You've seen a joystick controlled wheelchair, but this is a tongue piercing controlled wheelchair

Credit: Digital Trends

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/new-tongue-piercing-gadget-can-drive-wheelchair/ / experiment experimental develop development gadget device test tested paralysis paralyze paralyze paralyzed wheelchair users user move around controlling control equipment magnetic piercing miniature joystick disable disability disabled people restricted movements movement independent independence researcher esearch teams team Atlanta Chicago coordinated staff Georgia Institute of Technology developed Tongue Drive System wireless technology pass communications between stud piercing other devices wheelchair computer provide viable alternative existing sip suck blow puff sip-and-puff control system users must blow straw intentions known group of patients paralyzed neck down test testing new tongue operated tongue-operated system maneuvering maneuver wheelchairs wheelchair variety of obstacle courses gadget control PC really powerful because so intuitive Jason DiSanto 39 Atlanta tester testers details research published Science Translational Medicine journal attracted attention medical experts expert limited ability control power wheelchair options Dr. Brad Dicianno rehabilitation specialist University of Pittsburgh Medical Center interesting promise tongue control technology used within laboratories laboratory study studies device production product available biomedical engineer Maysam Ghovanloo natural versatility tongue piercing advantage /

PowerUp turns your homemade paper airplane into an smartphone controlled flyer (video)

Credit: Shai Goitein

Make a paper airplane, attach a PowerUp, & fly, controlling it with an iOS or Android device (with Bluetooth 4.0/Low Energy).

PowerUp is a Kickstarter project. You can still get on board for as little as $30.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/11/30/powerup-turns-your-homemade-paper-airplane-into-an-smartphone-controlled-flyer/

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/393053146/powerup-30-smartphone-controlled-paper-airplane / aeroplane air plane PowerUp 3.0 Kickstarter project fly control pilot homemade paper airplane smartphone PowerUp arbon fiber frame propeller battery powered BLE Bluetooth Low Energy LE receiver other opposite end receiver powered lithium polymer battery provides 10 minutes fly flight per charge 180 ft 55 meter range. fold favorite style paper airplane clip PowerUP special clips smart phone smartphone controller cool tilt gestures fancy maneuvering PowerUp 3.0 flown past $50,000 funding goal $200,000 stretch goals goal Android support toy May 2014 timeframe lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge /

Fast & economical

Credit: Porsche

Hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder sets Nürburgring record.

Connecting rods are forged titanium, though crankshaft is merely forged steel, but it spins past 9,000 rpm none-the-less.

Charged EVs:

http://chargedevs.com/newswire/porsche-918-spyder-sets-nurburgring-record/

Car & Driver:

https://cdns.gigya.com/gs/gigIDsProxy.htm?APIKey=2_XKlHhnfMYoreHKd3Fw8ePNY6z4WE6PwBeR1wRUBr8W6NpfdL4-zJsuRQ-bWNs88k&domain=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.caranddriver.com&apiDomain=US1.gigya.com

Porsche press release:

http://press.porsche.com/news/release.php?id=787 / lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge range EV electric vehicle four wheel drive 4 all traction rear wheel steering 7 seven speed gearbox electric motors internal combustion engine ICE AC DC /

ZEROHOUR USB battery backup flashlight (video)

Credit: Amy Truong & Aaron Son/The Gadgeteer

It's a torch (flashlight), its very bright (up to 1000 lumens), its a charger for your phone (or any other USB charged device) & takes 3 x 18650 lithium ion cells (operates normally on 1 or 2), plus it's a Kickstarter project.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/11/28/zerohour-tactical-usb-battery-backup-flashlight/ / LiIon battery multi purpose multi-purpose flashlights different options sizes ZEROHOUR modular tactical USB battery backup flashlight Kickstarter project Amy Truong Aaron Son versatile modular backup battery pack recharge mobile phone cell phone smart phone smartphone cellphones tablet tablet replace replaceable rechargeable batteries device backup battery packs sealed ZEROHOUR designed design designing access battery compartment use uses three 18650 lithium batteries replace batteries failure fai replacing entire whole device modular design allow allows easy replacement part parts remove removal battery light housing cavity light waterproof container lot of thought went into design practical useful longevity main body 6061 aircraft aluminum 304 stainless steel bezel CREE XM-L U3 LED light source emitter charging charge ZEROHOUR 1.5 amp USB port 2.1 amp USB port ZEROHOUR being funded main options battery batteries Sanyo 2600mAh batteries Panasonic 3400mAh batterie many pledge options project pledge flat cap open cap AC adapter USB charging cord carry carrying bag successfully funded scheduled to ship /

How dangerous is road debris? Very! (video)

The story so far:

• Three Tesla Model S electric vehicles (EVs) have been involved in significant motor accidents in recent weeks.

• Extreme reaction by the media.

• One of the accidents, in Mexico, is just one more example of a drunk/incompetent/irresponsible person in charge of powerful machinery that has, unfortunately, become a daily occurrence over the past century. Nothing about this event was peculiar to EVs.

