Nov 10 2009 No: Roombas Programmed To Play Pac-Man

Been waiting for someone to hack a bunch of Roombas to play Pac-Man? Me neither, but somebody did AND YOU'RE GOING TO WATCH THEM OR I'M GOING TO TOOTHPICK YOUR EYES OPEN AND MAKE YOU.

The vacuum, long an instrument for chasing cats, has now been turned against its own. What better use for automatic home appliances than to have them chase each other in classic video game style?

Built using our spare time, Roomba Pac-Man is designed to showcase the extensive Unmanned Aerial System software suite that we have developed to support our personal research. It was also a great opportunity to use some of our skills for our own entertainment.

Neat idea, but did you have to use robots? Why not kittens? I mean, you just handed over like $1,500 to the iRobot company. Which, despite the number of emails I've sent, the government still refuses to classify as a terrorist organization. OPEN YOUR EYES YOU BUREAUCRATIC BUTTPLUGS! Unless....OMG the government's in bed with the robots! Initializing expatriation! New Mexico here I come.

Project Site

Thanks to Jonny S, mary, Jackie and Boomer, who vacuum the old fashioned way: with a shaggy dog taped to a broken tree branch.

Nov 1 2009 Stay Fresh: Mad Muffin Beyond Bagel Dome

The Bagel Dome (Dome Dome Dome) is a $40 battery powered vacuum dome made to keep bagels and other oxygen-hating perishables fresh (JUST USE A DYSON, GOD). I contacted the manufacturer and the lady on the phone said it also works for donuts but I have my doubts. Which is exactly why I just invented the Donut Dome, which isn't just a Bagel Dome with 'Doughnut Dome' scratched into the plastic EXCEPT IT IS BECAUSE I'M A GENIUS INVENTOR. I also discover elements and name them after my pets! Rutherfordium? That was me. Great dog.

The Bagel Dome: I'd buy it just based on the name [dvice]

Sep 23 2009 Beautiful Shot Of The Pinwheel Galaxy

The Pinwheel Galaxy (higher res version HERE) got its name because it looks like a pinwheel. Geez, it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure that one out. Or maybe it's cause it loves Little Debbie Pecan Spinwheels so much. Well guess what -- so do I! And Starcrunches? Don't even get me started!!

This new three-color composite image was captured by the Isaac Newton Telescope in La Palma, Spain.

Known more officially as Messier 101 or NGC 5457, this classic spiral galaxy is 27 million light years from Earth in the Ursa Major constellation, also known as the Big Dipper. Its slight asymmetry is thought to be the result of an encounter with another galaxy in the recent (astronomically speaking) past. This event also left many huge clouds of glowing gas and plasma known as H II regions.

Though the galaxy, which measures 170,000 light-years across, is visible with the naked eye as a fuzzy spot, large telescopes are needed to see any detail.

You know what I love most about outerspace? I heard it's super quiet. What do you mean, "space is a vacuum"? Those things are loud as shit!

The Pinwheel Galaxy Captured in Dazzling Color [wired]

Jul 24 2009 Man Climbs Building With DIY Vacuum Gloves

This is a video of inventor Jem Stansfield climbing the exterior of a BBC building to show off a pair of vacuum gloves he made out of an old vacuum. Amazingly, he gets to the top, but I question how much assistance he got from the rope holder. Also, if those gloves are that strong and made out of a crappy old vacuum, imagine Dyson-powered vacuum gloves. It would suck the paint off a building! And, God willing, I would eat those paint chips.

Man climbs building with vacuum gloves [bbcnews]

Thanks to Ross, who once made vacuum boots but didn't tie them tight enough and plummeted eight stories.

Jul 8 2009 Do Want: Functional Vacuum Tube Chess Set

This is a chess set made with functional vacuum tubes that actually glow while you play, making it sweeter than sticky buns. And almost as fun to stare at. But not yours. No, not yours.

This wonderful vacuum tube chess set, by maker Paul Fryer, actually has electricity running inside the board so that the tubes can draw power and glow as you move them from square to square. It is called, somewhat appropriately, Chess Set for Tesla, and Paul actually made seven sets last year.

Nice, Paul, how about you send a set in this direction? I'll make it worth your while. Provided an all-you-can-eat wings buffet and mediocre conversation is "worth your while". ;) You sleep on it.

Hit the jump for a couple more shots.

Continue Reading " Do Want: Functional Vacuum Tube Chess Set "

Jun 23 2009 Vacuum: Oh Yeah, You Clean Those Drapes

This is basically an updated version of the Proton Packs used by the Ghostbusters. Allegedly, it can suck a ghost through a garden hose. And speaking of which, hey lady -- I've got a little something that could use some...no? We're not going there? Okay.

