The US Army's inaugural Robotic Rodeo brought together 40 vendors showcasing autonomous military robots at Fort Hood, Texas. From the R-Gator cargo bot to Archer's hybrid transport, these machines clear explosives and ferry equipment—though none yet match Robocop's crime-fighting prowess.
Nineteen-year-old Jesse van Kuijk spent three years building a human-powered aircraft from balsa wood, foil, and a bike chain. His homemade plane managed a five-foot elevation and 35-foot distance before the chain slipped, but the modest flight proved his DIY aviation dream could take off.
Canadian university students created a mathematical model analyzing zombie outbreak scenarios based on George Romero's slow-moving undead. Their conclusion: quarantine fails, coexistence is risky, and only aggressive attack eliminates the threat within 10 days of a 24-hour incubation period.
This slim leather wallet is designed specifically for your front pocket, not your back. Its curved profile and compact 5×3.5-inch footprint slip easily into tight spaces while holding cards, ID, and cash. It's more comfortable to sit on and harder for pickpockets to swipe.
Twenty-year-old Wu Zhongyuan spent three months and $1,600 crafting a wooden helicopter in his backyard using elm wood blades, steel tubing, and a 150cc motorcycle engine. Though he claims it can reach 2,600 feet, local authorities grounded the homemade aircraft before its first flight.
This ingenious backpack solves the sad-puppy-face problem by hauling your small dog and laptop to work in separate compartments. The Pet At Work Travel System expands to 16 inches deep, includes a foldable Pet Dome soft crate, and comes in black or tan for $178.
Four specialized robots now tackle London's most dangerous acetylene cylinder fires, reducing response times from 24 hours to under three hours. The crew includes Brokk with its giant claw, bomb-disposal veteran Talon, water-hosing Black Max, and multi-tool equipped Bison, working together to extinguish industrial blazes without endangering human firefighters.
Disaster City in College Station, Texas is a 52-acre training facility where emergency responders learn their craft. The mock community features full-scale collapsible structures simulating derailed trains, bombed skyscrapers, and earthquake damage, complete with live actors playing victims.
These tumblers pair glass tops with heavy concrete bases designed to resist tipping, helping clumsy drinkers avoid spills. The weighted bottom keeps drinks stable even when bumped. Available as a set of two for $40, they bring function and novelty to any home bar.
MillerCoors experimented with boxing draft beer in 1.5-gallon containers complete with dispensers, letting tap-lovers pour fresh beer at home. The recyclable boxes held the equivalent of 16 bottles, stayed fresh for 30 days refrigerated, and retailed for $20—slightly more than bottled equivalents.
Banpresto's NES Controller Type Card Case transforms boring business card storage into a nostalgic trip down 8-bit memory lane. The anodized aluminum holder features authentic Player I and Player II controller designs with non-functional D-pads and buttons, available for pre-order at approximately $31.
Researchers in Europe and Asia built a universal mirror that bounces light back to its exact source regardless of angle. Using engineered metamaterials smaller than light waves, the tiny prototype could lead to laser deflection shields and advanced radar systems decades from now.
The Oxford University Press is releasing the world's largest thesaurus this autumn after more than four decades in development. The two-volume set contains 230,000 categories and 800,000 definitions across 4,448 pages—double the size of Roget's. Priced at $316, it's a landmark reference work for serious word lovers.
The world's first Fish Hotel opened at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, offering travelers a place to board their pet fish. The D-reizen Travel Agency runs this unique aquarium service featuring a four-floor miniature hotel with palatial architecture, fish-sized rooms, and even a tiny tennis court.
LifeGems creates lab-grown diamonds from the carbon in cremated remains of loved ones or pets. These memorial gems come in rainbow colors and custom cuts, with prices starting under $4,000 for a .20 carat blue diamond and climbing to $10,000+ for half-carat stones.
The Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot can sustain itself on long missions by converting found organic materials into energy. Designed for military use, this self-powered machine forages for biomass fuel sources including plants, wood, and theoretically human casualties in war zones.
Measuring just 5.5 centimeters long, the SwissMiniGun is a fully functional double-action revolver crafted by Swiss jewelry artisans. This keychain-sized firearm fires 2.34mm bullets up to 112 meters and costs between $6,000 and $50,000 depending on customization.
SolidAlliance's Mnemosyne transforms a 16GB USB drive into a $10,000 aluminum puzzle cube. Designed by Italian duo Toshi Satoji and Katsuya Masaki, this luxurious contraption requires full disassembly before you can access your files—beautifully impractical storage for those who prize style over convenience.
Live your igloo dreams without moving to the Arctic. This pre-fabricated dome shelter uses fiberglass and polyurethane panels to create a 3-meter weatherproof cabin that's been tested in environments from rainforests to polar ice. Perfect for extreme camping or the coolest backyard setup ever.
Brooklyn collective Macro|Sea salvaged trash dumpsters and converted them into gorgeous modular swimming pools for a vacant lot. The DIY installation took just 12 days and hosts weekend pool parties as a prototype for adaptive reuse at strip mall parking lots nationwide.
Capital Fringe Festival transforms downtown Washington DC into a playground of experimental performance art over 17 days. From one-act plays and stand-up comedy to mime, jazz, hip-hop, and wildly unclassified acts, this eclectic festival features local and international artists across 11 venues with tickets starting at $15.
Sacramento hosted free Friday night concerts throughout summer 2009 at Cesar Chavez Plaza. The Downtown Sacramento Partnership series featured headliners like Kate Gaffney and The Snobs, with shows running 5pm to 9pm, showcasing unsigned and local talent.
The M/V Auriga Leader breaks new ground as the first commercial cargo ship to integrate solar power into its main electrical grid. Its 328 rooftop panels generate 40 kilowatts—enough to supply 10% of the vessel's energy needs and reduce diesel fuel consumption during transport runs.
The RIPT Fusion shirt uses compression technology to give men an instantly sculpted, muscular appearance without hitting the gym. Available in crew and V-neck styles, this body-sculpting undershirt straightens posture while creating defined pecs and abs under jackets or button-ups.
SENZ umbrellas resist winds up to 70 mph thanks to an asymmetric aerodynamic design that forces air to flow around the canopy. Built with nylon, steel, aluminum, and fiberglass, these deformed-looking umbrellas laugh at storms while traditional umbrellas flip inside out. Available in three sizes from $55 to $83.
This canvas vest sports four solar panels across the back and an 8,800mAh built-in battery to charge your gadgets on the go. Eight front pockets hold electronics while they juice up, making it potentially useful for outdoor workers, bike messengers, or anyone spending hours under the sun.
An award-winning interactive poster in Hamburg uses eye-tracking technology to deliver a powerful message about domestic abuse. When people look directly at it, the display shows a happy couple. Look away, and the image shifts to depict violence, illustrating how abuse happens when nobody's watching.
