Smartphone that last and last

Phonebloks is about to design a smartphone that will last for ever. It is a smartphone idea which seeks to cater the problem of global electronic waste (e-waste). Dave Hakkens came up with this idea which has been widely endorsed by celebrities and many other important people.

Digital wearables

Under Armour Sportswear designers are working on a virtual smart phone woven into the favric of your sweater.

3D Printers

The sophisticated 3D printing tool “CubeX Duo” it is designed to be used at home by everyday users

'Control-Alt-Delete' Is Nothing Compared to These 4 Microsoft Disasters

Control Alt Delete is a feature on most windows systems to either lock your computer, log off, end a task, switch user  or change your  password. The Microsoft founder Bill Gates admits that this triple key login was a mistake.

Ways to monetize your blog

There are so many ways you can make money online but remember that it takes time to make money even online. It is not a get rich overnight technique. If you have a great website and want to make money from it or are not making as you want to, try these methods.

make money online

You can use VigLink to make money online. It is a pay per click feature you add on your blog or website to make money online. VigLink technology instantly and automatically captures the value of content that drives commerce. It monetize ordinary links to over 30,000 retailers, whether they're created by you or VigLink. The technology works across sites, apps, and social networks so you can focus on your business, earn more, and avoid the hassle of managing countless affiliate programs. To get started click on the link viglink.com/?vgref=1188903 If you have any questions fell free to ask or contact me

Electric Paint

The first time i saw this was on CNN, an Electric paint that contains a non-toxic electrically conductive material. It comes in a pen called "Bare conductive paint pen".The amazing thing is that you can paint a light switch onto your wall without a socket, cables or wires. Its takes you to a new world of wireless electricity.

Advertising on facebook

In three simple steps let me explain how you can take your business to the next level by advertising on Facebook:

Latest Ford car Technologies

Ford unique features makes driving a luxury,here are some feature of new ford cars:

smart bird

Designed by Festo, the SmartBird is exactly as it sounds, an amazing bionic bird can take-off,

dental robot

Going to the dentist for your regular checkups is already something most people would rather pass on, but the super realistic Hanako 2 training robot wants to show that things really aren't that bad.

quadrocopters pong

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich call it juggling, but we think these quadrocopters demonstrate what a real-life version of Pong played with robots would look like.

Raytheon's Heavy Lifter

Have you always wanted a real-life, fully-functional version of the Aliens Powerloader, then look no further than the Raytheon heavy lifter. This robot "could help with rescue operations to quickly clear debris and find survivors

harvard bee

Harvard researchers have created "a method of mass-producing robot insects - creating 'sheets' of tiny robot bees that pop up ready for action; when activated, a 2.4 millimetre-tall robot insect 'pops up' out of the sheet."
click here to read more

draganfly tango

How do you get professional quality aerial video and pictures in remote, hazardous, or urban areas where full size aircraft are not practical? The Draganfly (DF) Tango, a new, easy to operate unmanned aerial vehicle could be the perfect answer.

draganflyer

The Draganflyer X4-P helicopter is a professional quality, powerful, easy to fly aerial platform delivering high quality aerial photography and video. The aircraft is reliable because it's constructed using high quality carbon fiber and injection molded components, meaning that when you need to fly, the aircraft will perform.

sand flea robot

This little robot may not look like much, but its standing jump two stories high is one of the most incredible robotic feats I have ever seen. Boston Dynamics, creator of the BigDog, Petman and other awesome military robots, is sending it off for testing by the Army. Click past the jump to see video of it in action.

rough terrain robot

RHex, which looks like a smallish version of the awesome BigDog, and is inspired by the crawling motions of a cockroach. Both robots are headed to the Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) to pass safety and reliability checks. Checkout RHex:

tick bot

It's summertime in the Northern Hemisphere, and that means the bugs are out – specifically, ticks.

OpenSky jet-powered glider

In the Japanese animated film, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the protagonist explores a post-apocalyptic world riding on a jet-powered glider called a Möwe (also called a mehve in English).

ultra-light helicopter

Certainly one of the more intriguing things on display at this year's Paris Air Show, the Sherpa by Belgian startup Sagita aims to make the helicopter simpler, more efficient, more reliable and more affordable.

prototype drone aircraft

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) have developed a remarkable drone aircraft that can also walk on land using only its wings for locomotion.

fun robots

This is one of those projects that, while not necessarily a true robot, still warrants an entry on the list. It's not every day that you see a real-life working giant robot inspired by those seen in Japanese animated TV shows and video games. The Kuratas is mainly an art project, but it does contain its share of real robotics technology, such as its V-Sido (pronounced like "Bushido") software – that can be used to program and control hobby robots. And it can be yours – all 9,900 lbs (4,490 kg) of it – if you've got US$1.5 million dollars to spare.

