Tesla Autopilot predicts an accident before it happens

Just over a second before this collision, the Tesla Model X from which this video frame was taken, sounded a forward collision warning & applied the brakes
Credit: Frank van Hoesel/Electrek

Recent versions of Tesla’s Autopilot are effectively able to see through the vehicle in front by bouncing radar underneath.

Now, a video has appeared, showing a Tesla Model X apparently recognising that the car ahead is about to rear-end the car in front of it, & applying the brakes, a little over a second before the collision.



Video above no longer available – try this:



Another one bites the dust – try this:



Second-by-second – these timings were correct for the first embedded video above – may not apply precisely to later ones

0:04-0:05 Autopilot Forward Collision Warning begins to sound just before the counter moves to “0:05”

0:05-0:06 red car begins to move to the right, revealing the black vehicle ahead for the first time

0:06-0:07 collision – at the 00:06 second mark or just after

Autopilot appears to provide over a second of warning prior to the collision. Plus apply the brakes, according to the Electrek article linked below.

Electrek
https://electrek.co/2016/12/27/tesla-autopilot-radar-technology-predict-accident-dashcam/

Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/28/tesla-autopilot-predicts-crash/ / Tesla cars produced now have full self driving hardware Tesla Team self-driving vehicles play crucial role improving transportation safety accelerating world’s world transition sustainable future full autonomy enable Tesla substantially safer human driver lower financial cost transportation own car provide low-cost on-demand mobility low cost on demand mobility excited announce all Tesla vehicles produced factory Model 3 hardware needed full self-driving capability safety level substantially greater human driver eight surround cameras 360 degree visibility around car up to 250 meters range twelve updated ultrasonic sensors complement vision detection both hard soft objects nearly twice distance prior system forward-facing radar enhanced processing provides additional data about the world redundant wavelength seeing through heavy rain fog dust car ahead make sense data new onboard computer more than 40 times computing power previous generation new Tesla-developed Tesla developed neural net vision sonar radar processing software system view of the world driver alone cannot access seeing in every direction simultaneously wavelengths go far beyond the human senses eight surround cameras provide 360 degree visibility Autopilot Forward Collision Warning /

First solar panel road in Normandy village

Two lanes of solar roadway, Tourouvre-au-Perche, Normandy, France
Credit: Christophe Petit Tesson/EPA/The Guardian

Solar panel roads were first introduced to the world on Indiegogo in 2014 – funded to the tune of $US2,275,688 by 50,048 backers on 21 June of that year.

Now, a 1km (0.6-mile) solar road, containing 2,800 m² of solar panels has been opened in France, at a cost of €5m (£UK4.3m, $US5.3 m). Obviously, cost is high compared to other roads, but a realistic comparison would include the cost of installation of the same surface area of solar panels.

Durability & power generation will be evaluated in a two year trial period. Cost reduction will also be a priority.

Solar panels are pitched at an angle to make the most of available sunlight. However, in Normandy, where the solar road has been built, cloud-free days are relatively rare – 44 days per year in Caen, the regional capital. On cloudy days, sunlight comes from all parts of the sky with almost equal strength, so flat-mounted solar panels, as in a solar road, may be an effective orientation.

Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/cars/2016/12/worlds-first-solar-road-opens-in-france/

The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/22/solar-panel-road-tourouvre-au-perche-normandy / world's first solar panel road opens Normandy village Tourouvre-au-Perche cost construction €5m two-year test period test phase evaluate solar panel road provide energy power street lighting France world’s first solar panel road Normandy village 1km 0.6-mile route small village Tourouvre-au-Perche covered 2,800 sq m electricity-generating panels inaugurated Thursday ecology minister Ségolène Royal cost €5m £4.2m construct used 2,000 motorists day during two-year test period generate enough energy power street lighting village 3,400 residents 2014 solar-powered cycle path Krommenie the Netherlands teething problems has generated 3,000kWh energy power average family home year cost building cycle path solar-powered road called Wattway opened RD5 road panels tested four car parks across France constructor Colas giant telecoms group Bouygues financed by the state Normandy sunshine Caen region political capital just 44 days strong sunshine year Royal solar panels installed 1,000km French highway France 1m km roads panels laid on flat surfaces less efficient installed sloping areas roofs critics cost-effective use of public money Marc Jedliczka vice-president Network Energetic Transition CLER technical advance develop renewables other priorities very expensive Jean-Louis Bal president renewable energy union SER cost production electricity lifespan Colas panels covered resin containing fine sheets silicon tough enough withstand all traffic reduce costs producing solar panels projects solar-panelled roads /

Tick bites can cause allergies – which may be life threatening

A tick bite is unpleasant, but more importantly, can lead to two different types of allergies – one of which can be life threatening.

● Mammalian Meat Allergy (MMA) – i.e. an allergy to red meat – all red meat, including the obvious ones – beef, lamb, pork – & also meat from virtually any mammal, including kangaroo, deer & bison. Symptoms – gastro-intestinal.

● Allergy to the tick bite itself is also possible, & this one is life threatening. Symptom – anaphylactic shock.

What can you do?

● Avoid ticks – easier said than done, if you live in an area with a high level of tick infestation, such as the east coast of Australia.

● Make sure you remove ticks correctly – if you are bitten, this is essential to ensure you don’t acquire either of the allergies mentioned above – most people's reaction is to scratch it, which is a bad idea, & using tweezers is the worst thing you can do.

More, including how to correctly remove ticks:



If you only want to know how to remove a tick, here it is in just 1 minute & 47 seconds:

/ tick protein meat allergy tick allergy Mammalian Meat Allergy MMA anti-GAL anti GAL ALPHA GAL ALPHA-GAL antibody antigen anti galactose red meat great apes old world monkeys galactose bite mouth inject local anaesthetic gastric gastroenteritis meat allergy tick bite anaphylactic shock anaphylaxis life threatening larvae larva nymph nymphs ether Wart Off scabies /

Best wishes

Credit: Inhabitat

Whatever your beliefs, all the very best from Hitchhiker's Guide 2 Tech!

