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yourremoteisbroken

Technology

Robots That Hunt in Packs

By John Brandon Posted on 11.7.2008 20 Comments
The Department of Defense has put out a call: design a pack of robots. A so-called Multi-Robot Pursuit System would be used to "search for and detect a non-cooperative human subject." Each robot has to weigh 100 kilograms or less, act autonomously (with a human squad leader), negotiate obstacles, and provide immediate feedback. The robots would report back to a human operator, and defer to that human when the robot AI determines that a "difficult decision" is required.

5.24.2009 at 12:37am - Comment by yourremoteisbroken

Terminator has arrived. SkyNet will deploy several ground based drones into killzones. Nothing living will survive. The enemy will fear these machines because they know no mercy. Soon SkyNet will turn on it's makers and end the human race as we know it. Science fiction or science fact? :-) I'm for this technology. The "enemy" does not fight man to man. They use IEDs so why can't we design killer robots. Same concept. Unattended death and destruction.
BMW Speed Limit Display

By Posted on 11.11.2008 Comments
Combining images of signs taken by a camera on the rearview mirror with navigation-system data about your route, the latest European BMW 7 Series figures out your current speed limit and displays it on the instrument cluster and projects it on the windshield. The technology, developed with Siemens VDO, could arrive in the U.S. in the next year or two. bmw.com

1.17.2009 at 05:37pm - Comment by yourremoteisbroken

It's cool technology, but if they are so concerned about speed limits then why so much horse power in those machines? They need a device for all of the drivers that constantly read and send text messages. Keep their eyes on the road. :-)
Lexus Wide-View Cameras

By Posted on 11.11.2008 Comments
Nudge forward out of a garage, and cameras mounted on the grille and under the passenger-side mirror on the 2008 Lexus LX57 see around the corners before you do, sparing pedestrians that cross your path. A second camera provides a view of the ground beside the vehicle, so you don’t scuff those new tires on the curb. The navigation screen can display both views simultaneously. lexus.com

1.17.2009 at 05:34pm - Comment by yourremoteisbroken

I'm all for new safety advances. You really have to engineer stupidity (sorry) out of people. So many people get hurt from careless drivers who drive in reverse without even turning around or checking their improperly adjusted mirrors. Thumbs up for safety. :-)
Entertainment & Gaming

A Guide to Retro Gaming

By Scott Steinberg Posted on 4.2.2009 1 Comments
Like most savvy sci-fi gaming fans, I spent the past weekend channeling my inner Mad Max with a new copy of Fallout, clearing its stunning post-apocalyptic wastelands of ravenous mutant and bloodthirsty raider alike. I’m not talking about the newly released third series installment for computers and next-gen consoles. Rather, thanks to new online distribution service Good Old Games, I’ve been revisiting the original desktop legend instead.

1.1.2009 at 11:10pm - Comment by yourremoteisbroken

It's funny how retro retro really is. :-) Earthworm Jim retro? Man...I must be getting old. :-( ;-)
Infiniti Scratch Shield

By Posted on 11.11.2008 Comments
It won’t save you from a key-gouging vandal, but the finish on the 2008 Infiniti EX and FX-model SUVs can erase scrapes caused by, say, car washes or stray branches. The clear coat contains a synthetic resin that, when activated by daytime heat and sunlight, flows into surface wounds, repairing the damage in anywhere from a day to a week, depending on temperature and the depth of the scratch. Thanks to the extra resin in the coating, the finish is more durable than most, too, showing 80 percent fewer abrasions than conventional clear coat after 50 trips through an automated car wash.

1.1.2009 at 11:03pm - Comment by yourremoteisbroken

This is peace of mind. There is nothing worse than having scuff marks and scratches on nice cars. Now only if they could invent material that self repairs door dings. :-)
2009 Nissan GT-R

By Posted on 11.11.2008 Comments
The 2009 Nissan GT-R is the sports-car value of the year, if not the decade—a car under 80 grand whose performance matches that of a $200,000 supercar. Engineers scrutinized every component to squeeze out more performance while saving weight and money. Inside the twin-turbo, 3.8-liter V6’s aluminum engine block, the walls surrounding the pistons receive a coating that dissipates heat better than the typical, heavier cast-iron linings. The engine produces 480 horsepower and hurls the GT-R from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds—quicker than a Lamborghini Gallardo.

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1.1.2009 at 10:59pm - Comment by yourremoteisbroken

I've seen this car at a dealership and spoke with the mechanics. Yes...the dealer price on this car averages 90k. You have to watch an hour long video prior to purchase and sign a maintenance disclosure form on service costs. When you put the car into race mode/track mode you have to bring the car back to the dealership for "$4,000 fluid changes". Need rotors/brakes replaced? That's almost $10,000! Well actually $8,000. But good grief! It is a super car. It's definitely for the rich though. It's not like you can just save 90k to buy your dream car. The maintenance on this will break you. :-) Well... that's if you are the average Joe. :-) Anyone know maintenance costs on other super cars?
NASA Mars Lander

By Posted on 11.11.2008 Comments
Aside from actual living things, the ultimate find for planetary science is the stuff that makes life possible: water. That’s exactly what NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander found in July, when its scooping device uncovered clumps of ice buried just beneath the surface of the Martian arctic plain. Guided by a team of scientists at the University of Arizona, the Lockheed Martin–built spacecraft has been up there since May, gathering soil samples using its robotic arm and capturing the highest-resolution images of another planet ever taken.

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1.1.2009 at 09:59pm - Comment by yourremoteisbroken

I was excited for NASA when this landed on Mars. Just imagine how much research went into designing this machine. To go from launch, to almost a year in space and then to land and deploy it on another planet. Simply amazing. I agree.. What's next?
Draganfly Draganflyer X6

By Posted on 11.11.2008 Comments
There are model helicopters, and then there are military unmanned aerial vehicles. The Draganflyer X6 is the first hovering craft that fits right in between. This small helicopter, the first to use six horizontal blades for a stable hover and speedy turns, is designed to supply aerial video to everyone from police to hobbyists. The pilot guides it by handheld controller while wearing video glasses that allow him to see what the chopper sees through a camera attached to a vibration-free mount on the vehicle’s belly.

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1.1.2009 at 09:52pm - Comment by yourremoteisbroken

I think this is an excellent advance in r/c aviation technology. The practical and fun uses for this are numerous. It has more legitimate use than for someone wanting a new way to spy on their neighbors. (Reference Pedo/moonshine comment) There are cheaper ways to peep on someone. The video of this flying is amazing. I like the fact that it's onboard computer will keep it stable even when the operator inputs flying commands that would crash a normal r/c aircraft. I think the price of this machine will help to keep it out of hands of those that would use it irresponsibly. Thumbs up for this aircraft. It's just simply cool!