Archive for category Videos
Honda Develops New Personal Mobility Device U3X
Posted by Gadget_Guy in Gadgets, Technology, Videos on November 29, 2009
This new personal mobility device makes it possible to adjust speed and move, turn and stop in all directions when the rider leans the upper body to shift body weight. This was achieved through application of advanced technologies including Honda’s balance control technology, which was developed through the robotics research of ASIMO, Honda’s bipedal humanoid robot, and the world’s first* omni-directional driving wheel system (Honda Omni Traction Drive System, or HOT Drive System), which enables movement in all directions, including not only forward and backward, but also directly to the right and left and diagonally. In addition, this compact size and one-wheel-drive personal mobility device was designed to be friendly to the user and people around it by making it easier for the rider to reach the ground from the footrest and placing the rider on roughly the same eye level as other people or pedestrians.
Source: Honda Personal Mobility Device
Popularity: 4% [?]
Petman walking robot
Posted by Tech_Guy in Science, Technology, Videos on November 28, 2009
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PETMAN is an anthropomorphic robot for testing chemical protection clothing used by the US Army. Unlike previous suit testers, which had to be supported mechanically and had a limited repertoire of motion, PETMAN will balance itself and move freely; walking, crawling and doing a variety of suit-stressing calisthenics during exposure to chemical warfare agents. PETMAN will also simulate human physiology within the protective suit by controlling temperature, humidity and sweating when necessary, all to provide realistic test conditions.
Source: Petman
Popularity: 2% [?]
Taga Trike Baby Stroller Combo
Posted by Gadget_Guy in Gadgets, Videos on November 28, 2009
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Taga is a multifunction urban vehicle, uniquely designed to suit the needs of today’s parents and children. Taga combines the benefits of a premium stroller and a carrier bicycle to create a new form of transport.
Taga lets you both move around easily, turning a typical day into an exciting adventure. On arrival, Taga converts in seconds into a stroller, allowing parent and child to carry on their day. There’s no need to lock Taga outside and nothing is left behind. Taga can also be taken on the tube, train, bus or any other means of public transportation, offering continuous riding to and from any destination.
Source: Taga Bike
Popularity: 1% [?]
100% eco-friendly aircraft sets world record – Electric Plane
Posted by Car_Guy in Technology, Videos on November 28, 2009
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Very large attendance for the SkySpark flight early today. Maurizio Cheli managed to fly during 8 mn reaching a top speed of 250 km/h, a record for a 100% electrically powered aircraft. The Pioneer Alpi 300 is powered by a 75-kW electric motor using brushless technology and lithium polymer batteries.
This successful flight is only an intermediate step of the programme. The team will now focus on the next goal: the hydrogen fuel cells powered engine.
Source: Electric Plane
Popularity: 2% [?]
Swiss ‘Jetman’ Yves Rossy ditches in Atlantic
Posted by Tech_Guy in Gadgets, Technology, Videos on November 28, 2009
The Swiss adventurer Yves Rossy found himself in deep water today after a bid to make the first intercontinental flight using a jet-powered wing strapped to his back failed.
Rossy, 50, planned to fly 24 miles (38km) across the Strait of Gibraltar from Tangier in Morocco to Atlanterra in southern Spain, at a speed of almost 140mph (220kph).
His daredevil flight should have taken around 13 minutes, but shortly after setting off the “Jetman” disappeared from TV feeds.
Live pictures soon showed him in the Atlantic, swimming around beside his parachute.
The reason for his failure was not immediately apparent, but the ex-military pilot appeared unhurt and waved at a passing TV crew.
A search and rescue team codenamed Falcon 1, involving former special forces members, winched him to safety before he was taken to hospital by helicopter.
Stuart Sterzel, CEO of the challenge’s sponsors Webtel, speculated that Rossy had experienced engine failure.
He said he had no doubts that the pilot would “dust himself off” and make another bid in the future, expected to take place in the new year.
“Nothing worthwhile has ever been achieved on the first attempt,” he said. “One tries and tries again.
“No, he did not make it from Africa to Europe. But yes, it was success, because it was man’s first effort to make it across and full marks for his courage.”
Mr Sterzel added that Rossy had also achieved a minor triumph, noting: “He would have (reached European waters) because European waters start just off the coast of Morocco.”
He said that the Spanish Coastguard would recover the two-metre-long carbon-fibre wing, which is powered by four jet engines and steered by the pilot’s body movements.
Organisers covering the event on the micro-blogging site Twitter suggested that the weather may have contributed to the mishap, commenting that the “winds were certainly difficult today”.
Rossy made headlines in September 2008 when he became the first person to cross the English Channel between France and Britain using a jet-powered wing.
A global audience witnessed him leap from a plane more than 8,200ft (2,500m) above France before soaring at more than 100mph over one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes on his home-made wing.
His team said today’s Africa to Europe attempt was the logical next challenge.
Speaking before the flight, Rossy said that the main dangers were engine failure and losing control of the wing.
“But there’s always plan B. I can ditch the wing and open the parachute. If I land in the water, there are people to come and get me,” he said.
Full Story:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article6931566.ece
Popularity: 3% [?]