The Guardian tried every set of wireless earbuds to find some that worked, so you don’t have to

Bragi earbuds
Credit: Bragi/The Guardian

Surprising number were unable to maintain a stable connection between the two earbuds – this review names names.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/16/wireless-bluetooth-earbuds-bragi-jabra-elite-earin-motorola / completely wireless earbuds future of in-ear music freeing us from the shackles of cables between the ears wireless earbuds that work very few actually do Apple AirPods cannot maintain solid connection opposite sides of your head smartphones Bluetooth performance Google Pixel XL Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Apple iPhone 7 earbuds only two worth buying ones to avoid and why Earin buttons controls charge long cylindrical battery case sound pretty good over two hours worked better smartphones could not maintain a stable connection between the two earbuds right slave bud cutting out intermittently walking down the street blast a loud pop when they run out of battery not worth buying if you walk anywhere Motorola VerveOnes+ sweat-proof plus version normal rubber-coated back wedge themselves in your ear stick out further than most comfortable lasting a couple of hours rotating charging case running connected to a smartwatch OK for running Bluetooth headset PK K’asq stick out of your ear deeply uncomfortable in my ear sounded OK failed badly both earbuds cutting out connection between them was lost Rowkin Bit Charge smallest buds on the market sound OK relatively comfortable most discreet two versions with and without a charging case magnets struggled to maintain a connection between themselves pairing routine was downright tedious form function the ones to buy Bragi the Headphone first wireless earbuds new Bragi the Headphone connection reliability light earbuds touch your ears most comfortable wireless earbuds I’ve tried right earbud buttons power button play pause skip-track button buttons adjust volume switch ambient noise on and off microphones built into the earbuds buttons ear canals sound pretty good right fit tips comfortable to wear for extended periods sound good wired earbuds balanced decent separation mids and highs thunderous bass small hiss sound background active charges battery charge your earbuds completely turn off charge rock-solid connectivity smartphones kept their connection call quality stereo mono right earbud simple good-sounding Jabra Elite Sport Bluetooth headphones wireless earbuds Bragi Elite earbuds fill the ear like a canal shell hearing aid /

General Motors EV1 & the land speed record for electric vehicles

General Motors EV1
Credit: General Motors/Clean Technica

You may have heard of the General Motors EV1 – an electric car produced between 1996 & 1999. It was unique in a number of ways, including being the first GM vehicle designed purely as an electric car & also in bearing the General Motors brand,¹ rather than that of one of its divisions (Chevrolet, Buick etc.)

Predecessor of the EV1 was the Impact concept car, first shown to the public in January 1990, by GM chairman Roger Smith, at the 1990 LA Auto Show. In 1994, a modified Impact set a land speed record of 183.822 mph (295.833 kph).²


Impact land speed record car
Credit: tzev.com

Many sources, including Wikipedia describe it as, “a land speed record for production electric vehicles”. Apparently, “production”, refers to the 50 Impacts hand built for the, PrEView, programme – which saw cars lent out for one or two weeks at a time, to gain feedback from members of the public.¹

Ultimate fate of the EV1 is recorded in the iconic 2006 documentary, “Who Killed the Electric Car?”

Read about it at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Killed_the_Electric_Car%3F

Buy the DVD at
http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/
__________

Where the land speed records for electric cars are now

On 28 July 2016, a land speed record for street legal EVs was set at 205.6 mph (330.9 kph) by a modified Corvette.



For vehicles unhampered by street legality concerns, Drayson Technology moved the record up to 219.1mph (352.6kph) in March 2014.



As of 22 September 2016, the outright record was set at 341.4 mph (549.3 kph) by Venturi – an offshoot of the organisation that runs the Formula E team.


__________

¹ Wikipedia: “General Motors EV1”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_EV1

² tzev.com: ‘GM 1989-1993 “Impact”’
http://www.tzev.com/1989_1993_impact_ev1_prototype_c1994_LandSpeedRecord.html / Who Killed the Electric Car EV1 General Motors EV1was an electric car produced leased General Motors 1996 to 1999 first mass-produced purpose-designed electric vehicle modern era major automaker first GM car designed electric vehicle first only passenger car sold under the corporate General Motors GM name branded under one mass-produce electric car GM received favorable reception 1990 Impact electric concept car design EV1 Impact's perceived potential success California Air Resources Board CARB subsequently passed mandate production sale zero-emissions vehicles ZEV requirement seven major automakers selling cars United States market vehicles California EV1 made available limited lease-only agreements Los Angeles California Phoenix Tucson Arizona EV1 lessees real-world engineering evaluation market study feasibility producing marketing commuter electric vehicle select U.S. markets GM's Advanced Technology Vehicles group cars not available for purchase serviced only designated Saturn dealerships EV1's release leasing programs launched San Francisco Sacramento California limited program Georgia customer reaction EV1 positive GM electric cars unprofitable niche automobile market crushing crush crushed most of the cars protesting customers /

Redflow claims to have a better solution for home electricity storage

Redflow's ZCell domestic electricity storage system – unique zinc-bromine flow chemistry – 10 kiloWatt hour capacity
Credit: Redflow/Canstar Blue

Redflow has a home electricity storage solution using a flow cell with zinc-bromine electrolyte. Alternatives, such as the Tesla Power Wall, use lithium ion technology.

Claimed advantages of Redflow's flow cell include:

● tolerant of daily full cycle (100-0%) charge-discharge – don't try that with lead, nickel or lithium based batteries

● well suited to a heavy workload
● less loss of capacity through its lifetime than other chemistries
● doesn’t need active cooling
● sleep mode with zero self-discharge [sic]
● non-flammable electrolyte

Canstar Blue reviewed the ZCell
http://www.canstarblue.com.au/energy/alternative/solar-power/zcell-home-battery-storage-system-reviewed/

Executive chairman of Redflow, Simon Hackett, installed a ZCell at his home
https://simonhackett.com/2016/11/28/home-redflow-zbm-installation/

Manufacturer's web site
https://www.zcell.com/ / Simon Hackett executive chairman Australian battery storage developer Redflow better solution home electricity storage energy storage Australian householders cut costs residence residential back-up power option Redflow emerging market recent blackout South Australia back-up power options home-owners home energy storage systems harvesting storing energy solar panels Redflow’s ZCell home battery storage system power outages without interruption research firm IHS Technology forecast Australian energy storage market Australia top five markets distributed energy storage US Japan Germany UK solar photovoltaic energy storage systems wider energy market evolving battery technology increasing role nature of electricity consumption is changing innovative energy storage solutions ZCell systems local market home battery storage system ZCell Redflow ZCell emerging home battery market battery technologies available Redflow ZCell’s flow technology Redflow’s ZCell ZCell storage system unique zinc-bromine flow battery Redflow ZBM2 capable delivering 10 kilowatt hours kWh stored energy daily Redflow battery technology ZCell home battery market lithium-ion battery Redflow ZCell overhead degradation problems impact performance lithium-based lead-acid batteries ZCell contains 100 litres water-based zinc bromide salt solution circulating two separate hydraulic circuits charging zinc extracted zinc bromide solution stored plastic membrane discharge zinc released solution energy stored moving zinc inside the battery long life 100 per cent depth-of-discharge completely reversible no damage battery zinc completely removed plastic membrane end of each discharge cycle Redflow benefits ZCell other battery chemistry 100 per cent cycle depth daily delivery 10 kWh energy 100 per cent depth of discharge no risk of battery damage retaining full output capacity battery’s useful life large loss of output capacity with age other battery types no fire risk bromide-based electrolyte natural fire retardant mechanical damage no risk explosion thermal runaway high-temperature operation without active cooling unlimited shelf life state of charge hibernated for storage easy to recycle reuse /

SPUD – Spontaneous Pop-Up Display

SPUD in use
Credit: Arovia

Assembled, SPUD has a 24" screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio, at 1280 x 720 resolution, & weighs 2 pounds, that collapses, “just like a ruggedized umbrella”, to a 7.52 x 5.64 x 2.17 inch, package. Image is displayed by rear projection.



