Author Archives: hite

Golfi Robotic Golfer Putts Like a Pro

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After the robotic uprising, all sports will be played by robots, reducing humans to mere spectators of our own demise. And ready to compete in the robotic PGA is Golfi, a robot designed to be able to sink putts with the very best of them. The very best of them being me at miniature golf, just to be clear. You should see me putt right between those windmill blades!

Golfi uses a Microsoft Kinect 3D camera to create a depth map of the putting surface, then uses its 3,000 putt neural network training database to make a shot based on a physics model. It takes additional factors into consideration before swinging the club as well, including “the rolling resistance of the turf, weight of the ball, and its starting velocity.” It probably does not take into consideration me rushing the green and kicking the ball into the rough yelling, “Robots suck!”

Well, at least it’s can’t drive or chip balls yet; at least there’s that. Also, I would love to see this thing try to maneuver itself into a sand trap without falling over and rendering itself incapacitated in the sand. Now that’s something I would tune in to watch on television.

[via TechEBlog]

PS5 Customized Into Miniature Dwarven Kingdom

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The Playstation 5 console has a certain design aesthetic to it. One that doesn’t really match the rest of my interior design motif. Now, a dwarven kingdom-themed PS5? That will fit right into my rumpus room! Customized by Martina of YouTube channel Nerdforge, this PS5 console features a miniature diorama of a dwarven kingdom/forge, complete with lava and light effects. My own PS5 has never looked so lackluster.

If you look closely, you can see the Sony logo and lips of the PS5 at the top, with the lava flow passing between them. It’s a thing of beauty, isn’t it? Martina says she had to experiment with making silicone molds for the lava flow, then making a resin cast of it, but she’s pleased with the result. Probably because it looks so good.

Will I be trying something similar? Of course not, I recognize the limit of my own capabilities, and they’re certainly far from being able to produce something of this caliber or anywhere close. No, the closest I’m going to come to customizing my PS5 is scratching the 5 into a 6, then trying to sell it on eBay for a million dollars.

[via TechEBlog]

The Ultimate Role-Playing Game Table

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Constructed and customized to order by Etsy shop DragonTempl8, this elaborate role-playing table is the ultimate in tabletop gaming. I mean, just look at this thing. Featuring workstations with card and dice compartments for 8 players (7 + dungeon master), the table also includes RGB LED lighting to set the mood (with a setting for standard day/night light), as well as A SMOKE MACHINE to intensify the atmosphere and a 22″ flatscreen in the center! It instantly moved to the #1 spot on my Christmas list this year.

The table starts at around $8,700 and goes up from there, depending on customization. It measures 160cm x 160cm (62″ x 62″) with a 200cm (78″) height and is going to be the focal point of my home from now on. I’m not going to lie; at first glance, I did think it was the control console inside a TARDIS, which makes me want it even more.

Now all I’m missing is a group of friends that actually want to play role-playing games with me, and I’ll be all set. I’ve tried playing alone, and it’s… difficult. And don’t even get me started on trying to get the cats to play – they just steal the dice! It’s like they get way too into their rogue elf characters.

MIT’s Self-Assembling Assembler Robots: Builders of the Future

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Researchers at MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms have developed an autonomous robot capable of assembling new versions of itself, as well as other building structures. Not only that, multiple robots can transfer both power and data modules from one to another, allowing the newly constructed bots to begin performing tasks on their own. The future, ladies and gentlemen! I’m pretty sure this is how Terminators are built.

The robots are also capable of determining the best building sequence to perform to minimize effort. Even I don’t have that capability! I always do things the long and hard way and am usually exhausted halfway through. I’ve never successfully finished a project.

The researchers imagine future versions of their robots constructing even larger versions of themselves, buildings, and even vehicles. Will it actually happen? Only time will tell. It wouldn’t hurt to have John Conner on speed dial though, just in case.

[via TechEBlog]

These Realistic Owls Mittens Are a Real Hoot

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Owls: they’re the rulers of the forest night. Hooting and swooping down on their unsuspecting prey under the cover of darkness, eating rodents in their entirety. And now you can have a pair on your hands, thank to these knitted Owl Mittens (affiliate link). Thankfully, the owl mittens only feature the likenesses of owls but aren’t made from actual birds. That’s a relief, especially if you have owl relatives.

Available in five different mitten colors, each glove has a realistic snow owl on the back of the hand. Unfortunately, they’re only available in one standard women’s size, though, so I probably won’t be able to squeeze my big bear paws into them. Which is a shame because I love owls and warm hands.

I just bought a pair for my wife so I can live vicariously through her. Plus, with owl mittens, if you ever lose one, at least it’ll be easy to describe. IT HAS AN OWL ON IT. Looks real, but don’t be afraid though – it’s just a mitten.

