landers, was more than happy to discuss the project, standing next to a pile of water jet-cut steel pieces that will form the first leg of giant hexapod Stompy, a project on which Landers is also a participant.

Continue reading WiFi-Extending Robot is built like a tank — we talk to the people behind the project (video)

Filed under: Robots, Wireless

WiFi-Extending Robot is built like a tank — we talk to the people behind the project (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While it hasn’t actually started to roll out yet, one of our readers sent in pics of a Verizon FiOS survey gauging reactions to a new device that “may be available in the future” as the FiOS Companion tablet. As described in the survey, it’s a WiFi-connected Android slate that not only runs the usual apps, but also works as universal remote control and streams “select” TV channels (probably the same ones as the Xbox 360 app) directly to its screen. The sole picture included confirms we’re looking at the Motorola Corvair 6-inch Android 2.3 tablet that surfaced late last year with all of those features, home automation tie-ins and a 4000mAh battery. The survey questions don’t reveal much else about its capabilities or potential pricing other than asking users if they would be interested in customizing their own home screen, and how. We’d hope the software has seen some updates since its original leak, but knowing this market that seems unlikely. All we can do now is help Verizon / Motorola with that customer research they were hoping to perform so let them know — is this something you’d be interested in?

[Thanks, anonymous]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablet PCs

Verizon survey reveals FiOS Companion Android tablet, aka the Motorola Corvair originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seeing through walls hasn’t been a super hero-exclusive activity for a while now. According to Popular Science, however, University College London researchers Karl Woodbridge and Kevin Chetty have created the first device that can detect movement through walls using existing WiFi signals. While similar tech has required a bevy of wireless nodes, the duo has pulled off the feat with a contraption roughly the size of a suit case.

Much like radar, the device relies on the Doppler effect — radio waves changing frequencies as they reflect off of moving objects — to identify motion. Using a radio receiver with two antennas and a signal-processing unit, the system monitors the baseline WiFi frequency in an area for changes that would indicate movement. In tests, the gadget was able to determine a person’s location, speed and direction through a foot-thick brick wall. The technology’s potential applications range from domestic uses to scanning buildings during combat. Best of all, since the university’s hardware doesn’t emit any radio waves, it can’t be detected. How’s that for stealthy?

Filed under: Science

Researchers use ambient WiFi radio waves to see through walls originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony‘s next-gen interchangeable lens cameras, the NEX-5R and NEX-6, will include WiFi connectivity a listing at an Indonesian test agency has revealed. The detail spill came courtesy of POSTEL and was swiftly yanked, but not before Sony Alpha Rumors could snatch a screenshot. Although there was no further detail in either filing, the WiFi tech is expected to be used for wirelessly transferring shots from the camera to nearby computers and cloud galleries, among other things.

That could mean no longer having to plug in a USB cable or pull out the memory card to offload photos and video from your camera, as well as automatically uploading one or more shots to Flick, Facebook or other gallery services. However, it’s possible that Sony could also enable remote control of the new NEX cameras.

For instance, Samsung offers a free Android app for its NX1000 camera, itself WiFi-enabled, that allows the phone to be used as a wireless preview display. Sony could opt to do the same; meanwhile, the WiFi link could also be used to geotag photos using the handset’s own location services.

Other specifications are similarly the source of rumor. The NEX-5R is tipped to have a 180-degree flip screen along with a 16-megapixel sensor, while the NEX-6 has been said to have an integrated electronic viewfinder (though lower resolution than on the more expensive NEX-7).

Both cameras are believed to be headed to Photokina in September, along with a trio of new lenses including a prime, an 11-18mm pancake, and a 16-50mm pancake.

[via Engadget]

Sony NEX-5R and NEX-7 WiFi cameras leak is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Boingo Wireless has teamed up with fast food chain Wendy’s to offer free Wi-Fi connectivity at all of their company-owned stores, but if your neighborhood’s Wendy’s does not have Wi-Fi, then chances are pretty good it will be part of the Wendy’s franchise community who refused the uptake. Hopefully Boingo Wireless will be able to do a good job in managing and operating Wi-Fi services at participating Wendy’s company restaurants that are scattered all over the US as well as Canada. Boingo’s operation of the complimentary Wi-Fi services will also include the installation and maintainance of networks, in addition to offering Wendy’s-branded customer support.

“Our partnership with Wendy’s is a significant milestone in our ongoing expansion into high-traffic consumer venues. Boingo has more than a decade of experience in enhancing the guest experience via our Wi-Fi, and in increasing customer engagement through collaborative marketing programs. We look forward to rolling out service to Wendy’s restaurants,” says Peter Hultgren, vice president of business development, Boingo Wireless.

It is about time that more and more public areas offer free Wi-Fi – I personally have no idea why budget motels and backpackers’ inns offer free Wi-Fi, while posh hotels tend to charge you extra for Wi-Fi connectivity. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? At least the next time you want a Frosty, you can also surf the Internet on your smartphone or notebook without having to make use of your data plan.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: O2 offers free Wi-Fi to London’s West End, Mac WiFi issues may come from OS X Lion power management,