Two problems spring to mind:
1. in my experience, resolution is a problem with rear projected displays
2. creasing of the screen after repeated collapsing seems likely

Arovia, the creator, claims to have solved both of these problems.

SPUD is crowd funded through IndieGoGo
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-spontaneous-pop-up-display-spud-tv/x/9010251#/

& KickStarter too
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1677563729/the-spontaneous-pop-up-display-spud

The Verge – “The SPUD is an absurd 24-inch portable display that opens like an umbrella”
http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/2/13496448/portable-projector-display-spud

New Atlas – SPUD puts a 24-inch display in your back pocket
http://newatlas.com/spud-pop-up-screen/42350/ / SPUD high resolution 24-inch display ultra-portability ultra-portable collapses ruggedized umbrella size and weight paperback book expanded SPUD uses custom optics latest DLP technology sharp bright image HDMI cable wireless adapter SPUD connected smartphone tablet laptop SPUD completely new type of product world’s first large portable display SPUD only high resolution 24-inch display ultra-portability collapses ruggedized umbrella size and weight paperback book expanded SPUD custom optics latest DLP technology produce sharp bright image HDMI cable or wireless adapter SPUD connected smartphone tablet laptop watching movies more productive away from your office SPUD optimizes visual experience any device crowd funded crowdfunded crowd funding crowdfunding community supporters projected retail price SPUD pops-up huge, 24-inch diagonal display fully expanded device 21 inches wide 11 inches high 14 inches deep 61 cm diagonal 53 cm wide 28 cm high 36 cm deep 24-inch display size of a large desk monitor laptop screen 5.1-inch smartphone screen highly durable breakable glass screens SPUD uses flexible polymer cracked chipped washable attached casing keeps SPUD protected /

Tablift hands-free tablet stand for sitting, lounging – even lying down

Tablift – hands-free tablet stand
Credit: Design Swan

As well as holding almost any tablet in multiple positions, Tablift is steady enough to allow typing.



Review
http://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/07/24/tablift-hands-free-tablet-stand-review/

Manufacturer's web site
http://www.thetablift.com/ / Tablift tablift hands-free tablet stand review tablet vs. laptop laptops tablets are lighter hands-free laptop fancy case stand uniquely-shaped Tablift packaging Tablift storage mode unfold the bendy legs spidery looking thing each leg measures 14 inches long Tablift base three slots hold most tablets suit the viewing angle iPad Air three slots top position tilt slightly towards the viewer middle more neutral position rear position iPad Air landscape mode wide enough elastic clip elastic and clip keep tension on the tablet keep it from falling out iPad air in a case Tablift works clip pulls case just a little nice little touch portrait mode iPad Air’s charging port nicely hole Tablift base thought Tablift the most ungainly ridiculous looking stand I’ve seen incredibly versatile adjustable to nearly any task /

A 100% renewable electricity grid is not just possible, but essential

Credit: Conserve Energy Future

Scientists agree that the world is warming, & that human activity is substantially the cause.¹ Cost, both in financial terms^2,3 & impact on human well beings,^3,4 is enormous.

Electricity generation is a substantial source of greenhouse gases. A 100% renewable grid is thus, essential. Good news is that such a grid is also feasible according to a paper recently released by the Alternative Technology Association (ATA).

http://www.ata.org.au/news/media-release-a-100-per-cent-renewable-grid-is-possible-says-ata
__________

¹ “What’s causing global warming?”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/12/whats-causing-global-warming.html

² “Fossil fuel subsidies — $US10 million per minute", https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/05/fossil-fuel-subsidies.html

³ “Climate change is cutting humans’ work capacity – update", https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2013/02/climate-change-is-cutting-humans-work.html

⁴ “New global data suggests air pollution kills 10 million people per year", https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/09/new-global-data-suggests-air-pollution.html/ Carbon dioxide CO2 methane Ch4 carbon carbon monoxide greenhouse gas greenhouse gases greenhouse gasses greenhouse effect global warming climate change fossil fuel radiation pollution acid rain Alternative Technology Association ATA coal fired power station fully renewable electricity grid provide long-term economic climate social benefits new discussion paper Alternative Technology Association ATA ATA’s 100% Renewable Energy Grid fully renewable energy grid Australia grid doable play an important part fight climate change paper COAG meets Finkel Review security stability national electricity market ATA not-for-profit sustainability organisation reviewed evidence recent developments previous studies Australian Energy Market Operator all experts agree 100% renewable grid will be reliable and stable appropriate mix renewable generation sources energy storage upgraded infrastructure Andrew Reddaway author ATA energy analyst periods of calm cloudy weather electricity sourced sunny windy parts of the country supplemented energy stores hydroelectric dams molten salt heat storage batteries renewable gas pelletised woody waste grid robust smarter renewable generators batteries automatically injecting extra electricity grid stability Mr Reddaway smart appliances detect disturbances grid independently adjust power level to compensate grid would be manageable transition energy costs slightly higher business as usual BAU in the longer term downward pressure on electricity bills renewable energy generation cheap to run building 100% renewable grid Snowy Mountains Scheme many jobs would be created capital costs spread over the project’s duration span at least a decade widespread energy efficiency measures further offset costs /

Lima lets you manage your own cloud storage

There are many free & paid cloud storage systems, but all of them require that you place your files in the custody of some other entity. An alternative would be to create your own cloud – which is where Lima comes in.


Installing Lima cloud storage is easy:
● connect Lima to your router
● connect Lima to your hard drive
● connect Lima to power supply
● installation complete
Credit: Lima


Lima ports
Credit: Lima

Any USB2 hard drive can be used. USB3 drives work at USB2 speed. Lima encrypts all of your files. Apps are available for Windows, OSX, Linux, Android & iOS devices.



TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/14/lima-beefs-up-its-dropbox-alternative-with-the-129-lima-ultra/

Manufacturer's web site
https://meetlima.com/

Thanks to John for suggesting this item / Lima Dropbox alternative $129 Lima Ultra tiny device personal cloud control your data more easily Dropbox alternative data hard drive in your home Lima Ultra new and improved version original Lima more powerful big performance boost small white box Ethernet port USB port device plugging it to your router USB hard drive access files hard drive all of your devices company released apps your computer phone tablet computer drag and drop files your Lima store them in the cloud hard drive sitting next to your router stream music movies open documents from your phone Lima Ultra access your media files from anywhere Lima Ultra works like cheap dumbed-down NAS network-attached storage NAS NAS Lima device spend $99 a year Dropbox Pro subscription Dropbox Microsoft Google able to see your data Lima Ultra much more powerful processor quad core 1.5GHz CPU more RAM Gigabit Ethernet port transfers much faster stream a very large movie browsing files faster remote connections start more quickly away from your home upload speed your home connection fast enough let you stream files from there more software updates thanks more powerful components new device you run two Limas side by side everything is mirrored backed up order Lima Ultra $129 /

Uber self driving car runs a red light (video)

Uber has been running a pilot programme of its autonomous vehicles in San Francisco. One of those vehicles was caught running a red light on a dash-cam. Check the sensor array on top of the vehicle.

