Digital Technology for Digital Living.
February 05, 2007
Driverless Buses to be available by 2010
A state-of-the-art driverless bus was unveiled at the Science Museum this week and its designers claim that the bus will cut air pollution, traffic congestion and money.
The driverless bus of “pod” will allow passengers to hail it via their mobile phones. It saves energy by running as a hybrid of electric and biofuel and uses magnets embedded in the pavement to find its way along streets.
Besides those magnet markers, these smart buses will use satellite navigation and onboard sensors to control their speed and direction.
A prototype for the bus is due out next year and the bus could be commercially available in roughly three years (2010). However extensive trials will have to be taken in closed communities such as Heathrow Airport before the buses can grace the streets of London.
Reference for posting: http://news.scotsman.com
AndyD | Comments (0) | Motorised
September 26, 2006
Mercedes with Backseat iMac
Perhaps there should be a German version of the popular MTV show Pimp My Ride. German car customizer Mattes Interieurtechnik built a Mercedes CLS with an integrated backseat iMac. Mattes even carefully covered the outer edge of the iMac in leather to help it blend in with the cream colored interior.
Where are the cables? Mattes didn’t want any wires to clutter up his masterpiece, so he made sure to get a wireless mouse and Bluetooth keyboard. I wonder if he integrated the iMac into the speaker system so his passengers can be backseat DJs.
You can check out some more pictures here.
methodshop | Comments (0) | General, Digital Radio, Music, Wireless, Motorised, Toys
April 10, 2005
More On The Lexus i-Car.
You might remember in February that we mentioned the Mac Mini Lexus or the i-Car. Well Mario, the owner has been gracious enough to update us with some new really cool photos. He’s made the modification even sweater!
I moved the Pioneer flip screen to the glove box and installed a custom touch screen. The USB 2.0 and Firewire Hub is now mounted below the dash. The Mac Mini in mounted in a custom fabricated arm rest with air vents that still is functional. I pushed it up so you can see how it looks like stock. The front shot that shows Flip Navigation screen up top, Touch screen in the dash. Pioneer flip screen in the glove box and of course the Mac Mini in the arm rest with plexiglas so you can see the Apple logo. Blue lights are also installed in the arm rest to light up the Apple Logo.
He also mounted a couple of webcams that can record video.
Check here for a whole bunch more images.
Gadgetman | Comments (1) | Motorised
February 26, 2005
The Mac Mini Lexus.
Not only has this guy got a Mac Mini, he’s got a Lexus. What better way to enjoy them both than to mount the Mini into the car.
For more info there is a short interview at 123Macmini.com.
What parts did you use?
A Mac mini 1.42GHz and Apple wireless keyboard and mouse. I use the mouse on my armrest for those who want to know. Its big enough for what I need. A DVI to S-Video / Composite Converter, midi to (L) and (R) audio adapter by Monster, shielded Cables for both audio and video by Monster. Also installed a hub that has 4 USB 2.0 ports and 2 Firewire ports, the another USB hub in the back for the passengers, Have 2 Firewire cams and I am able to have up to 8 more for a total of 10, not that I think I will use nor do I need 10 but I still have that option. I have plenty of ports to plug whatever I want in, including my digital video camera, and my 60GB iPod photo.”
Thanks Mario for the tip on your nice little project.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | General, Motorised, Peripherals
February 06, 2005
Blingin’ In The Rain.
Either, VW has added some very special effects to Gene Kelly’s performance in Singing in the Rain for their new Golf GTI advert, or we now know why Michael Jackson has had all that plastic surgery over the years.
The dancers wore prosthetic face masks and wigs and were filmed many times to replicate as closely as possible the moves that Kelly made and his face has been digitally added to the film.
More at The Guardian
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Motorised
January 07, 2005
Robosapien, Not Just Bad Spam.
Every geeks dream is to gain 10″, and here’s your chance. Wowwee, creator of the Robosapien has announced, at CES, the ever cleverly named Robosapien V2.
Robosapein V2 is fully controllable and programmable by remote control and fully autonomous in free-roam mode. He brings the fluid movement and biomechanical agility of Robosapien to a whole new level. Gaining a whopping 10 in height, Robosapien V2 now has full range of motion and the ability to pick up, drop and throw objects with his finely tuned precision hands. Advanced agility allows him to bend over and twist from side to side, so he can now sit, bend, lie down and stand up.
V1, if we can call him that, made a big splash in Australia, showing up on popular breakfast shows and on front row display at every toy shop. So there is no doubt we’ll see this one spring up early this year, for a little over $AU200.
Thanks for the link Richie.
Update : (January 8, 2005) Engadget has a video of the Robosapien and talk of a Robosapien pet, Robopet. We did point out how creative they are with naming yesterday,
Gadgetman | Comments (2) | Motorised, Toys
December 23, 2004
True Aussie Esky.
Here is an innovative use of an Australian Esky. That’s right, add wheels and it can be a car as well!
Gadgetman | Comments (4) | Motorised
December 20, 2004
A Running Honda ASIMO Robot.
I’m sure if we were engineers at Honda working on the ASIMO robot project we’d be really spooked out by this guy running. Surely you’d have conversations with one. That or try and flip up the face plate to see who was in the suit.
Check out the video of one running at 3 km/h.
