Video: iStruct robot ape stands upright thanks to its active spine

DFKI-Bremen's iStruct uses its active spine and multi-contact feet to transition from all fours to an upright position

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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 maneuver with the help of its flexible spine and sensitive feet.

In email correspondences with Daniel Kühn, iStruct's primary researcher, he explained that while it's referred to as a "space robot" (and is being tested in a mock lunar landscape), his focus was designing biologically-inspired robotic structures.

Years earlier he had designed the LittleApe, a much smaller, light-weight ape robot that had a flexible spine and simple feet. "The LittleApe robot was able to walk and to climb a fence, but the passive spine was, or is, a limiting factor," Kühn explains. And its single-contact feet, while good for a prototype, needed to be improved. That's where the iStruct takes things to the next level.

Currently, it may only stand and maintain its balance. However, its multi-contact feet could provide the necessary data to maintain the robot's balance as it transitions from a quadrupedal to bipedal gait. "There are only a few robots out there with an actuated spine that are actually moving and walking around," Kühn says. "We want to investigate whether it is beneficial for the locomotion or not – but we think it is. For example, in a two legged posture we have an increased arm range of motion, since the spine is active."

Recently, Boston Dynamics has proven than an actuated spine can help with locomotion; its WildCat quadruped is currently the fastest in the world, thanks in part to the flexing action of its spine. However, there are robots in development for the DARPA Robotics Challenge that will attempt to perform a similar move from four to two legs without a sophisticated spine. Both the DRC-HUBO, developed primarily in South Korea, and Carnegie Mellon University's CHIMP robot, are designed with the ability to move on all fours before transitioning to an upright posture for doing manual work.

Despite its successes, the iStruct won't be exploring lunar craters any time soon. "We are far away from the Red Planet robot AMEE," Kühn admits, and the project is due to wrap soon. Still, you can see it stand upright and twist and turn using its spine in the following video, which is pretty impressive in its own right.

Source: DFKI via IEEE Spectrum

Share About the Author Jason is a freelance writer based in central Canada with a background in computer graphics. He has written about hundreds of humanoid robots on his website Plastic Pals and is an avid gamer with an unsightly collection of retro consoles, cartridges, and controllers.   All articles by Jason Falconer http://twitter.com/plasticpals
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e-fox velomobile wants to be your next "car"

The e-fox is the most recent in a line of car-like velomobiles to come out of the US

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Velomobiles, which can more or less be defined as enclosed human-powered tricycles, come in many shapes and forms. Both the Elf and the Tripod feature an electric-assist motor, and have opted for a look that's sort of like a cross between that of a trike and a car. The e-fox is the latest such vehicle to come to our attention. It offers the same basic features as its rivals, but at a lower estimated price.

The e-fox was designed by North Carolina-based entrepreneur Jesse Stephenson, and is being manufactured by his company Nu Way 2 Commute.

It uses an existing Terra Trike Rover recumbent tricycle as its platform, onto which is added a fiberglass body shell; a windshield and rear window (plus roll-down clear plastic doors); a full lighting package; a 36-volt, 15-amp hour lithium battery; and last but not least, a 500-watt hub motor.

The whole shebang tips the scales at 132 lb (60 kg) and can carry a payload of up to 270 lb (122 kg).

Jesse Stephenson with his e-fox

Riders can choose between pedal-power only, pedaling with assistance from the motor, or using nothing but motor power. The e-fox has a maximum legally-allowable motorized speed of 20 mph (32 km/h), and should be able to travel about 30 miles (48 km) per charge using the motor alone. Users can extend that range – and get some exercise – by pedaling for at least part of the trip.

A full charge of the battery takes approximately four to five hours from empty.

Stephenson is currently raising production funds on Kickstarter. A pledge of US$4,500 will get you an e-fox of your own, when and if they're ready to go. The projected retail price is $4,850. That's around the range of some fairly high-end bicycles, and is still $145 less than the Elf and $2,600 less than the Tripod – plus it's a lot cheaper than a new car.

Jesse's wife Candy can be seen using an e-fox in the video below.

