Articles at InventorSpot.com

Robot Octopus Swims Like Biological Counterpart

Katie Gatto — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:06:51 -0700

A new octopus that is not biological swims the same way that a real one would. The bot, which was shown off at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), which takes place annually in Karlsruhe, Germany showed off the robot in a tank in order to demonstrate the swimming motion.

Can the Xbox One Stand Up to the PS4?

Nicholas.Greene — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:00 -0700

As many of you are no doubt already aware, the Xbox One was announced today. The press event was...interesting, to say the least. Since watching it, I can't help but wonder: has Microsoft already lost the next-gen game?

Genius In A Bottle: Amazing Wine Cork Mosaics

Art Outside The Lines — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:50:00 -0700

Lord Byron once said, "Let us have wine and women, mirth and laughter, sermons and soda water the day after". Conrad Engelhardt, a London-based artist, has certainly taken that advice to heart with his stunning wine-inspired mosaics made entirely out of corks. Wine and women indeed....

The Caffeine Conundrum Is Addressed By Bottomless Coffee At Cups Tel Aviv

Beth Graddon-Hodgson — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:15:57 -0700

Coffee makes the world go 'round, and it would be a massive understatement to say that American society can't live without their caffeine fix. But, most coffee chains do not accomodate the need for coffee drinkers to be highly caffeinated 24/7 either. While it may not yet be a thbusiness structure on this continent, Tel Aviv has introduced a coffee chain that is working hard to keep caffeine addicts fueled and ready for their next fix.

HGST Travelstar 5K1500 Notebook Drive: 1.5TB in Slim 9.5mm Casing

Rey M.L. — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:06 -0700

Most laptops support hard drives of only up to a 9.5 millimetre thickness, and before now the largest data capacity available within that thickness was one terabyte. For those select few who need more than that, HGST has arrived with a solution.

Chinese Activist Artist Ai Weiwei Maps The Milk Of China's Discontent

China.new — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:00:01 -0700

Internationally renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei thinks there IS a point to crying over spilled milk. His latest work, titled “Baby Formula 2013”, maps out China's discontent over multiple milk powder scandals using 1,800 cans of powdered milk.

German Industrial Robots Turned Aussie GPS Testers

Katie Gatto — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:45:30 -0700

It looks like robots, that were designed to do heavy work in factories in Germany, are going to be going on a new adventure. They are going to be used to help test the relability of the GPS systems down under in the outback.The systems data will be used to refine the system and help tectonic plate research in the future.

Xbox One Revealed

dendory — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:17:39 -0700

Today Microsoft introduced the Xbox One, its next generation gaming console, and the company aims to make it an all-in-one device for the living room with online and social features for the whole family.

The Real Story Behind the Failed Sale of the Sega Pluto

Nicholas.Greene — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:00:00 -0700

Some time ago, a fellow on Destructoid who goes by the handle "kidvid666" made a very exciting revelation. Apparently, he owns one of the only two Sega Pluto units in existence. He decided to see what he could sell it for, and opted to put it up for auction. Unfortunately, things didn't exactly go as planned.

The Boil Buoy Lets You Know When The Heat Is On

Laurie Kay Olson — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:02:31 -0700

For busy people it is easy to get distracted while having something on the stove. To make sure you know when your water is boiling Quirky.com is bringing out the Boil Buoy. This dandy little gadget rings when your pot is boiling so that you won't miss your tea or burn your soup.

Will Robots Social Network When They Eclipse Man's Intelligence? [Videos]

Ron Callari — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:37:02 -0700

'Singularity' for those mere mortals who are unaware is the theoretical emergence of a super-intelligence through technological means. First proposed by mathematician John von Neumann, it is the time when "ever accelerating progress of technology and changes in the mode of human life, which gives the appearance of approaching some essential singularity in the history of the race beyond which human affairs, as we know them, could not continue."

Going Green: Bamboo Calculator

Laurie Kay Olson — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:28:55 -0700

Electronics are environmentally unfriendly. They usually are made up of non-renewable resources that will take thousands of years to degrade. There is one small way that you can take a step toward sustainability -- go bamboo. One of the latest twists is that outer components made of plastic and metal are now being crafted out of bamboo.

“iSpoon” Ice Cream Shovel Is One Super Duper Scooper

Steve Levenstein — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:11:12 -0700

The limited edition, anodized aluminum, Icemania “iSpoon” from Japan's Akao Aluminum can handle the hardest, coldest ice cream around! Priced around $25 each, the super-duper scooper includes a custom carrying pouch ideal for those late night visits to Zyggie's Ice Cream Parlor.

Can Robots Care for Humans?

