If you’re into 3D printable stuff, or into remote-control cars, then the OpenRC Project is for you. A gentleman in Sweden named Daniel Norée is sharing his progress on a 3D-printed Truggy, as well as sharing the recipe with the OpenRC Project group that he created. A truggy is an off-road vehicle, in case you weren’t sure. The cost of 3D printers is dropping both for at-home use and… → Read More
Here’s something you might have missed if you’re not in the UK. Top Gear is one of the most popular television programs in the world. With over 350 million viewers, it’s actually fairly surprising that there aren’t more licensed products out there. I guess James May could have his own line of “Captain Slow” sweaters, Hammond could sell hair products, and… → Read More
Mini R/C helicopters are really fun to play with, and this model of the Millennium Falcon is no exception. Made from foam and built around a double bladed helicopter motor, this toy will let you reenact all of your favorite scenes from the original Star Wars trilogy. You can pre-order one now from the Star Wars shop for $44.99, and the expected ship date is August 1st. [via Technabob] → Read More
We all knew this would come one day, especially since the basic technology has been around for some time, and now we have it: A brain activity-powered remote control that can be used without you having to lift a finger. The Hitachi device is unfortunately a prototype, but at least they’re planning to commercialize it within three to four years.
The technology is being developed not for lazy couch… → Read More
NEC Electronics, an NEC subsidiary, has announced the development of a remote control [JP] that works without using batteries. Every time users push a button on the device, they generate a small amount of electricity through vibration. NEC says this is enough to turn on or off a TV (or any other electric appliance), switch channels or control the volume. → Read More
Good news, children of the 80s! You can fulfill your life-long dream to be Stringfellow Hawke by flying this miniature remote controlled replica of the Airwolf helicopter! This little guy can fly up, down, backwards, forwards, left and right! You can use your powers of imagination to make believe that it’s actually flying at supersonic speeds. → Read More
I don’t know who exactly needs this but a Japanese company called ELPA (slogan: “We develop a useful commodity for life”) thinks a remote control with a built-in speaker is what we all have been waiting for. → Read More
Outdated? OKI and a group of researchers of Waseda University in Tokyo have developed a device that is able to extract a person’s voice from a mix of background noise and other persons’ voices. The new voice-extraction technology is combined with a voice-recognition system that makes it possible to control appliances via spoken commands. The prototype (which there are no photos of, I… → Read More
At the CEATEC 2008, Panasonic drew a huge crowd with its so-called EZ Touch Remote, a remote control that consists of two touchpads separated by a small keyboard. The device superimposes an almost screen-size image of itself on the TV. Users can choose and press buttons by keeping their eyes on the TV, following a “virtual thumb” on the screen. → Read More
In Japan, display maker Eizo recently started selling an optical mouse [JP] that doubles as a remote controller for TVs and other appliances. Dubbed Eizo-C@T-one, the device is available for $120. The company hasn’t said whether it will ever find its way outside of Japan. The Eizo-C@T-one is equipped with a tilt sensor that makes it possible to immediately switch from mouse to TV function… → Read More
Movea’s Gyration Air Music Remote with MotionSense may have the longest and stupidest name of all time, but don’t let it fool you because it offers home entertainment buffs the choice of controlling all their media with one remote. The GAMR connects to Windows Media Player and iTunes (displayed on the LCD) over RF and IR for all other A/V equipment. The MotionSense technology mimics your hand… → Read More
From the “Preposterous Headline” Dept: This looks like fun. This guy has put together a C# program that takes input from a Wiimote and passes it to a Lego NXT car with a wireless interface. The program looks pretty powerful and customizable and the car certainly responds right (although there is a little lag). I’d like to think these are the projects I’d do if I were a… → Read More
The following videos I shot show some of the coolest electronic stuff (not including robots) I have come across at this year’s Tokyo Toy Show. Takara Tomy’s Aero Spider was especially impressive. The same company didn’t allow me to shoot a video of their awesome QFOs (mini UFOs attacking Tokyo). Sorry, but the pictures must do. More videos below… → Read More