• Two events demonstrate something which is, in part, peculiar to the Model S: the battery beneath the floor from axle to axle, is susceptible to penetration by road debris in extreme circumstances.

• When penetrated in this way, the battery of the Model S has, in two cases, caught fire.

• All vehicles are at risk from penetration of the floor pan. This includes the fuel tank, oil pan & fuel lines in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

• Over 500 ICE vehicles catch fire every day in the United States.

• No one was was injured in any of the three events. Amazingly, this included the extreme event in Mexico.

Green Car Reports has this about a road debris penetration event in an ICE vehicle:

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1088789_how-dangerous-is-road-debris-its-this-dangerous-video

In a road debris floor pan penetration event, I'd take my chances with the armoured floor pan & battery pack of a Model S rather than the millimeter thick floor pan of an ICE vehicle.

More road debris accidents:

http://youtu.be/_oeCe6ff2IY

http://youtu.be/HdAF2nvq3xQ / armored Tesla Model S Elon Musk EV electric vehicle lithium ion LiIon battery cell charge recharge energy electricity kWh Volt Watt kiloWatt hour discharge range safety fire petrol fuel first fire October 1 Kent Washington outside Seattle Model S ran over piece road debris later described curved section fell semi trailer semi-trailer Tesla Model S in flames Kent Washington punched 3 inch 3-inch hole quarter inch thick 1/4-inch-thick armor plate protecting battery pack force 25 tons according report Tesla car alerted driver fault pulled over exited exit car car's owner Robert Carlson Tesla investor performed very well extreme test during accident plan plans buy replacement Model S National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration NHTSA release released statement Thursday indicate recent battery fire involving Tesla Model S result of a vehicle safety defect non-compliance with federal safety standards second fire October 18 Mérida city Mexican Yucatán apparently occurred Model S driver jumped curb took out several feet concrete wall hit a tree driver reported drunk under the influence alcohol Jalopnik fled the scene not uncommon in Mexico video of the aftermath here NSFW issued statement saying driver appreciative safety performance car expedite delivery of his next Model S fire generated less controversy driver at fault floor pan floorpan /

Watch this: iQi wirelessly charges iPhones without the bulky case accessory (video)

Credit: GigaOm

http://gigaom.com/2013/11/26/watch-this-iqi-wirelessly-charges-iphones-without-the-bulky-case-accessory/ / Indiegogo campaign iQi super thin super-thin wireless charging accessory iPhone iPhones iPod touch devices Apple Apple’s Lightning port review unit wireless charging puck use using two days iPhone 5s works as advertised 0.5 millimeters thin adding wireless charging without adding bulk wireless wirelessly charging iPhone need bulky case accessory iQi adds choose your own case or cover works work video demonstration thin use soft case cover iOS device wirelessly charge capability works best Koolpuck charging pad Qi charging charging pad sends audio feedback isn’t quite lined up right charging Qi charging pad demonstrate in the video Indiegogo campaign, so you can get a iQi for $25 early bird deals deal /

Another Tesla fire (video)

Credit: Fox/YouTube

R.I.P. Brian Griffin.

Brian Griffin, star of the long running TV drama, Family Guy, is dead, struck down by what it is alleged might possibly be a Tesla Model S electric vehicle.

Mr. griffin was 8 years old.

Another Tesla tragedy. Video of the tragedy is available, but law enforcement has indicated that an early arrest is not expected, because, tragically, the number plates had been obscured! See image at the top of this item, & the tragic video linked below.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors was unavailable for comment.

Readers are advised that some viewers may find this video tragic:

http://youtu.be/adzkOv0vvDI

Surprisingly, it has been alleged that the vehicle involved in this tragedy may not have caught fire! / Fox News video tragedy tragic EV electric vehicle LiIon battery penetration charge recharge range armored Tesla Model S Elon Musk EV electric vehicle lithium ion LiIon battery cell charge recharge energy electricity kWh Volt Watt kiloWatt hour discharge range safety fire petrol fuel first fire October 1 Kent Washington outside Seattle Model S ran over piece road debris later described curved section fell semi trailer semi-trailer Tesla Model S in flames Kent Washington punched 3 inch 3-inch hole quarter inch thick 1/4-inch-thick armor plate protecting battery pack force 25 tons according report Tesla car alerted driver fault pulled over exited exit car car's owner Robert Carlson Tesla investor performed very well extreme test during accident plan plans buy replacement Model S National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration NHTSA release released statement Thursday indicate recent battery fire involving Tesla Model S result of a vehicle safety defect non-compliance with federal safety standards second fire October 18 Mérida city Mexican Yucatán apparently occurred Model S driver jumped curb took out several feet concrete wall hit a tree driver reported drunk under the influence alcohol Jalopnik fled the scene not uncommon in Mexico video of the aftermath here NSFW issued statement saying driver appreciative safety performance car expedite delivery of his next Model S fire generated less controversy driver at fault /