Friday, 31 July 2015

Hacker locates, unlocks GM OnStar-equipped vehicle


Samy Kamkar’s OwnStar WiFi device used in the hack
Credit: Julian Berman/Samy Kamkar/Wired

You may recall last year a Tesla Model S was hacked in a competition at SyScan360 in Beijing.

More recently, a hack effecting Fiat Chrysler vehicles, resulted in a recall of 1.4 million vehicles.

That article mentioned that vehicles from other manufacturers remained an unknown quantity.

Now, a hack has been demonstrated on an OnStar-equipped General Motors vehicle. It is a man-in-the-middle attack on a vulnerability in the OnStar phone app. As a work-around, until GM releases a fix, the hack can be defeated by uninstalling the OnStar phone app.

It is different to the Fiat Chrysler hack in a number of other ways, including:
● no danger to human life
● limited functionality available to the hacker
● requires the OwnStar WiFi connected device (image above) close to, or attached to the target vehicle

Good news
● requires an OwnStar device close to, or attached to the target vehicle
● device is relatively large, which reduces deployability
● threat is limited to nuisance (sounding horn or alarm), or theft of property from the car
● no evidence of threat to life (unlike Fiat Chrysler hack)
● engine can only be run briefly, one time, unless the vehicle key is present
● vehicle can’t be moved by this method
● can be defeated by uninstalling OnStar app from phone

Bad news
● this hack was developed with many fewer resources than the Fiat Chrysler hack (single hacker, just a few weeks of effort, much less expense)
● device is relatively large, but, since it is a prototype, a smaller, more easily deployed version is certainly possible
● uncertainty over whether this vulnerability has been successfully patched at this time

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/gadget-hacks-gm-cars-locate-unlock-start/?mbid=nl_73015

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/30/us-gm-hacking-idUSKCN0Q42FI20150730

http://www.cnet.com/au/news/ownstar-onstar-hack/ / token General Motors GM WIRED fixed the vulnerability Kamkar’s proof-of-concept device exploited exploit OnStar users problem is not yet resolved GM company is still working on it GM’s Onstar service features any connected car locate the vehicle unlock it start its ignition Google Android Apple iOS iPhone smart phone smartphone app hacker Samy Kamkar hidden small $100 box OnStar equipped car truck vehicle conveniences unintended hands consequences DefCon hacker conference Kamkar plans present details new attack GM’s OnStar RemoteLink system develop developed allow hacker track target vehicle unlock it trigger horn alarm start its engine put the car in gear drive it away function requires presence driver’s key fob token Kamkar’s hacker can plant cheap homemade Wi-Fi hotspot device car’s body under bumper chassis capture commands sent user’s smartphone results vulnerable vehicle owners could range nasty pranks privacy breaches theft intercept that communication take full control user indefinitely Kamkar well-known security researcher freelance developer geolocate your car unlock it function functionalities RemoteLink software within Wi-Fi range OwnStar hacker jargon own control a system impersonates familiar Wi-Fi network trick user’s phone silently connecting modern smartphones constantly probe known networks paperback-sized box three radios Raspberry Pi computer listen for impersonate friendly network default attwifi appear common Starbucks connection user launches GM RemoteLink Android iOS app phone’s within Wi-fi range connected OwnStar designed exploit vulnerability GM’s app steal user’s credentials send data 2G cellular connection hacker my network open the app user’s RemoteLink login credentials hacker patiently track a car retrieve hacking device unlock car’s doors steal anything inside across the Internet start the vehicle’s ignition use horn alarm access user’s name email home address last four digits credit card number expiration date accessible OnStar account Kamkar demonstrates attack tested attack 2013 Chevy Volt works with any RemoteLink-enabled vehicle takes advantage authentication problem OnStar smartphone app vulnerability specific to any vehicle installed million Android devices Google’s Play store app use SSL encryption doesn’t properly check certificate ensures user’s phone communicating only OnStar server OwnStar deviceman-in-the-middle attack impersonating server intercept user’s data GM Onstar fix the problem, simple update RemoteLink app company’s security team working on a patch Kamkar’s hack enhanced security potential threats arise GM Product Cybersecurity representatives reviewed potential vulnerability immediate fix being implemented address this concern GM vehicles larger problem cars being vulnerable digital attackers devices internet of things computerized networked lack of security pay more attention devices connected smart proof of concept car hacking Black Hat DefCon hacker conference most interesting security research vehicles vulnerabilities /

Thursday, 30 July 2015

Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, Noam Chomsky, Steve Wozniak call for ban on autonomous weapons & military AI


Credit: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems/Akamai Technologies

An open letter was presented at the opening of the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI) on 28 July. It warns of the dangers inherent in autonomous weapons & military artificial intelligence (AI). Signatories included Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, Noam Chomsky, Steve Wozniak & 1,000 artificial intelligence researchers. Read it at:

http://futureoflife.org/AI/open_letter_autonomous_weapons

Now the number of signatories has expanded to over 16,000:

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/30/opposition-autonomous-warfare-artificial-intelliegence / Artificial intelligence community comes together in unprecedented numbers to call for a ban on AI-controlled weaponry open letter artificial intelligence AI researchers urging ban offensive autonomous weapons reached 16,000 signatories signed by more than 15,000 people in the three days released letter AI technology reached a point deployment autonomous weapons practically legal legally feasible within years initially signed Tesla’s Elon Musk Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak Google DeepMind chief executive Demis Hassabis professor Stephen Hawking over 2,000 experts another 14,000 individuals outside the AI community warns: stakes are high autonomous weapons described third revolution in warfare after gunpowder nuclear arms endpoint technological trajectory autonomous weapons become Kalashnikovs of tomorrow key question humanity start global AI arms race prevent it from starting Toby Walsh AI professor University of New South Wales Australia launched in Buenos Aires momentum gathered entirely through word of mouth huge support means universal AI community issues black and white arguments both sides opinion thousands of colleagues balance of arguments favours a ban before next arms race arguments against a ban robots more precise able minimise civilian casualties risk human lives robots can take their place fear of an arms race weapons falling into the hands of terrorist organisations impetus for a ban hypothetical robots available today capabilities build autonomous weapons Google autonomous car high level goal make a plan how to achieve that goal sense computer vision radar executing that plan identify when the plan breaks find a new plan start executing take evasive action identify when it has reached goal essentially the capabilities build an autonomous weapon system find locate track target terrorists means or capabilities build a Google-like car technology is smaller cheaper better computing killer robots fear most small ones swarms of tens or hundreds of robots hard to defend against such an opponent small robots cheap easy to replicate AIs explicit go-ahead to murder ethical challenges ahead challenging important ethical decisions AI life or death decision car on the wrong side of the road UN conference in Geneva future of weaponry killer robots ban development of autonomous weapons Campaign to Stop Killer Robots /

Wednesday, 29 July 2015

Dammed if you do, damned if you don’t — using Apple Pay on London transport (video)


Credit: Apple Inc/appadvice.com

Apple Pay is a system allowing users to make payments for goods & services using selected Apple mobile devices.



It launched in Britain on 14 July1. Transport for London (TfL) will accept payment via Apple Pay2. In common with other automated payment systems for public transport, users have to “tap on & tap off”. This allows the transport provider to know the length of the user’s journey, & so, how much to charge. A user who doesn’t “tap off” is charged the maximum fare.

If the phone battery runs out during the journey, or the device becomes inoperative for any other reason, the user will be unable to “tap off” & will be charged the maximum fare.

TfL carriages have power points fitted. A few minutes of charging could give enough charge to "tap off". Not worth it, as Robin Lee, found, when he was arrested for charging his phone on a London train.

