Pepper

Standing just 58 cm (23 in) high, NAO was given a plinth to put him on eye level with the costumers he greeted (Photo: Stephen Clemenger/Gizmag.com)

AI & Humanoids

NAO lends a robotic hand in banking customer service

Aldebaran Robotics' diminutive NAO robot recently completed an internship at the Mitsubishi UFJ bank in central Tokyo. Working in customer service, the robot helped many customers with any queries they had in Chinese and English, as well as Japanese.

The Robotic Weapon or SWAT BOT features a 20-rounds-per-second paintball gun that can fire up to 250ft, wireless remote control, video and can travel at speeds in excess of 50mph

Robotics

SWAT BOT has trouble-makers in its sights

The Robotic Weapon or SWAT BOT is a Mil-Sim A5 paintball gun mounted to a brushless, 4WD, RC vehicle that can fire up to 20 shots per second and travel at speeds in excess of 50mph.

BYU biologist Thomas S. Smith with Polar Bear cubs and their unconscious "mother" - "If she were conscious, she'd be holding me," Smith said. Photo: Thomas S. Smith / BYU

Outdoors

Pepper-spray may deter bears better than guns

New analysis from Brigham Young University suggests that those traveling in bear territory may be better off leaving the guns at home and packing pepper-spray instead. The bears, we expect, agree.

Wellness & Healthy Living

Avurt IM-5 non lethal self defence pepper gun

The Avurt IM-5 launcher is a flashlight-sized, non-lethal self-defense device that fires pellets filled with PAVA powder at distances of up to 40 feet, burning the eyes, nose and throat of the target.