New and Emerging Technology News part 42 ~ NEW GEN TECH LIFE : new generation technology news

Saturday 25 January 2014

New and Emerging Technology News part 42

The Mini HD is small in size yet packed with powerful features
Lacie continues to bolster the media streaming market and has recently introduced another model into its LaCinema range which, like most of its predecessors, was inspired by designer Neil Poulton. As such the new Mini HD sports a familiar sleek, piano-black design with front and rear USB ports to connect media for local playback, HDMI 1.3, RCA and optical audio along with 100Mbps Ethernet for connecting to a wired network.  Read More
The Hexakopter microcopter has many inbuilt features that make it great fun to operate, an...
We've seen the value of using multiple rotors in unmanned microcopters like the CyberQuad, DraganFlyer X8 and more recently Parrot's AR.Drone. The HexaKopter is another case in point - the 1.2kg, six-rotor device has a flight-time of up to 36 minutes and can carry around 1kg along with a high-definition camera that delivers some amazing images. And it's also a lot of fun.  Read More
Bloom Energy founder, K.R. Sridhar, and the fuel cell that forms the heart of the Bloom Bo...
Bloom Energy has definitely generated some buzz this week with a story on 60 Minutes ahead of the official launch this Wednesday of the Bloom Box – an electricity generating fuel cell box designed to sit in the back yard and provide enough power to reliably, more cleanly and cheaply power a house.  Read More
The Samsung HMX-U20 features a 3x optical zoom, 2'LCD screen and ergonomic design
Samsung has unveiled its second generation foray into the ever increasing pocket camcorder market. The follow up models to the HMX-U10 both feature 2” LCD screens and are able to capture 1920x1080 HD video at 30fps.The HMX-U20 offers the added extra of a 3x optical zoom.  Read More
The CubeTube is like a circular indoor solar panel
Although great strides have been made recently to make offices more energy efficient, fluorescent office lighting is still great cause for concern. Installing controllers which automatically switch off lighting when no movement is detected is one method of saving energy but Solaroad Technologies proposes recycling otherwise wasted light energy by placing cylindrical photovoltaic harvesting and storage devices on top of workstation cubicle walls.  Read More
Fei Long prepares to pass on some lessons he picked up on the street
The explosion in popularity of video games, coupled with the widespread availability of computers at home and school, has given educational software developers the impetus to harness the power of video games as a way of teaching children. Whether or not such educational games are effective in teaching the three R's is a topic for another day, but an Arizona State University scholar says commercial blockbuster video games can teach educators a thing or two about how to better educate children.  Read More
The Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700 has two 2W high-def speakers and a cooling fan to keep y...
Laptops might have gotten smaller and more powerful but, aside from the weight reduction, they haven’t really improved in terms of comfort while they're actually being used in one's lap. Devices like Logitech’s Comfort Lapdesk address this problem by providing a padded barrier separating a user’s legs from the often hot underside of the laptop. Now, Logitech’s new Speaker Lapdesk N700 has taken the basic Comfort Lapdesk, added a fan to keep your laptop running cool and integrated some high quality speakers to give your laptop some audio oomph.  Read More
The Robo-Catcher captivates some youngsters in Japan
Claw vending machines have caused wide-spread frustration in arcades the world over for decades. Known as UFO catchers in Japan, and sometimes as 'teddy pickers' or 'skill testers' in other countries, these games offer little entertainment and even less hope of success. Well, for me anyway... But now that Japan-based company Mechatrax has developed the Robo-catcher I might have some improved hope of entertainment, if not some realistic chance at winning.  Read More
Material scientists at the Nano/Bio Interface Center of the University of Pennsylvania hav...
Turning sunlight into electrical power is all but a new problem, but recent advancements made by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have given a new twist to the subject. While not currently aimed at solar panel technology, their research has uncovered a way to turn optical radiation into electrical current that could lead to self-powering molecular circuits and efficient data storage.  Read More
Clayton Boyer's Celestial Mechanical Calendar and Orrery - are you up to the challenge?
For most of us clocks are a purely utilitarian device. They tell us the time and we don’t generally give a second thought to their inner workings. But the mechanical wooden clock designs of Clayton Boyer put the inner workings of clocks on full display resulting in conversation starters that are not only functional, but beautiful as well. And, if you’re feeling up for the challenge, you can build your own.  Read More

