New and Emerging Technology News part 216 ~ NEW GEN TECH LIFE : new generation technology news

Tuesday 18 March 2014

New and Emerging Technology News part 216

Space diving - extreme sport of the future (Photo: www.mondoart.net)
Science fiction may well become reality with the development of a real life Iron Man suit that would allow astronauts or extreme thrill seekers to space dive from up to 62 miles (100 km) above the Earth‘s surface at the very edge of space, and safely land using thruster boots instead of a parachute. Hi-tech inventors over at Solar System Express (Sol-X) and biotech designers Juxtopia LLC (JLLC) are collaborating on this project with a goal of releasing a production model of such a suit by 2016. The project will use a commercial space suit to which will be added augmented reality (AR) goggles, jet packs, power gloves and movement gyros.  Read More
A finger on the hydrogel hand bends in response to near-infrared laser light
For many people, the word “robot” is likely to conjure up images of metal, mechanical men not unlike Cygan. But instead of creating robots in our own image, the relatively new field of “soft robotics” takes inspiration from creatures such as octopuses, squids, starfish and caterpillars for soft, flexible robots that could squeeze through small spaces. Such robots could benefit from a new hydrogel developed at the University of California, Berkeley that flexes in response to light.  Read More
The anticipatory robot pouring beer
What’s better than as robot bartender that can pour you a beer? How about a robot waiter that can see you need a refill and comes over to pour you another one. Hema S. Koppula, a Cornell graduate student in computer science, and Ashutosh Saxena, an assistant professor of computer science are working at Cornell’s Personal Robotics Lab on just such a robot. Using a PR-2 robot, they've programmed it to not only carry out everyday tasks, but to anticipate human behavior and adjust its actions.  Read More
Belkin's Thunderbolt Express Dock supports the connection of up to eight peripherals We’ve been following Belkin’s Thunderbolt Express Dock since it first showed up at IDF 2011. After receiving a makeover, the device again popped up at CES 2012 with the promise of a September 2012 release. It might be seven months late, but the wait is finally over.  Read More
After almost half a century in service, the revamped Alvin submersible is once again headi...
You would think that a little sub built almost 50 years ago would be sitting in a museum somewhere, but Deep Submergence Vehicle (DSV) Alvin, which launched in 1964, is still going strong. Owned by the US Navy and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Alvin has completed a major US$41 million redesign and refit. The revamped submersible set sail on Saturday aboard its mothership R/V Atlantis for certification testing off the coast of Oregon and California.  Read More
The S-cargo is a prototype carrier that converts a conventional bicycle into a cargo tricy...
If you want to haul gear on your bicycle, but you don’t want to buy a whole dedicated cargo bike, then you might like Israeli industrial designer Ofir Yadan’s S-cargo carrier. The two-wheeled device replaces a conventional bike’s front wheel, temporarily converting it into a stuff-haulin’ tricycle.  Read More
Tag on That is a device that prints custom text or images on a variety of surfaces
Is that label maker of yours just not turning your crank anymore? Well, if you’re willing to do a little more fiddling around, you might be interested in Tag on That. Billed as “the world's first affordable Specialty Printer Machine,” the portable device utilizes the same principles as industrial-scale machines, to print words or images on just about any object that you can fit inside of it.  Read More
Lumigrids aims to make cycling at night that little bit less perilous
Lumigrids is a simple, clever and above all useful concept that aims to improve the safety of cycling at night. The device is an LED projector that fits on the handlebars of your bicycle, projecting a square grid onto the ground before you. By looking at the changes and abnormalities in the grid, the cyclist is able to easily pick out potholes and other obstacles, helping them to avoid potential crashes and falls.  Read More
The FUMM is designed to be used anywhere
The FUMM offers a very interesting take on the basic goal of propping a smartphone in a useful position. Instead of being restricted to only certain devices or angles, its flexible arms and nano suction pads offer a level of versatility not often seen in similar products.  Read More
Researchers at Stanford University have built a machine which jumps and glides like a flyi...
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a small "aircraft" that resembles a flying fish which can jump and glide over a greater distance than an equivalent jumping robot. Using a carbon fiber spring to take off, the jumpglider has a pivoting wing that stays out of the way during ascent, but which locks into place to glide farther on the way down.  Read More

