NASA and GM have unveiled a joint a new dexterous humanoid robot called Robonaut2 (nickname R2). Developed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the robot is designed to work side-by-side with humans, either in manufacturing plants or on missions in space. In factories, R2 will be able to take over some of the repetitive jobs that cause long-term injuries to humans. In outer space, this robot can take over some of the more dangerous tasks. Vision sensors in R2’s head and pressure sensors in its fingers allow it to work with a high degree of precision.

See amazing footage of R2 in action in this YouTube video and read more details in the NASA and GM Press Release.

Just when every other TV is designed to be sleek, flat and minimal, here’s a new TV from LG with plenty of retro styling. This old school television is not a flat-screen in disguise – it’s an old-fashioned, bulky cathode ray tube TV. A rabbit ear antenna and chrome legs complete the look. Korean electronics maker LG is selling this retro TV for about $216. It’s currently only available in Korea.

Read more about this retro TV on Cnet.

Just one week before the anticipated announcement of Apple’s new tablet device, Amazon has announced the release of an SDK (Software Development Kit) for its Kindle e-book reader. The Kindle SDK will allow application developers to create apps for the Kindle device. Amazon seems to be emulating Apple’s hugely successful iPhone SDK, which has led to the development of hundreds of thousands of free and for-sale applications that are available for download from the iTunes App Store.

The Apple table device (rumored to be called the iPad) will most likely have an e-book reader capability and will probably also be able to play music and video (like an iPod) and run apps (like an iPhone and iPod Touch).  It may give the Kindle a run for its money.

The Nintendo DS Lite has revolutionized the world of hand held gaming devices. Dual screens and wireless Wi-Fi provide a whole new level of interaction. Players can connect wirelessly and experience multi-player gaming. Each of the two 3-inch screens can display a fully rendered 3D view. The bottom screen is also a touch screen. Best of all, no subscription is required for Wi-Fi communication.

See a video review of the Nintendo DS Lite on YouTube.

Ford previewed its new MyFord Touch at the recent CES 2010 electronics show. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, the MyFord Touch system is built around a central 8-inch LCD touch screen. Bluetooth enabled devices can be plugged into the car speakers and USB drives allow additional types of media to be connected. Two additional 4.2-inch LDS screen are placed on either side of the speedometer and display information incuding engine RPMs and incoming caller id phone numbers. The Touch also controls ambient lighting. The driver can control the Touch via voice, touch or a steering-wheel mounted controller. Name a song and the Touch will find it and play it.

MyFord Touch is planned to appear in the 2011 Ford Edge and 2012 Ford Focus. Find out more on the Ford website.

As the year draws to a close, most tech experts are agreeing that one of the biggest tech trends of 2009 was the social network. Sites like Facebook and Twitter, once the domain of techies and teenagers, went mainstream. Millions of non-technical users plugged into social networking this year.

As more people became involved, the content of many social network sites improved. Those involved in a cause found these sites to be a ready-made forum for discussion. Middle-aged people discovered the communication tools that are built into social networks. Many businesses also began using social network sites as a way to establish their brand and communicate with customers. This trend could continue and grow in 2010.

The Escargot is like no vacuum cleaner you’ve ever seen before. Collaboration between Electrolux and Toshiba is responsible for this small wonder. Weighing less than 5 pounds, this vacuum features a brushed metal exterior and a silhouette that resembles a snail – hence the name. This handy machine is the size of a basketball, no louder than a hair dryer, and can be slung over the shoulder or dragged by its strap. The Escargot is currently only available in Japan, but hopefully will be available in Europe and the U.S. sometime soon.

This wicked looking chopper seems to defy the laws of physics with hubless rims that have no spokes or center hardware. This aluminum bike was built by Tennessee-based Amen Design (www.amendesigneng.com) using a wheel design concept from Franco Sbarro. Mike Brown, owner of Amen Design, has appeared on the Discovery Channel’s Great Biker Build-Off. You can see the hubless rims in action in this YouTube video:

Over a year ago, TechCrunch editor Michael Arrington took on the challenge to build and sell a simple Web tablet for $200. The goal was to make device that was bigger than an iPhone but smaller than a full-blown personal computer, and easier to use than a netbook. The concept-only device was christened the Crunchpad and was scheduled to be ready for sale this month. Now TechCrunch has announced the www.fusioingarage.com, the 12-person Silicon Valley company that had been contracted to produce the Crunchpad, had decided to take over ownership of the product and market it themselves. The new device will be called JooJoo and is based on a 12.1” touchscreen. It will sell for $499. One of its main selling points will be a 9 second startup sequence.  Industries eyes are on the JooJoo.

As Apple says, “there’s an app for that.”  One of the most popular downloads in the iTunes app store is iFart.  Then name says it all – this prank app is a digital sound machine that’s sure to embarrass anyone who hears it.  Check out the YouTube video of Kathie Lee and Hoda trying out iFart Mobile.  This is lots funnier than their SNL counterparts, especially when Kathie Lee says, “That starts my day so happy.  I love that!”