The combination of newly developed high-response hardware and the new Posture Control technology enables ASIMO to proactively bend or twist its torso to maintain its balance and prevent the problems of foot slippage and spinning in the air, which accompany movement at higher speeds. ASIMO is now capable of running at a speed of 3km/hour. In addition, walking speed has been increased from the previous 1.6 km/hour to 2.5 km/hour.
Thanks to Scoble for the link.
Websites of Interest: Circuit Breakers
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Motorised
December 03, 2004
Segway Comes To Australia.
SplaTT, aka Mike Stanic the co-podcaster of G’day World, points out that Segway has come to Australia. According to Gizmag, Segway Southern Cross has been appointed an exclusive Australian distributor. You can order your very own one by slapping down $AU500 deposit, and they’ll try their darndest to get you one by Christmas.
For those not across what a Segway is, it’s a human transporter. It made the limelight in 2001 when rumours eclipsed the net about it’s code names, Ginger and IT, when a few overzealous quotes suggested that it maybe bigger than the internet. No details were released about the product and so people speculated it was, amongst others, a hydrogen-powered hovercraft or a magnetic antigravity device and that it would “change the way we work, the way we live and even the shape of cities around the world.” It turned out it was a “self balancing, personal transportation device designed to go anywhere people do.” Then President Bush fell off one.
The pSeries will be available for $AU5,799 and the “more rugged and muscular” iSeries for $AU8,477.
Gadgetman | Comments (1) | Motorised
October 06, 2004
Nokia And Land Rover Team To Produce PTI System.
Nokia and Land Rover have teamed up to produce a Personal Telephone Integration (PTI) System. The system will be available in Land Rover vehicles like the Discovery 3 and Range Rover from Q4 2004 in Europe, Asia and the USA.
“With the PTI System, users can conveniently access key mobile phone functions such as viewing and selecting phonebook entries, initiating and receiving incoming calls, viewing call logs and managing text messages - all via the vehicle’s central infotainment display. The PTI System delivers a superior communications experience by integrating with the vehicles’ high quality audio system. Voice dialling and other key phone functions can be activated using the vehicles’ steering wheel controls. The state-of-the art voice function enables speaker independent number dialling and access to voice tags.”
More at Nokia’s press release.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone, Motorised
August 25, 2004
Giant Hamsters, Ah, Actually, More Micro-Helicopters.
Richard Outred has kindly dropped us an email regarding the Epson µFR-II micro-helicopter, and pointed us to a smaller one, the Pixelito which has been around for some months. It doesn’t have the same bluetooth support, but it’s lighter. The page gives some details on how the device was created, and points to the reduction in battery size in a factor for reducing the size of his designs over the year. We’d like to see the hamster in a flight outfit though.
Thanks for the tip Richard.
Gadgetman | Comments (2) | Motorised, Toys
August 20, 2004
Flying Microrobots.
Microrobots that fly around in James-Bond-esque espionage style are just on the horizon. Seiko Epson Corporation announced they’ve updated their mini helicopter to be lighter and to operate without wires. It also has imaging that can transmit via Bluetooth. Imagine this extension to your smart phone. With a height of 85mm, width of 136mm and weight of 12.3grams it’ll fit neatly in your pocket, just don’t turn it on. Called the µFR-II the prototype is not for sale, and we doubt new generations will be available on the market any time soon. It’s still worth having a look at their video demonstration, which to be honest smacks of smoke and mirrors, but we all know technology companies don’t use that type of practice. If you happen to be going to Tokyo next week, you can see it at the Emerging Technology Fair from August 27 to 30.
Link from I4U.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Wireless, Motorised, Toys
August 01, 2004
RoadSnoop, Bluetooth For Your Tyres.
blueserker discovered RoadSnoop, a product by Nokian Tyres, who incidentally come from the same company roots as Nokia in Finland. The RoadSnoop is a sensor professionally installed on the wheel using a high-grade stainless steel band. This means it can be attached to any tyre for any car. It then sends tyre pressure to a receiver via Bluetooth. The aim of the device is to signal when there are changes in tyre pressure which can help avoid dangerous situations. Different tyre pressure can also effect fuel usage and tyre wear, so over time the system can help save money.
The Australian dealer for RoadSnoop is Asterbrook, based in Brisbane. We contacted the owner, Mark Swan, who is more than happy to field any sales enquiries via email (found at RoadSnoop’s Dealer page). Currently the approximate price is about $AU450 for one car.
According to the RoadSnoop web site the goal of the technology is to have a Safety System that reports on road and weather conditions, tyre wear, and the pressure required for different loads. It looks like it’ll get the data via an onboard internet connection.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone, Wireless, Motorised
July 30, 2004
Motorised Bushpig.
This one isn’t new, but given we’re aussie, and so are the makers, we felt compelled to write a post. Now, in High School I wouldn’t have wanted to have a bushpig, but hell today, I’d love to get my hands on one. Wheelman have made a wheel without an axle, that just happens to operate like a motorised skateboard/snowboard/surfboard, at up to 30 Km/h. These smart little puppies have strapped a 43cc 2 stroke engine to a couple of these wheels and can ride off-road or on-road. Check out the video of it in operation, on the beach no less, at their site. One of the suckers will set you back about $AU2100-2200.
Gadgetman | Comments (1) | Motorised