Like the Robin Lee story, using Apple Pay on TfL gets worse.

If a ticket inspector boards the train, & the device is inoperative (i.e. unable to provide evidence of having "tapped on"), the user is also liable to be charged a penalty.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/apple-pay-tfl-says-users-will-face-penalty-charges-if-their-battery-runs-out-on-the-tube-10394417.html

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/16/tfl-cautions-pitfalls-apple-pay

Lessons learnt:
● don’t use Apple Pay on TfL

● don’t use Apple Pay for public transport in other places unless you are aware of the possible consequences


If you decide to ignore the advice above:

● before you decide to use a power point on public transport, make sure you understand the applicable rules (see the Robin Lee story, linked above)

● always carry a backup battery
__________

1 “Apple Pay Now LIVE In UK! HSBC & First Direct Join The Party”, http://www.knowyourmobile.com/ios/apple-pay/23175/apple-pay-now-live-in-uk-how-it-works-setting-up-card


2 “Apple Pay UK: how to get it & how to use it in shops & on the Tube”, http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/apple-pay-how-to-get-it-and-how-to-use-it-10386268.html

/ Apple Pay TfL Transport for London users face penalty charges battery runs out on the Tube users Apple Pay face hefty charges phone runs out goes flat battery discharges on the Tube newly-released technology users pay for things journeys tube TfL network iPhone phone tap on unable to tap out tap off pay the maximum fare slapped with a penalty charge iPhone Apple Watch must be switched on use it to travel TfL warns official Apple Pay page check that you have enough battery iPhone Apple Watch complete your journey traveller travellers run out of battery station can’t tap out charged a maximum fare inspector users touch phone on the reader liable penalty fare TfL running out of charge train plug it into any available outlets arrested charging phone Overground journey accused abstracting electricity running out of battery warnings TfL using Apple Pay journeys warns use the same device Apple Watch iPhone iPad tap in and out card clash phone other contactless cards Apple Pay Transport for London users face penalty charges battery runs out on the Tube /

Tuesday, 28 July 2015

How to watch Web videos after uninstalling Flash


Credit: Adobe/How-To Geek

Adobe Flash has been largely abandoned by mobile devices. As a security measure, some users are uninstalling it from their laptops & desktops. This can present problems viewing videos on some websites.

Some sites, including Netflix & YouTube will present videos in HTML5 to modern browsers.

Some other websites have been updated to present video in non-Flash format to mobile devices, but continue to serve Flash to other devices.

If you unistalled Flash from your laptop or desktop, & a web page asks that you install Flash before playing a video, How-to Geek has a solution:

http://www.howtogeek.com/223338/how-to-watch-web-videos-after-uninstalling-flash/ / mobile Web Flash iPads iPhones iOS modern Android devices don’t support Flash web developers offer HTML5 videos serve devices desktop browsers default uninstall Flash Uninstalling Flash Web uninstall Flash enable click-to-play plug-ins anti-exploit program block nasty Flash zero-day exploits pretend mobile browser Flash websites mobile-friendly iPad iPhone Android device users mobile-friendly websites websites Flash video players HTML5 video players your web browser work on most modern websites modern browsers HTML5 video player Flash ask you to install YouTube Netflix switched to HTML5 video modern browsers no longer require Flash Silverlight websites normally use Flash automatically offer HTML5 video change your user agent identity reports to web servers web browser web server connects connects Web servers send different web pages different devices mobile-optimized web pages HTML5 videos play without Flash impersonate iPad impersonate Android tablet iPads are more likely to be supported modern browsers integrated user agent switchers install a browser extension User Agent Switcher for Chrome User Agent Switcher for Firefox how to enable Safari’s user agent switcher user agent switcher extensions set up a list of websites your browser automatically use a specific user agent switch your user agent to see videos Safari assign a keyboard shortcut user agent switcher open the System Preferences window select Keyboard select Shortcuts App Shortcuts click + button add a new shortcut select Safari application enter exact title of the menu option Chrome browser /

Monday, 27 July 2015

Man arrested for charging phone on London train


Credit: Guardian composite/Hannah Jane Parkinson

Unfortunately, this isn’t one of those stories where a startling headline appears above a story that explains why it was all reasonable & fair.

Actually, it gets worse.

Robin Lee plugged his iPhone into an outlet in a London train. A police community support officer took exception to, “abstraction of electricity”, & Robin Lee was arrested. Subsequently, in a blinding flash of reasonableness, he was released from arrest.

Thereafter he was re-arrested because of, “unacceptable behaviour”, & “becoming aggressive”.

People aren’t at their best when they have been arrested on specious grounds.

Lessons learnt:

1. In the UK, there is an offence known as “abstracting electricity”, with a maximum custodial sentence of five years, although this is, presumably, aimed at cases of, “abstraction”, of hundreds or thousands of pounds worth of electricity.
2. It is hard to see arrest as necessary for “abstraction” of, at most, pennies worth of electricity.
3. Power surges due to the vagaries of power supply in electric trains mean that the financial risk to Robin Lee’s phone may have been greater than the risk to the public purse.
4. Without wanting to pre-judge anyone’s behaviour, no matter how petty, unreasonable, or officious an official may be, it is prudent to deal with them in a calm & considered way. This applies no matter how minor the official. Less important officials may feel a need to over-compensate for their lack of status, & their egos more easily bruised. Such traits are sometimes the reason why some officials remain, “minor”.
5. Point 4 shouldn’t be taken to imply that meeting petty, unreasonable &/or officious behaviour calmly & with consideration, is easy :)
6. Always carry a backup battery.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/13/man-arrested-charging-iphone-london-overground-train

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2015/07/man-arrested-for-charging-iphone-on-london-train/ / accused British Transport police overzealous ridiculous arrest arrested charging his iPhone socket London Overground train Robin Lee 45-year-old artist Islington handcuffed British Transport Police station Caledonian Road arrest abstracting electricity arrested second offence unacceptable behaviour becoming aggressive objecting to his prior arrest police spokesman decision further action made in due course confronted police community support officer overground train Hackney Wick Camden Road Overground Transport London’s wider network London Underground buses abstracting electricity it’s a crime four police officers platform abstracting electricity arrested abstracting electricity offence under section 13 Theft Act 1968 carries a maximum custodial sentence of five years tweeted incident posted arrest sheet incredulous overzealous community support officer ridiculous ridiculous de-arrested offence statement Camden Road London Overground station report man becoming aggressive challenged PCSO use of a plug socket onboard Overground train suspicion of abstracting electricity de-arrested further arrested unacceptable behaviour reported offence electricity sockets Overground trains clearly marked cleaners use only not for public use forum dedicated to the London Underground plug sockets trains cleaning equipment when trains are in depots recommend not charging electronic equipment risk of power surge directly plugged damaged section gaps power supply changes from one substation to another /

Sunday, 26 July 2015

ZNAPS — magnetic, reversible, self connecting charge & sync for Android & iOS


1. Plug connector into phone charge socket
2. Plug charge cable into adapter
3. Connect magnetically to charge
Lightning shown, micro USB available too
Credit: ZNAPS

Why is ZNAPS better than how you're charging/synchronising your phone now?
● reversible
● safer — if you kick, or otherwise apply unexpected forces to the cable while charging, the phone won't go flying across the room, nor will any destructive forces be applied to the phone socket or cable
● connect one-handed
● even in the dark
● LED connection indicator



ZNAPS has been funded to more than 10 times its goal with 19 days to go!

