The Chapit is a unique toy-like robot from Fuji Housing company in Japan. The robot has voice-recognition capabilities and can understand up to 10,000 different commands. So just hook the robot to your home automation system and it’s ready to take your instructions.

Designed with the comfort level and problems of disabled people, the Tank Chair Mk II is a powerful wheelchair ready to roll in all kinds of weather and terrains. It was unveiled at CES 2008 in Las Vegas this week.

“This material used to design this rough-and-tough chair includes a one-piece steel chassis with the trails made from ruggedized rubber and lightweight aluminum struts,” Elite Choice wrote.

“Claiming to run at a speed of 5 mph, the Tank Chair Mk II has 24V, 2HP, 127RPM variable speed motor that extracts its juice from four Optima Deep Cycle batteries. Its inventor asserts that the chair can even sideline a golf cart. This is a clear indication that now physically challenged people don’t have to wait or think twice before going anywhere. It can be used over snow and during rainy season as well.”

It will be available by the end of January and is priced at $15,000.

What type of memory does your heart hold? Philips introduced its 1GB bejeweled, heart-shaped USB drives at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week, and they made quite an impression.

The hearts have a smooth finish on the left, while the right is adorned with Swarovskis. The two halves separate to reveal a hidden USB plug.

Batteries left unused eventually die and sometimes it’s a rather violent death, with the battery exploding and leaving a mess in your consumer electronics gear or the kitchen drawer where you had it stored. Even if you use a battery until it’s drained of power, what’s left over is still something of an environmental nightmare. Remaining chemicals can leach out into the ground and damage water sources, wildlife, etc.

This year, several universities are testing different tech strategies that include giving free iPods and iPhones to incoming freshman students.

The Universities can use the technology to create a better experience, track students and send messages. Students could also record class lectures and become more connected with technology.

Four institutions have announced the plan already, including: the University of Maryland, Abilene Christian, Oklahoma Christian University and Freed-Hardeman.

This six-device electronics charger is quite simply a compact multiple-adapter power station that can charge cell phones, PDAs, digital cameras, headsets, and MP3 players.

Although it is rather costly, at $99.95 at SkyMall.com, this is a huge convenience in the home, as it can save a lot of room by charging items in a single location, using only one power outlet.

This package includes an AC charger, a DC car charger, and a carrying case.

Are you an actor? Do you want a new iPhone from Apple? Are you looking for some extra beer money?

When a wireless operator in Poland, named ‘Orange,’ launched the iPhone, they hired paid actors to stand in line and give the impression that the iPhone was a hot item.

Can you imagine actually getting paid to wait in line at your wireless store? If I had a dollar for every minute I’ve wasted in those lineups, I could buy Apple!

Not bad work if you can get it!

If you are particular about cutting a straight line when you use scissors, we’ve got the perfect pair for you.

Laser Scissors feature an integrated laser component that guides you through the cutting with a beam, thereby eliminating the need to mark the material.

This idea might sound silly, but it would be great for designers and tailors who do a lot of cutting.

The Laser Scissors sell for $20.

Technology on cell-phones is more than fashion forward. The company Infopia USA has the patent for a glucophone.

This LG phone has a glucometer built in. The phone works alongside the company’s Eocene diabetic management system. Results are sent to a secure server which graphs and helps manage your disease.
Only authorized users will have access to your account.

It’s perfect for children whose parents are constantly wondering if the child tests enough, automatic texts of results can be set up, as well as reminder alarms.

No more logbooks!

By 2000, more than 177 million people had been diagnosed with diabetes world wide; by 2025, it could be up to 300 million if nothing is done.

There are 23.6 million people living with diabetes in the United States alone, a terrifying 8% of the American population. From 2005 to 2007, the rate of diabetes in the U.S. went up by 13.5%.

Only 10% of diabetes cases are type 1.

“There is a growing incidence of type 2 diabetes in children and young people from high-risk populations,” the Canadian Diabetes Association says. “Recent data suggests an American child born in 2000 stands a one in three chance of being diagnosed with diabetes in his or her lifetime.”

It’s very closely related to the rising obesity rates, but is also affected by factors like the aging populations and mainly, poor diet and nutrition.

Below are some of the top innovations featured for diabetics on Trend Hunter. Hopefully the amount of people requiring these innovations reduces in the coming years, but for the time being, let these discoveries bring hope for a healthier future.

The 60 mm rotor diameter Picoflyer is the smallest RC helicopter ever presented, it is a one-off prototype and it is not intended for sale.” (Proxyflyer) Um, okay, but when is it going to be for sale?

Key benefits of the helicopter: