Posted on November 7th, 2010 by jxh
Just because humans have fingers doesn’t mean that robots need to have them too.
Researchers have developed a new type of robotic hand – a soft gripping mechanism that stiffens when air is sucked out.
The hand is essentially a latex balloon filled with ground coffee (because the grounds are both lightweight and pliable). Its softness allows the robot hand to conform to the shape of hard objects.
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Filed under: Computer, e-News, Mechanical | 5 Comments »
Tags: Computer, Computer Science, Mechanical, Robotics
Posted on October 27th, 2010 by axb
Tired of dealing with bulky bike helmets? The Hövding might be the answer for you.
Designed by two Swedish university students for their thesis project, this novel device cleverly combines the best of bike helmets and airbags. Just zip the nifty little Hövding scarf around your neck (left photo), and you’re good to go.
If, heaven forbid, you should find yourself in an accident, a set of gyroscopes and accelerometers will sense the impending crash and immediately inflate the helmet (right photo).
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Filed under: Computer, e-News, Explore Engineering, Mechanical, Transportation | 4 Comments »
Tags: Computer, Mechanical, Transportation
Posted on October 21st, 2010 by jxh
This country is in desperate need of road safety – in 2008, 37,000 people died in car accidents in the United States. The greatest threat to drivers is other drivers, as the leading causes of accidents are distractions such as texting, rubbernecking, or gazing at the scenery.
That’s why Google engineers have been working on vehicles that can drive themselves, using artificial-intelligence software that mimic a human driver.
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Filed under: Computer, e-News, Mechanical, Transportation | 5 Comments »
Tags: Cars, Computer, Environmental, Mechanical, Transportation
Posted on October 21st, 2010 by axb
One of the most fascinating aspects of engineering is the creative technological innovations it produces. While plenty of sci-fi television features outlandish gadgets and science experiments, only a few programs showcase real upcoming inventions being made by actual engineers and scientists. That’s why we’re particularly excited about this new show:
Dean of Invention, on the Planet Green network, follows famous inventor Dean Kamen on a quest to find the most cutting-edge technology on the planet and the most amazing and inventive engineering solutions to modern-day challenges.
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Filed under: Biomedical, Computer, e-News, Electrical, Environmental, Explore Engineering, Mechanical, Transportation | 1 Comment »
Tags: Biomedical, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Robotics, Transportation
Posted on October 1st, 2010 by jxh
What if newspapers worked interactively like computer screens, with continually updated headlines, photos and videos (similar to the animated newspapers in the wizarding world of Harry Potter)?
Well soon they might. The Taiwan-based Industrial Technology Research Institute has produced flexible displays that can be bent, rolled and folded like a sheet of paper.
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Filed under: Computer, e-News, Materials | 6 Comments »
Tags: Computer, Materials, Technology