Kickstarter project:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1041610927/znaps-the-9-magnetic-adapter-for-your-mobile-devic/description / ZNAPS design designed magnetic connection adapter cell mobile phone iPhone iOS Android device connection snap adapter pledge charge charging easier ZNAPS prevent frayed charging cables trip tripping over cable smashed phone fiddling plug in cable in the dark water damage charging outlet magnetic charging adapter more convenient pledge Magsafe connector quicker synchronization designed Lightning cable iPhone Micro-USB cable Android device waterproof USB C pledge reward support supporter back backer backing /

Saturday, 25 July 2015

Where is everybody? — If there is intelligent life out there, why hasn’t it contacted us?


Credit: Bill Watterson, “The Complete Calvin and Hobbes”

There are many Earth-like planets. Most Earth-like of all (so far), Kepler 452b, was discovered just a few days ago1. It is thought that there are 1 billion Earth-like planets in our galaxy, 100,000 of them with intelligent civilizations.

With so many intelligent civilizations, why haven't we heard from any of them? Some possibilities:
● there are many technically advanced civilizations out there, but they all subscribe to a Star Trek-like "prime directive" which prevents them from making contact with civilizations which haven't mastered space travel
● technologically advance civilizations obliterate themselves early in their history — as we seemed poised to do during the cold war — climate change — pollution
● we are the first — maybe there are many intelligent civilizations, but none more technically advanced than us
● intelligent life is uncommon
● technological, intelligent life is uncommon
● life itself is uncommon

More discussion at:

http://waitbutwhy.com/2014/05/fermi-paradox.html

http://listverse.com/2014/09/30/10-reasons-that-we-still-havent-found-aliens/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3112426/Where-aliens-Video-explores-paradox-haven-t-contact-civilisation-yet.html
__________

1 "Discovery of ‘Habitable’ Earth-Like Planet Announced", http://observer.com/2015/07/breaking-discovery-of-habitable-earth-like-planet-announced/ / starry place good starry night scale of the universe physicist Enrico Fermi where is everybody starry sky vast very local neighborhood 2,500 stars our galaxy less than 1,000 light years away 1% of the diameter of the Milky Way stars galaxies humans intelligent life out there stars galaxy 100 – 400 billion galaxies observable universe star colossal Milky Way galaxy every grain of sand on every beach on Earth 10,000 stars stars are sun-like similar in size temperature luminosity number of total stars 500 quintillion 500 billion billion sun-like stars orbited by Earth-like planet similar temperature conditions liquid water potentially support life similar to that on Earth recent PNAS study Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences potentially-habitable Earth-like total stars in the universe 100 billion billion Earth-like planets beach after billions of years in existence Earth-like planets develop life life advances intelligent level Earth 10 quadrillion 10 million billion intelligent civilizations observable universe our galaxy lowest estimate stars in the Milky Way100 billion estimate 1 billion Earth-like planets 100,000 intelligent civilizations in our galaxy SETI Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence listening for signals other intelligent life 100,000 or more intelligent civilizations our galaxy sending out radio waves laser beams attempting to contact others SETI’s satellite array signals our sun relatively young lifespan of the universe far older stars far older Earth-like planets civilizations far more advanced 4.54 billion-year-old Earth hypothetical 8 billion-year-old Planet X civilization technology knowledge civilization 1,000 years ahead of us civilization 1 million years ahead of us human culture chimpanzees Kardashev Scale intelligent civilizations amount of energy they use Type I Civilization Carl Sagan formula Type 0.7 Civilization Type II Civilization harness energy host star Type I brains Dyson Sphere Type III Civilization accessing power mastered inter-stellar travel colonizing galaxy hypothesis galactic colonization creating machinery travel to other planets self-replicating raw materials new planet replicas speed of light colonize colonize speculate intelligent life survives galaxy-colonizing Fermi Paradox Fermi Paradox scientists humans possible explanations Fermi Paradox higher civilizations no higher civilizations in existence non-exclusivity problem higher civilizations contact with us exception to the rule become aware of their existence Group 1 explanations no super-advanced civilizations mathematics math our own galaxy The Great Filter The Great Filter theory pre-life to Type III intelligence long evolutionary process The Great Filter timeline where The Great Filter We’re rare, we’re first, or we’re fucked We’re Rare The Great Filter is Behind Us hope we have we managed to surpass it extremely rare life our level of intelligence no Type III Civilizations few exceptions Earth is the center of the universe we’re special scientists observation selection effect pondering their own rarity is inherently part of an intelligent life success story rare or quite common being special which step it might be incredibly unusual for life to begin at all tried replicate The Great Filter intelligent life there may be no other life at all jump from the simple prokaryote cell complex eukaryote cell prokaryotes evolutionary jump being complex having a nucleus The Great Filter universe is teeming with simple prokaryote cells almost nothing beyond that other possibilities most recent leap we’ve made our current intelligence semi-intelligent life chimps intelligent life humans miraculous step inevitable climb upward evolution evolution does not strive for a goal Earth technological intelligence natural selection rare evolution tree of life because it has occurred as many as fossilized eukaryote Mars Rare Earth Hypothesis, Universe Big Bang intelligent life develop gamma-ray bursts astrobiological phase transition future search extraterrestrial intelligence /

Friday, 24 July 2015

Just when you think you have politics figured out ...


Mike Baird, Premier of New South Wales, Australia
Credit: The Daily Telegraph

Mike Baird, Premier of New South Wales, Australia, was stopped by a policeman for performing an illegal U-turn, but let off with a warning. Subsequently, he contacted police, confessed, & was fined $311 & three demerit points.

Almost like an honest politician …

http://www.pressreader.com/australia/the-daily-telegraph-sydney/20150723/281479275107931/TextView / Baird performed illegal U-turn pulling on seatbelt South Curl Curl stopped young a Highway Patrol officer let off with a warning Baird phoned called senior Manly officer dobbed himself in police assesed in-car video fined Premier $311three demerit points Premier Mike Baird let off young Highway ­Patrol officer performing illegal U-turn not wearing a seatbelt contacted police later dobbed himself asked to be fined $311 fine lost three ­demerit points illegal manoeuvre South Curl Curl June 8 reporting himself senior police officer I was pulled over for a traffic offence June long weekend Mr Baird said officer issued me with a warning contacted police issue fine ensure absolutely no suggestion of special treatment warning driving while not wearing a seatbelt offence cost $311 fine six demerit points offence occurred June long weekend double demerit period paid the fine unbroken double centre center line /

Thursday, 23 July 2015

Hackers remotely disable a Jeep on the highway — update


Credit: Wired
__________

Update — Fiat Chrysler recalls 1.4 million cars after Jeep hack

Affected vehicles
2013-2015 MY Dodge Viper specialty vehicles
2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500 & 3500 pickups
2013-2015 Ram 3500, 4500, 5500 Chassis Cabs
2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee & Cherokee SUVs
2014-2015 Dodge Durango SUVs
2015 MY Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300 & Dodge Charger sedans
2015 Dodge Challenger sports coupes

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-33650491

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/jeep-hack-chrysler-recalls-1-4m-vehicles-bug-fix/?mbid=nl_72415
__________

We’ve been here before: developer in too much of a hurry to add features, ignores security, leaves system open to hacking.

Difference this time:
● developers (car manufacturers) have the previous sorry examples, which should have served as a warning
● human lives are directly on the line



Good news:
● demonstrated in a limited range of vehicles
● other manufacturers remain an unknown quantity
● manufacturers have been informed
● legislation is in train, in USA, to force manufacturers to tighten up security in Web-enabled vehicles
● hackers do not plan to release enough of their exploit to allow others to duplicate it without months of research

Bad news:
● other manufacturers remain an unknown quantity
● for the purposes of demonstration, hackers cause a vehicle to suffer a sudden, dangerous, loss of power on the highway1,2 — this in, apparently, relatively responsible hands of people expecting to be scrutinised in various forums
● what will others do with it?

