Tesla Autopilot – still need to keep your hands on the wheel!

Tesla’s Autopilot is not yet truly autonomous (but coming soon). It requires the person in the driver’s seat to keep hands on the wheel. If it detects non-compliance, it beeps warnings. What happens next?



If you look carefully at the 1:57 mark, the message at the bottom of the screen reads, “Autosteer Unavailable for the Rest of This Drive”. / Tesla updated radar camera ultrasonic sensors electric cars CEO Elon Musk new hardware's capabilities would lag behind cars on the street already Musk has projected Hardware 2.0 cars surpass older generation Hardware 1.0 vehicles fully self-driving 3 to 6 months news owners Hardware 2.0 cars rollout Autopilot features over-the-air updates over the air updates bringing those models closer functionality older-hardware cars full self-driving capability features enhanced autopilot features Elon Musk arrival Autopilot newer cars behind schedule series tweets Musk slow rollout Autopilot features camera calibration software update buyers Tesla cars built after October 2016 newly updated hardware start surpassing old hardware soon Musk's plan two-tiered Autopilot system Hardware 1 cars capable of running Autopilot Hardware 2 cars feature Enhanced Autopilot Hardware 2 cars offer a fully self-driving system Autopilot Hardware 2-equipped cars fully self-driving option installed half of their sensors enabled possibility running Autopilot two different sets of cars Musk goal driverless Enhanced Autopilot fully self-driving trip Los Angeles New York small delay Autopilot rollout Autosteer Autosteer /

Fingbox monitors your network for security & troubleshooting (update)

Fingbox
Credit: Fingbox/Twitter

Fing is a free smartphone app (iOS & Android) that lets you keep an eye on what’s happening on your WiFi network. It’s been around since 2009. Here’s a LifeHacker review from 2014:

“Fing Shows You All the Devices Connected to Your Network”
https://lifehacker.com/fing-shows-you-all-the-devices-connected-to-your-networ-1655438240

Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overlook.android.fing&hl=en

App Store
https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/fing-network-scanner/id430921107?mt=8

Now Fing has been imbedded into a piece of hardware that can monitor your network 24/7, rather than whenever you think to take a look on you phone.



Because it’s permanently attached to your network, it can do a few things that aren’t practical with your phone, such as monitor 24/7, & produce logs.

Fingbox is an Indiegogo project. Funding has closed (over $US544,000 raised), so the backer project price is no longer available, but you can pre-order at the MSRP.

(Pssst – check out the “super secret discount”, which you can access in the free app.)

Update 10 April 2017 – “Super secret discount”, has been downgraded to, “secret discount” :(

Manufacturer’s web site
https://www.fing.io/ / simple device secure troubleshoot your home network Fingbox tools keep your home network safe Wi-Fi working Fingbox secure and troubleshoot your home network controlled entirely within Fing app Fingbox alerts you senses anything out of the ordinary new devices on your network changes in your Internet performance unidentified devices unwelcome intruder find out who's home block devices make your Wi-Fi work Fing number 1 network scanner now in a box Fingbox evolution of the Fing app popular network scanner iOS Android 15 million users additional security troubleshooting features home network solution Fingbox block any device from accessing your network see what devices are hogging broadband find best Wi-Fi spots in your home when a family member gets home Fingbox designed able to work with any home network configuration simply plug it in Ethernet port your primary router no manual configuration needed Fing app developers Fing app superior device recognition ease of use network scanning technology app 15 million downloads 7 million active users positive reviews App Store Google Play iTunes Fingbox /

Highest radiation reading since 3/11 detected at Fukushima No. 1 reactor

Sea water being pumped into the damaged reactor building at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in an attempt to cool the molten cores. Contaminated water escaped into the Pacific Ocean.
Credit: peaceandjustice.org.uk/Twitter

Claims by vested interests, that no-one died as a result of the Fukushima melt down^1,2 were given a new perspective with the discovery of radiation levels of at least 370 sieverts³ per hour.

To put that in perspective, 1 minute of exposure to such radiation would kill over 50 percent of the population. Even a radiation-hardened robot would have a projected operational lifetime of around 2 hours.