There you have it – just a sampling of the memorable robot stories of 2012. If we missed some of your top picks, please let us know in the comments!

human support robot

Toyota reveals Human Support Robot

Toyota has been working on helpful "partner" robots for about a decade now, and while they began with extravagant technological showpieces, such as their robot band, they're now looking towards the health care sector.

mh-2 robot

The MH-2, a tiny robot that you wear on your shoulder, has to be one of the most bizarre telepresence robots ever devised.

glamorous robot: baxter

Industrial robots

Rethink Robotics unveils inexpensive and user-friendly Baxter robot

Industrial robots aren't nearly as glamorous as the other robots on this list, but they remain some of the most productive and practical examples of robotics technology today. Rethink Robotics, led by iRobot founder and former MIT professor Rodney Brooks, unveiled their solution: a pick-and-place robot called Baxter. This robot costs a fraction of its competition, and can be programmed in hours rather than days or weeks. This makes it ideal for smaller companies that normally couldn't afford to use this sort of technology.

RoboCup's TeenSize

Just five teams managed to qualify for RoboCup's TeenSize League in 2012, mainly because building a bipedal humanoid robot that stands over three feet tall (95 cm) is a difficult proposition for most universities. However, a pair of commercial options may lead to bigger and better robotic soccer matches. The first one, from the University of Bonn, builds on the success of their award-winning platform. The second option from hobby kit makerRoboBuilder, which is something of the new kid on the block, may prove to be a worthy competitor.

DARPA Robots

The DARPA Robotics Challenge asks teams to build and program a robot that can drive a car, open doors, use tools, negotiate uneven terrain and stairs, and find and shut valves in a smoky environment. Some of the teams will get a bipedal robot built by Boston Dynamics while others will have to build their own from scratch. In late 2012 we got a glimpse of what those robots will look like, but we'll have to keep watch over the next two years to see how they come together and fare in the challenge itself.

Japan gets serious about nuclear clean-up robots

                       

A number of Japanese companies and institutions revealed robots aimed at cleaning up the damage done by 2011's earthquake and tsunami. Among them were a handful of remotely-operated robots from Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and Hitachi that can perform inspection and rubble removal tasks in a variety of conditions. However, by far our favorite of the bunch was the reconfigured HAL exoskeleton developed by University of Tsukuba spin-off Cyberdyne. The robotic suit carries the burden of heavy radiation shielding, and should see deployment later this year.

Boston Dynamics' LS3 quadruped plays follow the leader

The LS3 is much slower than the Cheetah, but it can carry 400 pounds (181 kg) of gear for up to 20 miles (32 km) without stopping. This Northern Hemisphere autumn Boston Dynamics took it out into the woods, where it was able to follow a leading human through treacherous terrain. And unlike a real pack mule, which may not always behave the way you want it to, this one can follow verbal commands and find its way to GPS coordinates on its own. In 2013 it will be put through further tests with a real squad.

boston's robot

The team at Boston Dynamics, known for their BigDog quadruped, is hard at work on multiple challenges set forth by DARPA. The Maximum Mobility and Manipulation (M3) program seeks a legged robot that can run at least 25 mph (40 km/h), and the Cheetah robot is well on its way there. So far the robot has been clocked at 28.3 mph (45.5 km/h), but it's currently powered by an off-board hydraulic pump and requires a boom to stay steady. We should find out how the latest version fares without these conveniences later this year.

nasa humanoid robot

Built by NASA and General Motors, the Robonaut 2 (R2) finally began doing some work aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2012, having arrived there in early 2011. The R2 is the first humanoid robot in space, but will be joined later this year by a Japanese communication robot that will keep the astronauts company. Currently the R2 isn't doing anything too mind-blowing, but the project is paving the way towards permanent robotic helpers in space.

military drones

                  

The U.S. military's drones – or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – were probably the most talked about robots of 2012. Every other week it seemed there was some story or other that grabbed headlines around the world, giving them a rather nasty reputation. However, robotics technology is about much more than just killing machines and here are ten noteworthy examples from the past year that prove it.

mercedes golf car

                        

Mercedes has been looking into the future lately, sharing its "crystal ball" visions with the world. In addition to forward thinking production vehicles like the SLS AMG E-Drive, it has gone even deeper into the future, providing a look at what off-road utility vehicles might look like in a decade, for instance. Now, it's gone a little smaller, giving its vision of the golf cart that might be buzzing around local country clubs in a generation or two.

