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Assistive Kitchen Robot Takes Stanford’s Dishes to the Wash

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BoingBoing Gadgets reports:

The “Assistive Kitchen” robot picks up the dishes and takes them to the wash, thanks in large part to RFID sensors built into the plates and utensils in Stanford’s test kitchen. The team building the robot is also trying to teach it to surf the web to pick up new tricks, as well as self-optimize its routines to minimize the amount of running around it would have to do to pick up the dishes. (Pick up all the plates missing from the cabinet before returning to the dishwasher, for instance.)

Robot B21 today — Rosie tomorrow.

Robot chef gets a boost from wireless kitchen [New Scientist] (Thanks, Zoe!)

Hal 2000 as a dishwasher

Recall: Lawn Mowers by American Honda Motor Corp. Due to Laceration Hazard

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Name of Product: Honda Lawn Mowers

Units: 20,500

Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Corp., of Torrance, Calif.

Hazard: The lawn mower’s rear shield can break off allowing debris to be thrown toward the operator, which poses a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: American Honda has received one report of a shield breaking off the lawn mower. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves HRX walk-behind lawn mowers with model numbers HRX217(K)2HXA and HRX217(K)2HMA. The model and serial number are printed on a label located on the upper rear of the mower deck. Serial numbers included in the recall are MAGA-1500001 through 1520532. The recalled lawn mowers are red with “HONDA” written on the bag.

Sold by: Authorized American Honda Motor Corp. dealers and Home Depot stores nationwide from October 2007 to June 2008 for about $900.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled lawn mowers and contact their local Honda Lawn and Garden dealer to schedule a free repair. Registered owners of the recalled lawn mowers have been contacted by direct mail notification.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Honda at (800) 426-7701 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit Honda’s Web site at http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/recalls/

       

Recall: Counterfeit Circuit Breakers By Specialty Lamp International Due to Fire Hazard

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Name of Product: Counterfeit Circuit Breakers labeled as “Square D”

Units: About 371,000

Distributor: Specialty Lamp International Inc., of Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Hazard: The recalled circuit breakers labeled “Square D” have been determined by Square D to be counterfeit and can fail to trip when they are overloaded, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The counterfeit circuit breakers are black and are labeled as Square D QO-series models 115, 120, 130, 215, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 and 2020 and Square D QOB-series models 115, 120, 130, 220, 230, 250, 260 and 1515. Actual Square D circuit breakers have (a) the amp rating written on the handle in white paint on the front of the breaker (authentic Square D circuit breakers manufactured prior to 2003 did not have white paint on the amperage numbers); (b) the Square D insignia molded onto the breaker side, and; (c) a yellow chromate mounting clip with half of the top of the clip visible. If your breaker, labeled as Square D, does not match this description, it could be counterfeit.

Sold by: Electrical product distributors nationwide from May 2005 through June 2006 for between $3 and $23.

Manufactured in: China or Unknown

Remedy: Consumers should contact Specialty to determine if the breaker they have is counterfeit and to arrange for a free inspection and replacement or refund if necessary.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Specialty at (866) 650-3076 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, by email bart@specialty-lamp.com, or visit the company’s Web site at www.ebulb.net. This is not a Square D Company recall.

Recall: Char-Broil Two-Burner Gas Grills Sold Exclusively at Mills Fleet Farm Stores Due to Fire, Burn Hazard

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Name of Product: Char-Broil Two-Burner Gas Grills Model 463720108

Units: About 400

Importer: Char-Broil LLC, of Columbus, Ga.

Manufacturer: Shenzhen Jinwoniu Trading Company LTD, China

Hazard: On the recalled grills, the main burner does not fit correctly and does not connect properly to the gas valve which could result in a propane leak. This poses fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the Char-Broil gas grills with model number 463720108 and serial number ranging from 000001 to 000402. The gas grills have a main burner with two-burner plates, a 170 square inch swing-away rack, two side shelves and a condiment basket. Char-Broil’s logo is on the top of the lid of the grill. The serial and model numbers are located on the white rating label on the back of the horizontal support of the grill.

Sold at: Mills Fleet Farm Stores in Iowa, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin from February 2008 through April 2008 for about $120.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the grill immediately and contact Char-Broil for a free replacement burner and installation instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Char-Broil at (866) 671-7988 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.charbroil.comchar-broil two-burner recall

Recall:American Flame Fireplaces to Replace Gas Valves Due to Fire and Explosion Hazards

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Name of Product: Fireplace Gas Valves

Units: About 12,000

Manufacturer: American Flame Inc., of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Hazard: Gas can continue to flow into the fireplace pilot light area after the switch has been turned “off,” posing a fire or explosion hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: American Flame has received two reports of incidents involving valve failure and continuous gas flow. No injuries or fires have been reported.

 

Description: The recall involves American Flame AF-4000 series fireplace gas valves installed in residential fireplaces made by twelve manufacturers under the following brand names: Pacific Energy, Travis Industries, CFM Corporation, Canadian Heating Products, Portland Willamette, Rasmussen, Chimeneas de Columbia, Twin Eagles, FDM, Inca Metals (Savannah Heating), Even Temp, and Valley Comfort. The valves were installed in some but not all fireplaces. Date codes included in the recall include 0622 through 0718. The gas valve model number is located on a label on the bottom of each gas valve. The date code is located above the label.