Science Alert – “Radiation levels in the Fukushima reactor are soaring unexpectedly”
https://sciencealert.com/radiation-levels-in-the-fukushima-reactor-have-started-unexpectedly-climbing

Japan Times – “Highest radiation reading since 3/11 detected at Fukushima No. 1 reactor”
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/02/03/national/fukushima-radiation-level-highest-since-march-11/#.WJcv7rZ95E5
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¹ Conveniently ignoring contamination of the land & the Pacific Ocean, the on going exclusion zone, & the elevated levels of cancers in survivors.

² The Ecologist: “‘No one died, no one's health was damaged’ - Fukushima's big lie”,
http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/2306129/no_one_died_no_ones_health_was_damaged_fukushimas_big_lie.html

³ Encyclopædia Britannica: “Sievert (Sv)”, https://www.britannica.com/technology/sievert / image analysis two-meter hole metal grate under pressure vessel reactor No. 2 containment vessels Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant highest radiation reading since 3/11 detected Fukushima No. 1 reactor radiation level containment vessel reactor 2 crippled Fukushima No. 1 power plant reached maximum 530 sieverts per hour highest since the triple core meltdown March 2011 Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings Inc. blazing radiation reading taken near entrance space just below pressure vessel reactor core high figure indicates melted fuel escaped the pressure vessel 530 sieverts person could die from even brief exposure difficulties ahead government and Tepco grope dismantling all three reactors crippled March 2011 disaster Tepco analysis of images taken remote-controlled camera2-meter hole metal grating under pressure vessel reactor’s primary containment vessel grating is warped hole caused when the fuel escaped pressure vessel mega-quake massive tsunami triggered station blackout crippled plant’s ability cool the reactors searing radiation level described experts unimaginable far exceeds previous high 73 sieverts per hour reactor Tepco calculated figure analyzing electronic noise camera images caused by radiation estimation method margin of error plus or minus 30 percent official National Institute of Radiological Sciences medical professionals never considered dealing with this level of radiation 4 sieverts radiation exposure kill 1 in 2 people 1,000 millisieverts 1 sievert infertility loss of hair cataracts exposure doses above 100 millisieverts increases risk of cancer Tepco surface radiation inside normally operating pressure vessel several thousands sieverts per hour discovery difficulty removing fuel debris decommission plant government Tepco locate fuel start removing 2021 utility deploy remote-controlled robot check conditions inside containment vessel utility change its plan reconsider route robot takes into interior hole in the grating extraordinary level of radiation robot operate for less than two hours destroyed designed withstand exposure up to 1,000 sieverts calculation 73 sieverts per hour robot run for more than 10 hours 530 sieverts per hour rendered inoperable less than two hours /

Ping – the world’s smallest global GPS locator

There are a lot of Bluetooth devices out there that claim to track your keys, bag, laptop etc. I've tried some of them. None have performed to spec. Claimed performance is Bluetooth range (up to 30 metres – 100 feet). Beyond that, location depends upon a collaboration involving other same brand locators & connected phones.

Ping solves all of these problems by using its own GPS & cellular connection. Apps for iOS & Android. Cellular connection costs just $US36 per year – first year free. Add coverage in 157 countries for just $US10 per year. All in a package just 34 x 34 x 12 mm & 28 grammes (1.3 x 1.3 x 0.5 inches & 1 ounce).



IndieGoGo project – “Ping - The World’s Smallest Global GPS Locator”
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ping-the-world-s-smallest-global-gps-locator-bluetooth/x/9010251#/

Digital Trends – “Ping's Bluetooth tracker has GPS & cellular connectivity, too”
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/ping-bluetooth-cellular-gps-tracker/

Manufacturer’s web site
http://pinggps.com/ / Ping world’s smallest global GPS locator global range long battery life instant locating for kids pets luggage anything that moves world's smallest longest range longest battery life global GPS locator kids pets bikes drones luggage anything important that moves included Ping GPS locator clip attachment 1 year free service charging cable Bluetooth trackers like Tile TrackR finding things fall behind cushions car seats GPS trackers large have expensive data plans simpler solution instantly locate anything important low battery notifications remind recharge expensive replacements batteries Ping True GPS range phone work check-in button loved ones send location simple push double tap button send SOS alerts emergency Ping anyone anything that matters stay connected no matter how far away they are full list of global countries world wide Ping requires cellular plan bundle first year of service Ping pre-order annual renewal $36 per year per device global coverage 157 countries additional $10 per year global coverage is not included in your Ping pre-order bundle know where your child find your wandering pet locate your loved one locate missing luggage find your bike instantly never forget where you parked again backers additional free color clip campaign Ping Bluetooth cellular data mobile data GPS provide most accurate possible location for each device BTLE Bluetooth Low Energy used locate device within 35 feet of your location cellular networks satellites locate devices farther away cellular triangulation Ping can't see the sky Ping located receive notification application mobile phone app Ping will find what matters to you /