The Inflatable Sleeping Coat will keep you dry and warm during the day and provide you wit...
We know how much you love spending time in the great outdoors but it can get tiring (and a little annoying) when you have to lug all your sleeping and camping gear with you. What if you could carry all your sleeping gear in one handy package? That's the thinking behind the Inflatable Sleeping Coat. The design concept by Lin Tsui-Wei not only keeps you dry and warm during the day – it inflates to provide a comfortable sleeping bag for when it’s time for bed.  Read More
Proton Geneva Show concept uses Lotus hybrid power
A new hybrid-electric concept car from PROTON featuring a Lotus Engineering drivetrain will debut in Geneva next month. Lotus has designed the entire drivetrain for the plug-in hybrid city car, combining the 3 cylinder, 1.2 liter Lotus Range Extender engine unveiled in Frankfurt last year with a single-speed transmission electrical drive system.  Read More
The patent application shows the controller and console setup (left) and different button ...
According to a patent recently filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Sony is working on a universal game controller that could be used with competitor consoles from Microsoft and Nintendo. The proposed controller would see an LCD touch screen positioned on the front of the controller to replace the controller's face buttons, directional pad and thumb-sticks.  Read More
HHi TIME's panoramic screen brings ultra-high resolution and advanced sound technique for ...
As 3D movie projecting continues to bloom, technicians and filmmakers are exploring new ways to create a deeper interaction between the viewers and the big screen. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHi) in Berlin are bringing the immersive cinema experience to a new level with a panoramic 3.35 by 12 meters, 180-degrees high resolution display with outstanding image and sound quality.  Read More
LG's 13.3-inch Capacitive In-Cell Multi-Touch LCD panel
A 13.3-inch Capacitive In-Cell Multi-Touch LCD panel from LG is the first in-cell touch screen panel to obtain "Windows 7 Touch Logo" certification from Microsoft. The LCD panel is designed for laptops with multi-touch functions that enable simultaneous recognition of two touch points. Unlike conventional touch screens that use films to enable touch capability, the product has sensors built into the display.  Read More
Electric two-wheeler sales set to double motorcycle market
According to a new study entitled “Electric Two-Wheel Vehicles”, cleantech market intelligence company Pike Research is forecasting that more than 466 million electric bicycles and motorcycles will be sold worldwide during the period from 2010 to 2016. Given that the annual global motorcycle market is currently around 80 million units a year, almost all of them based on the internal combustion engine, this anticipated explosion in electric bike demand could double the size of the two wheeled market, not to mention dampen the demand for electric four-wheelers.  Read More
CompactFlash cards with 144PB capacity are still only fantasy - but they are now theoretic...
The body responsible for setting the standards for CompactFlash cards, the CompactFlash Association, has announced the specs for the latest 5.0 revision of the mass storage format. CompactFlash 5.0 adds 48-bit addressing (up from 28-bit) which enables an increased data transfer unit size of 32MB per transfer (up from 128KB) and a maximum capacity of 144PB (up from 137GB)... that's 144,000 terabytes!  Read More
Two Secret Energy Turbine rooftop turbines
Few people would argue that having a rooftop wind turbine could help offset your power bills. Your neighbors, however, might not appreciate the sight of a windmill on your roof, nor would they like the sound of its blades whistling through the air. Don’t give up on the idea yet, though, because British inventor Rupert Sweet-Escott has come up with a product that he claims addresses those problems. His Secret Energy Turbine (SET) looks like an ordinary chimney stack and is boasts almost completely silent operation.  Read More
The Riskprotect automatic cross-country ski bindings prototype takes the hassle out of on-...
One of the toughest jobs in cross-country skiing – apart from dragging yourself away from the log fire in the bar at the chalet – is adjusting ski bindings mid-journey. Riskprotect has designed bindings that automatically adjust to an incline or decline and remove the risk of skiers injuring themselves by attempting awkward maneuvers while off-piste.  Read More
A piece of the boron-nitride nanotube yarn
Not satisfied with your Kevlar body armor? Well, you may be in luck. American researchers have used lasers to create the world’s first practical macroscopic yarns from boron nitride fibers. The development could unlock the potential of the material for a wide variety of applications, including radiation-shielding for spacecraft, solar energy collection, and stronger body armor. If the supplied photo is anything to go by, it also does a great job at holding up a quarter.  Read More

