Scientists seeking to understand the spread of norovirus (a contagion that causes vomiting and diarrhea and spreads via contaminated surfaces) have developed a projectile-vomiting robot to accurately model the splashing of human barf. His name is Vomiting Larry, and he is your new hero: » 1/07/13 1:00pm 1/07/13 1:00pm

Of all the things our airports need these days, more working bathrooms, better food options, and fewer epicly shitty delays would probably top the list. But rather than getting those things, those of us who live in New York are apparently instead getting an unsettling avatar who is designed to replace human customer… » 5/22/12 11:00pm 5/22/12 11:00pm

With our various electronic devices always pinging and beeping to notify us of various developments in the world, be it a "liked" Facebook status or a breaking news alert, you wouldn't think we'd need MORE ways to gauge how well-received we were online. And yet, apparently we do. That's why Benjamin Redford invented a… » 5/15/12 5:15pm 5/15/12 5:15pm

Panasonic has developed this fancy shampooing robot that uses 24 "finger-like tips" to wash and condition your hair, give you a scalp massage, and then dry your hair. It looks a little wacky, but actually seems to be pretty effective—and it supposedly even works on people with long hair. For now, it's intended… » 5/01/12 10:00pm 5/01/12 10:00pm

On the scale of unpleasant things, this "just the tip" joke that CNN's Alex Castellanos managed to squeeze out of a discussion about Ann Romney campaigning for the Michigan primary falls somewhere between touching a hot pepper before rubbing your finger in your eye and walking in on your grandparents having sex.… » 2/29/12 11:15pm 2/29/12 11:15pm

If you thought Mitt Romney's quest to be the least compassionate human-like machine on the planet was new, you would be wrong. Here's an damning video of him from back in 2007 when a muscular dystrophy patient confronted then Governor Romney about his views on medical marijuana. The man, who is in a wheelchair,… » 1/15/12 8:00pm 1/15/12 8:00pm

Right now, at Versailles, as part of the "Sciences and Curiosities at the Court of Versailles" exhibit, one can view the tiny piano-playing automaton/android — with which Marie Antoinette entertained her court. She's gorgeous, talented, and gives serious side-eye. » 11/02/10 11:58am 11/02/10 11:58am

In a bid to boost the flagging Japanese birthrates, one company has introduced a practice baby, the "Yotaro robotic baby simulator," that makes it all look easy. And really freaky. » 3/18/10 6:30pm 3/18/10 6:30pm

Inventor Le Trung, 33, has created a "Fem-bot" named Aiko, who can do math, remember his favorite drink, read in Japanese and English, and has a touch-sensitive face and body. "She doesn’t need holidays, food or rest and she will work almost 24-hours a day," he says. "She is the perfect woman." Le, a former software… » 12/10/08 11:20am 12/10/08 11:20am

"A Japanese man reacts as the humanoid robot baby he is holding begins to cry at Japan's largest robot convention. The 'Real Care Babies,' which cry if they are not treated with love and care, help to teach people about infant care." » 11/28/07 5:15pm 11/28/07 5:15pm