No hugging, please...

The 'No Contact Jacket' can keep those unwanted hugs away. The exterior of this women's jacket can give off a non-lethal charge of 80,000 volts to discourage unwanted contact. Powered by a simple 9 volt battery, it can deliver enough of a surprising jolt to make a getaway. Probably a bad fashion choice for a family reunion.



Details and video demonstration via No Contact:
www.no-contact.com

no, YOU vacuum the carpet...

It would seem that the folks at iRobot, the makers of adorable robotic vacuum cleaners, have been working with the folks at Metal Storm electronic guns. The result: a very heavily armed 250 pound vacuum cleaner for military and police use. Last week they finally showed the result to public at a trade show.


Read all about it via The DangerRoom at Wired:
blog.wired.com

It's a hobby...

For those of you that have been waiting, today is the release of the book 'Spycraft: The Secret History of the CIA's Spytech' by Robert Wallace. Jam packed with interesting stories and tidbits, it's a nonfiction book that reads like a rather outrageous adventure tale. Cost: about 20 USD. Available from the usual suspects.





Details and order from Amazon.com (US):
www.amazon.com

Nobody's home...

Here's a nightlight that can help fool the bad guys: 'The FakeTV'. It's a very bright LED lamp that simulates the light thrown from a TV. It works on a timer, and uses only a fraction of the electricity of leaving a TV on. Cost: about 50 USD.


Details from FakeTV:
www.faketv.com

Off shoring...

You could spend a lot of time fixing what's wrong with your country, or you could just start your own. The folks at 'Seasteading Institute' are here to help you figure out the finer points. The institute is all about setting up autonomous 'countries' offshore. There's a lot of work to be done setting up stuff like currency, constitutions, and so on... but, it could be really rewarding. Plus, you get to design your own flag and pick the national anthem.



Read all about it via the Seasteading Institute:
www.seasteading.org

Let's settle this...

If you are quite serious about your personal training, or need a place to work out your minor disputes - you might consider one of these: a professional Mixed Martial Arts ring. Easy to assemble and take down, you could even take it over to a friend's house. Cost: about 20, 000 USD.


All the details via Title Boxing:
store.tittleboxing.com

Memento Mori...

There's been lots of chatter about crystal skulls lately.. but how about something useful? The Memento Mori swizzle sticks are topped with skulls that can help remind you of your mortality, and help mix your drinks. They could also be used as a not so subtle threat while having a drink with your arch nemesis. Available on a limited basis in sets of four, for about 195 USD.



Info and purchase via unica home:
www.unicahome.com

That's hot...

The company 'Fluke' manufactures all kinds of interesting industrial test devices - one that stands out is the handheld thermal imager. Being able to see temperature signature of objects in the distance, it's handy for all kinds of stuff: playing hide-and-go-seek, determining if your beverage is drinkable, ghost hunting, etc.. It's a bit spendy as toy, approximate cost: about 7.500 USD



Handheld thermal imagers via Fluke:
us.fluke.com

Golfbot 2: The Shadow

Apparently all this robotic research is paying off. An Australian company is making caddy robots that will quietly follow you around with your bags. No remote controls are involved, only a small transponder that clips onto your belt. They're not for sale, but will be offered as a service via golf courses.



Details and videos via Shadow Caddy:
www.shadowcaddy.com.au

The world...

It's really great to have the world at your fingertips. Even in this digital age, a good globe comes in pretty handy. The folks at Atmosphere in Denmark are making some very stylish ones that you won't mind leaving out.



Cool globes via Atmosphere:
www.atmosphere-newworld.com

New car smell...

This coming October, you'll be able to buy a fragrance from Porsche Design. The men's cologne will be called 'The Essence' and is the first time Porsche Design has made an olfactory product. Chances are good it won't smell anything like a garage.


Read all about it via WWD:
www.wwd.com

Snap!!

The clever folks at Taser International have figured out a way to add a little bit of taser to other products. Intended for converting riot shields into big flat tasers, the 'taser conversion kit' could theoretically be used to make other household items into tasers, using 'peel and stick' technology. But why stop there? Imagine the fun of a taser lunchbox, briefcase or picnic table.


Details from Taser.com:
www.taser.com


PDF of a Taser shield conversion:
www.taser.com

California classic...

At the Paris International Car Show this coming September, Ferrari will introduce a new car to their lineup: 'The California'. Named after the legendary 250 GT California from the 1960's, this will be a modern reinterpretation. It will also be the first Ferrari with an unfolding hard top. Don't expect the extra weight to slow it down, it will still accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds.



News release and pictures via the Autoblog:
www.autoblog.com

Droning on...

With a couple of dollars and a little ingenuity, you can turn your radio controlled plane into a scout drone. The 'Pilot View FPV 2400' first person video camera system can put you in the tiny pilot seat of your RC plane. Using radio transmitters and VR style goggles, you can enjoy a birds eye view without the having to wear a parachute. Cost: about 550 USD.



Detail information and video via 'The Hobby Lobby':
www.hobby-lobby.com

Bar bet...

The folks at Bell & Ross make watches that can survive very extreme environments. They've instigated a little test - 'The Big Jump'. After strapping on his watch - skydiver Michael Fournier will skydive from 130,000 feet landing in Saskatchewan, Canada (we hope). Which should also put him into a record book or two. The big date is May 28th.


Countdown and details in English and French via 'The Big Jump':
www.legrandsaut.org