Poor England will be watching Euro 2008 from home, perhaps using this FA-branded ball as a remote control. It can be programmed to work any number of devices, like DVD players, TVs, set top boxes, etc. $40 for the gadget, significantly cheaper than a flight to Vienna. Don’t worry, England. If your FA is smart (a huge “if,” I know) you’ll get Mourinho or Capello as your next… → Read More
Nothing says "I have an assload of money" like a $30,000 pure gold remote control. I’d suggest keeping the price tag on this beauty for when you have company over, just so everyone knows that it’s more than a fancy puck-shaped remote. It’s Danish, too, so try to slip that into the conversation somewhere. Not to skimp on the features, this trouser-snake-elongating device… → Read More
John Biggs wanted me to post some Halloween gadgets today. Here’s a remote controlled pooping, talking skeleton. You won’t see one in my yard. Only $3000 from the nice people at the Horror Dome. Happy Halloween. The Crapper [Horror Dome] → Read More
What’s the point of getting out of bed anymore? We might as well be bedridden for the rest of our lives the way technology wants to improve our otherwise active lifestyles. Sheesh. The Voice-Command Universal Remote Control. Need I say more? Fine. The latest offering from Hammacher Schlemmer works with your TV, VCR, DVR, DVD, cable box, and satellite by the sound of your voice. It comes… → Read More
Those of you with pricey home theater installations may want to check out the latest offering in remote controls from Philips. The NX ProntoLite is a touch-screen remote control that can control basically anything with an IR port. A huge VGA screen lets you easily pick channels, control room lighting, and even stream music via a built-in server. Should you need it, you can control an optional… → Read More
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that the Griffin AirDock looks no better (nor any worse) than any of the 2.3 million iPod docks out there. In addition to syncing your iPod, charging the battery, and outputting all audio/video to an external device, the AirDock has an RF remote control. Did you hear that? A remote control, people! Through the magic of radio, the remote control is… → Read More
How does a $1 million remote control—excuse me, the SiK rex—that works with a bunch of Apple stuff rub you? Sure, it’ll control a MacBook Pro, Apple TV, iPod Hi-Fi (Remember that? Me neither.) and the like, but I’m usually not willing to pay more than $850K for my remotes. It only ships within the U.S., though. Lucky us. SiK rex – Remote Control for Apple MacBook Pro… → Read More
Convergence, convergence, convergence!!! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, convergence devices are awesome, but Sony Ericsson’s newest mobile phone/remote control device is just plain ridiculous. Can you imagine how bad the battery life on this will be? I don’t really care if it has a touch screen, the ability to control various devices via those interfaces, or control said… → Read More
Some background: I tried to assemble and fly a model airplane once and only once. I was about 11, and after one attempt at lift-off, the thing crashed, never to fly again. So today, when I found a nice new Wowee Flytech Dragonfly (a supposedly easy-to-use Dragonfly-shaped RC flier) in the mail, it was my first attempt at model flight in many a year. And I was not disappointed. It won’t… → Read More
When I was a kid, chicks were always making those little paper “fortune tellers” where you picked a few numbers then got told you had herpes. Now the same principle is being applied to TV remotes, or at least this one. You use the paper fortune teller to control things like changing channels or adjusting the volume. According to creator Hayeon Yoo, the remote is aimed at children to… → Read More
Since it’s getting close to All Hallow’s Eve (that’s Halloween to you, bub), we thought it would be nice to show you the bestest gadget we’ve seen so far this year for scaring the skirts off of your friends. These little remote controlled tarantulas are scary-looking just standing there, but imagine the fright on the faces of your friends and foes as these ferocious plastic… → Read More
We remember reading a Popular Science from the late sixties we found at our grandparent’s place that dealt with “camping in the future”. Most of their predictions have not come true: sure, we have self-assembling tents, but we don’t take “food pills” instead of trail mix, and my Ultra-Sonic Bear Repelling Rocket Swiss Army Belt must have been lost in the mail. → Read More
If you’re in need of a remote control and have $18 to blow, you might want to consider this touchscreen remote control watch from Brando. The device features a programmable touchscreen face that will allow you to control home theater peripherals directly from your wrist. Maybe not the most useful component, but not the most useless either. I used to have a watch similar to this in junior… → Read More
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