Saturday, January 30, 2010

Dexterous Bot Kicks Human-Butt at Pen Spinning

You can try and try, but all the practice in the world can't compete with this robotic hand's pen spinning skills.

Ishikawa Komuro Lab's dexterous, high-speed robotic hand is lightning fast. It can close its fingers in less than 1/10th of a second and uses breakneck actuators with harmonic drive gears along with 1000 FPS cameras.

In addition to pen spinning, it can dribble ping-pong balls, tie knots, throw balls, grasp falling objects, and pick up rice grains with a pair of tweezers. Soon, humans won't be the ones getting cheered on at sports events… it'll be these guys. Multiple videos in the gallery below.

Slackline Record Holder Nearly Buys the Farm

http://www.wonderhowto.com/wonderment/slackline-record-holder-very-nearly-buys-the-farm-0113530/

Slacklining is an *extreme-nut* sport of balance. It is a version of "tightrope walking" across great heights (note: distinct difference from tightrope: the rope is not as taut, but more elastic, trampoline-like).

Christian Schou currently holds the Guinness World Record title for the highest slackline (or tightrope walk). He accomplished this feat in Kjerag, Norway at 3,280 feet or 1000 meters (that is 3 times the height of the Eiffel towers!).

The painful to watch video is unfortunately not in English. Skip ahead to 2:19 for his insanely-close-to-death balancing act.

World's Best Survival Skills

http://www.wonderhowto.com/wonderment/world-s-best-survivalism-howto-s-0113581/

* Making and Using the Bow Drill (Hard)

* Canadian Skin On Frame Canoe 1 (Hard)

* Canadian Skin On Frame Canoe 2 (Hard)

* Coil Basket (Medium)

* Beech Bark Container (Medium)

* Crafting a Fish / Eel Trap (Medium)

* Carving a Dish (Medium)

* Crafting a Classic Kuksa Cup (Medium)

* Making a Berry Picker (Easy)

* Making a Crook Knife Case (Medium)

* Processing Lime Bark Cordage Fibres (Easy)

* Cordage Making (Easy)

* Elderflower Cordial Recipe (Easy)

* Carving a Comb (Medium)

* Birch Tar Collection (Easy)

* Making a Whistle from Elder (Easy)

* Make a Woven Birch Bark Basket (Easy)

* Carve a Bullroarer (Easy)

* Making a Large Fishing Hook (Easy)

* Weave a Basic Wicker Basket (Medium)

* Make a Birch Bark Container (Easy)

Robbie Maddison's 2008 New Year's Eve record 322ft jump

Eco Electric ATV

Electric All Terrain Vehicle the E-Force ATV

The All New Eco Electric ATV the E-Force is here. The first quiet, zero emission at tailpipe, adult sized electric ATV with adult sized power for extreme terrain and towing capacity. The E-Force’s mega torque electric drive system has more than three times the torque of similar sized gas ATV!!! A dream come true for farmers and property owners, its direct drive electric motor has the power to pull farming equipment, pull a trailer full of wood, fix fence posts, grade a horse arena, use inside barns and arenas without disturbing animals. The E-Force can handle rugged terrain, move small planes with a front hitch, and is perfect for Rangers to patrol parks, campgrounds, and large events. Hunter’s can easily sneak up on game, no more exhaust gas to give away your presence. Go on an Eco ATV moose tour, foliage ride in fall, or just ride in the woods with friends without disturbing the animals and environment around you. No more complaints from your neighbors about noise, The E-Force is power packed, quiet, and will reduce your hydrocarbon footprint!

http://www.ecoeatv.com/

Friday, January 29, 2010

Optifade Hunting Camo

The traditional approach to hunting has been to smell, sound or appear as something familiar to prey—through cover scents, calls and camouflage patterns of sticks and leaves. GORE™ OPTIFADE™ Concealment is the first concealment system designed around animal vision and not human eyesight.

http://www.optifade.com/hunting-gear/