Gizmodo: Dinosaurs

Scientists Plan to Decimate Our Enemies With Dinosaurs

Sean Fallon — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:15:00 EDT

It is no secret that there has been a major shift towards UAVs for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. With big contracts on the line, researchers are scrambling to come up with the next big breakthrough in unmanned military technology. One group of researchers believes that the "next big thing" could be a dinosaur (or "flying reptile" if you want to be all accurate about it) that existed 115 million years ago. These scientists are attempting to create a UAV that mimics the physical and biological characteristics of the prehistoric pterodactyl. The "Pterodrone" will be capable of flying, walking and sailing just like the flesh and blood original.

"The next generation of airborne drones won’t just be small and silent," says the multidisciplinary group, "they’ll alter their wing shapes using morphing techniques to squeeze through confined spaces, dive between buildings, zoom under overpasses, land on apartment balconies, or sail along the coastline."

The researchers behind the project view the pterodactyl as one of the most successful flying creatures to ever soar above the Earth—so, naturally, a robotic version might prove useful in gathering information and maybe even conducting military strikes somewhere down the line. Nothing would strike fear into the hearts of terrorists like a squadron of pterodactyls swooping down and devouring their comrades one by one. [Science Daily]

$22,000 T-Rex Skeleton Is Worth the Cost of Taking the Bus

Mark Wilson — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:40:00 EDT

Truth: the kids in the neighborhood will be unimpressed by your shiny new Corolla, even if it takes 4 years of monthly payments for you to actually own it. So buy something cool instead. Standing 13 feet tall and spreading 25 feet long, this animated T-Rex features 6 deadly-skeleton-like movements along with a roar that will force Ben Stiller into early retirement. Just check out the video:

Sorry, but the T-Rex does not come in periwinkle. Toyota still has you there. [Scare Factory via Nerd Approved]

Real Dinosaur on the Loose in a Museum Makes Learning Fun, Extremely Dangerous

Adam Frucci — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:03:52 EDT

This is a video of a dinosaur on the loose in the LA Museum of Natural History. No computer effects used here, folks: it's all real. Well, I mean, it's not a real dinosaur of course or those kids would be totally devoured, but you know what I mean. If you look closely at the dinosaur you can see what's going on here. One thing's for certain: I want one, and I want one bad. No trick or treaters will have anything on me this year, mark my words. [Random Good Stuff]

Pleo Turns One, Learns How To Make Itself Over $100 Cheaper

Benny Goldman — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:21:18 EDT

Pleo, the robot dinosaur loved by everyone—except dogs and blogs—is celebrating its first birthday a little early by going on sale for $235. Head over to Ugobe's store from now til July 11 and use semi-creepy coupon code PLEOWORLDISONE, and the dino can be yours for a cool $115 less than usual. Whether you teach Pleo the joy of Christmas or how to be robot food is up to you. [Pleo via Shiny Shiny]

A Robotic Jurassic Park Coming to Dubai

Sean Fallon — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:00:57 EST

When it comes to Dubai and attracting wealthy tourists, the word "restraint" is seldom used. Perhaps that is why it is not surprising that the locals are building a $1 billion theme park that will feature over 100 animatronic dinosaurs of 40 different species. Dubbed "Restless Planet," the park will attempt to provide an educational experience amid all of the Vegas-style spectacle. This will be done using history themed rides and robots/habitats that represent an accurate portrayal (based on current knowledge) of what life was like millions of years ago.

The robots will also be capable of interacting with guests by following them with their eyes or lunging at them as the walk by. Even though you would think that keeping the wraps on a 500,000 square foot park would be difficult, further details are scarce. However, the park is scheduled to open in late 2008 in City of Arabia, Dubai. [City of Arabia and Cosmos]

Pleo Meets Dogs, Dogs Don't Like Pleo, Pleo Gets Mad

Adrian Covert — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST

Pleo the robot dinosaur showed up on my doorstep Friday afternoon, and I figured it would be nice to take it in and introduce it to my dogs. Unfortunately, the dogs gave Pleo the cold shoulder, and that really pissed Pleo off, sending it into an anger-filled rampage against one of the dogs. Let's just say Pleo claimed its spot as the new pet of the house. Poor doggie. [Pleo]

$55k Life-Sized Dino is a Wise Investment for the Future

Adam Frucci — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:30:00 EDT

Are you a four-year-old boy with $55,000 in disposable income sitting around? Well then, son, have I got the product for you. Just think of it as the biggest toy ever.

It's a life-sized replica of a Camarasaurus, one of the less popular kids at the dinosaur cafeteria table. But hey, that doesn't make this lumbering herbivore any less impressive. Standing 18 feet high and stretching 55 feet long, it'll make your birthday party the social event of the school year. So what are you waiting for? Have dad get your checkbook and become the most popular kid around. –Adam Frucci

Product Page [via Red Ferret]

Troody: Biped Dinosaur Robot

Mark Wilson — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 09:33:40 EST

Modeled after the Troodon dinosaur, Troody is the brainchild of Peter Dilworth, MIT student. Six years in development, Troody can walk, sit and run. (This video mostly shows walking.)

1.5 feet tall and 4.2 feet long, Troody was meant to roam freely in museums to get people interested in science. And if that didn't work, Troody would be equipped with lasers and subsequently take over the world...slowly. – Mark Wilson
Thanks Tyler!
Troody Video

When Sliderules Ruled the Earth

johnb — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 12:07:53 EST

So sad. Saffo has an interesting examination of the TR3, a calculator with a vestigial sliderule on the back. This strange creature was created as a "bridge" technology for sliderule manufacturers to work their way into the calculator market that was fast destroying their bottom line.

In hindsight, the effort was wasted. This is a perfect example of the tectonic shifts that take place in electronics—tapes to CDs, VHS to DVD—and dash the hopes and dreams of countless innovators and investors every year.

A Sliderule -Calculator Missing Link [Saffo via BoingBoing]

Bioengineering Oatmeal: Quaker Dinosaur Eggs Hands On

johnb — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 20:20:40 EDT

We all ate oatmeal when we were kids, right? Of course. We all loved the delicious taste of brown-sugar and cinnamon in our mouths but it was always a bit boring. Thus, Quaker oatmeal has come up with a new way of satisfying us: Genetically altering the conditions of oatmeal so that real dinosaur eggs can hatch inside! It's truly amazing. Allow me to quote from the Quaker website:

A prehistoric adventure begins as soon as kids empty the packet of brown sugar-flavored oatmeal into their bowl, add boiling water and begin to stir! Within seconds, dinosaur eggs hatch into brightly colored baby stegosaurus and triceratops.

Kids? I hardly would say that this is only for kids. What kind of kid can handle a triceratops popping right out of your god damned oatmeal bowl? I know I'd be armed to the teeth with a spoon and a big appetite! Remember Jurassic Park? I doubt all that high tech engineering was needed. After all, Quaker managed to cram real dinosaur eggs into a bowl of oatmeal without Jeff Goldblum. Any dinosaur enthusiast should immediately try this oatmeal. If you need more explaining on how you can re-create dinosaurs with the flick of a spoon, watch this short movie.