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 /

Via Motors to make a solar tonneau for its plug-in pickup — video — update

Credit: Via Motors/Charged EVs

Think GM Volt: electric vehicle (EV) with an internal combustion engine (ICE) connected to a generator to provide power to the electric motor when the battery is flat. 100+ mpg (US) overall (better than 120 mpg UK, 2.35 litres/100 km).

Via Motors thought Volt too. Backed by Bob Lutz (driving force behind GM's Volt), they took a big GM V6 pickup, removed the tailshaft & added 800 horsepower of electric motors. Result: a large GM pickup with all of the advantages of an EV drivetrain, (including stump pulling torque — perfect for moving heavy loads & really shines in poor traction conditions) that gives 100+ mpg (US). Just like a Volt.

In a power outage, it can power an entire suburban street.

Have you ever thought, "Electric vehicle — put some photovoltaic (PV) solar cells on the roof, sun shines on roof, PVs make electricity, charge battery, battery drives electric motor, drive for free. Easy!

A lot of people have had the same thought.

Unfortunately, it's not that easy. Problem is, the surface area of a car isn't big enough, the angle to the Sun is less than optimal, & the curved roof of a car makes fitting PVs difficult & expensive.

Things are just a little better with a big pickup. Fit a tonneau cover over the load space & you have a surface which reduces most of the problems of fitting PVs to the roof of a car. That's what the folks at Via Motors thought:

http://chargedevs.com/newswire/via-motors-presents-solar-tonneau-for-its-plug-in-pickup/

Jay Leno, Bob Lutz & Via Motors VTRUX
/ solar panel technical details surface area insolation voltage levels level vehicle design produce energy cost effective Via Motors VTrux commercial market fleet operators but buying stylish looks environment environmental statement demonstrable fuel savings Bob Lutz company’s company new solar tonneau pay for itself bed full size full-size pickup ute utility vehicle surface area soak up the sun run power tools VTrux power outlet remote construction sites site additional source of energy tonneau improve improves fuel economy aerodynamic drag reducing wind resistance roof of a vehicle Jeffrey Esfeld reporter reporters LA Auto Show industrial grade industrial-grade solar panels rigid hinged bed cover handle a fair amount of abuse new solar tonneau 400 800 Watt versions version VIA says add up to six ten miles of range release released price solar tonneau taking orders Vtrux pickup starting at $79,000 /

Why this shepherd loves Twitter

Credit: Constable/HerdyShepherd/Twitter

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/11/why-this-shepherd-loves-twitter/281702/ / shepherd sheep herd photograph photography picture Twitter twit tweet post social media follower followers follow shepherding work England English Lake District continuity part living cultural tradition work little changed when Vikings first settled these valleys our dialect peppered Norse words I like old things old ways doing things stories places people deeply conservative half decent economist most new ideas are a waste of time new ideas fail way of life fairly conservative people suspicious pointless chatter new technologies for the sake spend your life working with sheep fells mountains fens connect connected fancy techno gadgets your pocket our world mountains meadows dry stone walls wall dry-stone-walls sheep sheepdogs managing landscape ancestors ancestor many century centuries nominated World Heritage status unique landscape culture iPhone free upgrade cell phone old mobile died camera Twitter app pocket connect old quirky way /

Mini Boom Ultimate Ears

Credit: Amazon

Pro:
Impressive sound
Easy NFC pairing
Can connect 2 for wide stereo separation

Con:
Excessive packaging

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/11/22/ue-mini-boom-portable-bluetooth-speaker-review/#more-143858

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/reviews/ultimate-ears-mini-boom-hands-on-review-16121440

http://www.digitaltrends.com/wireless-speaker-reviews/ultimate-ears-mini-boom-review/#/5/ portable Bluetooth speaker review little speaker UE MINI BOOM and it’s made by Ultimate Ears Logitech in ear in-ear headphones manufacturer headphone maker speaker speakers images image hardware specs specifications spec specification maximum sound level SPL 86dBC frequency range 130 Hz – 20 kHz drivers two 1.5″ 4 Ohm drivers one 3″ x 1.5″ passive radiator dimensions: 4.4 x 2.6in 11.1 x 6.1 cm UE MINI BOOM review gripe product packaging unusually cool noteworthy packaging UE MINI BOOM isn’t cool over the top wasteful. thick plastic box promptly be trashed UE use packaging make it more universally recyclable plastic base accepted recycler recycling recycleable recycle center centre package contents UE MINI BOOM speaker nicro USB charging cable instruction sheet 5 colour colour color colors green version front back made of perforated metal top bottom sides covered black rubber like look and feel speaker feels solid well made appreciate lack overly noticeable branding UE carved into each side back power switch status LED micro USB charge port 3.5mm audio input jack top volume button buttons Bluetooth pair button doubles answer end button speakerphone feature has an NFC tag top UE MINI BOOM tap NFC enabled phone on the speaker automatically do the Bluetooth pairing for you near field communication NFC initial indifference the feature like convenience not having drill down into my phone’s settings manually pair speaker NFC capable device still pair manually speaker 10 hr battery life 50 ft range Bluetooth no loss of audio install the UE app iOS Android device connect 2 UE MINI BOOMS together wide stereo separation application app also shows battery level EQ setting ability turn off notification tones texts other alerts won’t interrupt your tunes unexpectedly huge sound little speaker crazy impressive volume sound quality too bass surprisingly thumpy highs mids lows high mid low balanced all types of music sounded good through the speaker fingerstyle ukulele instrumentals each plucked string crisp clear each strum warm soothing pop rock dubstep tunes listen listening through much larger speaker vocals drums piano horns sound sounded clear listening through streaming service Pandora Google portable Bluetooth speakers speaker price range sound quality UE MINI BOOM best smallest speaker tested my favorite portable Bluetooth speaker on a budget limited space UE MINI BOOM speaker keeper /

The quest to end influenza

Credit: Kevin Van Aelst/The Atlantic

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/12/the-quest-to-end-the-flu/354677/ / isolate isolated virus viruses Doris Bucher lab laboratory colleagues New York Medical College life death lives might virus flu influenza 2009 H1N spread spreading across North America appear country countries around the world scientist scientists center centre centres Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed analyze vaccine production next flu season effective immune systems system stop virus global outbreak pandemic 2009 H1N1 expert experts capacity flu pandemics pandemic previous century Spanish Flu 1918–19, killed an estimated 50 million people H1N1 virus research researchers CDC make a new vaccine /