Miniature RC Zamboni
February 23, 2008
The Zamboni has had millions of people mesmerised for years as it slowly cleans the ice at a hockey match. For some reason it’s just addictive to watch it go around the ice rink and hit every square inch of ice making it smooth.
If you ever wanted to be a Zamboni driver, you now can do this courtesy of the RC Zamboni. It’s a small remote controlled device which you can drive around your desk or floor. Unfortunately it looks like it doesn’t actually smooth ice over which is a shame, but not a surprise. However, it still looks like one which will still amaze your best friends.
The RC Zamboni costs $24.99 over at jenskates.
Via: NerdApproved
Crazy Lego Machine Gun fires 6 rounds per second
February 14, 2008
Lego can be used to make all sorts of things like rubber band guns, automatic toilet flushing using the NXT brain and now, a machine gun capable of firing 12 100mm steel balls in under 2 seconds. Why you need to accomplish that is anyone’s guess, but it still looks to be cool. As well as seeing the finished product above in an image and below in video format, there are also full instructions included over here so you can go get your old Lego and make your own. Be careful though as 10mm steel balls could hurt.
Via: UberReview
Origami Spacecraft to Fly Home
January 20, 2008
The guys over at the University of Tokyo are creating a paper airplane which will fly from the international space station, back home (hopefully). Astronauts will launch it soon. A few problems exist though. First is that when a shuttle hits the atmosphere it is travelling at around mach 20 which causes it to get seriously hot and use those heat deflecting tiles across the shuttles belly.
So, a paper airplane will be thrown out of the space station, which is travelling at speed it’s self, and yet they expect the plane to land safely. Apparently this will be achieved by treating the paper (in some mystical way) to make it be able to withstand the extra heat. Now I don’t expect to see the airplane fly through the atmosphere at mach 20, but it should still be going quite fast to get hot.
No launch date is set and they are hoping a hand written message on it might make it in to the hands of someone on the ground. It will be cool if that happens!
Via: Inventorspot
Radio Controlled Hovercraft
January 18, 2008
The Radio Controlled Hovercraft is capable of running across land, water, ice or snow. It has a dual cushion to provide lift, but keep the air tucked away inside. It has 3 motors inside and 2 propellers to keep it hovering and moving.
It’s the perfect office type toy for those with boring jobs.
Via: MadaboutGadgets
Flytech Bladestar
January 10, 2008
Flytech created the unique DragonFly last year which was a seriously different flying RC toy. Now they have created the Bladestar which could kind of be compared to a helicopter in some ways. It has a large rotating blade and 2 rear rotors that are opposite each other. Three sensors help keep it out of trouble by detecting the floor, ceiling and walls. It allows the Bladestar to fly it’s self, or alternatively you can use the remote control. If you want to be truly unique then you can guide the robot RC Bladstar by using your hands to block it’s sensors and guide it around.
No details on pricing yet, but you can look out for launch details over on the official website.
Via: GizmosforGeeks
Mini Candy Grabber for the Home
January 3, 2008
Grabbers at amusement parks are often annoying as you very rarely win anything and spend a fortune for nothing. This mini candy grabber allows you to put all your left over Christmas chocolates inside and grab them, but for free. You get supplied with some fake coins to use and I guess if you were feeling nasty you could always charge your office friends to have a go. You get 1 minute 15 seconds to grab the chocolate per coin and the tacky music speeds up towards the end. If successful you hear an applause. The hole in the top is too small to cheat and grab sweets although with it being desk top sized you can always just flip it over and shake it to get your sweets back.
Features
* A desktop Candy Grabber, fairground-style.
* A claw that you manoeuvre around to grab your sweet treats.
* Three joystick style controls, moving the grabber-forwards and backwards, up and down, and contracting and releasing the claw.
* Fairground music that lasts for one minute and fifteen seconds.
* A bag of fake coins.
* A slot to fill the machine with goodies.
* Suitable for ages 5 years+.
* Requires 3 x C Batteries (not included).
* Size: 32 x 21 x 16cm.
The mini candy grabber is available from IWOOT and costs £17.95.
Found Via: Gadgets Club
8Ft Lego R2D2
January 2, 2008
Standing a massive 8 feet tall is the all new R2D2 Lego model which was built by Dan Steinenger and a bunch of children who also chipped in. The R2D2 model has functioning red and blue LED lights as well as sound effects. It is currently standing at the Lego store in Disney (Orlando) and was built as part of the festival of masters event. Video after the jump.
