Episode 258 — Fly Like A Pigeon(bot)

You could fly like an eagle, or at least soar like a pigeon with real feathers and motion dynamics as real birds do.  Michael and Michael discuss the benefits of this kind of locomotion, highlighting how quiet this pigeonbot is, and the likely battery benefits.  Continuing on the robotic theme, the co-hosts are amazed a novel way to grasp objects without crushing them — using ultrasonic waves.

In the digital space, there is an interesting discussion on how Google presents ads and website favicons, making it easier for the user to mistakenly click on an ad by mistake.  3D Travel World allows you to tour a Romanian castle in virtual reality, which reminded Michael R of the same technology Michael M used when he sold his home.

Long time listeners will chuckle at the cohost’s reactions to Mojo, an augmented reality contact lens system.  The LEGO Ideas Cybertruck is really cool — well beyond the initial Lego reaction to the Cybertruck.  

Rounding out this episode, Michael and Michael remember some of Terry Jones’ most famous and funny Monty Python episodes.  RIP with the Norwegian Blue, Terry.

Selected Links

TechCrunch article: ‘PigeonBot’ brings flying robots closer to real birds — https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/16/pigeonbot-brings-flying-robots-closer-to-real-birds/ 

Mo Willem’s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus — http://pigeonpresents.com/books/dont-let-the-pigeon-drive-the-bus/ 

Robot Chicken — https://www.adultswim.com/videos/robot-chicken/ 

TechCrunch article: This ultrasonic gripper could let robots hold things without touching them — https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/22/this-ultrasonic-gripper-could-let-robots-hold-things-without-touching-them/ 

TechCrunch article: Google’s latest user-hostile design changes make ads and search results look identical — https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/23/squint-and-youll-click-it/ 

3D Travel World presents Catelul Corvinilor Hunedoara — https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Vsi1i2VwDJm&utm_source=1 

Road & Track article: I Mowed Down a Lady — https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a30349105/i-mowed-down-a-lady/ 

Fast Company article: The making of Mojo, AR contact lenses that give your eyes superpowers — https://www.fastcompany.com/90441928/the-making-of-mojo-ar-contact-lenses-that-give-your-eyes-superpowers 

Mojo — https://www.mojo.vision/mojo-lens/

Cnet article: Tesla Cybertruck Lego kit is adorable, may see production — https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/tesla-cybertruck-lego-ideas-elon-musk-von-holzhausen-project/ 

The Telegraph article: Monty Python’s 10 funniest sketches — https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comedy/what-to-see/monty-pythons-10-funniest-sketches/

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