flipper

Watch: Beach-walking 'FlipperBot' inspired by baby turtles

While it might look like a giant robotic pet, scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have actually created the "FlipperBot" to generate new data on how organisms move.

The robot mimics the movements of sea turtle hatchlings struggling to reach the ocean. These little creatures need to rely on dexterity and flexibility in their wrists to get around without moving a lot of the surrounding sand.

"We are looking at different ways that robots can move about on sand," Daniel Goldman, an associate professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, said in a statement. "We wanted to make a systematic study of what makes flippers useful or effective. We've learned that the flow of the materials plays a large role in the strategy that can be used by either animals or robots."… Read more

Blu-ray/DVD flipper discs finally coming

Universal is set to roll out the first Blu-ray/DVD "flipper discs"--a single, dual-sided disc that contains Blu-ray on one side and DVD on the other. The "Bourne" trilogy ("Identity," "Supremacy," "Ultimatum") will be the first movies to get the dual-sided treatment, with all three discs coming out on January 19.

The flipper discs are a good idea, as one of the biggest drawbacks to Blu-ray is that new movies you buy can't be played in DVD players. That loss of flexibility can be a real pain in … Read more

An underwater radio, for no good reason

Given the growing trend of people spending their entire lives in the bathroom, it makes sense that there's been a proliferation of waterproof LCDs, speakers, phones, DVD players and even remotes. But a radio that goes under water?

We're not talking about one of those music players for swimmers either. The "Aqua Radio" floats on the surface while submerging a corded speaker so you can "create your own underwater world with awesome deep-sea sound effects." Right.

Just for the record, the radio will play above the waterline as well, so the $15 you paid … Read more

Personal submarines for the everyday Joe

Shockingly, we're finding that not everyone can afford to pay the $80 million or even the $12 million charged by U.S. Submarines to make custom luxury submersibles. But there's still hope for you cheapskates out there who still wish to play Captain Nemo.

Dubai-based Exomos will sell you your very own yellow submarine (or blue, green, orange, black or white) for only $40,000. The battery-powered "Goby" model carries three people and can cruise up to 40 meters below the surface for 8 kilometers per charge, according to Red Ferret, with on-board GPS and sonar … Read more

Bionic dolphin takes on Flipper

This blows SeaWorld right out of the water. A new "bionic dolphin" vehicle, according to CNN, not only can swim alongside seagoing mammals but can also stand on its tail before dropping back down to cruise at speeds up to 55 mph with its 425-horsepower Corvette engine.

But this manmade Flipper is no cheap carnival sideshow: A custom version would set you back around $350,000, though its creators say the cost could drop to a mere $120,000 or so for a two-seater model. At those prices, the Kevlar-skinned creation may be headed for commercial or even … Read more