Jun 012013
 
Japanese Technology from the Future Friday [via Akihabara News]

THIS WEEK’S DISPATCH: NHK is showing off touchable TV and ultra-res TV cameras that are just bananas, Japan’s got super-duper malaria vaccine (giveth to Africa), and Japan’s hunting rare earth in Malawi (taketh from Africa).

Apr 282013
 
Matt Denton (MANTIS) and Kogoro Kurata (KURATAS) are Robotics Rockstars

Weak: Science coverage in large-scale media outlets; Strong: Calling them on it; Better: Celebrating pure science for science’s sake exemplified by the awesomeness that is the recently unveiled six-legged MANTIS robot, vis-a-viś last year’s KURATAS robot mech.

Apr 182013
 
Japanese Robots aren't Creepy, Everyone Else is Just a Little... Behind?

While it’s 500% justified to make fun of a stimuli-responsive robotic ass or other novel projects from Japan, far too often we neglect to circle back around and present the actual merits and practical applications of the so-called “Creepy Japanese Robots.” Not this time!