Gizmodo: Koreannovation

Watch as the RingBo Robot Atrophies the Muscles of Our Future Generations

Adam Frucci — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:15:00 EDT

We showed you the little lazy-kid-moving RingBo yesterday, and now we have a ludicrous video of it in action. Watch! As an adorable Korean toddler spins aimlessly in circles in a variety of outfits. Listen! To some of the most ridiculous music to be produced since the 1980s. Cringe! At the thought of parents dropping $140 to allow their 3-year-olds to give up on walking at such a young age. You're looking at the future, friends. The lazy, lazy future. [Koreannovation]

Blooming Bidet, Because You Deserve a Remote-Control Toilet

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:10:00 EDT

We know all the toilets in Japan that have built-in bidets, but how many come with remotes? With Blooming Bidet, you activate all the functions of the toilet, even adjust the intensity of water spray or hot air aimed at your posterior, from the handset. Note the big STOP button, in case things get out of hand. And it's no accident you don't see any FLUSH button—flushing happens automatically. (The downside there is that you'd have to trick it into a mercy flush.)

Other features include a gentle LED underwater nightlight, a pressure sensor that keeps you from accidentally spraying your eye, built-in controls at your right thigh should your remote's battery die when you're in the moment, and analyzers in the bowl to check your bidness for signs of sickness. [NCM via Koreannovation]

Powernic Massager: Robotic Shiatsu Claw with a Vulcan Grip

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:45:00 EDT

It looks like a prop from the latest Dr. Who series, it clamps down with the deliberateness of a Vulcan, and it feels... well... not too bad. The Powernic finger-pressure massager is a pretty serious apparatus, and in the wrong hands it could probably do quite a bit of damage. Good thing there's a touch-sensitive manual override on the side. The little vibrating LED capsule can be used by itself, if you're into that. As you can see in the vid, I favored the full-on claw. [Semi Y&J]

Can Mega Quake Prime Weight-Loss Rump Shaker Transform Your Body?

matt buchanan — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Exercising is a pain in the ass. Wouldn't it be great if something moved it for you? We've seen machines sorta like the Mega Quake Prime before, which promise to do all the hard work for you and just shake the calories off. I definitely felt something tweaking in my lower back—I'm sure it was just ~~my pride~~ the fat melting away. [JTrade, Giz @ Koreannovation]

Soundwalk Vest Ears On: The Camo Makes Me Invisible, Right?

matt buchanan — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Unlike Sony's space headphones, which made you look like a doofus, but actually sounded great, the Soundwalk speaker vest offers no such payoff. The sound is tinny, and it's far from personal—I assaulted people near and far with a shallow, bass-less rendition Fastball's "The Way." The worst part? The guy told us the U.S. Army had actually purchased the camo vests. (Your tax dollars at work.) There are actually four different models of awesomely bad available.

The standard, which runs $60 and has no separate volume control. There's also a backpack add on for $50, which Wilson seemed unusually amped about (pardon the pun) since he regularly lugs around a giant Boy Scout backpack. Finally, there's a motorcycle pack which has a beefier amp in the back in addition to the stereo speakers, and can supposedly be heard at speeds up to 80MPH, though the rep admitted he hadn't actually tested it. It's $140, but the shame is free. [Giz @ Koreannovation]

Ears-On EX2 Force Feedback Headphones: My Ears Feel Funny

matt buchanan — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:52:30 EDT

We knew we were in for good things from any company called iFeelU. Their EX2 2.2-channel body-sonic earphones promise to deliver a "home theater in your ears" with real force feedback using a second pair of conduction speakers on the back. For explosions and other big booms, these things are surprisingly great, with solid feedback and definite in-ear quakage. I could see using them for mobile gaming. Two downsides: They suck balls for music. And they made my ears tickle. They're already out in Japan and Korea (like these), but they're dropping in the States soonish for only $39, so they might be worth picking up just for watching movies on the go. [iFeelU]

Totally Bizarre Video Heralds Koreannovation Gadget Show In NYC Tomorrow

Wilson Rothman — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Tomorrow is the debut of Koreannovation, the Korea Trade Show in NYC which runs through Thursday. Registration is free (but I think you need to do it in advance). Want to know what kinds of wacky stuff will be there? Watch the insane mashup vid above, mixed by Eclectic Method, veteran masters who have worked for Public Enemy and U2 as well. Or you can just check out Gizmodo tomorrow. Show details and registration instructions at the official site. [Korea Trade Show NY; Video handcrafted by Eclectic Method]

Pet Pavillion: Luxury Pet House Or Doggie Death Chamber?

Sean Fallon — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EDT

It may look like a pet microwave, but the Pet Pavilion is actually a luxury pet house designed to pamper your pooch and keep it healthy. As you might suspect, this device is loaded with features that surpass the living conditions of most humans—never mind your average pet. Features include: PC-based incubation process management, ideal temperature and humidity limits, a built-in infrared radiation and carbon heating element, an antibiotic air filter for removing dust, a carbon filter for odors and a solenoid valve for "medical treatment."

Naturally, there is no word on when the Pet Pavillion will be released or how much it will cost. However, it will be on display to the public at the Koreannovation trade show in NYC from May 14th-15th. [Koreannovation via Gearlog]