A microbubble-enhanced ultrasound image of a beating heart
When someone has a heart attack, it’s crucial that they receive treatment as soon as possible. Emergency medical technicians, however, are limited in how detailed of an on-the-spot diagnosis they can make of a patient’s condition. This means that actual treatment often has to wait until they get the patient to a hospital. That could be changing, however, as a scientist with GE Global Research is now looking into the use of “microbubbles” as a mobile means of imaging the heart and possibly even treating it.  Read More
The MacBook Pro 13 from Apple is, according to Soluto, the best Windows PC on the market Since making the switch to Intel processors, Macs have been able to run Windows perfectly well. In fact, the MacBook Pro may just be about the best Windows PC on the market ... at least according to Soluto, purveyors of a cloud-based PC management service.  Read More
The Amazing Humidifier is a travel-sized device that creates water vapor from a store-boug...
Carrying a full-size humidifier with you when you travel isn’t particularly convenient. If you still don’t want to dry out while sleeping in your hotel room, however, there is an option. South Korea’s Amazing Grace is now offering a tiny humidifier that can be placed in whatever bottle of water is close at hand.  Read More
Micro-Phone is about the same size as a credit card
Today's cellphone market is highly focused on smartphones. Android and iPhone have a stranglehold on the market, but does that mean there isn't room for something different? Micro-Phone certainly hopes so, as it is looking to bring its tiny GSM phone to market with the help of crowd-funding service Indiegogo. Instead of focusing on apps and other advanced features, Micro-Phone is focused on making a device that is small enough to carry anywhere, while still offering useful features such a locator.  Read More
Gizmag reviews Riffstation jam software for guitar
Not too long after its launch in 2005, you'd be hard-pushed to visit any friends without being challenged to a round or two of Guitar Hero. Interest in learning to play a real guitar also blossomed, but many found the transition from guitar-shaped controller to actual instrument a difficult one, and perfectly good axes have been gathering dust ever since. Irish company Sonic Ladder has now released some interesting software called Riffstation that gives you the opportunity to break out your much-neglected guitar and play along with your favorite bands to onscreen prompts. Gizmag takes a look at what this software has to offer.  Read More
The Magura eLECT module (lower right) replaces the existing adjustment cap on an existing ...
When it comes to setting the damping on a mountain bike’s suspension fork, a bit of a compromise is involved. Set it too hard, and the wheel will bounce off of every little bump in the trail – set it too soft, however, and the shock will bottom out on the big hits. It is possible to manually adjust the damping on the fly, but that’s not necessarily something that all riders want to bother doing. Magura is now offering a solution, in the form of its self-adjusting eLECT electronic suspension system.  Read More
The R-Kaid-42 bespoke wooden retro gaming rig
R-Kaid-42 is a bespoke two-player wooden retro console produced by Swedish design company Love Hultén. Built around a custom PC rig, the unit assembles into an unassuming piece of furniture for easy storage, and boasts over 20,000 playable titles taken from the so-called "golden age" of arcade gaming in the 1980s and 90s.  Read More
Inition's vertigo simulator is impressively overwhelming (Photo: Gizmag)
The ledge I'm standing on has a strange existential duality. In the physical realm, it's a thin strip of red, millimeters above the floor of a pristine white booth in a basement in Shoreditch, London where the 3D tinkerers and technologists (of everything from 3D film to 3D printing) at Inition keep their toys. In the digital realm, which, thanks to the Oculus Rift wrapped around my head, my senses have decided is the more real, the ledge is the only thing between me and a 300-foot plunge ...  Read More
The Monkey Light Pro in action
There are plenty of interesting ways to deck out your bicycle, but MonkeyLectric may have come up with the ultimate way to make it stand out on the road. The company's new Monkey Light Pro is a set of LED bars that attach to a bicycle wheel and can be programmed to play colorful animations.  Read More
Newly restyled V12 Vantage S is fantastically dynamic, especially when placed in dramatic ...
For one hundred years Aston Martin has provided car collectors and James Bond with an assortment of performance automobiles. Now as part of its centenary celebrations, the bespoke company from the UK has gone ahead and increased its Vantage’s advantage with the new 565 hp V12 Vantage S.  Read More

