The best of Toy Fair

From swimming balloon sharks to iPhone telescopes and Segway-style unicycles, we round up the best high-tech gadgets of Toy Fair 2011.

        Not all high-tech these days is serious. This week is the annual Toy Fair at the Javits Center in New York, where toy companies from around the world show off the coolest high-tech toys you’ve never seen. Here’s some of the somewhat frivolous – but far more fun – technology we found on, and above, the show floor.

 

 

 

 

Exotic Bike Materials High Tech Motorcycle

        Is it just us, or is the future not as good as it used to be? When we were kids, science programs were full of predictions for the not-so-distant future. By now we should all have jetpacks on our backs, chicken dinners in a pill and holidays on the moon. Instead, we've got choked freeways, KFC in a bucket and vacations in Florida.

        It's kind of the same in bike technology. Okay, we've got stacks of electronic gizmos these days, but apart from that the bikes we're riding about on today aren't a whole world away from the "motor-sickles" your dad might have dreamed of in the 1970s.

We're not, for one second, saying that the performance of a 2010 Honda CBR1000RR isn't better than a 1970 Honda CB750. But take a close look at the basic materials used and you'll find they're remarkably similar: aluminum engine cases, forged steel crankshaft and con-rods, aluminum fork tubes and steel springs in the forks and rear shock. Okay the new bike has an aluminum frame compared with the steel tubes of the CB750, and it's swathed in acres of swoopy plastic bodywork. But plastics aside, there are no exotic materials used in the CBR1000RR. Rather, those same materials have been refined, optimized and tweaked, then used to produce more performance, reliability and longevity.

        But what other materials could bike firms be using? What's the amazing future we might have to look forward to? Here are a few ideas on what your grandson might find on his stunt bike...

Read more:  

http://www.superstreetbike.com/howtos/1006_sbkp_exotic_sportbike_materials/index.html#ixzz1S8Sh5p7w

The high-speed sports car that turns into a boat at a touch of a button

        It's the sort of car that any self-respecting secret agent would be proud to be seen in.

This high-speed amphibious sports car can swim, hover above water and it's no slouch when it comes to flat-out speed either.

         At the push of a button a hydraulic mechanism transforms the sports car into a propeller-powered boat.

Scroll down for more...

 

        At the flick of a button the car becomes a speeding hydrofoil

Then an integrated 'hydrofoil' system lifts the car to 'fly' two foot above the water's surface.

The Rinspeed Splash was created by Swiss genius Frank M. Rinderknecht, 48, at his car company Rinspeed.

        Frank says: "It's much more than an agile and lively sports car. It's a really cool and fun sports toy.

"It can reach 125mph on the road and accelerates to 60mph in 5.9 seconds." The water performance is impressive too, with the Splash reaching an impressive 45 knots.

        "That's fast enough for water skiing or knee boarding," said Frank.

 

Sony Ericsson SO902iWP – Waterproof CellPhone

        DoCoMo and Sony Ericsson released a new Waterproof phone the Sony Ericsson SO902iWP+. The waterproof SO902iWP+ can receive calls underwater and comes with an MP3 player and 1.3MP digital camera. That’s right. This phone can receive calls underwater but how do you suppose you’ll listen to it with water in your ear? People who spend a lot of time around water would the target market for this phone such as boaters, lifeguards, and aquarium cleaners. Or perhaps this phone is compatible with those who always drop their phone in toilets or pools.

Wide screen

Hi-tech MP3 shoes

 

        Check out the concept shoe as shown above. It features an integrated CD-ROM, some speakers, tweeters, and a volume control knob to boot (no pun intended). Of course, it might be a little behind the times as most portable MP3 players these days use either a hard drive or flash memory and not CD-ROMs. It would be interesting to see how such a concept can take off in the near future, although I am placing my money on at least three more iPod generations before such footwear becomes possible. It’d be great if there was Bluetooth functionality thrown in for a truly wireless on-the-go audio entertainment solution.

Mahru-Z…Walking Robot Maid!

        Robots are all over the place and we keep updating you with the latest happenings in robo-world. South Korean scientists have developed a walking robot maid called Mahru-Z that does so much more than just lending a helping hand in your daily chores. It recognizes people, can turn on microwave ovens, washing machines and toasters, and also pick up sandwiches, cups or whatever it senses as objects. The institute took about 2 years to develop this 1.3 meters tall and 55 kilogram Robot Maid.

PIMP my ride with speakers on it's back

Future warriors (DOTA heroes)

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The future police. ROBOCOP

        Robocop, the classic movie from the 1980’s, won over all the little boy’s imagination. Some of those boys became lawyers, some became inventors, and some became cops themselves. Those inventors came around one day saying “Hey! Do you remember that super high tech scanner thingy that Robocop used?” Well, The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) made that super cool weapon scanner. Then the cops one day said “Hey. Do you remember that amazing weapon detector that Robocop used?” Well, their dreams got fulfilled. 

        Currently, they are taking field tests on their future product. Similar to the one Robocop has, it detects weaponry by using microwaves to pick up reflections. Hopefully this new product won’t give our everyday street fighters cancer. After a couple of modifications to the scanner, this product will defiantly be used by cops around the globe, and maybe even in the public.

