Electronics

If you're over 30 you've probably suffered from back pain some time or other in your life.  In fact, 60 to 80 percent of adults suffer from chronic or periodic back pain, so chances are you have a friend or family member who could use some relief from his or her back pain when not at the doctor, physical therapist, chiropractor, or acupuncturist.  Here are some of the highest-rated low-budget gadgets that can be used solo, without the aid of others. 

It's difficult to say good-bye to a man as formidable as Nelson Mandela. TV, Radio and the blogosphere have been flooded with updates, and I suspect this will continue for some time. Living in the digital age, as mankind moves forward, it's apparent that we will all be memorialized when the time comes with what we leave behind on the Internet.

Amazon is back at it again, this time with the Kindle Fire HDX, an updated version of the super popular Kindle Fire HD. Available in two screen sizes, 7" and 8.9", and boasting a much higher pixel count; the HDX is a strong contender this holiday season.

There are situations which require human intervention in order to be solved. However, some of them might represent dangers which can be avoided by using another mechanism of action. CAIPORA, a robot developed in Brazil, aims to be used in these situations, whether it is for military or safety goals. From firing weapons to disable explosive devices, CAIPORA replaces humans in those precarious scenarios.

With exercise and fitness ever increasing in popularity, many products have been released over the past couple years that track user's activities. But many of them have at least one downfall; you either have to strap it on your wrist, or it requires the conscious effort to remember to charge the device. Enter the Shine. An activity monitor that is not limited to tracking running and walking, and stays charged for close to six months at a time.

If we're to create robots that can truly relate to human beings, they can't simply be developed in a laboratory. That's a recipe for disaster. Instead, more researchers across the world are turning to other men and women to help them develop their machines...through simple interaction.

Robots of the future might be the ultimate expression of symbiosis. That is to say, they might be powered by human waste products. Researchers in London have developed an artificial heart that pumps human urine, converting it into electricity. Quite the interesting alternative to a toilet, isn't it?

The job of undersea archaeologists just got a whole lot easier. A team of Estonian engineers today unveiled a small, pill-shaped turtle robot dubbed U-CAT. Equipped with four flippers and an on-board camera, U-CAT is designed to make the job of exploring deep-sea shipwrecks both easier and considerably more affordable.

It amazes me as to the variety of survaillance cameras are on the market.  They come in almost every shape and size, can be hidden inside anything from a USB drive to car keys, to fake air fresheners.  How paranoid are we that this has become a thriving market?  Check some of these mini spy gadgets out...

The AirPatrol Crew is actively looking for designers to create a controller casing for the latest model of the AirPatrol heater and air conditioning control device. They’re ready to reward up to five designers for their efforts, with a cool $750 going to the top case design…