Capable of cleaning virtually any surface from carpet to tile to stone or hardwood floors., the Ergonomic Backpack Vacuum comes with a powerful suction that is even able to tackle items like broken glass, confetti, nuts and bolts and pet hair among others. Each $170 purchase will come with padded backpack straps, a HEPA filter to remove 99.9% of all dust, telescoping wand, easy reach attachments, a 26 ft. power cord, reusable collection bag and six disposable bags.

Hell yeah broken glass, confetti, nuts and bolts and pet hair -- that sounds like a party! So why wasn't I invited. Is it because of last time? I already told you -- I THOUGHT I WAS IN THE BATHROOM!

Ergonomic Backpack Vacuum [ubergizmo]

Thanks to sarah, FDSY and Chris, who must really love vacuums. Or sucking. SWISH.

May 9 2009 Kill It!: How A Roomba Cleans A Room

This is the path a Roomba took to clean a room. As you can see, it's pretty haphazard. But what did you expect -- it's just a stupid robot. Honestly, I'm surprised the little deviant didn't spend the whole time pleasuring itself in the corner by repeatedly running over a power cord.

The shot was taken by shutting off all the lights in the room for 30 minutes and taking a long exposure of the path the Roomba took while cleaning up.

While I despise all things robotic, I've got to admit -- whoever took the pic must have balls of triple platinum. Leaving a robot alone in a dark room for a half hour? That's crazy talk.

Long-Exposure Shot of a Roomba's Path Shows Beautifully Organized Chaos [gizmodo]

Jan 8 2009 New Space Toilet Ready To Drop (!) In 2014

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) believe they've solved the age-old problem of how to shit in space.

The current ISS toilet is a Russian-built, western-style commode that sucks waste away like a vacuum cleaner. Use of that toilet requires practice before heading to space, particularly because an improperly seated user has the potential to create a messy situation.

Clean and easy to use, the envisioned space toilet is designed to be worn like a diaper around the astronaut's waist at all times. Sensors detect when the user relieves him or herself, automatically activating a rear-mounted suction unit that draws the waste away from the body through tubes into a separate container. In addition to washing and drying the wearer after each use, the next-generation space toilet will incorporate features that eliminate unwanted sound and odor.

No offense, JAXA, but that sounds a little like overkill. Here's a much simpler and cost effective solution: shit yo pants! Then put them in a bag, and throw them out the nearest air-lock. Extra points for hitting a passing UFO.

Next-generation space toilet ready in five years [pinktentacle

Thanks to abovedefault and Praveen, who don't need vacuum-diapers because they digest everything. That's right, everything. Even gum.

Nov 24 2008 ZOMG, Cutest Roomba Driver Ever!

This is a video of a cat driving a Roomba. Really warms the cockles, doesn't it? Speaking of which, what the hell's a cockle?

NOUN:

1. Any of various bivalve mollusks of the family Cardiidae, having rounded or heart-shaped shells with radiating ribs.
2. The shell of a cockle.
3. A wrinkle; a pucker.
4. Nautical: A cockleshell.

That makes no sense whatsoever. Ah, here we go:

IDIOM:
cockles of (one's) heart

One's innermost feelings: The valentine warmed the cockles of my heart.

So, ethically speaking, is it okay to eat cockles because they don't have any? Steam on that one for a minute. Then, admit you just got your ass philosophized off by the Geekologie Writer! You little cockle gobblin' fools you.

Youtube

Thanks to my brother Frank, whose miniature dachshund Link refuses to ride the Roomba. Seriously little guy, do it for Zelda.

Nov 4 2008 Space: Screw It, It's Just A Vacuum-y Landfill

Space: Our vacuum-y landfill to the north, south, east, and, uh, left.

A 1,400-pound (635-kilogram) ammonia tank burned up over the Pacific Ocean late Sunday, more than a year after an astronaut chucked it from the International Space Station because it had become obsolete, NASA said yesterday.

Astronauts routinely trash equipment in space. Most of it - including a 212-pound (96-kilogram) video camera stand Anderson got rid of during the same spacewalk - burns up before making impact on Earth.

What the -- we're already trashing space? I swear, if I see a single freaking McDonald's cup on the way to Moonbase Brothel, it's somebody's ass. And hopefully an alien stripper's -- in my lap.

Trash crash: Space litter makes landing [sciam]

Thanks to loyal Geekologist Hunter, who, even on his birthday, takes the time to send tips. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!