Gizmag spends a bit of time testing the Nikon Coolpix A
At first glance, the Nikon Coolpix A looks like a typical, if slightly retro, compact camera. But, it actually contains a large APS-C sensor, the same size found in most DSLRs. It also boasts a relatively speedy f/2.8 18.5-mm fixed lens, which should enable it to take photographs rivaling the quality of much bigger cameras. After getting a brief pre-release hands-on with the camera, we've now had the chance to spend some quality time with it, to see if it lives up to the potential.  Read More
Samsung's new handset is a more pocket-friendly alternative to the full-size S4
Though it's the Korean firm's flagship devices that tend to grab the headlines, Samsung also makes a fairly compelling line of mid-low end devices. The latest of these was revealed today in the form of the Galaxy S4 Mini. Like the S3 Mini before it, the mid-range handset presents a scaled-down version of its big brother, in both size and performance.  Read More
The August Smart Lock fits onto existing deadbolts
The August Smart Lock is a new product by designer Yves Béhar and technology entrepreneur Jason Johnson, which updates the humble door lock for the "Internet of Things" era. The device can be retrofitted to existing deadbolts and employs Bluetooth Low Energy technology in order to pair with an iPhone 4S or iPhone 5, and allow access for you and up to 10 of your iPhone-wielding friends.  Read More
2045Tech recently announced the Floome, a pocket breathalyzer for smartphones
If you're plans for a night out on the town involve the consumption of alcohol, it's probably a good idea to include strategies for getting home safely when the night is over. The Floome pocket breathalyzer for smartphones from Italian start-up 2045Tech is claimed to measure your blood alcohol content (BAC) with the same level of accuracy as those used by law enforcement. If the system decides that you're over the limit, there's an option to call a taxi.  Read More
Sony and Lego team up to add life to Lego bricks Concerned that youngsters are showing a preference for video games at the expense of traditional toys, Lego has reportedly teamed up with the enemy, partnering with Sony to develop prototype Lego bricks embedded with electronics that they’ve dubbed “Toy Alive.”  Read More
These two devices, when used correctly, can be used to manufacture pure joy.
Friendly Gizmag readers, if Part One of our Realtouch review left you feeling a little squeamish, it's probably best to click your way right back out of this page, because Part Two takes us into even murkier waters. In one of the better stretches I can remember in my working life, I've been using this USB-controlled pleasure machine to have amazingly realistic long-distance sex with girls on three different continents. For a first iteration of an entirely new category of sex toy, this thing is an absolute triumph. Roll up your sleeves and prepare for a messy read.  Read More
Using genetic engineering to alter the Aedes aegypti mosquito's sense of smell could revea...
It has long been believed that detecting carbon dioxide was one of the ways that mosquitoes target their human prey. But the fact that mosquitoes tend to favor certain people over others indicates that some other odor also plays a part in the attraction. Researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) have genetically engineered mosquitoes to alter their sense of smell, which could provide the understanding required to block the pesky pests' attraction to humans.  Read More
Gizmag interviews senior architect Katherine Chia about the LM Guest House Located in Dutchess County, NY, the LM Guest House is a 2,000 sq ft country retreat that boast a continuous glass facade that was prefabricated off-site and erected in just two days. The compact home also features a series of sustainable measures, including the use of geothermal and solar power, solar shades and recycled rainwater for irrigation. In an email interview, Gizmag spoke to senior architect Katherine Chia from the New York based firm, Desai Chia Architecture, to find out more about the design.  Read More
Architecture studio Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP has designed the “Optical Glass House” in Hiros...
Architecture studio Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP has designed the “Optical Glass House” in Hiroshima, Japan, that aims to acoustically protect residents from the main road outside, whilst providing light and views for the residents within. The delicate glass blocks belie the structure and a complex casting process is employed to create the 13 ton (11.7 tonne) facade that shows-off the buildings tree-filled courtyard and looks like a shimmering waterfall to the outside world.  Read More
Gizmag goes in-depth to compare the Apple iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4
It’s tricky business, comparing iPhone and Galaxy smartphones. Too often the conversation disintegrates into fingerpointing, one-upmanship, and sermons from the Church of the Holy Fanboy. But when it comes down to it, we're talking about two great smartphones. Some people will prefer one, some will prefer the other. Who cares? The only important question is which is better for you? Let’s do our best to help you answer that, with our in-depth comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Apple iPhone 5.  Read More
 