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/hackers-remotely-kill-jeep-highway/?mbid=nl_72115
___________________

1 "Death prompts VW owners to speak out", http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/death-prompts-vw-owners-to-speak-out-20130530-2nexi

2 “Faults that trashed a reputation”, http://www.drive.com.au/it-pro/faults-that-trashed-a-reputation-20130607-2nvlc / driving 70 mph downtown St. Louis exploit I hadn’t touched the dashboard vents Jeep Cherokee started blasting cold air maximum setting in-seat climate control system radio switched local hip hop station full volume spun the control knob left hit the power button to no avail windshield wipers turned on wiper fluid blurred sprayed glass two hackers performing stunts car’s digital display Charlie Miller Chris Valasek Jeep’s strange behavior St. Louis Miller and Valasek’s digital crash-test dummy test car-hacking research result of their work hacking technique security industry zero-day exploit target Jeep Cherokees attacker wireless control via the Internet thousands of vehicles code automaker’s nightmare software hackers send commands Jeep’s entertainment system dashboard functions steering brakes transmission laptop across the country simulate experience driving a vehicle while it’s being hijacked invisible virtual force Miller Valasek attacks planned launch Miller’s laptop life-threatening drive the Jeep onto the highway iPhone’s speaker Interstate 64 on-ramp don’t panic hacking into Jeep Cherokee SUV highway ten miles away two hackers remotely air-conditioning radio windshield cut the transmission accelerator stopped working Jeep lost half its speed slowed to a crawl long overpass no shoulder escape experiment interstate slope upward barely crept forward cars lined up behind passing me honking 18-wheeler semi trailer approaching rearview mirror driver saw me paralyzed on the highway semi loomed in the mirror immobilized Jeep beg the hackers to make it stop wireless carjackers behind the wheel of a compromised car summer 2013 Ford Escape Toyota Prius South Bend Indiana, parking lot backseat laptops disabled my brakes honked the horn jerked the seat belt commandeered the steering wheel limitation wired into vehicles’ onboard diagnostic port repair technicians access to information car’s electronically controlled systems carjacking has gone wireless Miller Valasek publish exploit Internet talk they’re giving Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas next month series revelations two hackers spooked automotive industry helped inspire legislation WIRED learned senators Ed Markey Richard Blumenthal introduce automotive security bill set new digital security standards for cars trucks auto-hacking antidote bill timely attack tools developed remotely trigger dashboard transmission tricks used on the highway demonstrated traumatic experience on I-64 narrowly averting death by semi-trailer lame Jeep down an exit ramp re-engaged transmission turning ignition off and on arsenal functions lower speeds kill the engine engage the brakes disable cut the Jeep’s brakes 2-ton SUV slid uncontrollably into a ditch researchers perfecting steering control hijack the wheel Jeep is in reverse hack enables surveillance track a targeted Jeep’s GPS coordinates measure its speed drop pins on a map to trace its route Chrysler almost all carmakers turn the modern automobile into a smartphone Uconnect Internet-connected computer feature hundreds of thousands of Fiat Chrysler cars SUVs trucks controls vehicle’s entertainment navigation enables phone calls Wi-Fi hot spot one vulnerable element won’t identify Black Hat talk Uconnect’s cellular connection also car’s IP address gain access super nice vulnerability entry point attack adjacent chip in car’s head unit hardware entertainment system rewriting chip’s firmware plant their code rewritten firmware capable of sending commands car’s internal computer network CAN bus physical components engine wheels attack on entertainment system work any Chrysler vehicle Uconnect tested full set of physical hacks targeting transmission braking systems Jeep Cherokee attacks tweaked work any Chrysler vehicle vulnerable Uconnect head unit remotely hacking into other makes models cars researchers details of their work Las Vegas tool enabling wave of attacks Jeeps around the world part of the attack rewrites chip’s firmware hackers reverse-engineer took months code publish enable dashboard hijinks demonstrated GPS tracking sharing research Chrysler release patch Black Hat conference owners vehicles Uconnect feature notified patch post on Chrysler’s website acknowledge Miller and Valasek’s research Interstate 40 Route 40 Interstate 64 /

Wednesday, 22 July 2015

Reversible micro USB cable — update


MicFlip micro USB to USB A cable — both ends reversible
Credit: Winnergear/IndieGoGo

Update — producers of MicFlip reversible USB cables have advised IndieGoGo supporters that they have been unable to source reversible USB A connectors which perform reliably over the thousands of plug/unplug operations they are likely to be exposed to in normal use. Based on the photographs I have seen, reversible USB A plugs must be subject to strong flexing each time they are plugged in. An email to supporters reads in part:

"We have some bad news about the Type-A plug. At the moment we are still trying to figure out how to make it work as it seems that no matter how we plug it after a while the connectivity is lost ..."

MicFlip cables will be supplied with reversible micro USB & conventional USB A plugs.

Problems making reliable reversible USB plugs may be related to the failure-to-appear of the rumoured reversible USB A to Lightning cable from Apple.

Producers of MicFlip have also undertaken to supply cables with reversible USB A & micro USB plugs when a reliable USB A connector becomes available. Price will be in the $3 to $5 range for existing supporters.

Any USB A plug can be converted to reversible with one of these adapters:

Straight
http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Universal-Reversible-UR024-000/dp/B00EYCF40Q

Right angle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KAYTHEG/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1/184-6744116-2105069?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=1EZ1CH86Z8RETSE6R53R&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1944687602&pf_rd_i=B00EYCF40Q

More about MicFlip, plus some alternatives at:

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/reversible-micro-usb-cable.html / reversible Micro-USB cable that is long overdue for Android handset users braided nylon gold plated connectors aluminium housing plug durable tangle free Kickstarter IndieGoGo crowd funded funding product delivery backers product quality durability pilot production run Micro-Flip cables passed reliability durability tests withstand withstanding 10,000 plugging cycles demand production mass quantities funding goal deliver product backers quality control manufacturer quality USB cables industrial quality control process USB cables USB 2 USB 3.0 3.1 charge sync synch /

Tuesday, 21 July 2015

Want to live in a house built from shipping containers? (video)


Credit: dezeen.com

Shipping containers — utilitarian, strong, revolutionized transport, & reduced costs. But would you want to live in one? Or several of them joined together? Hard as it may be to believe, the home pictured above is built from 4 containers.

It's the Grillagh Water House, designed by architect & farmer, Patrick Bradley & built on his own land.