Sources: Nu Way 2 Commute, Kickstarter

Share About the Author An experienced freelance writer, videographer and television producer, Ben's interest in all forms of innovation is particularly fanatical when it comes to human-powered transportation, film-making gear, environmentally-friendly technologies and anything that's designed to go underwater. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, where he spends a lot of time going over the handlebars of his mountain bike, hanging out in off-leash parks, and wishing the Pacific Ocean wasn't so far away.   All articles by Ben Coxworth http://twitter.com/bencoxworth
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Scientists take "4D printing" a step further

Prof. H. Jerry Qi with identical 4D-printed objects in their flat and folded states

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Using a 3D printer, people can already determine the length, width and depth of an object that they create. Thanks to research being conducted at the University of Colorado, Boulder, however, a fourth dimension can now be included – time. And no, we're not talking about how long it takes to 3D-print an item. Instead, it's now possible to print objects that change their shape at a given time.

The scientists, led by Prof. H. Jerry Qi, have developed a "4D printing" process in which shape-memory polymer fibers are deposited in key areas of a composite material item as it's being printed. By carefully controlling factors such as the location and orientation of the fibers, those areas of the item will fold, stretch, curl or twist in a predictable fashion when exposed to a stimulus such as water, heat or mechanical pressure.

A 4D-printed "polymer airplane" that folds itself into shape

The concept was proposed earlier this year by MIT's Skylar Tibbits, who used his own 4D printing process to create a variety of small self-assembling objects. "We advanced this concept by creating composite materials that can morph into several different, complicated shapes based on a different physical mechanism,” said Martin L. Dunn of the Singapore University of Technology and Design, who collaborated with Qi on the latest research.

This means that one 4D-printed object could change shape in different ways, depending on the type of stimulus to which it was exposed. That functionality could make it possible (for example) to print a photovoltaic panel in a flat shape, expose it to water to cause it to fold up for shipping, and then expose it to heat to make it fold out to yet another shape that's optimal for catching sunlight.

A paper on the research was recently published in the journal Applied Physics Letters.

Source: University of Colorado, Boulder

Share About the Author An experienced freelance writer, videographer and television producer, Ben's interest in all forms of innovation is particularly fanatical when it comes to human-powered transportation, film-making gear, environmentally-friendly technologies and anything that's designed to go underwater. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, where he spends a lot of time going over the handlebars of his mountain bike, hanging out in off-leash parks, and wishing the Pacific Ocean wasn't so far away.   All articles by Ben Coxworth http://twitter.com/bencoxworth
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ChargeDrive brings charger cable, flash drive, tripod, and stand to one accessory

ChargeDrive is a thumb drive, mount, tripod, and charger

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Part of owning a smartphone is purchasing accessories that go along with it. We need chargers, cases, and other devices to really complete the experience. A trend you can't help but notice in the mobile space is accessories that perform multiple functions, with the aim of cutting down on the amount of stuff we need to carry. ChargeDrive for iPhone and Android phones is one such device, pulling quadruple duty as a charger, tripod, stand and thumb drive.

The first goal that Idris Sunmola, the creator of the ChargeDrive, set out to achieve was building a charger that was easy to carry around without a long cable. Of course, a rigid charger of this nature is not optimal for all situations, such as when you want to hold your phone while it's charging. But for propping it up, ChargeDrive will come in handy.

Another useful function performed by this device is that the legs prop out so you can use it as a tripod. For video chat or taking photos, this should come in handy. It can also be used in the car as a sort of dashboard mount along with a DC power brick.

One of the legs features a microsuction pad, allowing users to mount their device in landscape mode for watching videos or doing anything where having a stable device would come in handy.

The last function offered here is a 16GB flash drive. Nothing fancy, but having some portable storage you can carry around along with your mobile charger could certainly prove to be useful.

Sunmola is seeking funding for his ChargeDrive on Kickstarter. It is still at the beginning of its funding period, but it has a great distance to go until it reaches its US$40,000 goal. Backers interested in receiving a device can do so for a minimum pledge of $39 while the early backer special lasts. Once those run out, the pledge jumps to $45. January of 2014 is the expected delivery period.

More information is available in the pitch video below.