Electricity prices could double with new coal-fired stations

Credit: Twitter

Unsubsidised renewables have been cheaper than new coal in many parts of the world for some time.^1,2,3,4

Opponents of renewables frequently remind us that wind & solar are intermittent, but ignore the fact that a large grid allows electricity supply from those places where the sun is shining &/or the wind is blowing.⁵ Also, modern, accurate weather forecasting makes renewables predictable so that they can be scheduled properly.⁵

Coal consists substantially of carbon, so that its use for power generation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.⁶

In light of the above, it is surprising that the conservative Australian Federal Government recently suggested that new, coal-fired power generation plant, is feasible – & attempted to head off concerns about the resulting carbon emissions with suggestions of, “clean coal” technology.⁷

Australian Broadcasting Corporation – Electricity prices could double with new coal-fired stations, energy experts say
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-02/coal-power-stations-could-double-the-cost-of-electricity/8234240

Renew Economy – “Clean coal” most expensive new power supply, says BNEF (& not all that clean)
https://reneweconomy.com.au/clean-coal-most-expensive-new-power-supply-says-bnef-and-not-all-that-clean-74531/

Queensland Government – “Electricity prices to double under Turnbull’s new coal-fired power stations plan”
https://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2017/2/2/electricity-prices-to-double-under-turnbulls-new-coalfired-power-stations-plan
__________

¹ Giles Parkinson: “Renewables now cheaper than coal & gas in australia”, 7 February 2013, http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/renewables-now-cheaper-than-coal-and-gas-in-australia-62268

² Beyond Zero Emmissions: “In Australia, Wind Power Is Already Cheaper Than Fossil Fuels, & Solar Is Right Behind”, http://bze.org.au/media/newswire/australia-wind-power-already-cheaper-fossil-fuels-and-solar-right-behind-130211

³ Solar Market: “Renewable Energy Now Cheaper than Coal”, https://www.solarmarket.com.au/renewable-energy-now-cheaper-than-coal/

⁴ Mike Calise, Head of Electric Vehicle Solutions for North America at Schneider Electric, interviewed by Michael Kent on Charged EVs: “Unsubsidized solar is already cheaper than retail electricity prices in many markets around the world: Australia, Chile, Germany, Italy, India (according to Seba’s book, Clean Disruption).” http://chargedevs.com/features/evs-renewables-energy-storage-the-unstoppable-trio-of-energys-future/

⁵ Hitchhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Renewable energy & the national grid”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/11/renewable-energy-national-grid.html

⁶ Hitchhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “A 100% renewable electricity grid is not just possible, but essential”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-100-renewable-electricity-grid-is-not.html

⁷ Parliament of Australia: “Clean coal”, https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Browse_by_Topic/ClimateChangeold/responses/mitigation/emissions/clean / renewable sustainable energy electricity power generation renewables solar wind turbine photovoltaic photo-voltaic PV solar hydro electricity hydro-electricity storage battery pumped hydro 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 /

Cafe X robot barista

Robot arm. Coffee on the elevator, about to be lowered to the collection port. Black discs are parking spots for coffees awaiting collection. Touch screen at lower right for ordering, or entering PIN to collect coffee.
Credit: Cafe X/The Mercury News

● up to 120 coffees per hour

● order from the app (iOS & Android) or touch screen on the Cafe X machine

● order ahead or while you wait
● PIN notified to the app for coffee collection
● choice of coffee style, beans & syrup
● no decaf or skim milk choice yet



Wired – “This Robot Barista Makes a Dang Good Latte”
https://www.wired.com/2017/01/cafe-x-robot-barista/

