Gizmodo: light sabers

Now They're Teaching Robots to Use Lightsabers

Danny Allen — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:08:56 EST

The International Robot Exhibition 2009 is underway in Tokyo, and Yaskawa is again showcasing its Motoman robots. We've seen how dexterous previous models were in robo chef demonstrations, but it seems they've now got a taste for the Force.

The choreographed moves are more cute than intimidating, but seriously, maybe we'll see lightsaber droids one day after all. [NetworkWorld YouTube Channel]

Commandos To Use Plasma Knives For Field Surgery

Rosa Golijan — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:20:00 EDT

Apparently plasma knives, surgical instruments which have glowing, ionized gas as a blade, have passed Special Operations Command's field testing and evaluation stages. Great! Now how much longer until this tech can be used to make real lightsabers?

The plasma knives are vaguely similar to tools currently used in radiosurgery, but rather than heating tissue directly and damaging it, they penetrate and cauterize it safely. While tools like this are great because they have the potential to save many lives in situations where proper hospital care is not an option, let's be honest: most of us just plain want some mini lightsabers. [Wired]

The Definitive Star Wars Wedding

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:50:00 EDT

OK, we are done with the Star Wars weddings. Tiger and Issa win starting with her stormtrooper bustier. Unless the Darth Vader marries you in spectral form, no Star Wars wedding will surpass this one:

No, it's not a show. It's an actual wedding.

Look at her dress—classier than the Stormtrooper hooker, though—the lightsabers, the decorations, the invitations, the tables, the guests, and the dancing floor with the disco Death Stars.

It's so tacky that goes around into ultracool kitsch glamour territory, and—thanks to Pat Dy's great photography—actually makes it look fascinating and/or absolutely nuts. How much money did all this Star Wars orgy cost? We will never know, but for sure many Bothan died to make this possible.

And by the way, can anybody tell me what, in the name of Peter Cushing, is this kid doing at the wedding?

Thank you very much in advance. Check the rest of the photos here. [Patdyphotography via Rock and Roll Bride—Thanks Genevieve]

Light Saber Jousting With Segways

John Mahoney — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:00:00 EDT

Vice TV, going where no other news outlets dare: This time, it's Segway instruction from an NYC weirdo named Itsy, then stage combat light saber lessons with the NYC Jedi Academy in Brooklyn. Then, fight!

I must say the results are kind of unimpressive. Nothing like heading to North Korea. But hey, it's May Fourth. [VBS TV via Gothamist]

Scottish Scientists Fight Cancer Cells With a Lightsaber

Jack Loftus — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST

And those pesky physicists said lightsabers weren't possible. Peshaw, I say, pe-shaw. I say this because Scottish scientists have created a miniature device that attacks individual cancer cells using a cylinder of light. A two millimeter saber of light, or light saber, if you will. The pinpoint accuracy (no Force powers necessary!) will allow doctors to deliver meds to precisely where they're needed; alternatively, it could also be used after a tumor is removed to ensure the surrounding area is truly cancer-free. Apparently, the device is also going to be very useful for deadly hard-to-reach cancers, like that of the pancreas.

However, like any medical invention, there's testing and trials to be done, and this lightsaber cancer-fighter is no exception. Still, hearing the inventor describe this thing you can't help but get excited.

"We can use lasers to punch tiny holes exactly where we want them," said Dr. Frank Gunn-Moore. "We can produce a rod of light - sometimes described as a sword - that can even go around objects. It really does sound like science fiction."

The good doctor doesn't plan on stopping with cancer, either. Other diseases, such as Alzheimer's, are potential targets too. Good form. [Herald Sun, thanks Yash!]

Turn Your Broken CD Case Shards Into Mini LED Light Sabers For Your Wall

John Mahoney — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:45:00 EST

Using a white LED heatshrinked to fit on the ends of these pieces of broken CD tray plastic, Keith Neufeld created a really cool lighting system for an art installation, which could just as easily find its way onto your wall at home, if you are one for soldering and breadboarding. The whole thing is wired to a microcontroller that can cycle the lights on and off in sequence, and eventually respond to user interaction in the finished piece. Just be sure you don't strike yourself down with any jagged edges. [Keith's Electronics Blog via MAKE]

Lightsaber Chopsticks Lay Waste to General Tso Chicken

Sean Fallon — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:30:00 EDT

Japanese manufacturer Kotobukiya unveiled these awesome Lightsaber chopsticks at last week's Celebration Japan—a huge event that marked the 30th anniversary of the Japanese Star Wars premiere. Unfortunately, there is no word on a pricing or release date for the chopsticks, but if they ever make it on sale in the States I will never use a fork again. [Rebelscum via Topless Robot via Likecool]

Bill Gates vs. Steve Jobs: The Lightsaber Duel

Jason Chen — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT

What could be greater than a lightsaber duel between Bill Gates and Steve Jobs? A lightsaber duel where YOU get to control one. We don't want to spoil the little touches of the game, so hit the jump and see for yourself. We've already said too much.

[Current]

New York Bus Stops Now Stocked With Lightsabers

matt buchanan — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:30:02 EDT

Sadly, I think these lightsabers planted by SpikeTV might not be the real *bzzt* *plop* flesh-disintegrating deal, so even if you did break in case of Sith (or muggers) at best you could just beat them over the head and hope they don't Force choke you and steal your wallet. Since people will swipe just about anything and Star Wars fans are bonkers, they'll probably be jacked long before the Sith show up. [amNY]

Jedi Ginsu Knife Brings Out the Chef/Jedi in You

Haroon Malik — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST

Have you had enough of lightsabers? Wasn't the breakdown of how we roll on Thanksgiving enough to keep you entertained? Wasn't the synopsis of why Superman would be futile to a lightsaber attack enough to fill your Jedi/lightsaber/superhero demand for the week? Are those two questions the stupidest you have ever been asked? Should I stop with all the damn questions, and let you just watch the Ginsu Jedi lightsaber commercial? Yeah, I'll just do that. [Metacafe]