Remember those awesome pin art toys where you could press your hand (or face) into the pins to leaving a lasting impression? Researchers at MIT have taken the idea one (or two) steps further with “GelSight,” a hunk of synthetic rubber that creates a detailed computer visualized image of whatever surface you press it against. It works as such: push the reflective side of the gummy against an object (they chose a chicken feather and a $20 bill) and the camera on the other end will capture a 3-D image of the microscopic surface structure. Originally designed as robot “skin,” researchers realized the tool could be used in applications from criminal forensics (think bullets and fingerprints) to dermatology. The Coke can-sized machine is so sensitive, it can capture surface subtleties as small as one by two micrometer in surface — finally solving the mystery of who stole the cookies from the cookie jar. (Hint: we know it was you Velvet Sledgehammer).

Continue reading Robot skin captures super detailed 3D surface images

Robot skin captures super detailed 3D surface images originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We haven’t heard an awful lot about the Brammo Empulse since it launched last summer, but Asphalt and Rubber managed to catch the thing doing its thing at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California. The bike and its crew were out for some testing, abbreviated tail all taped full of telemetry and spitting back data as the it quietly screamed its way around the track. The race-ready Empulse RR is getting ready for the 2011 TTXGP series for electric race bikes, where it’ll be competing against the likes of the Mission R — which hopefully will have put its fairings back on by then.

Continue reading Brammo Empulse RR electric race bike goes screaming by at Thunderhill test (video)

Brammo Empulse RR electric race bike goes screaming by at Thunderhill test (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Cris, who can’t seem to find a latex-free mouse that he needs to prevent allergic reactions. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I work in an office environment for ten hours a day in front of a computer where my right hand spends most of it’s time on my wireless Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 2.0. It’s a mouse I’ve loved, but there’s an issue. I have discovered that I’m allergic to the rubber latex used in the mouse. Although I have not had a tough time finding posts online from people complaining of the same problem, I have had a very difficult time finding a solution. I need a latex-free mouse, preferably with similar features to the Intellimouse I love so much. It’s easy to find many things in a latex-free variety; obviously mice aren’t in that group. Thanks!”

So, any suggestions for Cris? Quite a few folks are allergic to latex rubber, and it’s borderline impossible to believe that no latex-free mouse lives in a world chock full of options. If you’ve managed to uncover a gem that fits the bill (or a particular keyboard, while we’re on the subject), drop a hint in comments below.

Ask Engadget: best latex-free mouse and keyboard solution? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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