Nanotube-reinforced carbon fiber Piranha USV
ZPM’s nanotube-reinforced carbon fiber prepreg is normally associated with high performance composite power boats, but the use of such ultra-lightweight materials in an unmanned surface vessel (USV) makes sense. Built entirely of Arovex™, the newly announced 54-foot Piranha USV weighs only 8,000 lb, yet can carry a 15,000 lb payload 2,500 miles, making it suitable for missions as diverse as anti-piracy, search and rescue, submarine hunting, and harbor patrol with a range of armament options that includes stabilized machine guns, Mark 54 torpedoes, and over-the-horizon missiles.  Read More
The FX Mountain Moto
For many people, dirt bikes look fun, but intimidating. They’re dangerously-fast, they’re loud, and should you wipe out on one, which is going to happen... well, that’s a lot of bike that could come crashing down on top of you. If you’re one of these people, you might be interested in the FX Mountain Moto. At 57 kg (125 lbs), it’s billed as the world’s lightest adult-sized dirt bike. It’s intended to bridge the gap between regular dirt bikes and mountain bicycles, combining the power of one with the agility of the other.  Read More
The Revenge Verde supercar that offers a fuel efficient HP2g engine
The Revenge Verde is an American-made supercar using “the best of the best” parts sourced from a range of supercar manufacturers. The mid-engined Verde offers three drive chain and power train options, including an HP2g V8 engine that runs on E-85 ethanol fuel and produces 400hp, goes from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 200mph+, while achieving an amazing 100mpg. We had a chance to chat with Peter Collorafi, the CEO/President of Revenge Design Inc, as well as Doug Pelmear, CEO of HP2g to find out more about the car's development. Check out in our video after the jump.  Read More
Available in bright colors and coming with a 12 megapixel sensor and five times inner opti...
Samsung has announced some interesting new additions to its camera range at this year's Photo Marketing Association trade show (PMA 2010) in California including a 12 megapixel waterproof ultra-compact. Waterproof to a depth of three meters (ten feet) and featuring underwater optimization, the AQ100 will also shoot 720p video.  Read More
Unique 1937 BMW 328 Mille Miglia ‘Buegelfalte’ goes to auction
One of the world’s most significant pre-war sports racing cars, the one-of-a-kind 1937 BMW 328 Mille Miglia ‘Buegelfalte’ will go to auction in Monaco on May 1, 2010 at the Grimaldi Forum. This car is the only special roadster ever built at the BMW factory in Munich, has numerous race wins to its credit (including a Mille Miglia class win) and became the pattern for a whole generation of post-war sports cars, an influence seen very clearly in cars such as the Jaguar XK120 Roadster.  Read More
Thankfully, though it snaps apart it is rigid enough and watertight where it counts most
The Tequila! kayak from Swedish company Point65 is a truly versatile modular watercraft that comes apart to make it easy to stow without the need for specialized storage systems at home. Ideal for people living in apartments or units or those who already have a full garage, the sit-on-top kayak breaks down into manageable components and fits into the rear of most vehicles, meaning there’s no need for roofracks. While the idea of a collapsible kayak isn't new, the added bonus of the Tequila! design is that it can be changed from a solo to a tandem kayak by adding another modular piece and snapping it together.  Read More
Belkin's USB 3.0 ExpressCard adapter gives laptop users two SuperSpeed USB ports which cou...
Blisteringly fast USB 3.0 data transfer speeds are slowly becoming a reality for consumers as products supporting the specification filter into the market. Belkin is now on board with the announcement of four new SuperSpeed USB devices to help users enjoy up to ten times faster transfer rates over its older sibling USB 2.0.  Read More
The Adesso Browser Cat USB Touchpad
There's an increasingly innovative selection when it comes to your mouse of choice and this example - the Adesso Browser Cat - takes traditional laptop touchpad configuration and puts it in a portable plug and play USB peripheral.  Read More
The full story: 2010 Yamaha Super Tenere 1200
Full specs and technical information have just surfaced for Yamaha's 2010 XT1200Z Super Tenere - and it's immediately clear that BMW's R1200GS now has a serious competitor in the big-bore adventure sports category. Apart from its adventure credentials - spoked rims, sit-down/stand-up riding ergonomics and the like, it's also packing some very interesting technology - including a 3-stage traction control module and a super-smart braking system that looks like it might put Honda's Combined ABS system to shame. Extensive detail images.  Read More
Another Honda Bombshell: 3R-C single-person electric concept
Honda is set to release yet another revolutionary personal mobility concept at the Geneva Show next week. Following the company’s revolutionary 10 kilogram U3-X monocycle with its even more revolutionary HOT omni-directional driving wheel system show at Tokyo Motor Show last October, Honda has released the first details of its new 3R-C - a minimalist three-wheel urban electric vehicle for one person.  Read More
 