Katie Gatto — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:33:44 -0700

A look at new work that is being done by workers at the Carnegie Mellon Universityin hopes of helping older people to live at home longer and better, with the help of robots. The bot currently in development, but not in production, is designed to help clean up and bring objects. It won't replace humans, but it could help add to their efforts.

The Foc.Us Gaming Headset Will Jolt Your Brain Awake

Nicholas.Greene — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:00 -0700

Good news, everyone! If you want to be a better gamer, a solution might only be a few volts away. At least, that's what Michael Oxley and Martin Skinner - inventors of the Foc.us headset - think. They've developed a device designed to jolt your brain with electricity....

And up your game in the process.

Nicholas Cage To Act... As Chinese Automaker's Brand Ambassador

China.new — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:00:01 -0700

American actor, producer and director Nicholas Cage can add another line to his resume: brand ambassador. Following in the footsteps of Brad Pitt, the face of Cadillac vehicles in China, the oft-controversial and occasionally IRS-investigated Cage has signed up to flog re-badged Saabs for China's Beijing Automotive Industry Corp.

Cool Inspiration From Previous Arctic Innovation Competition Winners!

Arnold Carreiro — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:30:33 -0700

If you’re planning on entering the 2013 Arctic Innovation Competition, it wouldn’t hurt to take a peek at the inventions that wowed the judges of this chilly contest, so here are the grand prize winners from 2009 to 2012 for extra inspiration:

Bitcoin Creator Exposed

dendory — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:09:39 -0700

Ted Nelson, a pioneer in information technology, crafted a long series of investigations where he discovered who the creator of Bitcoin might be.

Develop An App For NETGEAR'S Million Dollar App Contest & Win Up To $1,000,000!

Arnold Carreiro — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:02:02 -0700

If you’re a master of creating networking apps, you’ve got a great chance to score up to one million dollars in Las Vegas for your innovative development skills.

10 Tips For Launching A Successful Business In 2013

ModernMarketing — Sat, 18 May 2013 07:45:18 -0700

Is it your dream to launch a business in 2013? Many people wish they were their own boss and that they could quit their day job, but it seems completely impossible to get their idea off the ground.

Dreams On The Wind: The Incredible Sand Art of Kseniya Simonova

Art Outside The Lines — Sat, 18 May 2013 07:30:00 -0700

Some artists use paint, while others choose charcoal. Some paintings take years, and others take hours. Some hang on gallery walls, while others simply lie forgotten on easels. Kseniya Simonova's art is different... it's made entirely of sand, she can create some of them in mere minutes, and when they are finished, she simply blows them away to start something new.

The Business Of Butting: Disabled Escorts For Short Amusement Park Lines

Beth Graddon-Hodgson — Sat, 18 May 2013 07:28:37 -0700

"The Happiest Place on Earth" is what the Disney franchise has been called for multiple decades. Unfortunately, the long wait times can drasticaly reduce the enjoyment that visitors take from the day. Those waiting for hours can often be heard making statements like "are we there yet?", "why isn't this line moving?", "I'm hungry or have to pee" and "my feet hurt." Some travel agencies are getting fancy and are taking measures to skirt the system so that their clients do not have to wait in such long lineups.

Thanko's USB Neck Cooler Clamps Down On Summer Heat

Steve Levenstein — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:00:01 -0700

The bad news is, Thanko's new USB Neck Cooler makes you look like a sci-fi mecha robot's grabbed you by the throat. The good news is, you'll feel a lot less hot under the collar this summer if you're wearing one.

Space Driving Record Broken by Robot

Katie Gatto — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:09:22 -0700

A new record was broken recently by a robot. In addition to being able to beat the worlds champions in chess it turns out that robots may be better at distance driving, at least in the endless void of space. The 1972, human set, record for the most distance driven in space was broken by a 2004 launced rover.

There's A Rash Of 'Jash' On YouTube's First-Ever 'Comedy Week' [Videos]

Ron Callari — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:41:39 -0700

To understand Jash, you need to know what the YouTube Channel Initiative is all about. Funded by Google with the specific goal of bringing innovative content to YouTube, it's a 100 million dollar program that kickstarted Google TV's entree into original programming.

$16,000 Up For Grabs Via The 2013 Mobile Dev Challenge For Best Mobile App!

Arnold Carreiro — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:01:01 -0700

Are you a stellar mobile app innovator who needs a good excuse to show off your work? Any sort of mobile app can be thrown into the running, as long as it’s excellent!

