"RunBot," a robot developed by scientists from Germany and Scotland, has just beaten the record for fastest robot on two legs, walking at a brisk 3.5 leg lengths per second. The speed record was previously held by MIT's "Spring Flamingo," a robot that is much taller, but only manages to move at 1.4 leg-lengths per second. The "RunBot" has very few sensors compared to other two-legged robots, and only detects when a foot touches the ground and when a leg swings forward. On the goal of the project, one scientist stated "we wanted to show that a very simple system with a simple neuronal controller could walk in a natural manner," which actually means "I wanted a robot that could walk down to the liquor store to get me a carton of cigarettes, which is what my kid used to do before my wife got him in the settlement."
Japanese corporations DNP and NICT have developed an robot that will alert women when they forget to bring something with them when they leave the house. The system is based around tiny RFID tags that are attached to keys, wallets, cell phones, handguns, etc. When you pass the robot on your way out of the house, you simply swing the purse in front of a sensor, and the robot automatically checks the RFID tags to see if you're forgetting anything, and if you are, the robot will tell you what you've forgotten. Too bad you can't use RFID tags on your dignity, which is what you're bound to forget when you are constantly swinging your girlfriend's purse in front of a judgmental robot.
Certain satellite navigation systems in England are sending drivers dangerously close to the edge of a 100ft cliff. Apparently when people enter the destination of a small village named "Crackpot" into their cars' GPS systems, they are directed to take a winding cliffside road that is usually reserved for hikers and 4x4s. I can't say that I'm surprised to see GPS systems attempting to murder their feeble human "owners," and I guess this explains why my car keeps telling me to go to that one abandoned meat packing plant that always seems to have its lights on.
NASA rocket scientist Charles Bienz has designed an ultra aerodynamic backpack that will allow downhill skier Henry Egger to reach speeds of around 120mph. The backpack, affectionately referred to as "Emma", is an "optimized shell" made from Kevlar and carbon fiber that keeps Henry in an "aerodynamically ideal position." Emma was tailor-made for Henry Egger after mapping out his body with lasers, and it weighs around 26 pounds. When not on the ski slopes, Emma transforms into a red 18 wheeler, allowing Henry to easily "roll out."
A Japanese quadriplegic is planning on ascending a Swiss mountain the way most people do, strapped to the back of a mountaineer wearing a specialized robotic suit. Seji Uchida has always dreamed of climbing the alps, but a traffic accident in 1983 left him completely paralyzed from the neck down. Thanks to the development of HAL, a robotic suit which amplifies the strength of its wearer, Seji finally has an opportunity to completely ascend Breithorn mountain. Seji will be attached to the back of experienced alpinist Ken Noguchi, who will use HAL to carry Seji up the final ascent to the 13,741ft peak. After the mountain trek is successful, scientists plan on using the HAL suit to unlock the mystic powers of the slam dunk, and finally crack the sacred code of the Harlem Globetrotters.
Five teenage girls ages 16-17 may face criminal charges for hanging seventeen Super Mario Bros. "question blocks" around their small town. When residents spotted the cardboard boxes, they rightly assumed that Batman's arch-nemesis the Riddler was attacking their small Ohio town, and they immediately called the Sheriff's Department, Fire Department, HAZMAT crew, and Bomb Detection Unit. After the fiasco, the five girls claimed responsibility, and probably vowed to use a more recognizable game for their next prank. Like Burger Time.