Uber was quick to issue a statement attributing responsibility to the staff member in the driver's seat:

“This incident was due to human error. This is why we believe so much in making the roads safer by building self-driving Ubers. This vehicle was not part of the pilot & was not carrying customers. The driver involved has been suspended while we continue to investigate.”

Electrek
https://electrek.co/2016/12/14/uber-self-driving-car-red-light-pedestrian-sf/

Australian Broadcasting Corporation
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-16/self-driving-uber-runs-red-light/8128700

The Verge
http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/14/13960836/uber-self-driving-car-san-francisco-red-light-safety / DMV Department of Motor Vehicles shut down Uber’s Uber unlicensed self-driving car program reaction footage prototype running red light front pedestrian Uber launching autonomous ride-sharing pilot program San Francisco justifying not needing permit operate self-driving cars 20 other companies developing self driving systems California video embedded showing Uber’s self-driving cars running red light pedestrian path San Francisco released later California regulators told company stop self-driving car service state until goes through process getting permit Uber released statement blaming human driver car video statement incident prompted intervention regulators letter California DMV officials told Uber must cease deploying cars face legal action agency statement website California DMV encourages responsible exploration self-driving cars permitting process ensure public safety technology being tested twenty manufacturers obtained permits test hundreds of cars California roads Uber autonomous technology considered level 3 requires active monitoring driver when activated would comply with the law California’s DMV defines autonomous systems able to drive without active physical control monitoring by a human operator refers to the vehicles self-driving video filmed San Francisco dashcam Uber’s Volvo XC90 SUVs equipped with self-driving hardware run red light pedestrian path right before pedestrian was about to cross video incident was due human error believe making the roads safer building self-driving Ubers Uber vehicle not part of the pilot not carrying customers driver involved has been suspended continue investigate /

Lucid Motors claims 400 mile range for its luxury electric car

Lucid Motors electric vehicle
Credit: Lucid Motors/Electric Cars Report

Tesla has proven the practicality of electric vehicles. First with its Roadster, then with the Model S luxury performance car, & has demonstrated its Model 3, “mass market car”, with 200+ mile range. First deliveries of the 400,000 pre-orders are promised for the end of 2017.¹

Apparently based on the principle of, “everything is obvious once you know the answer”, almost all car manufacturers, plus a few startups, have announced plans to manufacture a 200+ mile (320km) electric car.^2,3,4,5

Most recent announcement – Lucid Motors luxury electric car with 100kWh battery & 300 mile range. Also promised is a larger 130kWh battery, 4WD courtesy of front-&-rear motors providing 1,000 horsepower combined, 2.5-second 0-60 mph time & 400 mile range. Production is planned for late 2018.

What Lucid Motors has at the moment, is an “Alpha prototype” – Slash Gear scored a ride.



Electric Cars Report
http://electriccarsreport.com/2016/12/lucid-air-luxury-electric-sedan-revealed-400-mile-range-0-60-mph-2-5-seconds/

Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/15/inside-the-lucid-air-luxury-ev/#/

Tech Crunch
https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/14/lucid-motors-unveils-the-air-a-new-luxe-electric-car-with-a-400-mile-range/

Manufacturer’s web site
https://lucidmotors.com/car
__________

¹ Hichhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Tesla Model 3 revelations”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/07/tesla-model-3-revelations.html

² Hichhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Jaguar I-PACE electric SUV (video)”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/11/jaguar-i-pace-electric-suv-video.html

³ Hichhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Chevy Bolt electric vehicle – range claims supported by growing number of road tests”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/10/chevy-bolt-electric-vehicle-range_5.html

⁴ Hichhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Edna the electric drive train test mule meets Tesla & Ferrari at the drag strip (video)”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/07/edna-electric-drive-train-test-mule.html

⁵ Hichhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Dyson is developing an electric car”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/03/dyson-is-developing-electric-car.html

/ Lucid Air 1,000 HP electric Tesla-killer 400 mile range luxury mobility Lucid Motors Tesla rival Lucid prototype shop Fremont California automaker formerly known as Atieva Lucid Air luxury sedan Lucid Air perfect commuter vehicle power of a sports car 1,000 HP 1,000 horse power modern car start-up automaker fully-electric powertrain bodywork VP of design Derek Jenkins poached from Mazda MX-5 Miata completely different strategy mainstays of the auto industry game-changer model EV heavyweight Tesla market Lucid Tesla former Model S chief engineer Peter Rawlinson Lucid’s chief technology officer Tesla Model S luxury Model X SUV mass-market car Tesla Model 3 Tesla brand Lucid’s first car sports car electric drive powerful seamless makes traditional engines feel antiquated interior space similar Mercedes-Benz S-Class blending sublime luxury modern design relax spread out new space in the luxury vehicle market amazing commuter vehicle right size for urban conditions small city garages same size Mercedes E-Class connected technology autonomous features range commuters Lucid’s homegrown electric motor hardware 600 HP 600 horsepower 600 horse power space traditional Tesla-style battery slung between the wheelbase front suspension condensed system integration engineers HVAC blowers ahead bulkhead reducing cabin noise second power bundle at the rear multi-link rear suspension switchable volume inverted air-springs active damping Lucid’s solution increasing cabin space reducing external dimensions inter-systems spatial optimization optimisation executive jet-style reclining rear seats fit into the footprint of a car this size range launch initially 100 kilowatt hour battery pack 300 miles of driving Peter Rawlinson 130 kilowatt hour option up to 400 miles charge through a port on the nose Lucid paving the way car to drive itself autonomous driving Autopilot enabled at the start whole range of sensors built-in standard performance Tesla increasingly squeezing more power out of its cars Lucid deliver same sort of grunt total 1,000 horsepower 2.5 second 0-60 mph time cabin 29-speaker audio system 12 beam-forming microphones dashboard multiple displays touch-friendly centre center display more storage space Lucid Alexa-style voice controlled assistant automatically adjust settings who identifies inside at the wheel Lucid’s headlights high-intensity LEDs 9740 micro-lens array lenses per headlight dynamically angled production Casa Grande Arizona late 2018 brand new $700m manufacturing plant was announced late November produce up to 130,000 cars each year /

What’s causing global warming?

World average temperature 1880-2014
Credit: NASA/Bloomberg

Scientists agree that the world is warming, & that human activity is substantially the cause.^1,2,3,4

1.4 °F (0.8 °C) since 1880.⁵

Climate change deniers have claimed a number of other possible causes:
● changes in the Earth's orbit
● changes in the output of the Sun
● volcanic emissions
● land use
● ozone pollution
● aerosols

Researchers at NASA have looked at the impact of all of these, separately & together, to reveal the combined outcome.

