Lifeboat Foundation

Personally, I wouldn’t state that tech got the whole wearables wrong; its more been operated in a mode of experimentation with the public in an order to perfect the technology. I believe we’re now on a track to broaden this technology to accommodate more consumers on multiple levels such as business travelers may wish to have suits and bus attire that self cleans and can (when your wearing and biosensor is activated) be leveraged to store your id information or when you’re processed through airports instead of having to juggle for your license/ passport.

The key to unlocking the $150 billion wearables market is textiles not silicon.

Toyota’s latest vehicle is both a car and a motorcycle.

Tesla, Google, Ford, and more are all investing heavily in driverless cars.

With more than 25 years of using 3D printing technology, there probably isn’t a global automotive manufacturer that has pushed the limits of using additive manufacturing applications than the BMW Group. For most of the quarter-century that they have been using 3D printing, it was primarily used in the production of prototypes or one-off custom parts. However BMW began using 3D printing technology to produce end-use parts in series production back in 2012 with their new Rolls-Royce Phantom. Over the next several years, more than 10,000 3D printed components would end up being used to manufacture each Phantom coupe that came off the assembly line. The switch from traditionally manufactured parts to 3D printed parts was so successful that BMW began incorporating them into the new Rolls-Royce Dawn this year.

Sad for Russia.

President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials dream of a technological leap that could immediately close the gap between Russia and more advanced economies, as Sputnik did for the Soviet Union. The hyperloop, a kind of train in a tube that can reach speeds of up to 700 mph, fits that dream, and a well-connected Russian businessman has invested in it — only to see the project become embroiled in a lawsuit involving a Silicon Valley startup’s founders and claims of financial mismanagement.

Elon Musk, Tesla’s chief executive, proposed the hyperloop four years ago. This “fifth mode of transport” would involve a system of practically airless tubes through which magnetically levitated pods could carry passengers and cargo. Musk has not set up a company to bring the project to reality, but others have. For example, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, wants to build a system in Slovakia. Another, Hyperloop One, offered a public demonstration of some elements of its technology in May.

Continue reading “Russia’s hyperloop dream is undone” »

ON Semiconductor’s new 8 megapixel (MP) KAI-08052 image sensor enhances imaging performance in demanding industrial applications with technology that improves the near-infrared sensitivity of CCD image sensors.

The image sensor provides up to twice the sensitivity in near-infrared wavelengths as the company’s standard Interline Transfer CCD pixel design. This enhanced sensitivity can be critical in applications such as scientific and medical imaging, where samples emit or fluoresce in NIR wavelengths; or in machine vision and intelligent transportation systems (ITS), where NIR illumination is often used to better examine an object or to isolate a vehicle’s license plate.

The new CCD pixel design used extends the electron capture region deeper in the silicon to better capture electrons generated by long wavelength photons. This deeper pixel well improves detection of NIR wavelengths by up to a factor of two depending on the specific wavelength studied.

Continue reading “ON Semiconductor – New 8MP device has improved near-infrared sensitivity for imaging and intelligent transportation systems” »

Elite athletes need never miss an opportunity to train again, even when they’re 40,000 feet above the ground.

A new luxury private plane for sports teams aims to keep athletes in top shape while travelling to and from events, thanks to on-board training facilities including exercise bikes and massage tables.

Russian luxury jet firm Sukhoi unveiled its concept SportJet at the Farnborough International Airshow in Hampshire this week.

Continue reading “Meet the Russian luxury hi-tech jet designed for sports teams” »

Reaction Engines Ltd. announces today the signing of a €10m Development Contract with the European Space Agency, finalizing the UK Government’s £60m commitment.

Reaction Engines Ltd., today announces the signing of a €10m European Space Agency (ESA) contract which will enable the development of a ground based demonstrator of SABRE, a new class of aerospace engine which is highly scalable with multiple potential applications in hypersonic travel and space access.

Continue reading “Reaction Engines secures €10 million funding to enable development of SABRE demonstrator engine” »

3D printers can churn out toys, clothing and even food. But the technology also shows potential for use in industrial sabotage, researchers warn.

Imagine a car maker using 3D printers to manufacture components, only to have the parts contain defects that are undetectable until it’s too late.

A hacker with access to the 3D printers could make that happen, a team of researchers wrote in a recent paper. This could result in a “devastating impact” for users and lead to product recalls and lawsuits, said New York University professor Nikhil Gupta, the lead author of the paper.

Continue reading “Hacked 3D printers could commit industrial sabotage” »