Killer Robotic Insects

According to a Wired magazine article military forces around the world are starting to develop the so called MAVs (Micro Air Vehicles) to be employed on different types of military operations. “If you feel something crawling on your neck, it might be a wasp or a bee. Or it might be something much more dangerous.”

The MAVs will not be used for massive destructive endeavors but rather for specific and tactical missions, like getting inside buildings to destroy the power supply. Fred Davis from the Air Force Research Laboratory commented: “This means preventing the target from carrying out its mission, rather than destroying it (…) for example, can be put out of action by destroying its tires; a MAV can do this by squirting them with few milliliters of a catalytic de-polymerization agent, causing them to disintegrate rapidly.”

Apparently the British Special Forces already use MAVs for recognition missions. Those are called WASPs, they cost $3000 each. Isreal is another nation trying to develop MAVs. According to some newspapers they are using nanotechnology to create robots no bigger than hornets that are able to photograph, chase and kill military targets.

Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister commented to Reuters: “The war in Lebanon proved that we need smaller weaponry. It’s illogical to send a plane worth $100 million against a suicidal terrorist. So we are building futuristic weapons.”

It looks like in the near future we will have Terminator-like warfare going on, and this is not a comforting thought at all.

Reference: Wired and ABC News

Spy Cameras of the Future!

One limitation of traditional cameras is the fact that they must be long in order to have an optical zoom, which is composed of several lenses that bend and focus light. Digital zoom is available for spy cameras and mobile phones, but such zoom makes the image blurry and with low contrast.

A new technology developed at the University of California at San Diego could solve this problem, though. The technology involves optical lenses folded together like origami. Current prototypes are already producing the same image quality as that of a 6-megapixel camera, despite being much thiner.

Joseph Ford, an optical engineer involved on the project, commented: “Traditional camera lenses are typically made up of many different lens elements that work together to provide a sharp, high quality image. Here we did much the same thing, but the elements are concentric mirrors folded on top of one another to reduce the thickness of the optic (…) our imager is about seven times more powerful than a conventional lens of the same depth”

Just to get an idea of the effects of such technology consider that cell phones using the folded optics technology will be able to focus on objects as mush as eight times more distant than the current maximum.

The performance of spy cameras will follow alike, as you can imagine. By the way if you are looking for some spy gadgets check out the Mini Wireless Spy Camera or the Spy Tie!

Via: LiveScience

Window Cop - Security with Fresh Air!

If you like to have fresh air blowing around your home or office but are concerned about the security risks of leaving a window open then Window Cop could be the answer.

Window Cop is an adjustable window screen which lets air in but keeps out bugs and scares off potential intruders. If anybody tries to tamper with or remove the Window Cop it will let off an ear-piercing alarm. The Window Cop is easy to install and no tools are required, it currently only works with double hung windows but a version for sliding windows is in development.

Website: Window Cop

Wireless Mini Spy Camera with Night Vision!

It seems like there is always a new cool gadget that surpasses the others in quality. Just imagine the power you would weild in the surveilance arena with a such a powerful gadget under your belt (or wherever you decide to conceal it :))!

To start with, this is a spy cam so it has to be small in order to be placed in strange places for important observations, you wouldn’t want a gigantic camera ruining your projects, now would you? It only measures 3 x 3 x 4cm which can be considered too tiny for a camera.

Besides the smallness detail there is also the Night Vision aspect of the thing. The most important things happen during the night according to night owls (like myself), so having a camera recording the activity in a room with hopes to watch something… erotic (?) is well worth the money. Anyway, the night vision feature works in coordination with infrared LEDs and a sensor, whenever it feels like there is little light, it triggers the LEDs and the final image stays clear and sharp even in total darkness. The only bad thing is the image being black and white only on those dark situations.

The camera has a normal yet cool working system, it is the wireless kicking in. How it works: place the spy cam wherever you want - plug the receiver into a TV – and voilá, the sound + video is being transmitted to the TV if you are within 100 meters away from the camera.

It costs $127 at ParamountZone, TV not included!

Spyke - Make your own WiFi Spy Robot

It’s another robot with a cutesy name, SPYKE the WiFi Spy Robot. It’s due to be sold under the Meccano brand name which is pretty appropriate as you’ll have to make him your self.

Once constructed you’ll be able to control Spyke from any Internet enabled PC, he incorporates VOIP and a web-cam so you’ll be able to send him on dangerous spying missions and watch the results from the other side of the world. When SPYKE is running low on robot juice he’ll use his auto parking system to dock with his recharging system.

You should be able to make your own Skype in September 2007 with a price point planned at under $300. More info (but not a lot more) over at Spyke World.

Spy with your Tie!

If you're the types who likes weilding exclusive gizmos, no matter how outlandish they may sound, the Spy Tie is definitely for you. Or you may need it if you're a full time detective or a business executive or hot shot who's prone to receiving threats.... recorded evidence you know! Or maybe as a gift for a gadget freak who already has so many that a mundane iPod would sound lame for him!

This unique piece of fashion is melded with the latest technology to create a Bond-like aura whenever you put it on. Sure, it is no piece of haute couture but then again, how many ties do you have in your wardrobe that comes with an extremely high resolution CCD pinhole camera that is discreetly hidden and is capable of recording up to 280 minutes’ worth of video, depending on the size of the memory card used?

In addition, the video recorder also boasts an integrated monitor and a remote control unit. The 2.4″ TFT LCD monitor makes it possible for you to review what you have just recorded, and there are up to 4 recording modes to choose from. You can either set it to automatic, manual, motion detection, or scheduled. This Spy Tie accepts SD cards as the recording media of choice, supporting up to 4GB worth of data. Unfortunately, the device has a battery life of only 1 hour so having so much space is pretty pointless. Oh yeah, another major stumbling block would be the price - you would have to fork out a cool $1,300 for the Spy Tie!

Taser C2 delivers shocking surprise

You can never be too safe these days when walking around, which is why it is prudent to get this Taser C2 for the lady in your life. It looks like a shaver at first glance, but when one’s eyes glaze over the lightning flash symbol, it definitely spells trouble. The Taser C2 is touted to be the next wave in citizen defense, enabling you to stop a threat that is up to 15 feet away to keep you and your family safe. In case you are assaulted, the C2 can also be used as a contact stun device to repel the assailant.

Additional features include an Anti-Felon ID system that deters misuse as it performs a computer background check on the would-be purchaser beforehand, while the integrated LED light at the bottom works great as an impromptu torchlight in emergencies. The lithium power magazine is good for 50 firings, so be prepared to use it wisely instead of recording a home video edition of Jackass which will be uploaded later onto YouTube. The Taser C2 retails for $300, while the model with a laser targeting system will set you back by an additional $50. Laws in certain states in the U.S. prohibit the sale of the Taser C2. Shipping will begin this April.

One of the misgivings I’ve always had is the fact that the assailant could easily knock the Taser C2 out of the victim’s hands and turn the tables on the victim instead. Perhaps future iterations would include a biometric reader of some sort that activates the taser only when the fingerprint matches.

Source: Ubergizmo

FlareSafe Portable Smoke Alarm

If you like to travel to strange and exotic places and stay in questionable hotel rooms—and who doesn't?—you might want to take along one of these FlareSafe personal safety devices, which is a combo smoke detector, distress alarm and really bright LED flashlight.

Arm this baby before you go to sleep and at the first whiff of smoke it starts honking and screeching loud enough to wake the dead. It's been available in the UK and Europe for £42.51 ($83), and its British makers are now considering bringing it stateside as well.