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-whats-warming-the-world/
__________

¹ “Scientific consensus: Earth's climate is warming”, http://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/

² “The 97% consensus on global warming”, https://www.skepticalscience.com/global-warming-scientific-consensus.htm

³ “How to Determine the Scientific Consensus on Global Warming”, http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-determine-the-scientific-consensus-on-global-warming/

⁴ “Survey finds 97% of climate science papers agree warming is man-made“, http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2013/may/16/climate-change-scienceofclimatechange

⁵ “Graphic: Global warming from 1880 to 2013”, http://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/28/ / NASA model researchers study Earth climate create models test assumptions theory hypothesis causes trajectory global warming research written 61 climate models different approach elements climate system ice oceans atmospheric chemistry computer model generated results graphic ModelE2 created NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies GISS climate projections ModelE2 500,000 lines of code run on a supercomputer NASA Center for Climate Simulation Greenbelt Maryland global research project GISS results international climate-science research initiative climate science Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase Five Phase-5 designed models replicate known climate history projections world’s temperature results Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change experiments Phase-5 research tests Earth’s temperature atmospheric carbon dioxide world’s climate burning fossil fuels current rate experiments research groups reproduce climate from 1850-2005 climate factors forcings contribute contribution temperatures graphic GISS observed temperature data Phase-5 historical experiment temperatures climate scientists report climate results temperatures annual temperature departs from an average baseline departures anomalies temperature anomalies more consistent absolute temperatures absolute temperature several degrees absolute temperature differences averages temperature fewer monitoring stations measurement simulation results aligned observations 1880-1910 average temperatures trends shape trajectory line single year’s temperature observed line GISS global land ocean temperature record temperature lines modeled modelled modelling modeling estimates climate factor contributes overall temperature simulated different initial conditions average GISS researchers historical simulations modeled years Phase-5 historical experiment observed data confidence ranges researchers models reproduce weather events El Niño phases models whole system behaves El Niño equatorial Pacific Ocean warms simulation El Niño temperature lines average model’s estimates uncertainty bands outer range reasonable estimates temperature lines modeled results observations 95% simulations forcing data raw observational model data /

This engine breaks a law of physics – but a NASA test says it works anyway

EM drive – thrust without exhaust
Credit: NASA

Newton’s third law of motion is popularly expressed as, “For every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction.” Existing rocket engines demonstrate this law – the force expressed as the high velocity ejection of exhaust from the rear, has as its, “equal & opposite reaction”, the forward motion of the rocket engine, plus any attached space vehicle.

Equally, Newton’s third law also implies that a space vehicle without an exhaust can’t produce propulsion. Which is what makes a series of experiments at NASA facilities which began over 2 years ago, remarkable – an experimental EM drive appears to have produced thrust without an exhaust!

National Geographic
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/11/nasa-impossible-emdrive-physics-peer-review-space-science/

The Age
http://www.theage.com.au/technology/sci-tech/this-rocket-engine-breaks-a-law-of-physics-but-a-nasa-test-says-it-works-anyway-20161122-gsvc0w.html

NASA – “Evaluating NASA’s Futuristic EM Drive”
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/04/evaluating-nasas-futuristic-em-drive/ / NASA team impossible space engine works the facts scientists published paper controversial EmDrive Em Drive produces thrust defies known laws of physics prototype EmDrive test chamber NASA lab years of speculation maverick research team NASA’s Johnson Space Center team formally published experimental evidence electromagnetic propulsion system power spacecraft without using any kind of propellant team electromagnetic drive EmDrive Em Drive converts electricity into thrust bouncing around microwaves closed cavity theory lightweight engine spacecraft Mars EmDrive defies the laws of classical physics team claims scientists aren’t sure how the thing actually works reports engine skeptic skeptics skepticism physicists EmDrive Em Drive Em-Drive pseudoscience level of scrutiny independent scientists suggests EmDrive really does work revolution space travel impossible spaceship engine British scientist Roger Shawyer developed tested engineers NASA’s Advanced Propulsion Physics Research Laboratory Eagleworks Eagleworks EmDrive generates thrust bouncing around electromagnetic energy microwave photons closed cone-shaped chamber photons collide chamber’s walls propel the device forward nothing is released from the chamber ion drives NASA spacecraft create thrust ionizing propellant xenon gas shooting out beams of charged atoms EmDrive Em Drive Em-Drive scrutiny future vehicles hurtle through space without needing to carry literal tons of propellant space travel staying light crucial for fast and cost-effective trips over long distances /

Keyless entry hack makes millions of modern cars vulnerable to theft

Credit: Pic Click CA

As computerised facilities are added to motor vehicles, they create new avenues for the security of those vehicles to be breached. Keyless entry is one such avenue.

Recently hacks have been uncovered which allow entry to vehicles & even the capability drive them away. Vulnerable vehicles include the 2017 Toyota Camry, 2016 Chevrolet Impala, 2015 Ford Edge, & 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid.

Wired
https://www.wired.com/2016/08/oh-good-new-hack-can-unlock-100-million-volkswagens/

Slash Gear
https://www.slashgear.com/keyless-entry-cars-can-be-stolen-with-this-new-mystery-hack-11467097/

PDF of the Garcia & Oswald paper is available at:
https://www.usenix.org/system/files/conference/usenixsecurity16/sec16_paper_garcia.pdf / cars more reliant computers operating systems engines ways drivers interact with them susceptible to hacks software-based attacks USA National Insurance Crime Bureau NICB identified new tool allow thieves unlock cars equipped with keyless-entry keyless entry keylessentry start engine drive off drive away mystery device NICB non-profit non profit nonprofit organization insurance industry third-party security expert overseas Europe rare reports official police reports identifying the device source car theft Los Angeles Times reports device two components driver parks locks their vehicle thief standing nearby amplify the signal sent from the key fob locked signal tricks vehicle into thinking it’s the key fob cars outfitted keyless ignition unlocked started and driven informal testing NICB cars vulnerable to the hack 2017 Toyota Camry 2016 Chevrolet Impala 2015 Ford Edge 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid NICB Relay Attack unit tool car manufacturers test network security vehicles no way to combat such a device not easy to come by plenty of other methods hacking keyless-entry systems Hack unlock steal University of Birmingham computer scientist Flavio Garcia and a team of researchers were preparing to reveal a vulnerability that allowed them to start the ignition of millions of Volkswagen cars and drive them off without a key Flavio Garcia Senior Lecturer in Computer Security Senior Birmingham Fellow School of Computer Science University of Birmingham /

Pebble scooped up by Fitbit

Original Pebble smart-watch
Credit: Pebble/Amazon

Pebble's original smartwatch took the Kickstarter crowd funding site by storm with over $10 million pledged.¹

Over $20 million was pledged for Pebble Time, the second generation Pebble smartwatch.²


Pebble 2 – third generation update of the original Pebble
Credit: Pebble/Kickstarter


Pebble Time 2 – third generation update of the Pebble Time
Credit: Pebble/Kickstarter

Perhaps a sign of things to come – only $12 million was pledged for the third generation of Pebble watches³ – & it appears that delivery of those devices will not be completed. Pebble has been sold to Fitbit, allegedly for $40 million. Apparently, Fitbit was interested in the technology, but not the Pebble name, which will be retired.