The Vision Golf Cart includes many features that would certainly make it a quick favorite among golfers should it ever move past design study stage. Mercedes answered the widespread call for stowage space heard throughout its competition, equipping the cart with a split rear compartment for two golf bags, two dashboard storage compartments, a center console storage area for golf balls, scorecards and sunglasses, and a lower rear storage trunk.

Other features that golfers are certain to appreciate include a small refrigerator, heated/cooled cup holders, a floodlight function on the LED headlamps for night play, and an illuminated vanity mirror. A "fore button" also notifies other course users of a misplaced shot.

The electric hub motor-driven Vision utilizes an element often overabundant on the links – sunlight – for recharging. In addition to the roof-mounted solar panel, the golf cart design includes a port for manual charging.

Inside, the driver is surrounded by a level of technology that might be par for the course on a luxury vehicle but definitely surpasses the average golf cart. The rotating iPhone/iPad multimedia dock allows for touchscreen control of many of the cart's functions, keeping physical buttons and dials to a minimum. That minimum includes a center console-mounted joystick that allows either of the two occupants to drive and steer the cart.

Thanks to the connectivity powered by the iPhone/iPad dock, cart occupants can send emails, place food and beverage orders with the country club, view weather information, and share their scores, photos and other game info via social media. The cart also includes Bluetooth connectivity for making calls over the loudspeaker system. When the cart is parked, the head-up display can be used to view course layout, game information and weather.

The Vision cart includes a good amount of luxury inspired by Mercedes' production line. The ergonomic seats have heating, ventilation and electronic adjustment. The Mercedes Airscarf heating system, used in Mercedes cars like the SLK Roadster, routes heating to neck and shoulder level, allowing driver and passenger to enjoy the open-air experience even in cooler weather.

For days that are too cold or inclement, a pair of snap-in doors creates a full enclosure. A retractable lightning rod adds some safety, while automatic windshield wipers start when the rain does. During warmer and brighter weather, occupants enjoy air conditioning and push-button window tinting.

Mercedes does not appear to have plans to make the Vision Golf Cart reality anytime soon, but maybe there's a chance it will be ready by the time I'm ready to retire and spend more time on the course.

thinnest iPad mount

             


Mounts for iPad are thick on the ground, but the creators of MagBak are looking to stand out from the crowd with a slimmed down approach to attaching the tablet to any surface that also keeps the Smart Cover closed and provides a convenient grip. In fact, the MagBak so thin, it doesn't even look like it's meant to mount an iPad at all, which is exactly what the designers were aiming for. Check out the video here

How to make Windows 8 Metro open files on the desktop

One of the more annoying behaviors in Windows 8 and 8.1 is that all of your files are set to open in native Metro-style apps. For instance, if you're working on the desktop and view a picture or PDF, it opens full screen in the associated app. If you're working on a traditional computer without a touchscreen, this is frustrating to say the least. Especially if you're on a laptop with a single screen. Here's how to take control of your Windows 8 system and make your files open in the desktop programs you want them to.

Change default program file associations

Note: Here I am using the Window 8.1 preview but the process is virtually identical in Windows 8.

From the Windows start screen type: default programs and select the Default Programs icon under results.

The Default Programs windows will open on the desktop. Here you have a couple of ways to change the default programs that open your files. The easiest is to click "Set your default programs."

Now select the program you want to set as your default for your files. Here I'm selecting Windows Photo Viewer because I can't stand it when I want to view an image and the Photo app opens up. This way it will open on the desktop like it used to.

If you want to customize which files a program opens, choose the second option "Choose defaults for this program." That allows you to select each individual file type you want the program to open. Just scroll through the list and uncheck the file types you don't want the program to open. Remember to save your changes when you're done.

Setting up file associations can take a while, but once you have it set up, you're good to go. If you want to temporarily open a file in another program, simply right-click it, and select the program or app from the context menu.

Summing Up

Changing these file associations allows you to stay in the desktop more like you're used to and lets you to get things done faster. When you're a deadline, you just need to get work done and not fight between the desktop and Metro environments in Windows 8.