Oct 30 2008 Transformers That Didn't Make The Cut

This is a little art gallery of Transformers that didn't make the cut. Transfailures, if you will. They're still scary as hell though, and I've always suspected my vacuum was a robot in disguise. Which is why i smashed it into a million pieces. And guess what? The broom and dustpan turned out to be robots too! But seriously, goddamn is the floor dirty in here.

Hit the jump for the rest of the gallery, of which only the last picture gave me some hope for the impending robot apocalypse.

Continue Reading " Transformers That Didn't Make The Cut "

Sep 9 2008 Whee!: Toy Car Runs On Walls, Ceilings

The Air Hog Zero Gravity R/C isn't zero gravity or radio controlled. But it does stick to walls thanks to the vacuum it creates via a little fan in the roof. The 5" car gets about 10 minutes of play time on a 30 minute charge, and is controlled via infrared controller. It'll set you back about $50, but really, what's the purpose? If you have walls -- guess what -- you've probably got a floor too!

Hit the jump for another picture and a video of the fun to be had.

Continue Reading " Whee!: Toy Car Runs On Walls, Ceilings "

Jun 5 2008 Guy Mods Roomba Into Pacmba -- A Ghost Chasing, Dot Eating, Pac-Man Vacuum!!

Using 448 LEDs and a controller unit, this guy modded his Roomba into Pacmba, the Pac-Man Vacuum. It's fairly awesome, but nowhere near as awesome as the Donkba, my Donkey Kong Roomba. Say, who ate the last of my bananas? F***ing Donkba! I swear I'm gonna kick -- whoa now, put the barrel down.

roomba pac-man [hackaday]

Thanks Shawn, Andy, and BK, now you think one of you could come over and get this bastard off me?

May 28 2008 Space Station's $19 Million Toilet Is Broken

Well folks, the 7-year old, $19 million shitter aboard the International Space Station is acting up. Although truthfully they've only had problems with the urine collection system. The solid waste part is still holding it down (thankfully), but there's no telling for how long. And I thought the plumber that charged me $60 an hour to fish out a couple G.I. Joe figures my son flushed down the john was highway robbery. This thing probably requires a $1 million/hour plumber. NASA is currently considering the best course of action, and the astronauts are currently considering getting the f*** back to earth.

Space station's toilet begins to fail, panic sinking in [engadget]

Thanks to Shawn, who uses a Gatorade bottle like a real man

Jan 15 2008 Vacuum Has UV Light Underneath To Kill Stuff

Available from Hammacher Schlemmer (pronounced ham sandwich smeller) the Germ-Eliminating Upright Vacuum has a UV-C light in its base to zap stuff dead as you roll over it. The unit costs $500 and the bulb is rated for 8,000 hours of use, which is a whole lot of vacuuming. I hope when I'm dying I don't look back on my life and realize I spent 8,000 precious hours vacuuming. That would depress me. Seeing how the device is advertised as "the only upright vacuum that has a built-in 35-watt UV-C light in its base that eliminates..." really makes me wonder if this UV-C light is a good idea. And if it is then why is Haymaker Slummer the only one selling it? It's like being the only kid on the block selling lemonade made with urine. It's not always a good idea to be an innovator. But who knows, maybe sucking just isn't enough sometimes.

Product Page

Thanks to Melissa, who has seen some pretty wack movies in her time, for the tip

Dec 11 2007 Vacuum + Broom = Vacuum Broom, Wow!

The Vacuum Broom from designer Wilson Song is the lovechild of a vacuum and broom that were locked in the same closet overnight. I heard a mop insisted on a threesome but they wouldn't have it. Anyways, the hollow broom bristles have suction ducts inside that allow for the vacuuming of small particulate, while the unit also acts as a traditional broom, sweeping larger debris into the dustpan. Interesting concept, but I question how well it would work. Although I don't really care. I don't clean floors, that's the maid's (read: wife's) job. Ha, ha, just kidding honey. No but seriously make sure the house is clean and dinner is on the table when I get home.

Two more close-ups after the jump.

Continue Reading " Vacuum + Broom = Vacuum Broom, Wow! "

Nov 5 2007 USB Retro Vacuum Has No Attachments

The USB Desk Vacuum Cleaner is a USB powered vacuum cleaner that can (allegedly) suck up dust and crumbs from your desk. They run $34 from bimbambanana and come in that awesome brown and tan color combo. According to the product page, "With classic retro style, you can suck your way to success!" Now I happen to know all about sucking your way to success, because that's why I'm the famous actress I am today, and never was there any "classic retro style" involved. You can totally do it without that.

Product Page [thanks to Chloe, a woman who takes cleaning seriously, for the tip]