Slash Gear
https://www.slashgear.com/the-pebble-post-mortem-the-wisdom-of-the-crowd-08466845/

Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-07/pebble-said-to-discuss-selling-software-assets-to-fitbit

The Verge
http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/7/13867158/fitbit-buys-pebble-smartwatch-acquisition-deal
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¹ Hitchhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Hands-on with the Pebble smartwatch – first round production units to ship January 23” – the original Pebble smartwatch, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2013/01/hands-on-with-pebble-smartwatch-first.html

² Hitchhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Pebble Time — video” – second generation Pebble smartwatch, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/02/pebble-time.html

³ Hitchhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “What Pebble had up its sleeve – two new smart watches & a new type of connected device” – third generation Pebble smartwatch, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/05/what-pebble-had-up-its-sleeve.html / Pebble post-mortem post mortem wisdom crowd tech industry company bright and shiny startup bankruptcy Pebble lasted longer than many wearables firm was always being predicted for imminent death raising millions of dollars in crowdfunding cash original Pebble 2012 Apple Watch will crush Pebble Apple’s wearable two years later store shelves Apple Watch finally sealed Pebble’s death warrant analysts Google momentum Android Wear wearable technology segment Pebble fitness trackers usurped by smartwatches continued to dominate sales price cheap broadly-functional exercise tracking band well under $100 value proposition fitness wearable more readily understood traditional timepieces simply bare-wristed design battery life value basics of messaging and email your wrist modicum proactive uses without needing to reach for your phone Fitbit best of Pebble dumping the company’s watches color smartwatch monochrome smartwatch affordable fitness trackers fitness-first cementing their primary value smart features value-adds easier to explain Fitbit Pebble’s more vociferous fans useful company went for its second round of Kickstarter funding third drum-beating enthusiasts unofficial marketing fans Pebble positive retweets frustration and disappointment Pebble backers latest campaign will get refunds crowdfunding wasn’t Pebble’s first ambition strategy associated with founder and CEO Eric Migicovsky Kickstarter struggling to raise funding in more traditional ways company making headlines product raising money from customers your backers motivated vocal feedback cheerleaders bank venture capitalists customers backers interviewed Eric Migicovsky Pebble employees explanations rumors attempted buy-out by Citizen last year in excess of $700m sub-$40m price paid by Fitbit not even covering Pebble’s debts /

Wearable device allows graphic designer with Parkinson's disease to write her name again

Emma Lawton was a graphic designer. At age 29, she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Three years later, hand tremors had progressed to the stage where she could no longer write her name, or draw a straight line. Now, a BBC project & Haiyan Zhang, Microsoft Research Cambridge’s innovation director, have produced a wearable device which allows her to do those things again.



Emma Lawton speaking at Being the Story. (The blue line across the screen which you may notice early in the video is not a fault in your equipment, or anywhere else – you’ll see the cause later in the video.)

/ graphic designer Emma Lawton diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three years ago age of 29 BBC project Haiyan Zhang Microsoft Research Cambridge’s Microsoft Research Cambridge innovation director wearable device reclaim her lifelong passion for drawing and sketching The Big Life Fix BBC series got underway Emma Lawton featured first episode of the series focuses people United Kingdom’s top inventors solutions problems affect day-to-day life Parkinson’s disease cause sufferer’s hands shake uncontrollably making simple actions almost impossible Emma Lawton’s tremor becoming so severe career graphic designer serious jeopardy report from MS Power User Haiyan Zhang previously created cutlery disabled people reacts to their movements avoid spilling food building upon that foundation create wrist-worn device wearable dubbed the Emma facilitate facilitates drawing sketching counteracting impulses sent to the wearer’s arm The Emma intentionally shakes user’s arm interrupting feedback loop impedes normal movement while wearing the device Emma Lawton able to draw straight lines write legibly BBC program was filmed wearing the Emma on a daily basis Haiyan Zhang no plans to develop the Emma no commercial release commercial release designed the device to fit Lawton’s particular needs others will take the technology continue to develop it further /

Feathered dinosaur tail encased in amber

99 Million year old amber with the feathered tail of a dinosaur trapped inside – amber appears to have been shaped by a jeweller
Credit: Ryan McKellar/Royal Saskatchewan Museum/The Age

Fossilisation typically preserves the shape of the hard parts of an organism. Bones are not preserved as such. The process of fossilisation replaces the bones with minerals, atom-by-atom, so that the structure of the bones is preserved in stone. This is what we see in the image below – the fossilised skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex.


Fossilised skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex
Credit: bnps.co.uk/Daily Mail

Rarely, a softer structure, such as this sample of Triceratops skin, is fossilised – but because, once again, the original is replaced atom-by-atom, no colour information is retained.


Fossilised Triceratops skin
Credit: Fossils ourprehistoricworld/Pinterest

Shown in the image at the top of this post, & below, is the tail of a dinosaur which was engulfed by tree sap 99 million years ago. Subsequently, the tree sap hardened into amber, preserving bones, skin & feathers, almost wholly intact, without mineralisation. As a result, colour information has been preserved. It appears that the dinosaur was brown above & white below.


Detail from the piece of amber. Notice that the four tips in the top left & middle left all branch from the same shaft
Credit: Ryan McKellar/Royal Saskatchewan Museum/New York Times

Australian Broadcasting Corporation – Feathered dinosaur tail discovered in lump of amber from a market in Myanmar
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-09/99-million-year-old-amber-fossil-holds-dinosaur-bones-feathers/8092526

Sydney Morning Herald – Dinosaur tail feathers encased in amber found at a market in Myanmar
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/dinosaur-tail-found-encased-in-amber-found-at-a-market-in-myanmar-20161208-gt7bia.html / feathered dinosaur tail discovered lump of amber from market Myanmar amber piece chestnut brown feathers sprout fossilised tail dinosaur Royal Saskatchewan Museum RSM/R.C. McKellar preserved bones feathers tip dinosaur tail amber piece chestnut brown feathers sprout fossilised tail dinosaur Royal Saskatchewan Museum R.C. McKellar exquisitely preserved bones feathers tip dinosaur tail discovered piece 99-million-year-old amber found palaeontologist hunting fossils Myanmar market piece dinosaur tail preserved 99-million-year-old amber 99 million year old amber first time dinosaur skeleton material found in amber help scientists understand development feathers dinosaurs birds astonishing fossil contains first skeletal remains dinosaur ever found preserved amber international team scientists journal Current Biology spotted amber market last year palaeontologist Dr Lida Xing tail fragment young dinosaur about size sparrow lived mid-Cretaceous period amber was originally assumed contain some sort plant material destined to become jewellery Dr Xing China University of Beijing scientific significance colleague Dr Ryan McKellar co-author research paper private collection gone entirely unnoticed Dr McKellar Royal Saskatchewan Museum Canada close inspection fossil microscope CT scanning revealed stunning 3D detail feathers sprouting from either side central rod preserved traces pigmentation reveal top feathers light chestnut brown underside pale white colour feathers tail 3.5 centimetres long eight to nine tiny vertebrae fossil contains remnants soft tissue muscles analysis tissue revealed molecules iron may indicate traces haemoglobin protein trapped fossil once-in-a-lifetime project dinosaur visually stunning level of detail specimen amber dinosaur bone digs Alberta Saskatchewan fragment of a feather part of the animal skeletal remains too fossil dinosaur not bird wispy-tailed juvenile dinosaur theropod group of largely carnivorous animals included creatures Tyrannosaurus rex ancestors modern birds dinosaur bird bones within tail aren't fused together into rod modern birds shows more similarity dinosaurs velociraptor tyrannosaurus modern birds specimen help scientists better understand how feathers developed dinosaurs evolved into birds feather and amber feathers intermediate form modern bird feathers have barbs central shaft well developed central shaft particular pathway development of feathers dinosaurs leading to birds feathers developed barbules and barbs before developing entral shaft /