Grand Designs episode about its construction


More about the container house:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2768293/I-m-desperate-gorgeous-girl-I-just-want-happy-explains-Channel-4-Grand-Designs-team-turn-cover-project.html

http://www.dezeen.com/2015/01/11/grillagh-water-house-patrick-bradley-maghera-northern-ireland-farm-shipping-containers-grand-designs/

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/house-home/shipping-container-house-featured-on-grand-designs-wins-top-architecture-award-31164381.html

More houses built from shipping containers

http://www.homedit.com/22-most-beautiful-houses-made-from-shipping-containers/

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kristinchirico/surprisingly-gorgeous-homes-made-from-shipping-containers#.fagnmlQegE

http://www.trueactivist.com/a-shipping-container-costs-about-2000-what-these-15-people-did-with-that-is-beyond-epic/

So, wanna live in a container house? / 4 stacked shipping containers Grillagh Water House by Patrick Bradley architect designed design balcony shaded steel fins projects upper storey of this house Northern Ireland architect farmer farmhouse farm house Patrick Bradley built four used shipping containers Patrick Bradley developed Grillagh Water House picturesque site on his own farm near town of Maghera local legislation allows farmers build dwellings on their land designed house employed conventional construction methods architect needed reduce the cost meet budget alternative solution change the idea aesthetics design alternative more affordable idea shipping containers assembled around a steel framework metal boxes extend entrance end of a gravel lane sit on top other pair of containers lee of a gentle slope upper level cantilevers over the lower storey balcony surrounded by steel fins protect interior unwanted solar gain terrace glass balustrade garden below minimal metal staircase house made out of containers sculpture landscape blend in with its surroundings containers upper level clad in grey powder-coated expanded metal sheets covered in panels pre-rusted Corten steel rural part of Northern Ireland materials common in the area grey colour similar many of the agricultural buildings Corten steel cladding blend in with the landscape rock already on the site /

Monday, 20 July 2015

USB C flash drives

While we’re waiting for USB C, with reversible connector, fast USB 3.1 speed, high power & video, to revolutionise computing, the USB A connector will continue to be important.

Some manufacturers are producing flash drives with both USB A & USB C connectors

SanDisk


32GB only
Credit: SanDisk/Gizmodo

http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/3/8719629/sandisk-usb-c-dual-flash-drive-computex-2015

http://gizmodo.com/sandisk-has-the-first-flash-drive-with-a-reversible-usb-1688533182

http://www.macrumors.com/review/sandisk-dual-usb-type-c-flash-drive/

Kingston


16GB, 32GB & 64GB
Credit: Kingston/BetaNews

http://betanews.com/2015/06/08/kingston-digital-announces-new-usb-type-c-flash-drive/

Patriot


32GB & 64GB
Credit: Patriot/Apple Insider

http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/04/28/patriot-unveils-usb-c-flash-drive-for-apples-macbook

Emtec


16 & 32 GB
Credit: Emtec/ComputerWorld

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2901435/emtec-type-c-flash-drives-to-begin-shipping.html


Alternatively, a USB A to USB C adapter may work better for you


16 & 32 GB
Credit: Brando/The Gadgeteer

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/brando-has-usb-type-c-adapters-for-all.html / USB Type-C adapter brand new hard to find normal the norm standard new cable type invented Apple latest MacBook new USB standard offer significant advantages current Type-A connector smaller reversible faster data speeds more power USB Type-C change cables adapters USB Type-C hubs card readers adapters convert other cables micro USB Lightning USB Type-C Brando USB A USB C connector /

Sunday, 19 July 2015

F.I.A.T. 28.5 liter “Beast Of Turin” driven for first time in 100 years (video)


F.I.A.T. S76 — that's the way the company name was written in 1911 — period marks can just be made out in the sign on the wall behind the S76
Credit: Goodwood

● 28.5 litres & 4 cylinders — over 7 litres per cylinder
● that's over 14 litres of fire & smoke out the exhaust at every engine revolution
● chain drive — one chain each side — transferring 300 hp to the rear wheels
● if either chain lets go, be ready to duck — but there's probably not much point
● heads just visible above the bonnet — this is a very tall car
● add leaf springs & narrow tyres for an exciting ride at over 100 mph
● no front brakes — customary in 1911
● "legburner" exhaust — missing from the restored vehicle in the videos below

In 1911 this was the fastest car in the world. Pietro Bordino drove it to an official land speed record of 116 mph over the flying mile, at Saltburn Sands, England. Later that year, an attempt was made on the the flying kilometre record, at Oostenede, Belguim. It was timed at over 135 mph, but could not complete the return journey in the hour to claim the record, due to external circumstances.

The Beast of Turin trailer from stefan marjoram on Vimeo.




http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1099157_fiat-28-liter-beast-of-turin-driven-for-first-time-in-100-years

https://grrc.goodwood.com/race/historic/legendary-fiat-s76-run-first-time-100-years#SesMZUDemkFJU8wP.97

Assembling the engine

Credit: stefanmarjoram.com/The Old Motor

More images of engine assembly:
http://theoldmotor.com/?p=122246 / F.I.A.T. Fiat fastest car in the world FIAT S76 restoration owner Duncan Pittaway painstakingly rebuilding car hillclimb Goodwood Festival of Speed terrific noise pedestrians three yards of flame stub exhausts bonnet S76 produced Italian manufacturer records flying kilometre flying mile Blitzen Benz S76 mile record Pietro Bordino Saltburn Sands 1911 officially recorded over 135mph kilometre Ostenede in Belguim unable to complete return run specified one hour one car dismantled Fiat First World War racing cars rival manufacturers technical secrets purchased by Russian aristocrat Boris Soukhanov modernised Australia campaigned Fiat Racing Special Duncan drive S76 Goodwood brought rolling chassis remains UK original 28.5 litre four cylinder engine dismantled car machine restored original specification Roach Manufacturing Southampton bodywork restoring Bugatti T35 S76 original S76 components survived restored chassis engine suspension axles pedals steering box gearbox radiator bodywork original Fiat drawings last largest huge-engined Edwardian monsters /

Saturday, 18 July 2015

What’s faster than Insane? Ludicrous

For some time, the fastest 4-door sedan in the world has been the P85D version of the Tesla Model S in “Insane” mode — capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds.

But, no more.

Now, the fastest 4-door sedan in the world is the P90D version of the Tesla Model S in “Ludicrous” mode — capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds. 1.1 Gs.

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/teslas-new-ludicrous-mode-makes-model-s-supercar/

http://techcrunch.com/2015/07/17/teslas-model-s-gets-ludicrous-mode-will-do-0-60-in-2-8-seconds/#.u6givh:k8k1 / Tesla Model S LiIon battery cell lithium ion charge recharge Supercharger station charge Elon Musk 85 kWh killo Watt hour /

Colorado bear drops by the pie shop


Credit: BoingBoing

Didn’t pay his bill, but did leave a favourable review on Yelp. His verdict: try the apple or the cherry — skip the strawberry & rhubarb.


Credit: Yelp/BoingBoing



http://boingboing.net/2015/07/17/colorado-bear-with-munchies-br.html?utm_source=moreatbb&utm_medium=nextpost&utm_campaign=nextpostthumbnails

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/16/bear-pies-colorado-bakery / Outside store trail of sugar clump of cherries report Denver, CO TV news station hungry bear Colorado broke into a local pie shop ate every last pie in the place except for one flavor Kristi Lehnert owns owner Colorado Cherry Company bear climbed into her store through a window Tuesday morning feast bear ate 24 cherry pies 14 apple pies bear did not like strawberry rhubarb pie bear area go grab some pies yourself Colorado Cherry Yelp listing gets pretty good reviews black bear brown bear /

Friday, 17 July 2015

Keezel: easy-to-use privacy & security for every online device, everywhere (video)


Credit: keezel/IndieGoGo

Public WiFi networks are far from secure. Even browsing from your own home could benefit from a security upgrade. Oppressive regimes attempt to prevent their citizens from accessing social networks & other Internet content. And then there is region-locked content. All of these problems can be ameliorate by use of a virtual private network (VPN).

Keezel is VPN in a box.

