So when you think Toyota what comes to mind? Cars? Well after watching these videos your outlook may change… Seems like Toyota is spending lots of time and effort in the robotics area. The results are spectacular!

Another video after the jump.

“Toyota Motor on Thursday unveiled a robot that can play the violin as part of its efforts to develop futuristic machines capable of assisting humans in Japan’s greying society.

The 1.5-meter-tall (five-foot), two-legged robot wowed onlookers with a faultless rendition of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance.

With 17 joints in its hands and arms, the robot has human-like dexterity that could be applied to helping people in the home or in nursing and medical care, the carmaker said.”

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Apparently Toyota omitted placing a EV push button switch on North American Prius 2004+ models. This push button, is normally pre-installed at the factory for Japan and European versions.

Here is a well documented hack that shows Prius users how to install their own EV push button.

It appears that placing the Prius in EV mode could, possibly, improve fuel efficiency. But the owner’s manuals of the European and Japanese Priuses with the EV button warn that use of the EV button could LOWER your MPG.

Make sure you read the full article and understand when to use the EV push button and when not to use the EV push button.

And as always, try not to blow up your Prius when performing this hack, and remember we cannot be held responsible if you do.

For those Prius owners who would like the benefit of the EV push button but who do not want to get their hands dirty, there is an after market solution. See links below:

Prius 2004 EV Push Button

After Market solution

Trossen Robotics puts together some cool contests! This Automatic Deadbolt System was the second prize winner in the latest contest. I could just imagine how it could be used, hold on I will unlock the door for you, darn I don’t have a good signal with my cell phone, hold on I will walk over to the door and manually turn the knob to let you in.
Thanks to Dave (fish123456) for creating this cool invention.
"I was inspired to do this project when I saw some of the other uses that an RFID passive reader has been used for. I noticed that many people have created a system whereby they install a reader on the outside of their front door and use an RFID tag to unlock it, and let themselves in. I wanted even more control over my front door, so I added the ability to remotely lock/unlock the door from any computer with internet access, or as is shown in the video, a cell phone. Now I can control access to my house from anywhere. In addition, I found that the RFID key fob I used would charge even on the other side of the door and transmit back to the reader through the door. Now I don’t have to worry about mounting something on the outside of my door, which makes it that less "interesting" for would be thieves or passerbys (and makes it much less aggravating for my land lord! ) Thanks for running these contests, they are a great way to expo projects. Equipment Used: * Phidget RFID Kit (http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store…t-EM4102-.aspx) * Kwikset Powerbolt 1000 (got it on e-bay for $65) * A couple relays, a pc board, and some wire * Laptop * Cell phone (not necessary, but fun) Software: * Visual Studio .NET 2005 * C# * Phidget RFID API * IIS on Windows Vista"

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Has anyone seen this Think Geek ad? I am not sure if this is a gag or not?

Think Geek Ad

This device claims to have a 300 foot range and has 15 amp plugs on it.
The ad does not indicate power ratings and does not provide any other technical data other than they have tested it at 300 feet (sounds fishy to me)

Scientists are currently working on being able to charge portable devices powering laptops with a range of around 16 feet.

BBC News Link

Also I am sure most of you have heard about the MIT experiment.

Wireless energy could power consumer, industrial electronics

In the article they state:

“But the team calculates that an object the size of a laptop could be recharged within a few meters of the power source. ”

And on top of this Think Geek is only charging $34.99 for this device.

Could this be a gag gift? Have any of our readers purchased this device? If so
Could you provide us with feedback?

This really looks like a gag to me!!

“Here are two experimental “extreme” business cards that are almost impossible for someone to throw away - one in the form of a key ring torch and one card that actually dials me up by itself! This one has a computer inside with more processing power than took the first astronauts to the moon (No, I’m not kidding!), yet the main part costs less than 50 cents. …Even if these ideas don’t grab you, maybe they’ll fire your imagination to think how you could make a truly unique card that uses your skills and tells people how creative you are.”

Not a beginners project, but this Instructables business card will definitely make an impression.

Alfred73 has made some interesting projects. This one is the Six Channel IR Remote Control System which uses a customized remote control to take control of some normal appliances. It is based on the older 16F84 PIC but should be simple to convert to work with the 16F628A. Code and the schematic are provided on the site.

“This project is a remote control system based on a pic and an universal remote controller for TV, named SIMPLEX.

The IR signal of a specific remote controller is received from an IC receiver(SFH 505 or similar ) and sent to the pic, the inside program decodes the algorithm and switches 6 output ports and the corresponding relays .You can use it to control 6 appliances of your room such as lamp, radio, Hi-Fi , TV , computer and so on .The range is great about 10 meters”

In the past year or so cellphone jamming has become an increasingly more popular subject. Everyone has been plagued by obnoxious cellphone users in malls, buses, school, work, movie theaters, and in spite of being highly illegal, cellphone jammers are popping up in more and more places.

Green Bay Professional Packet Radio has a great writeup on how it works and even a how-to for building your own

How Stuff Works has a great article explaining the technology behind jamming in simple, non-techie terms.

Lady Ada’s project the Wave Bubble takes it to the next step by making an open source, wide band, self tuning, portable version of the jammer.

For those of you looking to try it out a budget, Instructables has some good ideas too.