Panasonic Evolta Iron Robot completes Hawaii Triathlon

Inside time too

Yes, we know it was all a marketing stunt. And yes, technically three Panasonic Evolta robots took on the Hawaii Triathlon - but that doesn't mean we haven't been worried sick about the little guy (or guys, rather) since we first brought you news of his epic adventures back in September.

But the anguish is over as we're happy to report that the Iron Robot completed the race, inside his 168 hour objective as well.

It took the three robots a total of 166 hours and 56 minutes to complete 230km triathlon challenge. His discipline times were:

- Swim Robot finished the 3.8km swim in 5 hours and 36 minutes

- Bike Robot finished biking 180.2km in 97 hours and 42 minutes

- Run Robot finished the 42.2km run in 63 hours and 38 minutes

Not exactly world record pace but he is only about 6 inches tall, so give him a break.

Tomotaka Takahashi, the founder of Robo-Garage and a research associate professor at the University of Tokyo, said: "We are happy to have made it to the finish line. I want to thank everyone, every member of the crew and the people of Hawaii.

"These days, robots are evolving rapidly due to the technological evolution of batteries and various other devices. I believe Panasonic Evolta batteries and this challenge have turned a new page in history for the robot industry."

We don't think a Sports Personality of the Year award is out of the question for the robot. Even with his batteries dead he's probably got more charm than Andy Murray or Rory McIlroy.

Read

Tags: Robots Panasonic Evolta Panasonic Evolta Triathlon

       

Panasonic Evolta Iron Robot completes Hawaii Triathlon originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:28:00 +0000

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(PR) Logitech Introduces Gaming Keyboard and Mouse for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Logitech unveiled the Logitech Gaming Keyboard G105 and the Logitech Laser Mouse G9X, specially made for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Ideal for power gamers, the new accessories make it easy and fun to customize your path to victory.

"The Logitech Gaming Keyboard G105 and the Logitech Laser Mouse G9X are perfect for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 enthusiasts who want the best in precision and customization for their gaming experience," said Chris Pate, senior product marketing manager for gaming at Logitech. "Both devices let you jump right into the action with the power to perform complex maneuvers with confidence."

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Motorola Xoom 2 officially priced at 400 Euros, coming this Christmas to Carphone Warehouse

For those unaware, Carphone Warehouse is a warehouse that sells carphones in Europe, Jupiter and other locales in the known galaxy. It also sells smartphones and tablets. And according to the leaked flyer that we've acquired, the long-awaited Motorola Xoom 2 (or Xoom II, as it were) will be landing in Ireland before Christmas. The price? €399.90, or around $545, for the WiFi-only edition with 16GB of inbuilt storage. Other specs include Android 3.2 (what, no Ice Cream Sandwich?), an 8.2-inch touchpanel, and much, much more. In fact, CW calls it "everything a tablet should be." Truth in advertising? You be the judge.

[Thanks, Artyom]

Motorola Xoom 2 officially priced at 400 Euros, coming this Christmas to Carphone Warehouse originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: RIM has a vision of the future too

Clever tables ahoy...

Anything Microsoft can do, RIM can do, er....well, not better - but roughly the same except perhaps a little bit more boring.

No, we're not talking smartphones here (that'd be an unfair description, right?) but visions of the future. Following the brilliant Microsoft's vision of the future video that we showed you on Thursday, a couple of RIM efforts have hit the web featuring the BlackBerry maker's idea of what's to come.

And, if we're honest, it's much of a muchness with plenty of clever table, glass and AR action going on - albeit set in a more business-based environment.

After what happened in London in the summer, and the role that BBM played in it, we can't help but kicking off the second video with a tablet displaying the warning "High level of negative social activity in this area" might have been a tad misjudged though.

Still, pretty cool nonetheless.

Tags: Phones RIM BlackBerry Videos

VIDEO: RIM has a vision of the future too originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:01:41 +0100

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Motorola Mobility to drop 800 jobs

Motorola Mobility has issued a regulatory filing outlining the loss of 800 jobs. The cut will cost the handset manufacturer $31 million -- that number includes $27 million in severance and $4 million to close locations. The reason for the cuts? Bloomberg suggests that it's part of an attempt to lower costs, as the company readies itself to join the Google family -- a decision Motorola's board will vote on in the middle of next month. This news follows last week's earnings report, in which the mobile company reported a $32 million net loss -- not the greatest financial report, sure, but a marked improvement over the prior quarter's $56 million loss.

Motorola Mobility to drop 800 jobs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft wants Kinect in the workplace

Kinect for Windows commercial program announced

We're approaching the 1 year anniversary of Microsoft's Kinect system and to celebrate Microsoft has announced that Kinect for Windows commercial program will go live early in 2012.

We know, we were kind of hoping for something a bit more exciting as well - especially as the press release we were sent was titled "Xbox 360 Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of the Kinect Effect". Would a Kinect-only version of Halo been too much to ask?

Anyways, the Kinect for Windows commercial program may not be as dull as it sounds - remember all those cool hacks that hit YouTube soon after the motion sensor went on sale? This could see some similar Minority Report style shenanigans hitting your workplace.

"Six months ago, a diverse group of hobbyists and academics from around the world embraced the possibilities of Kinect," explained Microsoft in the release.

"In a wave of creativity, they downloaded the Microsoft Kinect for Windows SDK and began developing creative applications and innovative uses in healthcare, education, art and so much more. Microsoft has recognised this phenomenon as The Kinect Effect.

"The commercial program will give businesses the tools to develop applications that not only could improve their own operations, but potentially revolutionise entire industries.

"While no one knows what the future holds, if the past year is any indication, it’s going to be inspiring."

So there you go, not so boring after all. And, if it leads to an office full of employees waving their arms and legs around like an out-of-time Mr Motivator workout session, motion gesturing their everyday work tasks, then we're all for it.

You can check out some Kinect Effects already, over on Xbox.com.

Tags: Gaming Microsoft Microsoft Kinect Kinect Xbox 360

Microsoft wants Kinect in the workplace originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:19:00 +0000

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Screen Grabs: Palm Pre-iPhone hybrid appears on Grimm, doesn't look half bad

Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dot com.

Anyone who caught the series premiere of Grimm, NBC's new fairy-tale-and-crime-procedural would have seen another sort of unearthly fusion: a Palm Pre device ringing like an iPhone. The phone then switches to the typical webOS interface we've long admired, picking up reception on AT&T along the way. We're torn over whether they're using a Pre 2 or another Palm family member, though the screen looks too dinky for it to be the mythical Pre 3. But in a world of monster hunters and big bad wolves, we guess anything's possible.

[Thanks, Ben]

Screen Grabs: Palm Pre-iPhone hybrid appears on Grimm, doesn't look half bad originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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