XSense Flexible Touch Screen Technology from Atmel

 

Atmel, the world’s largest supplier touch sensing solutions, introduces XSense, a breakthrough film-based flexible touch sensor technology that can be used on curved surfaces and edges. XSense enables capacitive touchscreen applications and designs that previously have not been possible.

With XSense, smartphone, tablet, and ultrabook manufacturers will be able to design lighter, sleeker, curved and edgeless touch screen enabled solutions. XSense touch screen technology will also offers better optical clarity, thinner and lighter solutions, and lower power consumption.

Imagine a new generation of smartphone devices equipped with an “edgeless” touchscreen without the familiar bezel around the edge. Or curved devices with a touchscreen that literally wraps around the contour of the surface.

XSense Flexible Touch Screen Demonstration

Atmel is providing XSense touch sensor samples to OEM manufacturers now, and limited production quantities are expected to start shipping in Q3 2012.

Source: Atmel XSense Touch Sense

The Solar Powered iPad Cover

 

Here’s a new innovative iPad cover that harnesses solar powered technology to provide up to ten days of iPad2 usage without the need for a battery charge. The Solar Powered iPad Cover uses the latest photovoltaic ink technology to convert both indoor and outdoor light into electricity.

The solar powered iPad cover is equipped with a built-in battery. The combined solar charging panel along with the integrated battery work in tandem to enable you to use your iPad2 for as long as ten days without needing a charge.

The iPad cover also serves as a protective case and is perfect for travel and when you’re on the go. The cover’s built-in stainless steel stand allows you to pace your iPad2 at an optimal 15 degree angle for typing or watching movies. The solar powered iPad cover is also equipped with a standard USB port that allows connect and charge smartphones, MP3 players or Bluethooth headsets.

And iPad case is also equipped with an HDMI output that lets you connect your iPad2 to an HDTV. The USB and HDMI cables are not included.

The Solar Powered iPad Cover is fully compatible with both the iPad2 and the newest iPad3. Dimensions are 11 inches long by 8  inches wide and 1 inch deep. The iPad cover weighs 1 1/2 pounds.

Protect your iPad with the advanced Solar Powered iPad Cover and enjoy the smart and eco-friendly performance of up to 10 days of operation without the need to charge your iPad.

Available: Hammacher

Price: $199.95

FXI Cotton Candy – The Miniature PC On A Stick

 

FXI Technologies has recently just released in limited availability the Cotton Candy miniaturized dual-core PC computer the size of a USB flash drive.

The FXI cotton candy is referred to as an “any screen computer” which really means it’s a tiny miniaturized fully capable PC computer that doesn’t come with a screen or monitor. These miniaturized computer devices are ideal for embeded applications including portable set top box gaming and entertainment equipment, mobile “any screen” computing, and a full range of specialized applications including medical, automotive, security, surveillance, and other dedicated solutions.

This tiny fully contained computer is packed with impressive raw horsepower and offers integrated HDMI, USB and MicroUSB connectivity for surprising flexibility in the portable market.

And let’s talk about just how how tiny and compact. The Cotton Candy miniaturized PC on a stick weighs only 21 grams. That’s just a little over 1/2 ounce. The dimensions of this super miniaturized computer are roughly 3 inches in length and a bit over 1/2 inch in width.

The cotton candy architecture will lend itself as an ideal add on to smartphones, tablet computers and notebook PCs including Macs. In addition, the device is perfect for adding intelligent computing capabilities to displays, set top boxes and gaming consoles.

 FXI Cotton Candy Technical Specifications

• ARM® Cortex™ A9 1.2GHz Central Processing Unit (CPU) with NEON extensions and Trustzone extensions.
• ARM® Mali™ 400MP Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) delivers 720p and 1080p OpenGL ES v2.0, can process 30M Polygons and 1.2 GPixels per second.
• Wifi 802.11 b/g/n network connectivity.
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.
• 1GB DRAM memory.
• Up to 64GB expandable memory with microSD local storage.
• Supports standard OS’s including, Android (Gingerbread and Ice Cream Sandwich), Linux (Ubuntu),  and includes embedded virtualization client for Windows, Linux, Mac.
• USB 2.0 port for power and connection to devices that support USB mass storage.
• HDMI 2.1 port with audio.
• Decodes MPEG-4, H.264 and other video formats, displays HD graphics on any HDMI equipped screen.

FXI Technologies (www.fxitech.com) is a Norway-based hardware and software startup with a focus on improving the world of digital screens with smart and personal capabilities. This includes initiatives

• Improving consumer access to Cloud computing.
• Accelerate the adoption and use of “smart screen” technologies.
• Easy ability to share media and content (videos, movies, photos, games, etc.) from mobile and portable devices on large screens and projectors.