Sold by: Fireplace retailers and distributors nationwide from September 2006 through July 2007 for between $500 and $2,000 for the fireplaces, with additional costs for installation.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled fireplaces and contact their dealer for a free repair. The repair involves replacing the fireplace’s valve if it leaks gas in the “off” position when tested by a qualified service technician.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact American Flame toll-free at (888) 672-8929 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET to determine if your fireplace is included in the recall and to arrange for a free repair, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.skytechsystem.com

 

 

Gas Valve DiagramAmerican Flame fireplace recall

Recall: Frigidaire Canada Kenmore Wall Ovens Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

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Name of Product: Kenmore Wall Ovens

Units: About 7,500

Manufacturer: Frigidaire Canada, a sister company of Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio

Hazard: During extended broiling, gas can build in the oven cavity and escape when the oven door is opened. This poses a burn and possible fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Electrolux has received 16 reports of incidents involving gas build-up, including flames escaping from the oven door, burns to the hands and face and singed hair.

Description: This recall involves Kenmore 24-inch-wide gas and propane, wall-mounted ovens. The self-cleaning ovens were sold in white, black, bisque and stainless steel, and have the Kenmore name printed on the oven control panel. The model and serial numbers of the ovens that are part of this recall can be found on the frame on the left side of the oven cavity.

Model Numbers Serial Number Range
790.30472400, 790.30473400,
790.30474400, 790.30479400		 NF401xxxxx through
NF610xxxxx

Sold at: Sears, Sears Hardware, Kmart and the great indoors stores nationwide and Sears.com from September 2004 through October 2007 for between $760 and $1,150.

Manufactured in: Canada

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the “broil” feature on recalled ovens and contact Sears to schedule a free repair. Consumers may continue to use the “bake” feature.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Sears toll-free at (800) 479-6408 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.sears.com

recalled kenmore wall oven

 

Recall: Shindaiwa Corp. Backpack Blowers Due to Laceration and Impact Hazards

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Name of Product: Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers

Units: About 23,000

Importer: Shindaiwa Corp., of Tualatin, Ore

Manufacturer: Shindaiwa Kogyo Co. Ltd, of Hiroshima, Japan

Hazard: The blower’s impeller (fan) can separate from the base and break apart, causing plastic pieces to be blown out of the machine, and pose a laceration and impact hazard to consumers. The flying pieces also can cause property damage and injury to bystanders. Note: These backpack blowers were previously recalled due to a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Shindaiwa is aware of 13 incidents involving broken impellers. One incident involved a minor head injury and minor property damage to a nearby automobile.

Description: This recall involves Shindaiwa Models EB8510 and EB8510RT. All models up to serial # 7014728 are included. The backpack blowers weigh approximately 24 pounds and include Serial Numbers through February 2007 production (S/N 702XXXX) which are located on the side label. These machines are black and blue with a red and black label that reads, “EB8510, Shindaiwa.”

Sold by: Shindaiwa dealers nationwide from September 2005 through January 2007 for about $600.

Manufactured in: Japan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the backpack blowers immediately and contact Shindaiwa for the closest dealer location to schedule a free inspection and impeller replacement. Consumers who have registered their equipment should have already received correspondence from Shindaiwa about this recall.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Shindaiwa at (800) 521-7733 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.shindaiwa.com

backpack blower

Recall: Maple Chase Co. Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Combo Alarms Due to Alarm Malfunction

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Name of Product: FireX Branded 10000 Series Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms and 12000 Series CO/Smoke Combo Alarms

Units: About 280,000

Manufacturer: Maple Chase Company, of Plain City, Ohio

Hazard: The recalled alarms can sound a “double chirp”/fault alarm in the presence of CO, prior to going into full alarm. Upon hearing a double chirp, the Owner’s Manual instructions recommend a consumer take the alarm out of service, which could expose consumers to hazardous levels of CO and suffer injury or death.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall includes FireX branded 10000 and 12000 series alarms with item numbers: 10000, 12000, 12000C, 12000-6, 12200, 12220, 12400, 12400C manufactured between June 1, 2007 and February 1, 2008. The date code appears on the back of the unit with a four digit year, three digit month followed by the day (ex: 2007JUN1 for June 1, 2007). Units with a manufacture date code prior to June 1, 2007 are not included in this recall.

Sold: Commercial electrical distributors and electrical contractors and builders for installation into new home construction. A limited number of units were sold at Menard’s nationwide from June 2007 through February 2008 for about $20 (10000 series) and $30 (12000 series).

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should contact Maple Chase immediately to receive a free comparable replacement alarm and make arrangements to return their recalled alarms. Consumers should not take the alarms out of service until they receive the replacement alarm.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Maple Chase toll-free at (888) 879-3906 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or go to the firm’s Web site at www.firexsafety.com

10000 Front and Back

smake detector

12000 Front and Back

Recall: Baby Bottle and Food Warmers by Munchkin Due to Fire Hazard

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Name of Product: Deluxe Bottle and Food Warmers

Units: About 5,000

Manufacturer: Munchkin Inc., of North Hills, Calif.

Hazard: The bottle and food warmers can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Munchkin has received nine reports of units overheating, several of which ignited, causing damage to countertops. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Munchkin Deluxe Bottle and Food Warmer with Pacifier Cleaning Basket 2-in-1 Design, model #13301 and lot number TP-1487. The product is used to warm food and bottles of various sizes. The set includes a main basket, a lift-out basket, an adapter ring, and a measuring cup. “Munchkin” is located on the front of the warmer and “TP-1487” is located on the bottom. Only warmers bearing lot number “TP-1487” are included in this recall.

Sold at: Various retailers nationwide and company’s catalog from June 2007 through April 2008 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using bottle and food warmers with lot number TP-1487 immediately and contact Munchkin to receive a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact customer service toll-free at (866) 619-8673 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.munchkin.com

munchkin bottle warmer

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