A new ultra-water-repellent surface mimics the minute hairs found on spider bodies
In recent years the lotus leaf has been the go-to surface for scientists looking to develop high-tech water repelling surfaces. Now engineering researchers have created what they say is a “nearly perfect hydrophobic interface” by borrowing from another of nature’s wonders - spiders. By reproducing the shape and patterns of the minute hairs that grow on the bodies of spiders, the researchers have created what may be the most water-phobic surface yet... a development that could lead to everything from self-cleaning surfaces to faster boats.  Read More
Have Japanese researchers discovered how to analyze a baby's cry?  Image: Flickr, memekode...
New parents discover quite quickly how loudly their newborn can scream when they’re not happy. But working out the cause of the problem is unfortunately pretty much a guessing game. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a device that could tell you exactly what was wrong with your baby? It might not be as preposterous as it sounds - Japanese scientists claim they have developed a statistical computer program that can analyze the differences in a baby's cries. So, future baby monitors could be capable of alerting parents that their child is tired, hungry, needs a diaper change, or is in pain.  Read More
The ChargePoint iPhone app enables EV drivers to locate available charging stations.
Electric vehicle use is set to expand rapidly, but and one of the short term problems is shaping up to be the availability of charging station infrastructure. Mobile technology seems to have arrived at just the right time to support the most efficient use of what are likely to be scarce resources and this iPhone application from Coulomb Technologies is an early example. It not only allows you to locate the nearest ChargePoint Networked Charging Station but also tells you if the charging station is currently available, in use, out of service.  Read More
AwareFashion shirt, with in-built electronics, has cuffs that illuminate when it detects a...
The days of the silence being broken during a live theater performance by some ridiculous ringtone buried inside an inaccessible handbag or jacket pocket may be as long-gone as the “brick phone” thanks to this smart-shirt for theater ushers. Designed by Richard Etter, the special shirt called AwareFashion detects mobile communications devices in its vicinity that haven’t been switched off.  Read More
3D rendering of the EVOLUTE
Toilets use a lot of water. And once they’re done with that water, well, it’s very... used. So, any time anyone can suggest a way of limiting water usage in toilets, Mother Nature wants to hear about it. Recently, Australian inventors Tom Trainor and Mark Hutton came up with a product that they claim uses up to 90% less water than a regular toilet. The EVOLUTE’s patented new technology offers a greener, drier alternative to our current “swimming pool for your poop” model.  Read More
The Lap Chill Mat from Targus not only provides a comfortable barrier between you and your...
The Lap Chill Mat from laptop accessory manufacturer Targus not only places an angled comfort barrier between you and your laptop but will also help cool your poor overworked portable computer. Its wedge shape allows for air intake through the sides rather than underneath and its decent size sees it comfortably handle anything from diminutive netbooks to 17 inch gaming monsters.  Read More
Kopernik connects NGOs with providers of technologies developed specifically for developin...
One of the key factors in running a successful charity is helping the donors feel as connected as possible to the communities they're assisting, and see the difference they can help create. It's part of the feel-good cycle and evidence that the money is going to good use - which is why this is such a fascinating idea: The Kopernik is a next-gen online charity initiative that lets you choose exactly which projects and technologies you wish to put your money towards, then shows you the results in video form as projects are completed. It's also quite an amazing repository of emerging survival and sustainable living technology - from self-adjustable eyeglasses to clean drinking water devices and much more.  Read More
The Garmin Zumo 220 features a rugged, waterproof case
Garmin has introduced the newest member of its Zumo family of motorcycle-oriented GPS navigators, the Zumo 220. Coming on the heels of the CES 2010 announcement of the top-of-line Zumo 665 with XM capability, the Zumo 220 rounds out the series offering key features at a more affordable price. The new unit sports a touchscreen interface in a rugged, waterproof, and fuel-proof housing. Navigation features include text-to-speech directions, “lane assist” guidance, and on-road/off-road modes. Although it is less fully-featured compared to the Zumo 550 or 665, the Zumo 220 does feature Bluetooth headset capability, a MicroSD memory card slot, and improved battery life.  Read More
World first automated real-time surf updates
The evolution of the humble surfcam will see a major milestone this weekend when Australian surfcam network Coastalwatch begins rolling out its new realtime Wave Height/Wave Period technology. The Coastalwatch software analyzes live video segments from its cameras to track wave movement through the break zone providing actual wave height and wave period. This means that eventually, Coastalwatch’s 100+ camera network of web-accessible surf cams will be continuously updating its surf reports throughout the day, overcoming the current global phenomena of a surf reporter filing a report at 7.00am listing the surf size as 2ft, yet by 11.00am it may have built to 4 – 5 ft.  Read More
Robokeeper puts his body on the line. He is as safe as a brick wall built in front of the ...
At every live football game and in every pub around the world, someone exasperated fan watching the world game will yell: “even I could have beaten that goalie." But try beating this goal-keeper. He has the reflexes of a computerized cat. Cameras capture the ball and its movements and direct the ‘keeper to make an interception. If you can’t spear the ball into the top corners of the goal – you don’t have a chance. Apart from a skill developer, the Robokeeper is also a lot of fun. And he’s for hire.  Read More