John Glenn 1921-2016

Credit: NASA/Michael Lawrence Films
God speed John Glenn

Scott Carpenter, backup pilot &
capsule communicator
1962 orbital flight

__________

NASA movie of John Glen’s orbital flight, 20 February 1962

/ John Glenn John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18, 1921 – December 8, 2016 American aviator engineer astronaut United States Senator Ohio 1962 first American to orbit the earth circling three times NASA distinguished fighter pilot World War II Korea five Distinguished Flying Crosses and eighteen clusters Mercury Seven group military test pilots selected 1959 NASA America's first astronauts February 20 1962 flew Friendship 7 mission first American to orbit the Earth fifth person in space Congressional Space Medal of Honor Honour in 1978 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame last surviving member of the Mercury Seven /

X-rays show how gas “pillows” make lithium-ion batteries explode

Credit: Journal of the Electrochemical Society

Abuse or manufacturing errors can cause a lithium ion cell to evolve gas, causing it to expand, or “pillow”. Abuse can take the form of overheating, overcharging, overdischarging, electrical short or physical abuse such as a forceful blow or bending. This process may continue with some combination of heat, smoke, flames & explosion. Perhaps most famously, in the recent events which lead to cessation of production & recall of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones.^1,2,3,4

This much has been known for some time. Recently, a team at Canadian Light Source Inc., has used computed tomography (CT) scan technology to investigate what actually happens inside a cell failing in this way.⁵


Cross sections through a lithium ion cell produced by CT scans:   (a) as manufactured   (b) after overdischarge
(c) image difference map of the two scans with areas of expansion (gas formation) in red
Credit: Journal of the Electrochemical Society

Notice that areas of gas formation are frequently concentrated in irregularities in the manufactured cell. This suggests that improvements in manufacturing techniques can make cells less susceptible to this failure mode.

New Scientist
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2115413-x-rays-show-how-gas-pillows-make-lithium-ion-batteries-explode/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Twitter&utm_term=Autofeed&cmpid=SOC%7cNSNS%7c2016-Echobox#link_time=1481109691
__________

¹ Hitchhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fires – cause – simple solution”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/09/samsung-galaxy-note-7-fires-cause-what.html

² Hitchhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Samsung Galaxy Note 7 – fires continue – simple solution”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/09/samsung-galaxy-note-7-fires-continue.html

³ Hitchhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “iPhone has fire too”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/09/iphone-has-fire-too.html

⁴ Hitchhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “More lithium ion battery fires – not just phones”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/11/more-lithium-ion-battery-fires.html

⁵ Toby Bond et. al.: “Electrode Stack Geometry Changes during Gas Evolution in Pouch-Cell-Type Lithium Ion Batteries”, http://jes.ecsdl.org/content/164/1/A6158.full / Recipe for Swiss roll flambé Toby Bond Canadian Light Source battery has swollen up like an inflatable pillow LiIon lithium-ion lithium ion batteries battery cell cells ubiquitous phones laptops device devices tablets pad iPad hoverboards lightweight hold a lot of charge high charge density recent spate of explosions safety concerns batteries damage-prone damage prone structure Toby Bond Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility Saskatoon Canada Canadian Light Source Inc. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 2V3 Canada contain electrode sheets wrapped in a spiralling Swiss roll jelly roll configuration energy-producing layers causes problems gas forms inside gas build up battery becomes overheated overcharged left drained of charge for too long liquid components battery vaporise and produce gas causes external casing swell up resulting in the characteristic pillow appearance battery can either pillow small amount keep operating pillow a lot cease operation keep generating gas rupture cell explosion fire pillowing battery’s outer appearance looking inside high-powered X-ray technique called computed tomography CT scan process as gas built up electrode layers appeared buckle push apart subtle defects already present battery found to be points of weakness defects probably introduced assembly process suggesting improvements manufacturing make lithium batteries more resistant unclear whether pillowing involved recent battery failures Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones reduce risk develop lithium-ion batteries no liquid components Neeraj Sharma University of New South Wales Sydney Australia working on solid-state batteries can be very safe scientific technical challenges need to be overcome compete with conventional lithium-ion batteries protect your lithium battery from pillowing stop it from overheating Avoid many uninterrupted hours playing 3D games your phone binge-watching movies nine-hour flight /

Nike’s self-lacing shoes too expensive? – try the Xpand Lacing System

Credit: Xpand

With Nike HyperAdapt retailing at $720 (if you can get your hands on a pair),¹ plus their complexity, & the need to keep the batteries charged, you may have decided that self lacing shoes are not for you.

Good news is that the Xpand Lacing System adds most of the same functionality to your own shoes, without any of the disadvantages – for as little as $5 per pair.



New Atlas
http://newatlas.com/xpand-lacing-system/40295/

Gear Junkie
https://gearjunkie.com/xpand-lacing-system

Indiegogo project
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/xpand-lacing-system-shoes/x/9010251#/

Kickstarter project
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/914635363/xpand-lacing-system/
__________

¹ Sneaker News: “How To Buy The Nike HyperAdapt 1.0”, http://sneakernews.com/2016/11/14/how-to-buy-the-nike-hyperadapt/ / Xpand traditional shoelaces shoelace tied in a bow hide the lace-ends inside your shoes new Xpand lacing system uses elastic laces slim anchors keep your shoes comfortable looking slick elastic laces bulky toggles hang outside the shoe Xpand system providing a means keeping your shoes laced tightly discreet and unintrusive manner designed by Charles Harris partnership with Seattle-based Pillar Product Design Xpand system lace shoes normal laces Lace Anchor lace-end and adjust desired tightness lace-ends trimmed off excess optional additional clip provides a tidy finished look Lace Anchors worn either inside or outside shoe worn inside they rest flat against the inside of the shoe comfort ensure wearer's laces look no different to conventional laces worn outside the shoe look more understated and streamlined than other solutions anchors and clips made of made of fiber-reinforced resin laces elastic rubber available in a variety of colors allows users to put on their shoes in three seconds flat system is easy enough for five-year-olds to use strong enough for triathletes Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign Xpand system production and roll-out /

Strongest hint yet Apple is working on self-driving tech

Credit: Fabrice Coffrini/Getty/Wired

There has been speculation for some time that Apple is building a motor vehicle/electric vehicle/autonomous vehicle – including in these pages.

