From Engadget: XCOR Lynx propulsion tech tests well on motorcycle, suborbital trip still pricey

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Before parting with $95,000 to secure a spot on the Lynx suborbital flight, you’d want to make sure the spacecraft was safe, right? XCOR doesn’t blame you: it recently tested out its piston pump technology on a Triumph Street Triple motorcycle with great results. Sure, it’s not the same as flying to the edge of space, but the Triumph has the same cylinder arrangement as the Lynx’s liquid oxygen and kerosene fuel pumps and develops a similar amount of horsepower. It’s also loads cheaper than testing in the laboratory. The bike took a 20-hour drive (the equivalent of 400 Lynx flights, according to XCOR) along Route 66 without the piston pump suffering any wear and tear. So if propulsion-related safety concerns — and not the depth of your wallet — were holding you back from nabbing a seat on the Lynx, you might feel a tad more inclined to whip out the plastic now. Head past the break for the full PR, plus a video of the piston-pumped Triumph in action.

from Engadget

From Engadget: Dundee student designs Passive Play toy cube to stimulate parent interaction with autistic children

Dundee student designs Passive Play toy cube to improve parents interaction with autistic children

A University of Dundee scholar has been working on a wonderful tool that aims to evoke the emotional connection between children with autism and their parents. While we’ve seen novelties like the My Keepon in the past, any addition to the cause is always a pleasant one, and the Passive Play’s no exception. The concept comes in the form of an interactive toy cube for the kid (pictured above), which pairs up with an iOS app and allows the parent to see any interaction the little one is having with the device. Passive Play’s creator, Tom Kirkman, says his inspiration comes from “wanting to learn more about autism,” and in case you happen to be in the UK, he’ll be showing off the project at Dundee University later this month. For all those details, be sure to check out the PR after the break.

from Engadget