Setting file associations is one of the first things I do when I set up a new Windows 8 system. And if you like to stay on the desktop as much as possible, you'll want to change these associations too. Of course, in Windows RT, you can't run desktop apps, but you can use the same procedure to change the metro-style apps your files open in.

six-legged robot

What good is a robot if, when left to its own, it breaks down at the first sign of trouble? What if that robot has been sent off to some inhospitable place where rescue is impossible, much less repair. Robots on the cutting edge are expensive things, so the ability to self-repair could be extremely valuable. But if it can't self-repair, the ability to simply make do would be rather useful too. That's the thinking behind this hexapod robot which can work out how best to adjust its self in the unfortunate event that it loses a leg.

viteo shower

The Viteo Shower is a portable outdoor shower unit designed by Danny Venlet that features a simple base made from a mix of non-slip plastic and stainless steel. Once placed in a suitable position, the user connects the Viteo Shower to the mains water supply via a hosepipe. With the water turned on and under pressure (a minimum of 2 bar is required), they then simply step onto the non-slip base to start the shower running.

The Viteo Shower pushes water up through nozzles positioned around the outer edge of the circular base, with the water streams rising to a height of up to 4 m (13 ft) before falling down on the user standing in the middle of the device. It's simple to set up, and requires nothing more than a piece of flat ground, a hosepipe, and a mains water supply. The pressure-sensitive method of operation also keeps moving parts to a minimum.

You could, of course, just buy a sprinkler attachment, position it in the middle of your lawn, and enjoy a similar upside-down shower experience while watering the lawn at the same time. But I suspect Venlet is targeting a more mature consumer with his shower.The Viteo shower costs  US $850 not including vat or shipping

       

           

       

galaxy s4

Samsung has launched a smartphone which allows users to control its 5in (12.5cm) screen using only their eyes.
The Galaxy S4 follows on from last year's S3, a product that sold over 40 million units worldwide.
The device was unveiled at a lavish, Broadway-themed event in New York.
Technology analyst Carolina Milanesi, from Gartner, said the key to its success would be whether its novel features would be of use on a daily basis.

Ten Benefits of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of affecting the visibility of a website or a portal in a search engine’s “natural” or un-paid (“organic”) search results. In general, the earlier (or higher ranked on the search results page), and more frequently a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine’s users. SEO may target different kinds of search, including image search, local search, video search, academic search, news search and industry-specific vertical search engines.

As an Internet marketing strategy, SEO considers how search engines work, what people search for, the actual search terms or keywords typed into search engines and which search engines are preferred by their targeted audience. Optimizing a website may involve editing its content, HTML and associated coding to both increase its relevance to specific keywords and to remove barriers to the indexing activities of search engines. Promoting a site to increase the number of backlinks, or inbound links, is another SEO tactic.

Search engine optimization and promotion is challenging at best. It's not just a simple matter of adding a few tags that contain your important keywords. It is an art-and-a science-since it is applying creative techniques to an in-dept study of the search engines,directories, etc.

 

1. The Results are Low Cost (In Comparison to Adwords and PPC)

Organic listings are essentially free. When you are listed at the top, you don’t need to pay per click or allocate a budget for advertising, one of the main benefits of SEO is that it is the gift that keeps on giving. With a little bit of effort (and some money upfront to pay for SEO costs) you can watch your website get consistent traffic. You don’t have to pay $10 for every person who clicks on your ad. Unlike paid ads, your traffic will not drop to nothing when it stops. SEO gets rid of the need to have thousands of ads across the web.

2. Definite Increase in Traffic

With Analytics and reporting tools, you’ll see a clear cut increase in traffic. This is a definite way to maximize your business efforts. SEO will give you results (not immediately but rather quickly) and as soon as you start your SEO efforts, traffic will increase at a steady rate. Using tools to track traffic to your site you can clearly watch as more people visit your site and sales go through the roof.

3. Higher Brand Credibility, People Trust Google

People trust that the first listing in google is a reputable company, by doing SEO, your website becomes THE brand name. You’re the guy the competitors want to beat. The further back you are in rankings on Google the more people are skeptical about your website. If google has a spot dedicated to you at the top especially if it is a top tier listing with other subpages listed below the main home page it gives your website credibility that no ad can top. Ads can often be seen as annoying and many people have ad blockers installed on their browsers.

4. Better ROI (Return on Investment) Than Normal Ads

When you buy 1000 visitors from a paid ad, 2% of those visitors might convert into a sale. When you get 1000 clicks from SEO, 4% of those visitors will convert into a sale, leading to a better return on investment. This higher conversion rate is just another one of the benefits of SEO that cannot be matched by any other form of marketing. Google searches actually get people who searched for the tag in your website. These people are actually looking for your product. Ads can be from anyone. Many people may misclick on an ad. A hit from google is much more valuable over a hit from an ad.

