Modern pop music is packed to the brim with machine-aided singers, probably more than we can even imagine. But what happens when the machines start singing for themselves? HRP-4, the first ever divabot, is a Japanese fembot programmed to sing. With an assortment of software enhancements, HRP-4 mimics pop singers down to their every last breath and facial tic. A ...
Read More »It’s Not Always Black and White: How to Turn B&W Photos Into Full Color Images
If you haven’t done your research, I bet you had no idea that digital cameras actually only take black and white shots. What your camera actually does is collect light intensity, recording a light level for each individual pixel ranging from 0 to 255. But how exactly does the actual photo become the colored masterpiece you see on your display? ...
Read More »Windstalk Concept Could Replace Turbine-Powered Energy
Wind turbines are a great and relatively cheap source of alternative energy, but some people are just not willing to give up their pristine landscape for a grid of wind turbines, even though I think they look pretty damn gorgeous personally. Others worry about the low-frequency vibrations the turbines emit. Whatever reasons wind turbines might negatively affect the populace, Atelier ...
Read More »Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly: The Original Back to the Future Fading Photograph
Over the last few days, original archived footage has been unearthed of the original Marty McFly, actor Eric Stoltz, playing the role before Michael J. Fox was called into replace him five weeks into shooting. Oddly enough, what I find most compelling is this alternative fading photograph shot featuring Stoltz instead of Fox. There’s something oddly surreal about seeing someone ...
Read More »World’s Largest Laser Goes For a Test Drive; Could Lead to Fusion Energy For All
California�s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory announced that it has taken the world�s largest laser, housed in the National Ignition Facility, for its first ‘dry run.’ Yes, a laser so massive it needs to be housed in a 10 story building as wide as three football fields. But the big news here isn’t actually the massive laser, although it is pretty ...
Read More »Hair-Washing Robot Gives Hair Stylists More Time to Gossip
This is totally cool with me. I get sick and tired of looking up my stylist’s nose and listen to her gum-chomping directly in my ear anyway. What long nose hairs you have! Panasonic’s new hair-washing robotic prototype removes the need for hand-to-wet-hair contact. The prototype utilizes 3D scanning technology to replicate the feel of the human hand, massaging your ...
Read More »Add a Paging System to Your TV Remote: Never Lose the Remote Control Again
I might be lying a little bit in the title of this post. You might lose your remote control again. In fact, you probably already have. But I can guarantee that with this DIY project, you’ll never be missing it for long. Since no one really uses their home phone line anymore anyway, it doesn’t make sense to just have ...
Read More »Mozilla Crowdsources Firefox Customer Support with the Twitter-Aided ‘Army of Awesome’
With the massive number of people who use Firefox and the rather limited resources that you can expect from an open-source company, Mozilla has decided to turn over their Twitter customer support tasks to the people. Mozilla’s new Army of Awesome encourages Firefox lovers to help their fellow FFers by answering Twitter mentions of Firefox, which are updated in real-time ...
Read More »Transformers: The Boring Version
Megatron, such a naughty transformer. I wonder if Michael Bay director of the Transformers Saga would be up to the challenge of creating a literal Transformers movie. Come on, man, there’s definitely an opportunity for some major sparks and explosions, perhaps even some light electrocution. This version of Transformers might not be quite as exciting as the real deal, but ...
Read More »Ice Ball Mold Lets You Make Your Own Perfect Meltable Spheres
I don’t know what the hell you could use an ice sphere for other than a clever drink coolant and possibly an elegant projectile, but I’m not sure you really need a reason to make perfect ice spheres. They’re just really neat to look at. Maybe you can hang it from the ceiling of your freezer like some sort of ...
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