Sources: ChargeDrive, Kickstarter

Share About the Author Dave is an avid follower of all things mobile, gaming, and any kind of new technology he can get his hands on. Ever since he first played an NES as a child, he's been an absolute tech and gaming junkie.   All articles by Dave LeClair
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Heineken Sub delivers super-chilled lager to the home market

When it comes to lager, it’s a matter of the colder the better. The trouble is, domestic fridges aren't very cold, and the alternative is either a cooler full of ice or a massive kegerator that’s more furniture than appliance. Last Friday, Heineken, in collaboration with Krups, unveiled its Sub beer dispenser in Amsterdam. Aimed at the at-home beer market, it combines compactness with some serious chill.

According to Heineken, the Sub is intended to “enable consumers to create the quality pour” at home. Designed by Marc Newson and engineered by Krups, it uses a proprietary mini-keg that fits snugly inside an airlocked cooling cylinder, where the brew is chilled to 2º C (35.6º F). Unlike a kegerator, this 412 x 503 mm (16.2 in x 19.8 in) unit has an anodized aluminum body weighing 6.8 kg (14.9 lb) and is designed to sit compactly on a home bar.

The key to the Sub system is the Torp, which is a 2-liter aluminum keg that is designed specifically to work with the Sub. The Torp holds about eight glasses of beer and can keep it fresh for 15 days after opening. Using the Sub’s website, Torps can be ordered online and delivered to your door where available. Heineken says that the first brands will include Heineken, Affligem, Desperados, Birra Moretti Baffo d'Oro with other brands to follow as well as seasonal beers.

In addition to the Sub, Marc Newson has designed optional extras including a full serving case, glassware, mats, and a skimmer. The Sub goes on the market in France and Italy in 2014 with a wider rollout to follow. No price has been listed.

The video below introduces the Sub

Source: Heineken

Share About the Author David Szondy is a freelance writer based in Monroe, Washington. An award-winning playwright, he has contributed to Charged and iQ magazine and is the author of the website Tales of Future Past.   All articles by David Szondy
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Garmin introduces tactical GPS navigator watch

The new Garmin Tactix has your wrist, on covert operations and recreational missions alike

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The GPS gurus over at Garmin must be racking up serious overtime. Hot on the heels of its first actioncam and the D2 pilot watch, the Kansas company has an all-new tactical GPS watch. The Tactix combines traditional ABC hardware with functions inspired by law enforcement operations. It's the choice for everyone from special ops to weekend recreational warriors.

Built to survive the grittiest tactical and recreational missions, the Tactix packs its altimeter, barometer, 3-axis compass (ABC) and GPS chip into a beefy housing with a forged stainless steel rear case. With a quick flick of the wrist, the scratch-resistant, curved mineral glass face provides a clear look at the LCD display, shedding hot spots caused by the sun. A green LED back light is there for when things go dark.

Like the Fenix, the Tactix is a fully-featured GPS navigator. It lets users plan routes, view their locations in latitude/longitude and MGRS (military grid reference system), record up to 1,000 waypoints, track their trips and "TracBack" to their starting point. It comes with a worldwide base map.

The Tactix also benefits from the latest in wireless functionality, with both ANT+ and Bluetooth technology. It can share routes, tracks and other info with compatible Garmin devices and smartphones running Garmin's Basecamp app. It also pairs wirelessly with cadence sensors, heart rate monitors and other performance trackers and can even act as a wireless remote control for the new VIRB actioncams.

At this point, the Tactix sounds a lot like a Fenix 2, but it does pack some toys for field operatives, too. For those leaving the comfort of land for sea and air missions, it has preloaded US tide charts and Jumpmaster software, which "follows military guidelines for calculating a skydiver's high altitude release point (HARP), auto-detecting when he has jumped to begin navigating toward the desired impact point (DIP) using the barometer and electronic compass." The green backlight, meanwhile, "won’t flare out with night vision devices or compromise the user’s position."

Getting back to basics, the Tactix includes a timer, alarms, vibration alerts, stopwatch, and world clock that can show multiple time zones, military time, and zulu time at once. It is waterproof to 164 feet (50 m). The lithium-ion battery lasts between 16 hours (full GPS mode) and five weeks (basic watch mode) before requiring a recharge.

