… Read More → "NASA’s Pumpkin Carving Contest"

Allison Schrager proposes that America should end Daylight Savings and consolidate its timezones into just two — the Eastern zone goes back, Central/Mountain do nothing, and Pacific goes forward. She makes a persuasive argument that the nation already conducts its business on coastal time, and cites the safety and coordination costs of losing sleep, de-synchronizing with the rest of the world, and generally suffering from confusion and disorientation from a system designed in 1883.< … Read More → "America should have two time-zones"

It’s hard to say whether the 4moms Origami is a high-end stroller built with babies in mind or whether it’s more of a treat for the person pushing it. Its specs read more like those of a high-end car than a baby buggy.

The stroller has two sets of front-mounted lights: A set of headlights and a set of downward-firing pathway lamps that turn on automatically when it gets dark. It has an LCD screen above the handle that displays the temperature, your walking speed, and the distance traveled. … Read More → "Insane baby stroller sports LCD display, headlights, phone charger"

We’ve all been wondering what Google is doing with floating barges and KPIX 5 says it has the answer. Sources tell the station that three floors will be  “dazzling showrooms” and an upper “party deck” will cater to events and high-profile customers.

The timing on this coincides with … Read More → "Those floating barges? They’re luxurious modular Google showrooms"

If you’re wondering where heaven on Earth is, it’s in China. Surprising, I know. But it’s undeniable after you see this ginormous pink and green ball pit found at the Kerry Hotel in Shanghai. It’s the world’s largest ball pit and stretches over 80 feet long and 40 feet wide. The pit is filled with the amazingness of one million plastic balls.
via Read More → "World’s biggest ball pit is a sea filled with one million balls of fun"

Back in June the world got its first glimpse of the iStruct, a robot ape developed at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and the University of Bremen. We predicted that in addition to the stability afforded by walking on all fours, the robot ape could feasibly stand up to free its hands for other kinds of work. Now the team has published a video that shows how their robot accomplishes this … Read More → "iStruct robot ape stands upright thanks to its active spine"

Unlike the DARPA robots, Nino may not find itself performing tasks in dangerous situations any time soon. But this robot has some special skills: It is likely the first full-sized humanoid to demonstrate sign language.

“Sign language has a high degree of difficulty, requiring the use of both arms, hands, and fingers as well as facial expressions,” said Professor Han-Pang Huang, who leads NTU’s Robotics Lab. That’s why sign language, he added, … Read More → "Humanoid robot demonstrates sign language"

Smart: MoMA has announced the launch of an audio guide platform that will be accessible on Android or iOS devices for free.

The museum’s new Audio+ platform will offer up all the usual stuff—audio guides, maps, and information—along with an in-app camera that lets you shoot your … Read More → "MoMA will banish audio guides with free guide app"

Developed by Przemyslaw Mariusz Kornatowski and Adrien Briod from EPFL’s Laboratory of Intelligent Systems (LIS), the Gimball prototype ditches the complex and heavy network of sensors most flying robots use to map a clear flight path for a spherical, elastic cage that allows it to bounce back from impacts and continue on its way.
via Gizmag

… Read More → "Gimball flying spherical robot takes collisions in its stride"

The FAA is officially allowing the use of some electronics during takeoff and landing, not just while in the air. In a statement, the agency said it was immediately providing guidance to airlines that would let them integrate the new rules. Airlines will need to submit a plan to manage electronics use, including outlines for new flight attendant training, for the FAA’s approval. … Read More → "FAA officially approves using electronics during all phases of flight"