Sci-Tech

Robot-Staffed Restaurant Launches in Germany

Humans aren't perfect, therefore human waiters aren't perfect as you'll know if you've ever had hot soup spilled on you, or the wrong meal brought out. To err is human, after all. However, diners in Nuremberg, Germany won't have to put up with imperfection anymore because a new restaurant there is staffed entirely by robots.

You select your meal from touch-screens that are installed on every table, and it arrives via a spiral slide a few minutes later. Is it more convenient? Perhaps. But it's only a matter of time before we just arrive at a restaurant and have a drip installed, or pop a food pill. I'll stick with tradition here, I think, and fight the growing trend for ever faster food.

The world's first 1080p camcorder is more than cute -it seemed like just the right weight, and its two-button design is simple to use. It felt cool and fast, but the experience was not perfect. Overall feeling is, however, plasticky. it would have been nice to touch the cool thrill of metal and get that click-tastic quality feel that you get from top end manufacturers. Still, the Xacti looks pretty easy to use - and it is. Move the slider to record and then press either the video or still button, depending on whatever you want. The Xacti starts and stops quickly, and there's a 10 x zoom.

Nippon Airways Readying Wireless Flight Check-In System

Japan's Nippon Airways are set to implement a wireless check-in system to ease the usually lengthy process. The scheme, dubbed SKIP!, shall be trialed next month and will allow passengers to check in using a microchip, containing personal information, they are issued with before flying. Passengers may book their tickets via the Internet using either a computer or mobile phone. The ticket, once issued, can then be downloaded to either a supplied IC-chip enabled mileage card or a compatible mobile phone. On arrival at the airport the mobile phone, or IC-card, is passed across a scanner and the traveller is then all set for the security line checks. That's it! Getting rid of check-in sounds like an awesome idea, but it seems this system may open up unnecessary security risks. Then again, given there are security measures post check-in anyway, it probably is not that much of an issue. Less waiting around sounds good to us; being out in the open, away from power sockets, is frankly too much for us to handle.

The Lobster is One Modular Crustacean

While many of the wrist/arm based multimedia devices are improving, none of them can hold a candle to Danillo Mangini's Lobster. This oddly named prototype involves an LCD base unit about the size of an iPod Shuffle (or presumably a lobster tail) that straps on to your arm or wrist, but what sets the Lobster apart is its modular ability. Instead of being stuck with whatever capabilities the device came with, Mangini wanted the user to be able to customise the device to their liking by adding links such as GPS or a cardiometre. But to that same extent they could also go low profile and only snap on what they'll need for the day. Coming from a group of people who on any given day will have no less then 3 gadgets, this sounds like a beautiful dream.

Mercedes Introduces 'Send to Car' Maps For Google and Yahoo

Helping make sure you never get stuck on the wrong side of town with your Mercedes, the German automaker is working with Google and Yahoo to be able to send the latter two's maps and directions onto the car so you never get lost. Or at least recover when you are lost. This way, you can plan directions before you head out. Plus, once you do have directions programmed into Google and Yahoo maps, you can just press the "i" button and it'll auto-fetch them. The best feature is probably having other people send you maps and directions while driving. These are available in the S-class and CL-class starting September 5, and in all 2008 C-class cars.

Compiled by Imran H. Khan
Source: Gizmodo Online

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