5. Your Competitors Are Doing It

SEO is a rising field and it is gaining ground. More people are starting to realize that the benefits of SEO are extremely high. Your competitors know this and are starting to take advantage of it. If your competitors are using it then they will appear before you on Google and get all those hits that can lead to sales before your website will. Even if your site offers better services or prices. Hiring a better SEO company or investing in a skilled SEO Staff could be exactly what your company needs to rank above your competitors in the Google rankings.

6. Take Your Business to the Next Level

SEO can bring it thousands upon thousands of visitors to your website a day. This may put your company in a position of needing to expand to a larger web server to accommodate the traffic and sales to your website. Your customers may recommend you a product or service that they were looking for when they visited your website. SEO is a really great investment for your company and could be what you need to take it to the next level.

7. 250 Million websites on the web, SEO makes you stand out

There are well over 250 million websites on the web. It can be pretty hard to make a name for yourself with that many out there. Especially if your product or service is highly competitive. Using SEO will make your brand stand out from the rest and can easily be the boost that you need to see your sales go through the roof.

8. 60% Of Clicks Go to the First Result

This means that only 40% of clicks are left for the second through the millionth result on google for the keyword. Securing that top spot on Google is a sure fire way to gain thousands upon thousands of visitors. SEO is certainly the tool needed to gain that top spot as well. For a small up front investment you are looking at potentially millions of sales.

9. You’ll Have Access to Data

What data you may ask? You get customer data. You can discover new products to expand to by looking at keyword data and seeing what people are searching the most for. You can use this to your advantage and find a high search volume keyword with low competitiveness and although that may be hard to find it has the potential to bring in thousands of sales per month to your website. Customer data is extremely valuable in this business and is not that hard to come by with the right tools. Manipulating it to your advantage can be exponentially beneficial for your business.

10. The Results are Permanent

Unlike advertisements the affects of SEO are permanent. They don’t suddenly stop if you stop paying for them. Of course you will need a little upkeep to maintain that top 1st spot ranking, but if you can get that top spot chances are it will be quite difficult for it to get taken away.

Starting a Blog

1. Navigate to Blogger. If you have a Google account, then log in. If you don't have a Google account, click on the red "Sign Up" button in the top right corner and register for a Google account.

2. Click the "New Blog" button.

3. Fill in your blog name and your desired blog address.

o  You can choose a template from the options on the screen, or you can choose a template later if you want to see more options.

o  Click the orange "Create Blog!" button.

4. Select the "Start blogging" link.

5. Enter your title and your text. When you're done, click "Publish."

Launching a Blog on WordPress

1. Point your browser to WordPress at http://wordpress.com/. Click on the "Get Started" link.

2. Fill out the online form. In the last field, type the proposed web address for your blog.

o  The host will do a quick lookup to see if the name appears on their system already. If your desired name is taken, WordPress will display a series of available alternatives. You can choose 1 of those options or try a different domain name until you find something that works.

o  Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Create Blog."

3. Wait for your confirmation email. When it arrives, click the link and then sign into WordPress with your username and password.

4. Choose a Theme for your blog. Your Theme determines the layout and appearance of your blog. You can either search for themes after clicking on the "Find a Theme" button or you can browse Themes based on criteria like what's trending or what's most popular.

5. Click on the Theme you want and fill in the fields on the General Settings screen. If you want to, you can upload a photo of yourself by clicking the "Choose File" button in the gray "Blog Picture/Icon" box.

6. Decide whether you want your blog to be private or public. Do you want any Internet visitor to be able to read your blog, or do you just want your friends and family to be able to read it? Pick the appropriate setting by clicking on the "Reading" link beneath the "Settings" tab.

7. Write your first post. Click the "New Post" tab and enter your title and the body of your blog. You can also add photos, videos or links by using the appropriate buttons. When you're done, click "Publish Post."

Promoting Your Blog

1. Use social media to connect people to your blog. You can promote your blog on your personal social media accounts or on your business accounts.

o  Most blog hosting sites will automatically publish a link to your newest blog post on Facebook or Twitter. Look for sharing settings or buttons when you publish your post. For instance, WordPress lets you control sharing by going to your Dashboard and clicking "Sharing" under the "Settings" tab. Blogger has social media buttons on the bottom of your post for sharing.

o  Add buttons to your posts. Your readers can click these ready-made buttons to share your blog on their Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or other accounts.

