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Amit Goffer, a man who was paralysed in an accident in 1997, decided to spend his spare time trying to find a solution to a problem that we're quite frankly surprised we haven't seen elsewhere already. The ReWalk offers paraplegics the opportunity to stand and walk and consists of motorised leg supports, body sensors and a backpack containing a control box. Unfortunately it does require the use of your arms which means Goffer can't benefit from the system, though he is confident that there are many other people that can. Users can control the device via a wrist-band, which instructs the legs to stand, sit, walk or climb while aligning the body in such a way as to balance it effectively. The product is currently being tested and is touted for commercial sale in 2010, costing around $20,000 which is around the price of a sophisticated wheelchair. We'd be surprised if the system isn't refined somewhat by then though, but either way it seems like an excellent idea. As Goffer states, "It's not just about health, it's also about dignity". - Paul Lester [AOL] robotics technology future

from @ Gizmodo UK

'Waterproof' shoes and other clothing and accessories are rarely as effective as they're made out to be, and those sprays and polish you can buy don't do nearly as good a job as you'd think. Boffins at UK firm Plasma Product Innovations seem to have come up with something better which it claims is capable of making any material 100% waterproof.It uses something called an ion-masking process to treat the fibres on a molecular level so every part of the product is completely covered. Rather than absorbing water this treatment repels it entirely without affecting the flexibility or qualities of the material. The company demonstrated the effectiveness of the treatment by dunking two shoes into a bucket of water, and you can see the results for yourself in the image above. Though current applications are just focusing on clothes, the company plans to branch out into other areas that might benefit, such as electronics and other materials that are susceptible to water damage, in the not too distant future. - Paul Lester [TechRadar] waterproof clothing science

from @ Gizmodo UK

While we're wasting out time arguing about the pros and cons of various ISPs, it's easy to forget that not all of Britain is as tech-savvy as our modern internet-oriented world might suggest. ONS's recent Internet Access report states that 35% of UK homes don't have access to the Interwebz and a full 9% are still persisting with dial-up connections. Still, these figures are improved from a few years ago, when almost half the UK was going without and the take-up of broadband has since been steadily on the rise. It does seem as though we're getting a bit more tech-savvy on the whole; two years ago 24% of people said they didn't have web access due to lack of skills, a figure which has dropped to just 15% today. Predictably, age is deciding factor here since 70% of adults aged over 65 say they have never used the internet and are unlikely to do so, with the 16 to 24 age range going online most often. Where you live also appears to have a distinct impact since those in the northeast, the least connected region of the UK, show only 54% usage which is someway behind the south east's 74%. These figures seem to be steadily improving year on year though, so don't be surprised to see no more than a handful of technophobes steadfastedly refusing to join the digital age in a few years time. - Paul Lester [ZDNet] internet survey online

from @ Gizmodo UK

When we think 'pyramids' we tend to think of dust, Pharaohs, gold, grave-robbing and mummies but, there's a pioneering design firm in Dubai that believes the pyramid is long overdue a comeback and, not just for the dead. This is the stunning looking Ziggurat, a massive modern pyramid city that not only harks back to the past but will be at the cutting edge of carbon-neutral building. It should also be noted that the Ziggurat will be very, very big - if it ever gets made - measuring 2.3km square and capable of sustaining up to 1 million people. And, since it's designed to use wind and sun to completely provide its own power, there'll be enough juice for all your gadgets. The company, Timelinks, argues that the design allows whole cities to be accommodated in complexes which take up less than 10% of the original land surface. Transport within the structure would will be connected both vertically and horizontally so there'll be no need for cars. Security systems will use biometrics, like facial recognition technology, to make it safer place to live too. Of course, there are issues to be overcome such as waste disposal and the question of whether or not you would like living inside a machine with a million neighbours? Check out another shot below.-Martin Lynch [World Architecture News] life city news

from @ Gizmodo UK

So, what's the difference between the new Squeezbox Boom music streaming system and the original Squeezbox from Logitech? Well, this time, Logitech has squeezed in some real audio power meaning you don't have to hook this up to separate speakers. Inside is a 30Watt all-digital amplifier accompanied by two ¾in, high-definition, soft-dome tweeters and two 3in, high-power, long-throw woofers. Logitech says the bi-amplified design 'delivers crystal clear sound with minimal noise and distortion'. There's even a connection for hooking it up to an external, dedicated subwoofer if you need even more low-end thump. You just plug it in wherever you are at home and it will detect your network automatically. After that you can stream your tunes over an 802.11g wireless network connection or listen into thousands of Internet radio broadcasts. The Squeezebox Boom - sadly - also operates as an alarm clock, so it's not all fun. There are 6 preset buttons for finding your favourite tracks or stations and the remote control even features a tiny magnet so that you can stick it to the unit or the fridge. It's due for launch here in a few weeks and will cost more than the £150 US price, especially considering the existing Squeezbox costs around £180.-Martin Lynch music wireless

from @ Gizmodo UK