The B12 EV/69 hopes to power its way into the FIA record books
When Drayson Racing Technologies and Lola Cars introduced the B12 69/EV last year, the electric race car promised to be one of the fastest of its kind. Six months later, it set a record at the Goodwood Hillclimb, and it's now gunning for an even bigger record. Drayson announced this week that it plans to make an attempt at an FIA electric land speed record within a month. It will try to best the 175 mph (282 km/h) mark that was set back in 1974.  Read More
Assistant Professor Wang Qijie from NTU’s School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (P...
A team of scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore has developed a new image sensor from graphene that promises to improve the quality of images captured in low light conditions. In tests, NTU claims it has proved to be 1,000 times more sensitive to light than existing complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) or charge-coupled device (CCD) camera sensors in addition to operating at much lower voltages, consequently using 10 times less energy.  Read More
The Kick is a compact multi-color LED light source that can be remotely-controlled using a...
Not long ago we reviewed Photojojo’s Pocket Spotlight, a compact LED light source for use with smartphone cameras – or even with stand-alone cameras, for that matter. While the Spotlight just provides a single intensity of “white” light, the company’s new Kick is considerably fancier. It can be remotely-controlled via an iPhone app, and set to any color under the rainbow.  Read More
HTC is rumored to be prepping a 5.9-inch phablet version of the HTC One
When things aren’t going well, sometimes the best thing to do is to break everything down and start from scratch. Focusing on one thing you’re really good at isn’t a bad idea either. That’s exactly what HTC did, by refocusing its product line on the excellent HTC One. But now that it’s off to a good start, what’s next? Well, why not gradually expand into other areas? Like, oh, maybe phablets?  Read More
Using a computer interface, schizophrenics were able to interact with avatars of the entit...
Imagine if there was a voice in your head that regularly threatened to harm you or your loved ones, or that even ordered you to do so yourself. Awful as that would be, such auditory hallucinations are one of the most common symptoms of schizophrenia, with approximately one in four sufferers continuing to experience them even once taking anti-psychotic drugs. Fortunately, scientists have recently helped some schizophrenics gain control of their condition, by turning those voices into interactive avatars.  Read More
The motor of Minddrive's electric Karmann Ghia will only engage if it gets enough tweets, ...
Working with Minddrive mentors, a group of at-risk teenagers has restored a beat up 1967 VW Karmann Ghia and converted it to battery-electric power. The newly-painted and freshly-buffed vehicle will shortly begin a rather interesting journey from Kansas City to Washington. The car has been fitted with a device that monitors social network traffic relating to the project and for every tweet, like or share registered, battery juice points are generated. If there's no social buzz, the car doesn't go anywhere.  Read More
The Pocket Tripod in its folded-up state The Pocket Tripod is an interesting new stand and tripod for iPhone users. Instead of being a bulky device that is hard to carry around, this one is able to fold up completely flat and fit inside of a wallet. Not only can it fold up into a tiny package, it can articulate into all kinds of positions, so it offers a lot of flexibility.  Read More
A material currently in development works in the same fashion as a scab, to accelerate the... While you may think that standard bandages already serve as sort-of artificial scabs, the fact is that they mainly just compress and protect the wound – a scab, on the other hand, actually helps it heal. Now, however, scientists are working on a wound dressing that promotes healing in the same fashion as a scab.  Read More
Tek Recon offers a blaster and an integrated app to make real world play like an FPS
What happens when you combine a popular first-person shooter like Call of Duty with toy guns like Nerf? You get the Tek Recon, a new product that takes what we loved about those blaster guns as a kid and mashes in some modern twists that can only be delivered with the rise in popularity of smartphones. It certainly looks like an interesting way for kids (or adults) to get outside and play with their friends.  Read More
Apple has quietly discontinued the 4th-gen iPod touch, replacing it with a stripped-down v...
If you were planning on snagging a 4th generation iPod touch, you might now have a better budget model on your plate. Without any fanfare, Apple quietly axed the older model, and replaced it with a slightly stripped-down version of the current (5th generation) model.  Read More