And Apple registered some motor-vehicle-related domain names such as apple.car & apple.auto some time ago.¹

In the last few days, Apple has been reported as having written a five page letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Quotes include:

● [Apple is] “... excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation”

● “... significant societal benefits of automated vehicles”

Despite some of the headlines, the only way that the Apple letter to NHTSA advances the speculation is that in indicates that:

● Apple has an interest in autonomous vehicles

● this interest may extend to an Apple autonomous vehicle, or something less ambitious, such as hardware &/or software for integration into vehicles by other manufacturers

BBC
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38199880

Wired
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/apple-self-driving-car-plans

MacRumours
http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-car/

Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2016/12/apple-is-excited-about-the-potential-of-self-driving-cars/
__________

¹ Apple Insider: “Apple registers apple.car, apple.auto and apple.cars domain names”, http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/01/08/apple-registers-applecar-appleauto-and-applecars-domain-names / Apple letter clearest hint working on a self-driving car letter transport regulators Apple excited about automated systems transportation Apple given its clearest indication yet working on a self-driving car working with car manufacturers letter National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Washington Apple uses machine learning products and services smarter investing heavily study machine learning automation excited about potential automated systems transportation comments response proposed Federal Automated Vehicles Policy Apple policy fundamental ensuring safety public acceptance automated vehicles providing flexible path for innovation five-page letter stops short explicitly admitting Apple working on self-driving car despite some headlines suggesting hopes new entrants industry same opportunities established manufacturers testing technology public roads Apple would be so vocal on this matter some stake in its progress rumoured Apple's self-driving car resemble a minivan initial reports design Apple told Wired does not comment on rumours or speculation Apple in talks acquire Formula 1 team owner McLaren Technology Group rumours potential F1 acquisition surfaced July tech giant approached car firm full takeover McLaren later denied claims reports Apple's car development report McLaren claims Apple's car program dubbed Project Titan responsible design and development car Apple has also hired driverless car experts engineers Tesla other car firms Apple /

AirDroid vulnerability threatens millions of users – Update: fix released

AirDroid
Credit: GreenBot

Update 01:50 Saturday 10 December GMT: just updated to version 4.0.0.3 which claims to fix the vulnerability described below.

AirDroid is a utility for the Android phone OS which allows sharing messages & files on phones with desktops & laptops – this functionality accounts for the 10 million + downloads indicated on the Google Play store.

All of those users are now at risk due to a vulnerability in the app which makes phones susceptible to a man-in-the-middle attack. Affected versions include the latest, version 4.0.0.1 (frequently misreported as 4.0.1). Claims have been made that the author has known about the vulnerability for 6 months – although a fix is promised within 2 weeks.

What should you do? Mobile security firm Zimperium, which discovered the vulnerability, advises that users should uninstall AirDroid until a fix is available.

GreenBot
http://www.greenbot.com/article/3146640/android/severe-airdroid-vulnerability-threatens-tens-of-millions-of-android-users.html

Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/security/2016/12/at-least-10-million-android-users-imperiled-by-popular-airdroid-app/ / popular remote management utility AirDroid attracted millions users sharing messages files phones PCs firing it up today mobile security firm Zimperium published report several major vulnerabilities threaten threat hijack your device security issue latest 4.0.0.1 release Zimperium insecure communication channels send the same data used to authenticate the device to their statistics server same network simple man-in-the-middle attack intercept user’s email address password AirDroid hacker download malicious updates app give them full control over the device Zimperium contacted Sand Studio vulnerability last month’s release version 4.0.0.1 vulnerability has not been patched advises users uninstall AirDroid until a fix is available Betty Chen, chief marketing officer Sand Studio Greenbot working on the solution roll out within next two weeks security vulnerabilities Google accounts Google Play store AirDroid popular utility 50 million Android users developers obligation users app safe and secure as possible quickly patched similar bug exposed by Check Point /

Amazon Web Services Snowmobile – when a one gigabit per-second connection just doesn’t cut it

Amazon Web Services Snowmobile – 100 petabyte on board
Credit: Amazon

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is in the business of providing cloud storage. If you have made use of such a service, you will be aware of how long transferring even a few gigabytes to the cloud can take (depending on the speed of your connection).

For organisations with storage requirements in the 100 petabyte range (that’s 100,000 terabytes¹), AWS has a different kind of Internet connection – an 18 wheeler containing a 100 petabyte hard drive array. To upload the customer’s data to its cloud:
● Amazon delivers a Snowmobile (or a several) to the customer
● customer copies data to Snowmobile
● Amazon delivers Snowmobile(s) to its server facility
● Amazon copies customer data to its servers

For multi-petabyte data uploads, Snowmobile is faster than even a one gigabit per-second connection.

And Snowmobile? The name is derived from a similar service called Snowball – a device which can hold 80 terabytes – Amazon ships one to a customer – customer ships it back to Amazon Web Services (AWS) for upload to its cloud.

Wired – “Amazon’s Snowmobile Is Actually a Truck Hauling A Huge Hard Drive”
https://www.wired.com/2016/12/amazons-snowmobile-actually-truck-hauling-huge-hard-drive/?mbid=nl_12216_p3&CNDID=

Engadget – “Amazon's new Snowmobile collects data instead of blasting through powder”
https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/02/amazons-new-snowmobile-collects-data-instead-of-blasting-throug/

Mashable – “Amazon just unveiled its most impressive tech yet, and it's an actual truck”
http://mashable.com/2016/12/02/amazon-unveils-a-truck-to-carry-all-that-data/#2pTt5NPMH8qn

Amazon – “Amazon Web Services Snowmobile”
https://aws.amazon.com/snowmobile/
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¹ High Scalability: “How Big Is A Petabyte, Exabyte, Zettabyte, Or A Yottabyte?”, http://highscalability.com/blog/2012/9/11/how-big-is-a-petabyte-exabyte-zettabyte-or-a-yottabyte.html / Amazon new Snowmobile collects data instead of blasting through powder Amazon’s Snowmobile Is Actually a Truck Hauling A Huge Hard Drive new service that makes Google Fiber seem slow rides on 18 wheels today’s speediest internet connections faster to download movies downloading uploading large amounts of data take days months years film studio’s entire video archives satellite imagery collections government agencies lag problem Amazon companies store their information lucrative cloud logistics company solve strangest ideas yet tractor trailer transport your data to Amazon’s own data centers information superhighway joke Amazon new service named Snowmobile Re:Invent conference Las Vegas designed shuttle 100 petabytes around 100,000 terabytes per truck storage five copies of the Internet Archive comprehensive backup web present and past 18.5 petabytesof unique data Amazon businesses ship hard disks full of data Amazon uploading retail giant’s cloud copying 100 petabytes to individual hard drives isn’t practical Snowmobile acts like a giant hard drive comes to you using multiple semis shuttle data around massive amounts of data hitting open road most efficient way to go one gigabit per-second connection Google Fiber uploading 100 petabytes over Internet take more than 28 years average speed 65 mph drive Snowmobile San Francisco to New York City about 45 hours about 4,970 gigabits per second time it takes to actually transfer data onto Snowmobile Amazon take less than 10 days Snowmobile Amazon’s servers truck much much faster Amazon has data centers throughout the country data won’t need to travel cross-country security Snowmobile multiple layers logical physical protection chain-of-custody tracking video surveillance Amazon cloud /