Compared to other VPN solutions, keezel has the following advantages:
● no software to load onto any of your devices
● single button operation
● contains a large capacity battery (“almost three times the capacity of your iPhone 6” i.e. almost 3 * 1810 = 5430 mAh1,2) which can be used as an external battery to charge you phone, tablet or similar device



Keezel is available for as little as $US79 on IndieGoGo:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/keezel-online-freedom-for-every-device-everywhere/x/9010251#/story
__________
1iPhone 6: Battery Life“ http://www.trustedreviews.com/iphone-6-review-battery-life-and-verdict-page-6

2iPhone 6https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone_6 / one device fits in your pocket changes online world control your Internet world’s first portable on line see what you are doing online visit blocked websites all over the world geographically locked region locked secure all your devices one keezel no software installation needed required growth intelligent worldwide keezel network provider provided best providers keezel switch it on with 1 button one button operation privacy feel secure connect to whatever you want control crowdfunding unique server network worldwide keezel chooses best available connection everytime you connect Keezel partners partner world class VPN providers servers worldwide combining multiple VPN networks provide largest most resilient network keezel automatically selects best connection best service simple big worldwide server network working for you keezel online freedom protecting your privacy security free and open internet WiFi networks all WiFi devices VPN technology simple campaign perks 1 year 2 year lifelong access our world class VPN network free basic service protect your privacy security on WiFi networks free WiFi connect to WiFi expose yourself to identity theft data leakage colleagues at work on the company network keezel protects your privacy security online coffee shops hotels airports at work at home encryption encrypts encrypt your connection all connected devices without having to install software app application many governments censor Internet blocking voices opposition Facebook Twitter other websites blocked Internet widespread problem websites TV shows watched in certain countries episodes your favorite show unavailable when travelling watch a sports game race inaccessible in your country or region connect keezel country of your choice keezel creates your own secure WiFi network keezel connects to WiFi networks your favorite coffee shop creates a secure WiFi network open source encryption technology big companies government organizations protect their data doesn't require installation laptop phone smart solution works with all your WiFi devices connect your personal keezel WiFi online freedom without screens keezel's VPN service high quality resilient server network all over the world partners partner world class network providers best service super competitive price Indiegogo perks least one year of this service premium service limited speed locations secure browsing emailing encryption change location country great battery life charge charges your phone keezel powerful battery almost three times the capacity of your iPhone 6 use keezel charge other devices service subscription only limited speed locations /

Thursday, 16 July 2015

Baby incubators, now a staple of premature infant care, were pioneered where?


Credit: How-To Geek

Take the quiz here:
http://www.howtogeek.com/trivia/baby-incubators-now-a-staple-of-premature-infant-care-were-pioneered-where/

Very surprising answer, but demonstrates a few things:
1. conservatism of the medical profession
2. conservatism which is understandable in a profession charged with responsibility for so many human lives
3. conservatism which is understandable in a profession with such high malpractice insurance expenses (Saw a story somewhere about a medico who entered medical practice in the first half of the 20th century. Initially, he was paying $70 per year for malpractice insurance. By the time he retired, this had climbed to $70,000 per year!)
4. if you have a new medical idea, be prepared for a long, hard slog to get it accepted — witness the discoverers of glycemic index & the value of insulin for treating diabetes
5. everything is obvious once you know the answer

http://io9.com/5885939/babies-in-incubators-were-once-an-attraction-at-coney-island / incubators staple of premature infant care millions of premature at-risk babies kept stable temperatures tucked safely inside glass plastic enclosures delicate bodies were ready to handle full exposure the outside world intuitively protect premature babies doctor created championed incubator Dr. Martin Couney wasn’t taken seriously medical establishment incubators failure of the establishment value of the incubators how critical keeping premature babies alive Couney unconventional approach incubators Coney Island Coney Island New York island famously amusement parks hot dogs clever incubators created approached owners Luna Park prominent amusement park on Coney Island set up a sideshow filled with incubators house premature babies charge admission admission fee cover the expenses of staffing exhibit caretakers nurses families premature babies care without expense put premature babies on display sideshow act amusement park saved the lives of thousands upon thousands of children decades Couney parents of premature babies nothing that can be done frantic parents New York City hail cabs rush their frail children Coney Island Dr. Couney innovative incubators curiosity of the public help babies establishment finally came babies Coney Island project had saved incubators became a staple fixture neonatal care wards across the country /

Mountains of Pluto


Credit: NASA/Corbis/The Guardian

Ice mountains — 11,000 feet (3350 metres) tall in the image above — rising above plains of frozen methane & nitrogen in the most detailed images so far, from NASA’s New Horizons.

No impact craters in any of the photographs so far seen. This indicates a surface which has recently been formed — & a geologically active planet.

New Horizons is now more than a million miles past Pluto & moving towards the Kuiper Belt.

http://www.theguardian.com/science/live/2015/jul/15/nasa-pluto-new-horizon-photos-discoveries

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-16/nasa-releases-new--images-of-pluto/6623136 / New Horizons mission Pluto NASA’s most recent revelations the edge of our solar system first ever close-up of Pluto’s surface young icy mountain range ascends 11,000ft evidence water ice no impact craters lead scientist Alan Stern surprising diversity of activity on Pluto first high resolution image of Charon dwarf planet’s largest moon orbital partner active world cliffs run hundreds of miles across canyons four to six miles deep early data planetary activity radioactive heat internal ocean energy stored during formation causes for the activity small distant worlds scientists Plutonian geology researcher John Spencer Pluto has so much diversity Cathy Olkin Stern Spencer Olkin Nasa briefing data New Horizons, now more than a million miles past Pluto and voyaging out into the Kuiper Belt at the edge of our solar system transmit data about Pluto Charon next 16 months atmosphere water ice volatiles category of active chemicals puzzle Dwayne Brown NASA headquarters piles of stuff with grooves on it John Spencer erosion mountain building baffling ice mountain range heart region Tombaugh Reggio small mid-size worlds complex active larger worlds Triton solar system most similar to Pluto Plutonian geology Charon moons of Uranus so much data to investigate data other worlds activity worlds tidal heating Pluto has so much diversity /

Wednesday, 15 July 2015

Solar Impulse grounded until 2016


Solar Impulse 2 approaches its landing at Kalaeloa Airport in Hawaii
Credit: AP/Daily Mail

During the closing stages of its record-breaking trans-pacific flight into Hawaii, the battery pack of Solar Impulse 2 was damaged by overheating. After repairs & testing the round-the-world flight is expected to resume in April 2016.

