Robotic arm users find it 'too easy'

Researchers from the University of Central Florida (UCF) have created a computer-controlled robotic arm designed to help wheelchair-bound people perform actions such as grasping and lifting objects. It has both an automatic mode, in which the computer identifies objects and figures out how to grasp them, and an option for full manual control. When physically-challenged people were selected to try the device out, the researchers were surprised to discover that most of them preferred going manual. It’s all about something called Flow.
In manual mode, test subjects had to think several steps ahead, and either type instructions on a keyboard, or use precise verbal commands. It took longer than going automatic, and the end result wasn’t any better. Nonetheless, they preferred it.
“We focused so much on getting the technology right,” said UCF Assistant Professor Aman Behal. “We didn’t expect this.”

Jorno folding Bluetooth keyboard – ideal for iPhone and iPad

To maximize portability, mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad eschew the traditional keyboard for on-screen versions. While on-screen keyboards may be tolerable for typing the odd text message or entering a few words into a search engine, their shortcomings quickly become obvious. With mobile devices now packing processors powerful enough to handle word processing and other more intensive tasks there is a market for physical keyboards to turn an iPad or even a smartphone into an ultraportable computer. One of the better solutions we’ve seen to fit this bill is the newly announced Jorno Bluetooth keyboard from Cervantes Mobile.

Peugeot EX1 concept electric vehicle to set mouths drooling

With preparations nearing completion for the commercial launch of the Peugeot iOn, which, like the Citroen C-Zero, is basically a French version of the Mitsubishi i MiEV electric vehicle, Peugeot has provided a glimpse of just how sexy an electric vehicle can be. Celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, the company has unveiled its latest concept car called the EX1 that is based upon the body of the SR1 concept car unveiled earlier this year. Although it’s still a concept car, Peugeot says the striking two-seater roadster has already broken several world records for acceleration from a standing start.

Lamborghini’s new direct-injection V12 carbon fiber supercar – the Jota

Some companies such as Apple are almost completely media-tight and very little pre-announcement info gets out. Car companies such as Lamborghini though, need to go outside their military-level security compounds to test their products in the real world and hence can fall victim to the auto paparazzi, or now that nearly everyone carries a camera with them at all times, a well-educated enthusiast being in the right place at the right time. Earlier this week the VW-owned Italian supercar maker posted a “teaser image” of what everybody expects to be the Murcielago replacement. Only trouble is, we’ve already seen it – that’s the car itself shot on an autobahn between Chemnitz and Dresden by during testing by Topspeed reader Chris-Audi.
Just how everyone seems to know the specs a month prior to the show is a matter for conjecture, but if you want to read the unconfirmed details of the new direct injection 7.0-litre V12, carbon fiber monster which does zero to 60 in 3.0 seconds, read on.

Panasonic To Show Integrated Wheelchair/bed and Hair-washing Robot

Though nearly every country in the world is ageing fast, Japan is at the front of the pack and in the next few decades will see its ratio of workers to retirees change from 7-1 to 2-1 – a scary prospect, particularly in a country that has always revered and respected the elderly. Robotic assistants offer a solution to this dilemma and Panasonic has just announced the development of two special-care robots; a robotic bed that also transforms into a wheelchair and a robotic hair washing assistant. Both are specifically designed to aid and give independence to the elderly and people with limited mobility.

UVEX Variotronic Helmet Visor Automatically Adjusts To Light

Riding a motorcycle into bright sunlight can produce some dire outcomes, and though there are some manual solutions which significantly reduce the risk, there's never before been a solution quite like this one. This year’s Intermot Motorcycle show in Koln will see a significant and long awaited “first” for motorcyclists – a “variotronic” helmet visor. This double lens visor from UVEX can be electronically switched from light to dark by pressing a button and it can even be switched to automatic mode, where the lens is controlled directly by an integrated photo cell.

Dancing Robotic Swan Delivers 'Touching' Performance

A team at Mälardalen University, Sweden, has created a one meter-tall robotic swan that “performs” to the music of Swan Lake. The aim of the project is to explore the potential of robots to move people emotionally and mimic human expressions. So could this binary Baryshnikov represent the future of ballet?