A round-up of the latest technology news from around the globe.
ROBOPOP: The HRP-4C is a pop singing female humanoid robot. Software synthesises a singing voice, including realistic breathing sounds, and provides facial expressions. Oh, so singing pop robots are new? More at DigInfo and video on YouTube.
LIVE IN YOUR BATHROOM: The Cybertecture mirror connects to the Internet via WiFi, includes speakers and sundry applications. You can look at yourself, or watch TV, check the weather, or see a report on your weight, and keep up with your social network. It even has a remote. An Internet-connected mirror in my bathroom? No thanks. More at CyberTectureMirror.
ONE UP: What has one wheel, travels at 16Kph and doesn't fall over? The 13Kg LiFePO4 battery powered Self Balancing Unicycle. It has a wheel, a seat and footpegs. It's stabilised with a gyro to control forward and backward balance, and a 1000 Watt BLDC hub motor is built into the wheel. Regenerative braking recovers and stores energy usually lost in slowing down or going down hill. That'll get people looking. More at FocusDesigns and video on YouTube.
UNDER THE MOUNTAIN: Switzerland's Gotthard tunnel through the Swiss Alps is 57 Km long and 2 Km deep. Drilling connected the 2 ends of the tunnel a couple of days ago. Trains will travel through the tunnel at up to 250 Kph. High-speed trains are very trendy these days. More at DiscoveryNews.
FAMILY CONFERENCE: The Cisco Umi adds videoconferencing to an HD TV. Intended for families it gives users a Hi-Def camera and microphone, a set-top box, and a remote. Upload videos to Facebook or YouTube, or send them by email. Or chat with others who have the same setup. Or just use Skype. More at CNN.
- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz
