For everything from family to computers…
https://www.popsci.com/globaleye-awacs-aircraft-saab?dom=rss-default&src=syn
The aircraft is called GlobalEye.
via Popular Science – New Technology, Science News, The Future Now http://bit.ly/2k2uJQn
June 5, 2019 at 12:52PM
https://www.engadget.com/2019/06/05/autonomous-roboats-can-assemble-into-floating-stages/
Autonomous boats might soon do a favor for people who have no intention of charting a course. Researchers at MIT and AMS Institute have developed a new version of their ‘Roboat’ that can identify and latch on to fellow robots to form different structures, whether it’s a foot bridge, a garbage collector or a stage for a concert. The boats use cameras, lidar and computer vision algorithms to look for fellow bots with QR-like tags (to help determine their relative position), and then position themselves for docking on command. They also know to try again if there’s a botched attempt.
The docking mechanism itself is a ball-and-socket system that uses a laser to tell when the ball is inside, locking the arriving robot into place. The socket, meanwhile, is a funnel that gives the boats leeway to bounce around in the water.
There’s no guarantee you’ll see production versions of this tech. Roboat has been in development for several years. However, there’s a clear roadmap for the future. A new funnel could give the bots more control for towing other objects through canals, while the tags themselves could be displayed on an LCD to issue instructions to multiple boats from one lead automaton. And like you’d guess, the basic principles involved aren’t limited to the water — this could help with everything from docking spacecraft to recharging your robot vacuum.
via Engadget http://www.engadget.com
June 5, 2019 at 07:39PM
https://www.engadget.com/2019/06/06/uber-helicopter-nyc/
Uber’s autonomous flying taxis aren’t ready to take flight yet, but according to a report in the New York Times, it will offer air transit starting July 9th. Uber Copter will be available in New York City first, to Uber Rewards members who’ve obtained Platinum and Diamond status. Unsurprisingly, the rides will have dynamic pricing that changes based on demand, but the average ride will cost between $200 and $225, according to Uber Elevate’s Nikhil Goel.
However, unlike Uber’s car service, it has a predetermined route that runs between a location near the Staten Island Ferry in Manhattan and Kennedy Airport with a flight time of about eight minutes. Uber hasn’t publicly announced the service itself, but according to the article, flights will have space for up to five passengers (don’t expect to bring along much baggage) with two pilots, all operated by the Heliflite charter service.
The service is also.. short, by anyone’s imagination. According to Uber, it’s the company’s first "multi-modal" option, where this eight-minute helicopter flight is connected to taxi rides each side.
Update 06/06/2019 6:35AM ET: Engadget added a statement from the head of Uber Elevate, Eric Allison:
"Uber Copter offers the first real demonstration of the Elevate experience. We’ve built Uber Copter to provide us with insight and real-world experience as we continue to lay the foundation for Uber Air. This is Uber’s first multi-modal option, integrating an 8-minute helicopter flight with an Uber trip on both ends with a single tap of a button. Uber Rewards Platinum and Diamond members will get the first opportunity to try this new fast and seamless way to get between Manhattan and JFK."
Source: New York Times
via Engadget http://www.engadget.com
June 6, 2019 at 12:03AM
https://www.engadget.com/2019/06/06/google-maps-sos-alerts/
Google’s SOS alerts already give you vital information when you’re in a crisis zone, and now that includes driving directions. As part of a broader expansion of SOS alerts to Google Maps, the company has introduced navigation features that will not only warn you about crises along your route, but will change your route to avoid them when possible. If a flood threatens to block your way, this might just help you reach safety.
You’ll also have some help understanding the scope of a natural disaster no matter what you’re doing. Maps will show hurricane path cones, earthquake shakemaps and flood forecasts. The info will be available through crisis cards that pop up in the app when you’re in an affected area, but you’ll also see them if you search Google for disaster- or location-related keywords regardless of where you are.
It’ll take a while for everything to become available. The visualizations will reach Android, iOS and the web in the "coming weeks," with flood visualizations (which don’t include iOS) starting in the Indian city of Patna and spreading to the Brahmaputra and Ganges regions. Crisis-aware navigation, meanwhile, will appear in mobile apps sometime this summer. While you’ll hopefully never have to use any of these features, they could be vital if you’re unsure of where you can go in a dangerous situation.
Source: Google
via Engadget http://www.engadget.com
June 6, 2019 at 05:03AM
https://www.geeksaresexy.net/2019/06/06/how-to-make-and-throw-an-indoor-boomerang-video/
In the video above, World boomerang champion Logan Broadbent will shoe you how to make an indoor boomrering, also known as a “roomerang” using two pieces of card stock, a little glue, and a pair of scissors.
You can download Logan’s boomerang template right here!
[Wired]
via [Geeks Are Sexy] Technology News http://bit.ly/23BIq6h
June 6, 2019 at 09:01AM
The company agreed to make the payments to resolve federal criminal and civil investigations of its marketing practices. Five of its executives were convicted separately for the same practices.
(Image credit: Reuters)
via NPR Topics: News https://n.pr/2m0CM10
June 5, 2019 at 09:18PM
https://kotaku.com/playing-mordhau-with-an-actual-frying-pan-1835284355
Medieval brawler Mordhau is supposed to be played with a controller or mouse + keyboard, but as with most games, a bit of tinkering can expand those options somewhat, up to and including the use of an actual cast iron frying pan.
Here’s Rudeism, no stranger to this kind of stuff, rigging up some motion controls to a big heavy pan, which allows him some surprisingly 1:1 controls:
And here it is in action:
Very cool for Mordhau, but…I really want to see this used with Wii Tennis.
Via RPS
via Kotaku https://kotaku.com
June 5, 2019 at 06:40PM
