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WoWWee Robotics, creators of Robosapien, have just introduced the new RS Media, a programmable robot that can play media and even be programmed to dance to it.  The robot is fully “hackable” via Java on your computer, storage device, or even an SD card.  The company is touting that the device can “hear, see and even speak,” and sports a color LCD screen, hand-mounted tweeters, and a back-mounted woofer.  It runs on Linux, and has a camera on its chest, which we were having fun playing around with at CES Unveiled in Vegas.  Thankfully, it also comes with a remote control so you can move it around without being a Java programmer.  The RS Media also has a media player, hence the name, that supports MP3 (audio) and MPEG 4 (video) playback via its integrated sound system.  The orange robot can also display virtually anything from your PC via its LCD display.

I personally enjoyed my time over at the WowWee booth at CES Unveiled because it was a break from all of the other “serious” technologies that were being announced.  The RS Media will be available in the US this fall, and will run you $299. Check out our hands-on peep show below:

RS Media Product Page [WowWee]

You know what they say...slim is in.  Well, I don’t know if anybody really says that, but apparently that’s Sony Ericsson’s new motto.  According to Reuters, Sony Ericsson is ready to launch its first slim candybar phone, dubbed “Ai”.  Ai is apparently just 9.4 mm thick - which beats out the SLVR, and is similar thickness to some of Samsung’s offerings.  Other features include a 2 megapixel camera, Memory Stick Micro (M2) slot, and walkman software allowing for over-the-air downloads.  Ai will come in silver and black, and is expected to be unveiled in March 2007.  More details as they come.

Read [Reuters] Via [PhoneScoop]

Reuters had this great story and image I just had to share.  Japanese scientists from Waseda University in Tokyo demonstrated their biped robot WL-16RIII on Wednesday.  They are currently developing the two legged robot robotic chair to aid elderly and handicapped individuals climb dubious stairways.  While it may take 5 years to develop, since the current prototype is still slow, somewhat cumbersome with heavy loads, and requires the occupant to “hop up” on the nearly 4 foot high seat, the duo’s ultimate goal is to create greater mobility for those with physical limitations.

Think we can get one of this to get up the stairs at the Gadgetell headquarters?

Gadgetell would like to welcome Chris to the gadge. He is a computer wiz who loves to talk and write about tech. Watch out, his posts may go all crazy digital 0101010101110000 on us.

Ever get that eerie feeling that the furniture in your room is alive and moving around? No? I am really the only one? Well you will after watching this Dynamic Art project.

Max Dean, Raffaello D’Andrea and Matt Donovan have created a chair that breaks apart and then reassembles itself. Though not much information can be gathered from the video as to whether the chair is being controlled by remote or using artificial intelligence to get back together, it’s still cool.

Via [Make]
Watch video [D’Andrea Group Interactive & Dynamic Art]