Manufacturer's web site
https://cafexapp.com/locations / robot barista makes a dang good latte coffee unofficially pay morning rent your Starbucks office smell roasted beans five-minute pour-overs coffee is pure fuel jolt of caffeine kick sleepy doldrums Cafe X Cafe X no hipster bartenders no judgy glances half-and-half cafe small, rounded kiosk white on the bottom large glass panel lets you watch industrial robot pumps caramel into your latte iPad-powered kiosk use Cafe X app pick espresso drink choose from three kinds beans syrup super insane syrup pay press order robot barista spins around cup dispenser industrial-grade WMF espresso machine robot each takes about 20 seconds type in a four-digit pin code reach into the hatch white cup printed Cafe X’s logo Cafe X robot serving coffee Hong Kong Science Park first American kiosk Metreon shopping center San Francisco health department Cafe X classify food truck Stephen Klein Cafe X general manager add a sink set up Cafe X robot in half an hour coffee mafia San Francisco transit centers lot of people moving quickly Cafe X wants to be there avoid waiting in line at Starbucks every morning offer their morning fix without any hassle human interaction robot experience fun go back every day Cafe X isn’t just a vending machine you can watch the robot work as it makes your joe just make my coffee raised $5 million venture-capital funding received Thiel Fellowship in 2016 car-building factory robots incredibly precise programmable use the same arms tech applied throughout the food service industry other kinds of beverages robot-server idea political and technological debate over automation future of work jobs that are going away automation coffee robots coffee surprisingly delicious coffee cheaper than Sightglass Starbucks Cafe X location Metreon your daily routine /

billy barr spent 40 years alone in the woods – collecting compelling evidence of climate change

billy bar (“I spell it small b i-l-l-y, small b a-r-r”) has lived in a small cabin in a ghost town called Gothic, in the Colorado rockies, for over 40 years

“Picture this, it’s a snowy day, it’s dark & cold, & you make a fire & you’re sitting by the fire, & you’re reading with a cup of tea … & it goes on for nine months.”

“I started recording things just because it was somethin’ to do.”

“A researcher at the lab wanted to look at it, & then once he started looking at it scientifically, then all of a sudden, like, these decades worth of data were being used for more than my own curiosity.”

“The trend I see is that we’re getting permanent snowpack later, & we get to bare ground sooner.”



The Atlantic – “The Hermit Who Inadvertently Shaped Climate-Change Science”
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/01/billy-barr-climate-change/512198/ / he spent over 40 years alone in the woods and now scientists love him the Snow Guardian of the Rockies man named billy barr prefers name spelled all lowercase lived alone small cabin Gothic Colorado coldest most isolated places United States began recording snow levels 1973 main thing interacted with weather animals just started recording things just cause it was something to do short film The Snow Guardian Day's Edge Productions climate researchers Rocky Mountain Biological Lab discovered barr’s detailed records showed compelling evidence climate change data has been vital understanding severe impending effects global warming climate change the hermit who inadvertently shaped climate change science Billy Barr moved Rocky Mountains four decades ago bored one winter decided keep notebook has become the stuff of legend life alone Colorado Rocky Mountains Billy Barr began his recordings curiosity task busy his mind during winter skied down from his cabin use the nearest phone vital database climate change scientists climate change 1973 Barr had dropped out of college home abandoned mining shack base the Snow Guardian Gothic Mountain 12,600-foot stone buttress cold winds blew shack’s wood slat walls bare dirt floor skunk pine marten Barr moved from the East Coast Rocky Mountains solitude boredom measured snow levels animal tracks spring first calls birds returning filled notebook observations another notebook continued now for 44 years Barr’s data tinkerings amateur scientist close to the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory RMBL most important phenology research sites in the world scientists RMBL become fascinated with climate change impact plants animals in the high alpines scale their discoveries into broader lessons about life warmer earth research long-term records Gothic spring snow seemed to melt a little earlier flowers blossomed a little sooner without historical context little changes understood RMBL 1928 biology professor summer pilgrimage of scientists researchers lab laboratory university department presidents students long-term conservation studies lab’s longest-running studies wildflower research project ecologist David Inouye Gothic’s only permanent resident research used in many studies particularly important understanding how climate change alters flower blooming times animals depend on them Gothic Mountain’s ecology high alpine environments RMBL Barr’s 40 years of data research student studying environmental science Rutgers University conservation RMBL eccentric mountain man stabilizing getting to be around quiet after a few years I had something to compare each winter with /