FXI Cotton Candy, the PC on a stick, may very well open up even more exciting embedded computing applications around the corner, and we’ll be ready to talk about it here at Mint Gadgets. If you’re interested in learning more about the cotton candy miniature PC on a stick, you can visit the comunity website at cstick.com where development units are available now for pre-order.

Source: [FXI - cstick.com]

 

Superhuman Bionic Strength with Exoskeleton Legs

 

It’s hard to say in all cases which happens first. Does science and technology reality drive the science fiction pop culture, or is it the other way around? Does science fiction predict future technology?

Probably some of both, actually. No doubt, the classic television series “Star Trek” from the 1960s has proven to be a remarkable predictor of real technology that has emerged decades later. For example, smartphone technology today resembles those Star Trek communicators quite a bit, don’t you think?

And when it comes to human assisted robotics, the two Iron Man movies have created a wonderful glimpse at the possibilities for machine assisted motor function. Who doesn’t want one of those Iron Man suits like Robert Downey Jr?

Back to reality, the French company RB3D has announced the RB3D Hercule Exoskeleton Legs. RB3D calls these collaborative robotic devices that assist humans with motor function “cobots” (that is collaborative robots or cobots).

As is common with many technology innovations, the Hercule Exoskelten legs are actually a joint venture between several companies and agencies including RB3D, the French Directorate General Armaments, CES LIST and ESME Sudria.

The robotic exoskeleton legs are battery-powered and are engineered to augment a human user’s strength and lifting power. A human user that wears the robotic legs is able to lift up to 220 pounds. The robotic legs can operate on a battery charge for up to 12.5 miles if the user walks at a normal pace. These robotic assist devices move in natural unison with the user, and apparently, it’s not difficult to adapt your motion and learn how to use the exoskeleton legs.

See a demonstration of the RB3D Hercule Exoskelton Legs

RB3D is planning to introduce the Hercule Exoskeleton legs for both Civilian and Military use in 2014.

Source: [Gadget Lab: Wired]

Desk Pet Tankbots with Smartphone Controller

 

Your cluttered desktop is full of obstacles like your computer mouse, coffee mugs, staplers, notebook computers, etc., right? Maybe you didn’t realize, but this clutter creates the ideal obstacle driving course for the Desk Pet Tankbots. These clever little mini-robot remote controlled gadgets are actually masters at navigating in and around any maze.

The amusing little Desk Pet Tankbot is equipped with an advanced optical navigation technology. It can search at detect any obstacle in its path at easily navigate around it. This is the pinnacle of procrastination busting, robotic desktop entertainment at its best.

This ingenious little Desk Pet Tankbot can operate in three different modes.

1. Touchless navigation – detects objects in its path with optical navigation technology and can automatically navigate through the maze on your desktop.
2. Autonomous personality mode – spins around and shows off its lights and sounds.
3. Smartphone control – use your Smartphone or iPhone as a remote control to steer and guide the Desk Pet Tankbot.

And what’s better than one Tankbot. Well, two tankbots, of course! Desk Pet Tankbots can “fire” infrared shots at each other and the tankbot optical sensors can detect when they’ve been hit. After enough shots, the winner disables the loser.

Smartphone Controlled Desk Pet Tankbots Demonstration

Smartphone Controlled Desk Pet Tankbots Features

• Avoids and steers around obstacles with advanced optical navigation technology.
• The little tankbot has a personality too with light-up eyes and cute little robot sounds.
• Tankbots are randomly picked from four different colors (Grey ,Blue, Orange, and Green). Sorry, you can’t order the color you prefer, but they’re all great Tankbot colors.
• Come on, you know your desk needs a maze-navigating tank robot.
• Three modes of operation: touchless navigation, autonomous personality mode, smartphone remote control.
• Compatible with iOS devices and Android devices (2.1 and up), you can download the free remote control tankbot app from the App Store or Android Market.
• Insert the DeskPet Universal Remote into your headphone jack to control your TankBot.
• Includes the integrated USB flip out connector to recharge using your computer USB port.
• Automatic shut-off after 3 minutes of inactivity to conserve battery life.
• Internal rechargeable battery provides 15 minutes of tankbot play time from a 40 minute battery charge.
• Suitable for Ages 8 and Up

A Desk Pet Tankbot (or two) provides hours of desktop mini-robot fun entertainment. Get your Desk Pet Tankbot today!

Available: ThinkGeek

Price: $24.99

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