igargoyle

Snow Crash Adapting Tires

Michelin has made these nifty tires which they call TWEELs, which probably make your ride quite a bit smoother, especially if you like going up curbs and over small animals.

Here's a quote from Snow Crash about the "Smartwheels", which are quite similar to the TWEELs, but with lazers and hyrdrolics, and some kind of embeded computer system:

"Each one consists of a hub with many stout spokes. Each spoke telescopes in five sections. On the end is a squat foot, rubber tread on the bottom, swiveling on a ball joint. As the wheels roll, the feet plant themselves one at a time, almost glomming into one continuous tire. If you surf over a bump, the spokes retract to pass over it. If you surf over a chuckhole, the robo-prongs plumb its asphalty depths."

These new tires are also being used on the new iBot mobility device and Segway's Concept Centaur.

[ Link to gizmodo article. Thanks Ordaos! ]

Cyborg Kitty

Awwww, what a cute cyborg kitty. Personally if I were a cat I'd prefer laser claws or bionic jumping legs to surprise my enemies.

"Elvis the Robo-Cat is a housecat who lost the use of his rear legs in a traffic accident. His owner, an amateur roboticist, has built him a motorized platform that Elvis controls by means of his front paws in order to move around the house."

[ Link via boing boing ]

Mmm, Anarticamobile

Oh I have no excuse to actually own one of these, but I want one so. Reminds me of the newest Batmobile.

[ Link via we-make-money-not-art. ]

Seat? Laptop Bag?

Simple. Brilliant. Laptop bag doubles as portable seat.

[BodyBuddy via Engadget < PopGadget]