[via DudeIWantThat]

Enso Silicone Space Rings: Celestial Digits

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Enso makes a line of celestial themed rings printed with cool space patterns like the phases of the moon, a solar eclipse, and what I assume are some sort of alien glyphs. Maybe if we can decipher them, we’ll discover the secrets of interstellar travel! They’re made from comfortable silicone, so you don’t feel like the ring is suffocating your finger like a traditional wedding band (maybe I’m just projecting),

The rings are available in whole sizes 3 to 14 and, just like all Enso silicone products, come with a lifetime guarantee. So if you somehow do manage to destroy your ring, they’ll replace it. And, God willing, you’ll learn not to do whatever it was you were doing when you destroyed it in the first place because it’s probably dangerous. I just hope you still have your finger.

I actually bought a silicone wedding band to wear whenever I’m exercising or working in the garage, which is still in the package it came in because I haven’t been to the gym, and I don’t have a garage. I’m prepared, though; that’s the important thing.

[via The Awesomer]

Santa Frozen in Carbonite Christmas Tree Ornament: Brought to You by Jabba the Humbug

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Because no holiday decorating is complete without a casual Star Wars theme, Tree Buddees has created this Santa Frozen in Carbonite Christmas tree ornament (affiliate link). The ornament features everyone’s favorite jolly gift-bringer frozen and on display, presumably to be admired by Jabba the Humbug in his palace.

The ornament measures 3.5″ x 2″, making it “the perfect size for any Christmas Tree.” So if you were wondering what Charlie Brown’s tree was missing, it was this ornament. I wonder how many people out there have trees decorated with ONLY Star Wars ornaments? My guess is more than you’d think.

Is Mrs. Claus going to stage a rescue operation to free Santa and ensure Christmas isn’t ruined for all the kids this year? I sure hope so, and not just because I have a Porsche 911 GT3 on the top of my list, and I was actually good this year. Okay, I was fair. Fair to poor. I was awful, as usual.

[via DudeIWantThat]

Learn How to Solder With This Circuit Board Christmas Tree Kit

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Do you know how to solder? I do, but only because I try to repair all my electronics after they break, then end up having to buy new ones anyways after I break them even more. But for those of you who still need some practice (myself included, apparently), there’s this 3D Christmas Tree Soldering Kit (affiliate link). It’s a circuit board Christmas tree you have to assemble and solder yourself, gaining some much-needed experience in the process. And, if you’re like me, set off the smoke alarm at least a half dozen times.

Available in 3- and 7-color models, the STEM kits include everything you need to construct your own 36-light tree, EXCEPT a soldering iron. You have to provide that on your own. And if you don’t have one, DO NOT try to use a lighter and the foil from gum wrappers; you’re not McGyver. Or at least I’m not.

I love fun little DIY projects like this. I feel so accomplished when I complete one, even if they were designed with kids in mind. I might not be a kid in mind, but I am a child at heart. And, okay, my wife says I do have the mind of a 4th grader sometimes. Most of the time, actually.

[via DudeIWantThat]

Squatty Slides Footwear Turn Every Toilet Into a Squatty Potty

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Created by Matty Benedetto of Unnecessary Inventions, Squatty Slides are a pair of footwear with extendable bases to raise your legs into the optimal position for taking care of business. And by taking care of business, I mean pooping, just to be clear. Probably too clear. My guess is you already knew what I was talking about.

The Squatty Slides feature a compartment on the bottom that opens, extending the platforms, and, after twisting them to lock into place, are ready for action. Hopefully not any crazy action, though. Hopefully just some healthy, regular action thanks to a well-rounded diet and not Taco Bell for lunch AND dinner.

Are Squatty Slides practical for regular wear? Probably not, considering they appear to be made of hard, 3D-printed plastic. I guess you could wear them around the house, though, but then why wouldn’t you just put an actual Squatty Potty in the bathroom? Maybe this is where the ‘unnecessary’ in Unnecessary Inventions comes from.

[via Neatorama]

The Krapp Strapp: Pooping in the Woods Made Easy

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Because nature calls, the Krapp Strapp is a device that attaches to a tree (or tow hitch) so you can lean back and poop in the woods with ease. No more hugging trees or falling over trying to squat. The strap features a padded backrest for leaning against, as well as side pocket storage for toilet paper or some casual reading material to peruse while taking care of your business.

Personally, I’ve never had any trouble going to the bathroom in the woods because I’m the outdoorsy type. Sure, I’ve accidentally wiped with poison ivy on more than one occasion, but that’s what our ancestors did, too, provided our ancestors spent the rest of their camping trip lying face-down in a tent wishing the world would just end already.

Hey, whatever makes pooping easier. Just look at how many people bought that Squatty Potty footstool. Now I’m not sure who needs to read this, but the Krapp Strapp is for outdoor use only and should NOT be attached to a towel bar so you can poop in the shower. Don’t do it.

[via SadAndUseless]