Tag Archives: kinetic

LEGO Kinetic Bat Model Flaps Its Wings

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Kristal of JK Brickworks created this amazing kinetic LEGO model that is absolutely fascinating to watch. It is a custom designed kinetic sculpture of a fruit bat, which replicates the unique wing motion of the nocturnal flying mammal.

In the video below, Kristal’s LEGO-building partner Jason Allemann shows the model in action, and explains how all of the mechanics work.

This is an awesome build. I have one question though: How long would it take Kristal to build an actual flying LEGO bat? Because I would like to see that. Also, I would like to shoot it and watch LEGO bricks rain down from the sky, but that would just be a sweet bonus.

[via Geeks Are Sexy]

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Ferroelectric material could make your smartwatch run longer

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Elon Musk's big plan involves charging your electric car with shingles that are solar panels. While that's incredibly impressive -- not to mention ambitious -- it uses only one form of alternative energy. Finnish scientists have a different idea: har...

Tap your cheek to ask Siri a question with Bragi Dash update

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The Bragi Dash wireless headphones are already incredibly smart and sophisticated, but this month's software update 2.2 makes them practically magical. Bragi OS 2.2 enables the MyTap beta, which will at first allow users to tap a cheek to activate Si...

Tap your cheek to ask Siri a question with Bragi Dash update

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The Bragi Dash wireless headphones are already incredibly smart and sophisticated, but this month's software update 2.2 makes them practically magical. Bragi OS 2.2 enables the MyTap beta, which will at first allow users to tap a cheek to activate Si...

Power Generating Soccket Soccer Ball Now Available

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Last year we talked a bit about the Soccket soccer ball, or football depending on where you are from, when it turned up on Kickstarter. At the time a pledge of $89 would get you one. If you missed the Kickstarter campaign and want to get your hands on one of the power generating balls, you now can.

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It uses tech inside the ball that captures and stores electricity when the ball is kicked around. It’s designed primarily for use in developing nations which have limited access to electricity, and can provide three hours of light after 30 minutes of play, using the flexible LED lamp included with each ball.

https://vimeo.com/8103669

The power captured by the generator inside is stored in a battery pack. If you don’t need a light, the power can be used to charge a smartphone. Keep in mind that its USB jack offers only 6W so it’s not enough for most tablets.

The Soccket ball is now available to purchase for $99(USD).

[via EverythingUSB]

PULSE Kinetic Jump Rope Charges Your Phone with Every Jump

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More and more contraptions that charge devices or generate power without needing an electrical outlet are hitting the market. Some, like the PULSE Kinetic Jump Rope, are in their prototype stages, while others like the Voltmaker are ready to be shipped off.

Granted, you’ll be able to get a bit of a workout with both devices. Voltmaker will have you turning its hand crank until your arms are sore, while PULSE will have you jump rope until you’re ready to collapse so you can charge up your phone.

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The PULSE kinetic jump rope looks like your typical jump rope on the outside, but the built-in dynamos in the handle make all the difference. Every spin the rope makes generates power that is stored in the embedded rechargeable battery. You can then hook your phone up to the jump rope’s handle in order to charge it.

The PULSE jump rope is currently available in a limited beta test run. Only 100 of these have been made, and each one retails for $129(USD).

[via Dvice]

Stir Kinetic smart desk selling for $3,890, New Yorkers can try before buying

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Remember the Stir Kinetic, the standing desk that learns your sitting habits and adjusts the height automatically? Well, it's going up for sale today and yes, it's as expensive as we said it would be. As promised, the hardwood desk starts at $3,890, though for now you'll only need to pay a $300 deposit; the rest will get charged to your account when it ships in April. (The first 50 customers will actually get it in February.) Just so you know what you're getting into, the desk has a super-minimal design, adorned only by a touchscreen, which you'll use to lower the desk over its 26-inch range. You can also tap the screen to see how many calories you've burned and keep track of how much time you've spent standing. There's also an "Active Mode" that allows the desk to move periodically, encouraging you to take a break. Additionally, the desk has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, along with four USB ports and eight AC sockets -- a neat way of ensuring your cables stay put as you move the desk up and down.

As we've been saying all along, $3,890 is a heckuva a lot to pay for a desk, so in addition to having deep pockets, you better be sold on the idea that working while standing up is good for your health. If not, the company will be showcasing the desk at an in-person store, but just one: the Wired Web Store at 353 West 14th St. in New York. If you happen to live in the area, you can mosey on down starting December 4th and check it out in person (no purchase necessary if you just wanna get your kicks). As for everyone else, you might just want to revisit our hands-on video and call it a day.

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LED Light-up Newton’s Cradle: Clickity-Clackity-Blinkity

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I always loved playing with those Newton’s Cradle kinetic motion things when I was a kid. But other than being tested by the Mythbusters in a giant-size version, the classic metal desk toy hasn’t changed much over the years. Until now.

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What you’re looking at is a new version of the Newton’s Cradle, upgraded with colorful LEDs. What’s cool is the orbs don’t just light up, they detect when they’re clacking against others and change colors when they hit. It’s even more mesmerizing than the original. Here, check it out…

You can choose from three different color modes – one which flashes on impact, another that fades, and yet another that cycles colors through the spheres. Back when I had a “real job” with a proper office, people would come into my office to chat, and I’m sure that they would have sat there and played with this thing for hours. Thank goodness I work from home now, and don’t have to worry about anyone but me (or the cat) playing with it incessantly. I suppose that could still be a problem.

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Priced at $49.99(USD), the Kinetic Light Newton’s Cradle is a bit pricey, but it’s too neat to ignore. It’s available over at ThinkGeek now.

Daily Roundup: Google’s 15th anniversary, Stir’s Kinetic Desk, iOS 7.0.2 and more!

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DNP The Daily RoundUp

You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

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Kinetic Charger Concept Would Juice up Gadgets Just By Walking

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As gadgets become more and more compact and portable, one thing that continues to stand in the way is the limitation of current battery technology. Just think of how the majority of space and weight inside your tablet or smartphone is its battery pack, and they still often run out of juice before you’re done for the day. As companies continue to work on improving battery life, and decreasing consumption, it would be nice to be able to generate more power when you need it. One conceptual device hopes to help a little bit, by harnessing the energy you expend when you walk or run.

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While industrial designer Toby Blake’s Kinetic Charger concept isn’t the first such gadget, it’s definitely one of the more stylish and compact attempts to create a kinetic-energy storage device. The small USB charger would simply clip onto your beltline or a pocket, and would harvest energy you expend as you move around throughout the day, using reverse electrowetting technology.

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Blake envisions that each one could store up to 4 watts of power, and you could connect multiples together to increase available energy levels.

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Now there are probably some practical challenges that would limit the effectiveness of such as small kinetic-capture device, and there’s really not much room inside of it for a supplemental battery pack to store that energy in either. Still, it’s a cool design, and I’d love to see it come to market someday.

[via EcoChunk]