Carbon Aerogel Created By Chinese Scientists Is The World's Lightest Material

China.new — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:00:01 -0700

Carbon aerogel created by Chinese scientists from Zhejiang University has a measured density of 0.16 mg/cubic centimeter or one-sixth as dense as air! The ultra-light synthetic material is also able to absorb up to 900 times its own weight, offering environmentalists a potentially useful tool for cleaning up oil spills and hazardous waste leaks.

Stone Age Swiss Army Knife Design Revealed

Laurie Kay Olson — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:46:14 -0700

You just know that Fred Flinstone and Barney Rubble each carried one of these in their pockets just for those prehistoric caveman emergencies. This Stone Age Swiss Army Knife comes with all of the tools a hairy Neanderthal just might need in a long day of hunting, foraging, and what-have-you. It is a must-have for that prehistoric man on the go.

7 Foot Tall DIY Robot from China

Katie Gatto — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:58:51 -0700

Tao Xiangli, an inventor of some note from China, has once again unveiled a new DIY creation. His newest work is a seven foot tall working robot. The bot, which is made from old parts, cost just under $25,000 and is teh second invention from this intredpid man. His first was a working submarine.

Nvidia Tackles the Uncanny Valley with New Rendering Tech

Nicholas.Greene — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:00 -0700

The Uncanny Valley - when something appears almost human, but not quite - might well be one of the most prevalent (and somewhat disturbing) trends in gaming. Tackling the valley is a challenge - how do you make something undeniably artificial look well and truly human? Nvidia may well have the answer.

Panther 3D Printer Brings Your Visions To Life

Cornelius Fortune — Thu, 16 May 2013 07:00:55 -0700

Have you ever wanted to really bring an idea to life? The Panther 3D Printer gives you the tools to make this a reality.

Dinosaur Fossils Transformed Into A Tasty Treat

Laurie Kay Olson — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:37:03 -0700

If there are two things that pretty much everyone loves on some level they are cookies and dinosaurs. This is especially true of kids. WIth Dig-Ins you can bring these two things together and make dinosaur cookies. You can also make your choice between decorating them to be living dinosaurs or just a bunch of old fossils.

Google I/O 2013 Summary

dendory — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:47:53 -0700

Google I/O is the yearly conference from Google where new developer features are introduced. This year, many new features and services have been shown. Here is a summary of them.

Ekoore Python S3 Convertible Tablet Juggles Windows 8, Android, Ubuntu Linux

Rey M.L. — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:52:00 -0700

The unique Python S3 hybrid tablet computer from Ekoore appears to be the only example of its kind that can be factory shipped with three switchable operating systems.

These Thumb Tacks Are All Thumbs!

Laurie Kay Olson — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:12:45 -0700

Sometimes there is nothing more fun that taking things literally. It is the stuff from which puns are made. These divine little thumb tacks are very "punny" all by themselves. They aren't the standard little round dots of your grandparent's time. Nor are they the plastic push pins that make you think that you will one day need thumb surgery. They are actually "thumbs."

Propose Efficient Energy Solutions From Latin America, Win Up To $100,000 Via 2013 IDEAS Energy Innovation Contest!

Arnold Carreiro — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:02:22 -0700

The government of South Korea, Inter-American Development Bank, Nordic Development Fund and GDF SUEZ, have pulled together to seek out energy solutions from Caribbean, South and Central American nations, and there are huge cash prizes for the best ideas!

MIT Shows Off Robot Cheetah

Katie Gatto — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:35:07 -0700

A look at a new cheetah robot that came from the Biomimetic Robotics Lab at MIT. The researchers, who showed off the robot at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation this year have managed to create the second fastest robot in the world. The bot tops speeds of about 14 MHP by using electric motors, instead of hydraulics.

Star Ball Soccer Ball From Perrocaliente Gives Futsal Some Star Power

Steve Levenstein — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:20:15 -0700

The Star Ball, a futsal-sized soccer ball from Tokyo, Japan-based Perrocaliente, features a striking pattern of five-pointed stars and irregular nonagons designed for, er, universal appeal.

Arena.XLsm Receives a Huge Content Update

Nicholas.Greene — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:00:00 -0700

Arena.XLsm - a game created and played entirely in Microsoft Excel - enjoyed a rather considerable content update today. I've talked about the title before, but it's definitely worth mentioning again. After all, Walkin - the accountant responsible for the title's development - has changed quite a bit.

Are You Hungry Enough To Eat A Horse? Measure Accordingly!

Laurie Kay Olson — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:12:24 -0700

Calling all pasta-holics! As you know it can be tough making sure that you make just the right amonut of pasta to go with your favorite sauce. Every kitchen can also use a bit of whimsy and this cute tool for measuring out your spaghetti, angel hair, or linguini will really get that done.