Polar's new Stride Sensor tracks all kinds of running stats without GPS
Polar, the company responsible for all kinds of connected fitness products, has just launched a new device called the Stride Sensor. It's designed to allow runners to keep track of all kinds of key information about their workout, and it does so without requiring any GPS signal.  Read More
HP's new ENVY Rove 20 mobile All-in-One PC
HP has unveiled what's described as the company's first mobile All-in-One PC. Where your usual AIO dies as soon as you unplug it from the wall outlet, the new ENVY Rove 20 has a built-in 62 Wh battery that allows the Windows 8 multitouch enjoyment to go on without so much as a blip. Though the detailed specs have yet to be announced, here's what we have been able to track down.  Read More
The Longboard Stroller in action Many parents like to bring their baby along while riding a bike, walking, and performing other outdoor activities. Well, now skateboarders can get in on the action too, with the help of the Longboard Stroller by Quinny and Studio Peter van Riet.  Read More
The new fluid-repellent paper was developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology
Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have produced a new kind of paper that repels a range of liquids, including water and oil. The new paper shows significant promise as an affordable and recyclable packaging material, but it's the paper’s potential as an inexpensive biomedical diagnostic tool that has really got the researchers excited.  Read More
Urwerk is calling its latest project in development, the EMC, the first mechanical timepie...
Luxury watchmaker Urwerk has revealed the latest project in development at its U-Research Division. Like the company's past haute horlogerie creations, the EMC will offer exceptional accuracy and style, but with an unconventional twist. Calling it a "mechanical smart watch," Urwerk says the EMC will include an electronic mechanism that verifies its own precision and tells the wearer whether the timing needs to be adjusted.  Read More
DLR's free-piston linear generator could extend the range of electric vehicles by around 6...
Technically, the combustion engine in any hybrid vehicle is a range extender, but the term commonly refers to gasoline-fueled generators that are used to charge an electric vehicle’s battery pack but aren’t used to directly power the wheels. This is the set up used in “series” or “inline’ hybrids like the Chevy Volt, which differs from parallel hybrids like the Toyota Prius, where the wheels can be driven by the electric motor or the internal combustion engine (ICE). Researchers at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have developed a new type of range extender that can be powered by a range of different fuels.  Read More
SimSensei is a virtual human platform being developed by ICT for use as a virtual therapis...
Researchers at the University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Sciences (ICT) are developing a virtual therapist that can identify signs of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Bringing together machine learning, natural language processing and computer vision technologies, the SimSensei project is aimed at helping military personnel and their families, while reducing the stigma that is often associated with seeking help.  Read More


 
X-1 Audio Momentum ear buds Most headphones are concerned with blocking ambient noise to better accentuate the music being played. With its new Momentum, X-1 Audio takes the opposite approach, opening the ear up to ambient noise while still aiming to maintain crisp, clear audio. The purpose of this sport-specific design is to keep runners, cyclists and other athletes on busy roads safer and more aware.  Read More
Planetary Resources hopes to get the public involved with the launch a crowdfunded version...
Despite half a century of rushing about the Solar System, the Space Age has been a spectator sport for most of humanity. On Wednesday, at a press conference at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Planetary Resources announced its plans to launch a crowdfunded version of its Arkyd 100 space telescope satellite on Kickstarter that will allow donors to beam back self-portraits from space and even control the telescope.  Read More

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