Lexus CT 200h premium compact hybrid
The 2010 Geneva Motor Show is almost upon us and it's shaping up to be a cracker. Lexus's centerpiece will be the Lexus CT 200h - a premium compact hybrid that draws on the LF-Ch concept unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Lexus’s first five-door compact car, the CT 200h uses a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine with an electric motor through an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT). And it's not just a concept - Lexus says the car will enter production later this year and launch for sale worldwide.  Read More
The Ikonoskop A-Cam3D features 3D 1080p HD video recording
Swedish movie camera maker Ikonoskop has announced its new 3D high-def digital video camera, the A-Cam3D. So far Ikonoskop is not releasing many details about the 3D shooter, but they have released a few teaser specs including 1080p 3D video, RAW images in DNG format, choice of lens mounts, and an if-you-have-to-ask price tag.  Read More
Snackbot on his rounds delivering sustenance to those in need at CMU
If you’re a student at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) who is left gasping for breath when forced to drag yourself away from your studies to get a snack, rejoice! A CMU team has created a robot that is designed to deliver snacks to you. But the appropriately named Snackbot is far more than a vending machine on wheels. It is designed to serve as a research platform for the study of long-term Human-Robot Interaction and packs a healthy helping of technological goodies, including a laser navigation system, sonar sensors and a stereo vision camera for eyes.  Read More
The Cloak Bag is a clever camera carrier that allows you to discreetly take photos without...
There are plenty of great camera bags on the market, but you can often miss that perfect shot by wasting time getting out and setting up your camera. The Cloak Bag solves this by providing a discreet cover for your camera whilst allowing you to take photos - without having to remove your camera from the bag.  Read More
The HyperDrive Album stores and displays up to 640GB worth of photos
Sanho’s HyperDrive Album is designed for digital photographers on the move who require huge storage space or redundancy backup for their photos and the ability to view them anytime, but don’t want to lug a laptop computer around. With capacities of up to a whooping 640GB of storage the device is also capable of downloading 2GB per minute with full data verification.  Read More
The Vuzix Wrap 920 glasses are compatible with many video devices to deliver a virtual cin...
Can’t afford a big screen TV or projector but still want to experience that cinema feeling when watching a movie? The Vuzix Wrap 920 video eyewear is a sunglass-style display that delivers a virtual 67-inch screen as seen from 10ft away, displays 2D and 3D video and is claimed to be the most advanced wearable display available.  Read More
The stripboard page on scenechronize
If you’ve ever worked on a major film project, you’ll know just how complex all phases of the production can be - scripts and schedules get faxed and/or emailed back and forth, a bazillion phone calls and messages are made and left, and then whenever anything goes wrong (which is usually about once every 15 minutes) everything needs to be rejigged, and everyone needs to be notified of the changes. If only there were some way of posting that information where all the cast and crew could see it, people could make changes to it, and then everyone would be made aware of those changes. Gee, anything come to mind? Yes, it’s a new application for our friend, The Internet. scenechronize is its name, and it promises to save filmmakers a ton of confusion, frustration, time, money and paper.  Read More
Sights like this could soon be commonplace
True to its word the formerly secretive Bloom Energy launched its Bloom “Box” (hereafter known as the Bloom Energy Server), today at eBay’s California HQ. Attended by Governor Schwarzenegger and Bloom Energy board member Colin Powell, the event revealed more concrete specifications for the fuel cell, as well as some of the corporate household names that are already customers.  Read More
e-waste has risen dramatically in developing nations (Photo: techbirmingham/CC)
Ever wonder what happens to discarded televisions and obsolete home computers, or do you prefer not to think about it? According to a United Nations study on recycling, the volume of disused electronic products, or “e-waste” as it is known, has risen dramatically as it coincides with growth in sales in developing countries.  Read More
Researchers are making quick progress toward high-frequency sound lasers that could be use...
Fifty years after the invention of the optical laser, two separate research groups have independently made important steps toward making phonon lasers — a type of laser that emits very high-frequency, coordinated sound rather than light waves — a reality. The studies, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, could lead to a completely new kind of laser that could find interesting applications in medical imaging.  Read More

 

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