The Honda built ASIMO

     

        I realize that the title of this blog is slightly premature in its questioning. �Or is it? �After watching all four seasons of Battlestar Galactica in the span of 5 weeks (yes at times I don't have a life), I began to wonder where the current state of robotics and artificial intelligence lies. �Therefore I did what any normal person with a laptop at his fingertips does these days: I googled for information. �What I found not only astounded me, but also made me realize that we as a society are advancing at such exponential rates when it comes to technology, that the science fiction of today literally becomes science fact within the span of merely a few years ,as opposed to maybe decades a half century earlier. �Below I briefly profile a few of the most advanced robots and computers created to date before laying out some very interesting ethical questions that we may have to face sooner rather than later.

 ASIMO
          

        The Honda built ASIMO�has been designated the most advanced humanoid robot on the planet. �Whereas earlier models had issues with balance and spatial recognition, the newest ASIMO model can run at 6 km/h (and rumoured to be programmed to run faster) while cornering, displaying near perfect human mechanics, can dance better than I (which doesn't require much skill actually), walk up and down stairs, and can be taught to recognize and differentiate between different objects. �For example, when shown a typical chair and told that the object is a chair, ASIMO stores the general shape and dimension associated with the chair in his database of "learned objects". �If then shown a three legged stool for example and asked what the object is, ASIMO will answer that it is a chair (without ever seeing the object before in its "life")!! �Furthermore, if a table is then placed in front of it and one asks ASIMO if it is a chair, he will respond that in fact no, it is not. �ASIMO displays a type of cognitive learning, whereby it determines what an object was by associating it with similar characteristics from another object, connecting A with B, much like a child does in early brain development. �Here is a video displaying ASIMO's various skills. �I find the only drawback is that it has the voice of a 10 year old boy (chosen not scare the crap out the public I gather).

Cool looking. It looks like a transforming robot car.

 COOL

Future Cars

 Seamless unibody construction

 Plasma-jet hover rims

Walker rims

Sky Car

Acura Race Car 2008

         The XM Satellite Radio race car placed first in its class at the opening race of the 2007 American Le Mans Series last Saturday at Sebring, Florida.

         The XM car (powered by Acura) took first in the LMP2 class at the historic Twelve Hours of Sebring race. The Twelve Hours of Sebring is one of the most renowned endurance races in the U.S. bring in teams from around the world to take part in the event. Over 140,000 people attended the race, and it also aired live on SPEED Channel.

        The race marked the first time that XM has sponsored a vehicle in an American Le Mans Series race. It also was Acura’s debut in the series.

        The XM vehicle was driven by the Andretti Green Racing team’s Bryan Herta, Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti. For the past three years, Bryan drove the Honda-powered XM vehicle in the IndyCar Series. After Saturday’s win, Herta described it as “probably the most special victory of my career.”

Even if you’re not a gearhead, check out several photos of the XM-Acura racecar and crew with the XM Satellite Radio logo prominently displayed throughout…

        Acura’s first step into prototype competition in the American Le Mans Series’ LMP2 class will be the subject of an hour-long feature on SPEED that debuts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, March 2. The Acura factory program is the first such effort for the luxury brand of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and involves three world-class teams in Andretti Green Racing, Lowe’s Fernandez Racing and Highcroft Racing.

Mitsubishi Lancer

Mitsubishi RA

       Lancer Evolution fans are already accustomed to their cars' high-tech active yaw control and active center differentials. Yawn. What better way to add excitement than to have more powertrain and traction systems, that, well, have action!

        In all seriousness, these components allow the Evo to terrorize tracks and rally courses across the globe. The RA concept introduces active steering and suspension to the mix, and does so with a turbodiesel engine and eco-friendly plastics. Not to mention, it's sinister.

Luxury car

    One reason most luxury car manufacturers sell the cars at the volume they do is because they offer the latest cutting-edge technology. The Rolls Royce Drophead coupe is already sold out; Mercedes-Benz’s sales of the S-Class increase 93% in 2006 due the gadgets and gizmos offered with it; and the Lexus LS600h is one of the most technologically advanced hybrid vehicles on the market. Below is a list, by ForbesAuto, of the coolest high-tech cars, some of which are out now and some that will be coming to a dealership near you very soon.

Electric axle motors

        The car is powered by electric axle motors and has a large interior space that should appeal to anyone who loves traveling with their family onboard. The car includes other hi-tech features such as an automatic distance controller and personalized entertainment system to make sure that your journey is as enjoyable as it can be 

http://www.ecofriend.com/entry/eco-cars-electricity-powered-lynx-offers-a-safe-ride/.

High-tech gear

        Self-parking and auto-braking cars will soon be the norm as James Bondish high-tech gear makes its way from luxury models to budget rides. Safety first, since much of the technology will prevent many accidents and keep drivers and passengers safe.

        
        Coming soon from BMW, Mercedes, GM, Lexus and others are a wide range of high-tech navigation systems, parking assistance features, touch-screen displays, Bluetooth communications and other developments. Eventually we will have cars that drive themselves similar to AI:Artificial Intelligence, but until then we will enjoy the ride.