2. Write something about yourself. Add an "About Me" page on WordPress or click "Layout" and then "Edit" under "About Me" on Blogger. Promote your expertise related to your topic as well as including any personal information or background information that you want to share.

3. List your blog to draw traffic. You can add a Blogger site to Blogger's listings You can also list your blog with directories like Technorati or Blogdex.

creating a newsletter

Just discovered an easy way of creating newsletters using free templates from websites like campaign monitor. Its a user friendly website, just visit the web and follow the instructions. If you need any assistance, im just a comment away

Convert an existing form into a fillable PDF form

Easily convert forms to fillable PDF forms from paper or existing electronic files, such as Microsoft Word files. Automatically recognize and convert static fields to fillable ones with a form wizard.

1. At the top right in Acrobat, click the Tools pane. 

2. Open the Forms panel. Click Create.

3. Select Existing Document and click Next. 

4. Choose one of the following options.

Use the current document or choose another file

• If using a different document, browse to the file and click Continue.

Scan a paper form and convert it into a PDF fill-able form

• Click Continue. Select the scanner and a color mode. Follow the instructions for your scanner to scan the form.

• After each page,Acrobat asks if the scan is complete or if you need to scan more pages.

5. Acrobat analyzes the document and adds interactive form fields. Inspect the form fields list in the Fields panel. You use the form names when collecting and analyzing data, so make sure that each name is unique and descriptive. To change a field name, double click and type the desired name in the General tab. Click close.

6. To edit fields, select the field and click Edit Fields in the Tasks panel. You can also add fields.

7. At the top of the Forms Editing toolbar, click Preview (This button toggles between Edit and Preview.) to display the form as a recipient will see it and to test form behavior. 

To return to editing mode, click Edit.

8. When finished, at the top right in Acrobat, click the Close Form Editing button. Save your PDF form.

Tip: To learn how to create a form from scratch or template, see Create a form from scratch or a template in Acrobat XI Pro.

Tip: To distribute your form and analyze responses, see Distribute PDF forms and analyze responses

Single Wheel Electric Scooter

RYNO motors has developed a single wheel Electric Scooter self-balancing and it runs on electricity.

It’s weighs only 57-kg, On one charge the scooter can reaches speeds of 25-mph. The Scooter takes around 90 minutes to fully charge the device.  The RYNO electric scooter that is seemingly impossible to fall off and we can be parked it anywhere, free of charge. The concept of the scooter is a bit like a Segway. The video below shows that’s a fully working concept.

Ellie the virtual therapist

A virtual 'robot' therapist is being developed in the U.S. by psychologist Albert "Skip" Rizzo and computer scientist Louis-Philippe Morency. Named Ellie, 'she' is an on-screen image from LA designed to ask questions of people in need of help, and to react just like a human - even down to the 'uh-huh's.

Talking to a virtual human about your troubles might seem strange, but her makers believe she could revolutionize the way mental health is practiced. So what makes her so special? As Ellie gently probes you for information, every answer you give is watched and studied in minute detail by a simple gaming sensor and a webcam. Your body language and tone of voice is recorded and analyzed by the computer system, which then tells Ellie how to best interact with you. 

As reported on the NPR website: "We have recorded more than 200 of these uh-huhs," Morency says, "and these are so powerful. Because a simple 'uh-huh' and a silence — if they are done the right way — can be extremely powerful. So we spent a lot of time on these little details."

What computers [like Ellie] offer is the ability to look at massive amounts of data and begin to look at patterns, and that, I think, far outstrips the mere mortal brain

Skip Rizzo

Its developers believe Ellie will be useful when treating people who find it difficult to open up. As the NPR reports:

"Ellie was originally commissioned by the U.S. Department of Defense. [...] Soldiers don't always like to confess that they're having problems, but maybe their bodies would say what their words wouldn't."

"Skip" Rizzo thinks that the virtual could do better than the human, eventually. "What computers [like Ellie] offer is the ability to look at massive amounts of data and begin to look at patterns, and that, I think, far outstrips the mere mortal brain," he says.

What do you think? Would you rather have a brilliant robot therapist than a flawed human?

hiriko

Hiriko is a fold-able  electric car developed by Hiroko Driving Mobility. The electric car is the commercial implementation of the CityCar project developed by MIT since 2003.The name Hiriko comes from the Basque word for "urban" or "from the city".
Sales of this car is to begin  by 2014 at cost  US $16,500 plus battery leasing fee. It can travel for 120 km before recharging and weighs 500 kg