The Gadget Show Live, April 2013: Technology in the UK
by Ian Cutress on April 4, 2013 6:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Trade Shows
- UK
- Gadget Show
Programming Gangnam Style and 4K Racing
One of the more esoteric demonstrations at the event was by a company called Aldebaran Robotics, makers of the NAO range of human-like robots for teaching school children how to react and program machines logically. There are clearly hits of Honda’s ASIMO robot in here, but the NAO robot does something other than running – Gangnam Style!
A project that encourages school children to think in a way that promotes coding is a good thing in my opinion, especially for the computer driven age we live in today. Having something visual like the NAO helps this, and some of the software seemed easy to use as well.
One of the uses for the NAO is to play football (the non-US kind) in the Robocup World Championship. The next big event, the Robocup German Open, is just 3 weeks away and will take place in Magdeburg, Germany.
In the coding world, one stand was dedicated to four teams of programmers designing new games and utilities in the Unreal Engine 3.0. All the screens were on display showing just how involved making a game and using engine software is.
Dirt 3 meets 84” 4K with a £12k Racing Seat
Perhaps the most interactive excitement I had at GSL was at the LG booth, were one of their 84” 4K panels was on display hooked up to Dirt 3. The game was also connected to a Vesaro racing simulator, capable of independent motion in all four corners to correspond with the feelings in game.
The Seat
The 4K Screen
Despite not owning a driving license or a car, I love driving games, go-karting and the Formula 1. The whole experience was great, with it being my first proper attempt at using both manual gear changes with a flappy paddle steering wheel. Luckily enough I did not crash in any major way and in my three lap race I did not finish last!
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MarkSear - Thursday, April 4, 2013 - link
I'm from the UK - moved to Toronto in Canada a year a go almost to the day. I love the Gadget Show and still watch it through 5 OnDemand (UK TV Channel) over a VPN connection.Seriously though - please correct the facts about the UK?
Movies are available to buy on Blu-ray / download / rent on demand 3 months after release. Often movies are released in theatres before the US and Canada.
As for product releases being delayed in the UK - erm BlackBerry Z10, Samsung S3 / S4, a whole plethora of motor vehicles, TV shows etc...
20 % VAT on goods - yes, but you're not a UK resident I presume - so you're exempt.
As for complex stuff - the EU is a single market - you even have the advantage often of buying good in Euro's - fair's fair now - there's a good chap!
Tams80 - Thursday, April 4, 2013 - link
True, but you can't really complain about the TV shows. The ones your referring to will be British made/commissioned ones and therefore unsurprisingly will be released in the UK first. Although it has got better, we do still have to wait for US TV shows to cross the imaginary Internet ocean (of course the same applies for out TV shows). Don't get me started on anime though!We also don't get some technology products at all and they are often more expensive even when you take in to account VAT.
Death666Angel - Thursday, April 4, 2013 - link
"yes, but you're not a UK resident I presume - so you're exempt."Dr. Ian Cutress is very much a resident of the UK. Unless I've been misled by the podcasts and his reviews all this time. :)
IanCutress - Friday, April 5, 2013 - link
Dear Mark,I am very much British and live in London, having lived in the north, south, east and west of this green and pleasant land.
There has been in the past delays of certain titles and products from NA to the UK/EU - for example a big film like Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (2005) was released 10-Jul-05 in the US and 29-Jul-05 in the UK. This is more common than you may realise, and up to 3-6 months does occur.
Yes, you can go buy in Euros, on the basis that you have to pay to change GBP to EUR (commission or bad rates), then extra for company X to ship it to you, then import tax (20%) to get it across the border. So unless it is 25%+ cheaper in continental Europe, you are still paying through the nose. They closed the loophole regarding Jersey and Guernsey recently, so even 'importing' from there is now subject to import tax.
I know my country, I was blooming born and raised here mate! :)
Ian
Kristian Vättö - Friday, April 5, 2013 - link
You don't have to pay the import tax if you're buying from another EU-country.smilingcrow - Saturday, April 6, 2013 - link
Exactly, no import duty or VAT.Import tax varies depending on the category so is not a fixed 20%.
poohbear - Thursday, April 4, 2013 - link
lol how in the hell is that igloo house a gadget????poohbear - Thursday, April 4, 2013 - link
its like going to a car show and seeing trucks and planes! who comes up with this stuff?evonitzer - Thursday, April 4, 2013 - link
How many products at CES could be called 'consumer electronics'? It really doesn't matter since the show is about displaying interesting things whether or not they are actually feasible for the general consumer.I can't believe people are griping about the igloo! That looks fantastic and I want it for my home.
nerd1 - Thursday, April 4, 2013 - link
Nao humanoid robots are made by a french company :-)