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33538442

http://time.com/3958478/solar-impulse-grounded/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3148669/Success-Solar-Impulse-2-safely-lands-Hawaii-completing-daring-five-day-flight-Pacific-Ocean.html / Solar Impulse round around the world flight solar powered Swiss pilot pilots first ever attempt fly around the world propelled the Sun André Borschberg compatriot Bertrand Piccard take turns piloting single seater seat Solar Impulse 2 21,747 miles 35,000 km kilometre 12 legs including gruelling five- to six-day stints across the Atlantic Pacific oceans entire journey will take five months Borschberg took the controls takeoff take off take-off Al-Bateen executive airport Abu Dhabi early on Monday first destination Muscat in Oman pilots roughly 250 hours each inside narrow cockpit no oxygen temperature control temperatures outside range between -40 degrees C to 40°C degrees Celsius falling asleep flight need constant attention Piccard Borschberg survive 20-minute naps every two to four hours pilots will practise yoga stave off the physical discomfort remaining confined seat for days at a time Borschberg biggest challenge maintaining concentration Piccard psychiatrist team 1999 first circumnavigated globe non-stop balloon taught techniques of self-hypnosis meditation maintain concentration time duration in the present moment the only way is to be present almost a spiritual experience entire journey circumnavigating Earth in a family car aircraft weighs the same as a Volvo sedan comparable speeds SI2 top speed 87m/h 140km/h pilots conserve battery power limiting plane half cockpit only slightly larger average car contain life support systems food oxygen supplies reclining pilot’s seat triples bed chair toilet fly both day and night no fuel powered by 17,000 solar panels set on its wings wider Boeing 747’s fuselage 633kg bank of lithium batteries quarter weight store energy run motors overnight journey early days intercontinental flight enormous speed range jet engines Qantas fly Kangaroo Route Sydney to London hopping Darwin Singapore Kolkata Karachi Cairo Tripoli en route Borschberg success Solar Impulse project first solar-powered plane fly through the night first to fly between two continents primitive step toward zero-carbon jumbo combustion fossil fuels dominated powered flight 19th century dirigible aviation burns the most carbon per passenger per kilometre of any mode of mass-transport and, despite efforts to limit emissions, remains the fastest growing anthropogenic source of greenhouse gases sector climate change toughest major emissions source to decarbonise solar flight seeks remains decades away Wright Brothers Charles Lindbergh deputy editor Aerospace magazine Bill Read solar flight commercial flights solar cells generate power fly Solar Impulse fly using solar power constructed very light weight light-weight lightweight huge wingspan solar cell technology power source aircraft advances project real-world uses today fly Sun day and night build an aircraft extremely energy efficient technologies energy efficiency used in your home your car appliances four motors power aircraft generate heat energy efficiency single cheapest way reduce carbon emissions across the world technologies challenge energy environment pollution natural resources /

New Horizon Pluto fly by


Credit: NASA/BBC

New Horizons completed its fly-by of Pluto at 7:49 AM US EDT on Tuesday, 14 July 2015. It passed Pluto at 30,800 miles per hour (49,600 kilometers per hour — 14 kilometres per second). After capturing all its data, New horizons began transmitting it back to Earth. Shown above is the best image to-date. More to come. Over the three billion mile distance to Pluto, the data rate is very low. 16 months will be required to transmit all of the data captured during the fly-by.

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33531811

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jul/14/nasas-new-horizons-probe-makes-pluto-flyby-nine-years-after-leaving-earth / fly by completed whale’s tail polygonal feature band of complex patterns New Horizons interplanetary space probe launched NASA's New Frontiers program Applied Physics Laboratory Southwest Research Institute Alan Stern spacecraft launched study Pluto moons Kuiper Belt performing flybys Pluto system Kuiper Belt Objects KBOs New Horizons project Pluto 350 project Alan Stern Fran Bagenal Pluto Underground 1990 lightweight cost-effective spacecraft flyby Pluto construction several delays launch site New Horizons launched January 19, 2006, Cape Canaveral Earth-and-solar-escape trajectory Earth-relative speed 16.26 kilometers per second 58,536 km/h; 36,373 mph record highest launch speed of a human-made object from Earth brief encounter asteroid 132524 APL New Horizons Jupiter closest approach Jupiter flyby gravity assist New Horizons speed velocity general test returning data about its atmosphere moons magnetosphere post-Jupiter voyage hibernation mode preserve on-board systems brief annual checkouts first flyby of Pluto on July 14, 2015 /

Tuesday, 14 July 2015

40 tonne electric truck delivers parts to BMW


Credit: Terberg/Cnet

BMW has already shown an interest in electric vehicles with its i3 electric & i8 hybrid, with more planned.

Recently, they have deployed a 40 ton articulated electric truck, supplied by Dutch manufacturer Terberg, for parts deliveries from automotive service provider Scherm. Initially, it will be used on a trial basis between the BMW Group Plant & Scherm Group Logistics Centre, a distance of 2 kilometres, 8 trips per day.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/10/8927489/bmw-electric-truck-europe-terberg

http://www.cnet.com/news/bmw-puts-a-40-ton-electric-truck-on-the-road/

http://qz.com/450487/an-all-electric-bmw-18-wheeler-truck-is-on-the-road-in-germany/ / electric truck Munich Bavaria Germany German automobile manufacturer BMW automotive service provider Scherm first 40-ton electric vehicle public roads truck designed built Dutch truck manufacturer Terberg charged using energy renewable sources takes 3 to 4 hours charge completely travel up to 100 kilometres full charge work for a full day single charge BMW Scherm truck is quiet CO2-free no fine particle pollution using renewable energy save 11.8 tons of CO2 compared equivalent diesel truck Bavaria leading industrial research Bavarian electric mobility Bavaria's Minister for Economic Affairs Ilse Aigner truck's launch 7 July 2015 BMW succeed global market sustainable products innovative companies electric buses smaller trucks vehicles 10-ton weight 40-ton electric truck first for Europe electric truck sustainable urban mobility Hermann Bohrer head of the BMW Group Plant reducing emissions city electric truck transport materials on public roads trips between BMW Group Plant Scherm's logistics centre Munich transporting vehicle components shock absorbers springs steering systems 16 kilometres daily BMW Scherm trial basis gain valuable information possible electric trucks future city logistics Jürgen Maidl head of logistics BMW Group Scherm Group new journey delivering pioneering work /

Monday, 13 July 2015

Airbus E-Fan electric aircraft crosses the Channel (video)


Credit: PA/Daily Mail

Not the first plane to cross the Channel, not even the first electric, but it is an electric aircraft with definite plans for commercial development, with 2 & 4 seat variants in the works.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3117977/World-s-plug-plane-takes-Bright-sparks-Airbus-unveil-electric-two-seater-E-Fan-aircraft-Paris-Air-s-nearly-silent-flight.html

http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/10/8927841/airbus-e-fan-electric-aircraft-english-channel

The first person to fly a heavier-than-air aircraft across the Channel was Louis Blériot, going in the opposite direction, in a monoplane which bore his name, on 25 July 1909. In the last few frames of the video, there is what looks like a Blériot monoplane, with yellow wings, just left of centre.


Blériot monoplane
Credit: J. Klank/Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bl%C3%A9riot_XI / Airbus E-Fan 2.0 electric prototype aircraft Paris speeds of 136mph plane can fly for up to an hour all-electric enter service in 2017 2050 Airbus 100-seat electric plane fleet Airbus aircraft manufacturer plug-in plane Paris Air Show E-Fan 2.0 prototype endurance stay airborne for one hour carbon dioxide CO2 emission-free nearly silent in flight weight weighing less than half a tonne revolutionary flyer LiIon lithium-ion polymer batteries 31ft wings dual electric motors total power of 60 kiloWatts ducted fan electric motors prototype Airbus plans assembly line E-Fan at Pau south-west France /

Sunday, 12 July 2015

Reversible micro USB cable — update


MicFlip micro USB to USB A cable — both ends reversible
Credit: Winnergear/IndieGoGo

Update — producers of MicFlip have advised supporters that they have been unable to source reversible USB A connectors which perform reliably over the thousands of plug/unplug operations they are likely to be exposed to in normal use.

More detail at: http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/reversible-micro-usb-cable-update.html
__________

How many tries does it take you to plug in a USB plug? World-wide collective frustration with this problem lead Intel to document the phenomenon as shown below.


Credit: Intel/Arstechnica

Arguably, the problem became worse with micro USB.

USB-C solves the problem by being reversible, but has so far appeared in only the Chromebook Pixel & the MacBook 12".

While you’re waiting for the inevitable avalanche of USB C adoption, & on an ongoing basis for your legacy devices, you may be interested in a cable with reversible micro USB at one end & a reversible USB A connector at the other:

MicFlip
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/micflip-world-s-first-fully-reversible-micro-usb#/story

MicFlip is the only cable sighted to-date, with reversible plugs at both ends. There are a number of crowd-funded cables which go half way: reversible one end only.

