carbongeek

New Location

2005-02-08T13:09:00.000-05:00

Please make sure to bookmark us at our brand-spankin' new (and permanent) location: http://www.carbongeek.com

'Surreal Life' Lives Up to Name (spoiler)

2005-02-03T10:57:00.000-05:00

So apparently any flirtation between Surreal Life castmembers Christopher "Bobby Brady" Knight and Adrianne Curry, the first winner of UPN's America's Next Top Model on this season of the wacky reality show... is real.

That's right, folks: Bobby Brady, now 47 years old, has just landed himself a 25 year old model.

Carbongeek cannot verify rumors that Knight charmed Curry with a personalized rendition of "When It's Time to Change (You've Got to Rearrange)".

Aprilia Magnet

2005-01-22T15:32:00.000-05:00

What do you get if you combine Michael Schumacher's Formula One car with Valentino Rossi's MotoGP bike? The Aprilia Magnet.

Originally designed by Heikki Naulapää as his degree project for his Vehicle Design MA at the Royal College of Art in London, the Aprilia Magnet combines open-wheel racecar design with two hydraulically-actuated, leaning front wheels to simulate motorcycle turn-in. A single, stationary wheel remains in the back.

The Magnet is powered by a 550cc motorcycle engine combined with an electromagnetic motor in each wheel. There's also a battery to provide some additional oomph. As if you'd need it; the power-to-weight ratio of this amazing hybrid bike must approach that of professional racing motorcycles.

Watch the movie

UPDATE (Brendan): No word yet on whether riders of the Magnet will be required to scream "TETSUUUOOOOOOOOOO" while dodging automatic weapons fire.

[Via gizmag]

You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge

2005-01-21T01:11:00.000-05:00

File under: Go figure.

Nina Gordon -- excuse me, who? -- records a folk version of NWA's Straight Outta Compton. It actually is pretty amusing; kind of reminds me of Mary Lou Lord. Although, I have to admit it's a little awkward listening to a white girl say "n*gger" so much on one song. She also unfortunately only covers Ice Cube's verse, ignoring both MC Ren and Eazy-E.

Listen to the mp3

UPDATE: Reader Maximus Aurelius writes: "Nina Gordon is an ex-Veruca Salt cutey. Not related to Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth." Thanks, Max!

Dancing Rings Around ASIMO and HUBO

2005-01-12T11:52:00.000-05:00

Now come reports of the existence of Promet, a new robot developed by Japanese researchers. Promet is designed to be a "master of Japanese traditional dance".

Given its resemblance to Soundwave, I assume it pipes its own music in during its dance routines.

How long until another consortium of Japanese researchers is sending out its army of slow-moving Ninjabots to destroy ASIMO and HUBO? Those guys need to watch their plastic backs.

UPDATE: If you're reaching us through the links at Engadget, welcome aboard the carbongeek express. Stick around for posts on movies, comics, IP nonsense and of course the sublime genius of robots.

UPDATE: Found a movie.