The Tactix is available on Garmin's website now for US$449.99

Source: Garmin

Share About the Author Upon graduating college with a poli sci degree, Chris toiled in the political world for several years. Realizing he was better off making cynical comments from afar than actually getting involved in all that mess, he turned away from matters of government and news to cover the things that really matter: outdoor recreation, cool cars, technology, wild gadgets and all forms of other toys. He's happily following the wisdom of his father who told him that if you find something you love to do, it won't really be work.   All articles by C.C. Weiss
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iPad mini with Retina Display vs. iPad mini

Gizmag compares the features and specs of the new iPad mini with Retina Display (left) and the original (non-Retina) iPad mini

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If you already own an iPad mini, is it worth upgrading to the new model with Retina Display? Or maybe you're considering buying your first iPad mini, and are wondering if it's worth saving a few bucks on last year's model? Let Gizmag help, as we plop the first two generations of the iPad mini into our magical comparison machine, and see what happens.

The Retina Display iPad mini launches sometime in November. The original model hit stores last November, and is sticking around for another year.

Nothing shocking here. Though it is worth noting that the Retina iPad mini is a little thicker. That's the same thing that happened to the full-sized iPad when it got a Retina Display.

Not a great start for the Retina model, as it's also a bit heavier compared to the original iPad mini. Seven percent heavier, to be exact.

Same aluminum build in both models.

The Retina iPad mini gets the same Space Gray color from the iPhone 5s, and Apple updated the original model with the new hue as well. If you bought a first-generation iPad mini before the new models were announced, then you might have the "black & slate" color instead.

Same 7.9-inch display size for the new model, but the big news is its shift to a Retina Display. It has four times the pixels of the original model, making for a much denser screen. Expect razor-sharp text and crisp, clear images.

Performance should be another huge upgrade in the Retina iPad mini. Its 64-bit A7 chip is two generations ahead of the old A5 (originally found in 2011's iPad 2) in the non-Retina iPad mini.

We don't yet know how much RAM the Retina iPad mini has, but we'd bet on 1 GB. The mere 512 MB found in the 1st-gen version just barely cuts it. Backgrounded apps and browser tabs will need to refresh more often than they do on devices with more RAM.

The first mini was originally available in 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB models, but now that it's sticking around for a second year, it's only sold in a 16 GB flavor.

Same resolution in the cameras this time around, but Apple did boast of some upgraded sensors in the new batch of iPads.

Above are the watt hours for the batteries. If you're more concerned with uptimes, then Apple is estimating that the Retina version will last the same ten hours (while surfing the web on Wi-Fi).

Both models are sold in both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi with LTE versions. The cellular models cost an extra US$130 over their Wi-Fi only counterparts with the same amount of storage.

Both iPad minis run the new iOS 7, with the App Store's stacked selection of tablet apps.

Apple actually jacked the Retina model's price up by $70, hitting the $400 price point for 16 GB Wi-Fi only. It then shoots all the way up to $830 for a 128 GB cellular model.

On announcing the new iPad mini, Apple also dropped the first-generation model's price down to $300.

If the Retina iPad mini had stayed at $330, this would have been a no-brainer. Not only does it have a much sharper screen, but its performance will be head and shoulders above last year's model.

But at $400, the Retina mini is now inching closer to Apple's new full-sized iPad, the iPad Air. With that added to the non-Retina model's price drop, we can see some customers preferring to save a few bucks and live with the lower-resolution screen.

On the flip side, the new iPad mini's specs are pretty much toe-to-toe with the iPad Air, so you're getting a much more powerful tablet than you did last year. It even has a sharper display than the iPad Air, owing to the same amount of pixels scrunched onto the smaller screen.

For more on the new iPads, you can see how the Retina iPad mini compares to the iPad Air, and you can also check out the iPad Air vs. the older 9.7-inch iPads.

Share About the Author Will Shanklin covers consumer technology for Gizmag. He's previously written for Android Central, Geek, GottaBeMobile, Android Police, and The Huffington Post.
He lives in New Mexico, U.S., with his lovely wife, Jessica.
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