Reversible micro USB at one end, conventional, one-way USB A connector at the other:

Micro-Flip
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/46674142/micro-flip-reversible-micro-usb?ref=nav_search

Lightors
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1490536746/lightors-cable-worlds-first-reversible-micro-usb-c?ref=nav_search

These cables have conventional, non-reversible micro USB at one end & reversible USB A at the other:

dio
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/moopti/dio-naked-reversible-usb-cables-for-lightning-and/description

Woodie
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/370070655/woodie-leather-and-wood-reversible-usb-charging-ca?ref=discovery

Reversible USB connector
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/reversible-usb-charging-cable-for-iphone-android#/story / reversible Micro-USB cable that is long overdue for Android handset users braided nylon gold plated connectors aluminium housing plug durable tangle free Kickstarter IndieGoGo crowd funded funding product delivery backers product quality durability pilot production run Micro-Flip cables passed reliability durability tests withstand withstanding 10,000 plugging cycles demand production mass quantities funding goal deliver product backers quality control manufacturer quality USB cables industrial quality control process USB cables USB 2 USB 3.0 3.1 charge sync synch /

Saturday, 11 July 2015

Pluto — sharpest images to-date


As New Horizons approaches Pluto, the images keep getting sharper. From 5.4 million km on Thursday 09 July, resolution was 27km per pixel.
Credit: NASA/JHU-APL/SWRI/BBC

And there is more to come — NASA’s New Horizons is getting closer to Pluto, at 50,000 kilometres per hour (31,000 mph) — closest approach will be at 11:50 UTC on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, just 12,500km above the surface. Resolution of images will be better than 100 metres per pixel.

The image above was taken on Thursday. Why is it just being published now? Pluto is more than 4.7 billion km away. Over that distance, transmission is at very low bit rates.

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33491454

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/new-horizons-scientists-react-geological-detail-pluto/

The view two days previously:
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/pluto-best-image-to-date-from-nasas-new.html

More about Pluto:

NASA’sNew Horizons Pluto in a Minute” channel on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiuUQ9asub3RUlLBXMFGq8aFEPS5yONT2

New Horizons web page, including a count-down-timer for closest approach
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/main/index.html / whale’s tail polygonal feature band of complex patterns New Horizons interplanetary space probe launched NASA's New Frontiers program Applied Physics Laboratory Southwest Research Institute Alan Stern spacecraft launched study Pluto moons Kuiper Belt performing flybys Pluto system Kuiper Belt Objects KBOs New Horizons project Pluto 350 project Alan Stern Fran Bagenal Pluto Underground 1990 lightweight cost-effective spacecraft flyby Pluto construction several delays launch site New Horizons launched January 19, 2006, Cape Canaveral Earth-and-solar-escape trajectory Earth-relative speed 16.26 kilometers per second 58,536 km/h; 36,373 mph record highest launch speed of a human-made object from Earth brief encounter asteroid 132524 APL New Horizons Jupiter closest approach Jupiter flyby gravity assist New Horizons speed velocity general test returning data about its atmosphere moons magnetosphere post-Jupiter voyage hibernation mode preserve on-board systems brief annual checkouts first flyby of Pluto on July 14, 2015 /

Friday, 10 July 2015

After The Blast


Garth Callender
Credit: ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Garth Callender was the Australian Army's first serious casualty of the Iraq war. He has written a book about his experiences: “After The Blast: An Australian Officer In Iraq And Afghanistan”, published by Black Inc.

Recently, he told his story to Sarah Kanowski of the ABC.

“I recall reaching up & feeling over my head & was somewhat relieved to find I didn’t have a hole in my head.”

Podcast available at:
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2015/07/08/4269568.htm / patrol sniper car bomb light armoured vehicle armored type 1 gun car driver periscope Kevlar turret situationally aware threat level suicide vehicle gunner personnel carrier force munition fuse detonating cord artillery round remote control mortar high explosive survive attack first aid bandage traumatic amputation loss of blood Camp Victory Route Irish recovery Garth returned conflict zones Afghanistan suffered severe injuries armoured vehicle driving Iraq target roadside bomb IED improvised explosive device fully recovered returned to Baghdad second-in-command Australian Army's security detachment volunteered lead weapons intelligence team Afghanistan flown in blast zones helicopter attacks work identify insurgents responsible bombs wife Crystal return to danger After The Blast An Australian Officer In Iraq And Afghanistan Black Inc Garth Callender regular Australian Army distinguished career served Iraq Afghanistan rank of major weapons technical intelligence trained soldiers raw recruits deployment Australian technology company developing detect concealed explosives troops KAIA-N base Afghanistan body armour RAAF flight Kabul coalition troops Australians showered with twisted metal shrapnel fragments armored vehicle flats blast-proof ballistic goggles body armour armor Helmand /

Thursday, 9 July 2015

Is this the next Toyota Prius? — leaked images


Credit: Julien JODRY/Twitter

If these images prove to be genuine, it looks like Toyota still doesn’t understand the impact of wheel height on efficiency.

Although it resembles the Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle in that respect


Credit: Green Car Reports

Claimed fuel consumption of 2.5 l/100km is extraordinary.

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/61892/toyota-prius-images-and-specs-for-all-new-model-leaked / Toyota’s all-new Prius hybrid range Tokyo Motor Show images may given the game away Japanese carmaker next generation next-gen Prius Toyota Taiwanese website Autonet published images reportedly scanned from official Toyota literature new Prius’ technical specifications green hero fuel consumption report claims official figure 2.5 l/100km 2.5 litres per 100 kilometres kilometers improved improve improvement fuel petrol gas gasoline gasolene current model of 1.4 l/100km based on its Australian figure 36 percent fuel consumption new plug-in hybrid PHEV version 1.42 l/100km all-electric range up to 50km Toyota two-tier approach styling next Prius PHEV version syling take cues new Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell Prius grow in size weight will drop power output 1.8 litre four-cylinder petrol engine 78kW constantly variable transmission CVT automatic development develop hybrid powertrain /

Pluto — best image to-date from NASA’s New Horizons


Credit: NASA

And there is more to come — the image above was taken on 07 July 2015, from just under 8 million kilometres — NASA’s New Horizons is getting closer to Pluto — closest approach will be at 11:50 UTC on Tuesday, July 14, 2015.

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-s-new-horizons-a-heart-from-pluto-as-flyby-begins

But — why is this necessary? Hubble can get detailed views of distant galaxies — why not Pluto?
http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2013/02141014-hubble-galaxy-pluto.html?referrer=https://www.google.com.au/ / New Horizons interplanetary space probe launched NASA's New Frontiers program Applied Physics Laboratory Southwest Research Institute Alan Stern spacecraft launched study Pluto moons Kuiper Belt performing flybys Pluto system Kuiper Belt Objects KBOs New Horizons project Pluto 350 project Alan Stern Fran Bagenal Pluto Underground 1990 lightweight cost-effective spacecraft flyby Pluto construction several delays launch site New Horizons launched January 19, 2006, Cape Canaveral Earth-and-solar-escape trajectory Earth-relative speed 16.26 kilometers per second58,536 km/h; 36,373 mph record highest launch speed of a human-made object from Earth brief encounter asteroid 132524 APL New Horizons Jupiter closest approach Jupiter flyby gravity assist New Horizons speed velocity general test returning data about its atmosphere moons magnetosphere post-Jupiter voyage hibernation mode preserve on-board systems brief annual checkouts first flyby of Pluto on July 14, 2015 /