Category — videos

“Carcade is a concept for an in-car videogame for the passengers, which captures the landscape and uses it as a videogame environment. Existing objects, for example trees and architecture, are recognized by the camera and enhanced by videogame assets. The game is influenced by the manner of driving of the car. If the driver accelerates, the game becomes increasingly difficult. If the car comes to a stop a different game situation evolves. We developed a small game concept and a functional prototype, with which we did a test drive on the street. A webcam is connected to a laptop running camera tracking software which recognizes the horizon and objects in the environment. The player has to maneuver a spaceship and collect points whilst trying to avoid crashing into oncoming enemies.”

[Carcade | Oh Gizmo | via DVICE]

“Bruce Sterling, science-fiction and tech journalist - and Lift’s “big thinker in residence” - talks about the implications of money digitization. His though-provoking presentation dealt with how virtual money systems are the financial services for the new urban poor. Through diverse practices, this disruptive process creates a parallel financial system employed by millions of people.”

[google video | Bruce Sterling (so far ahead of the rest) | via core77]

flickr

flickr

flickr

[Pablo Valbueana | via today and tomorrow]

Press Release:

HAWTHORNE, CA – September 28, 2008 – Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) announces that Flight 4 of the Falcon 1 launch vehicle has successfully launched and achieved Earth orbit. With this key milestone, Falcon 1 becomes the first privately developed liquid fuel rocket to orbit the Earth.

“This is a great day for SpaceX and the culmination of an enormous amount of work by a great team,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “The data shows we achieved a super precise orbit insertion—middle of the bull’s-eye — and then went on to coast and restart the second stage, which was icing on the cake.”

Falcon 1, designed from the ground up by SpaceX, lifted off at 4:15 p.m. (PDT) / 23:15 (UTC) from the Reagan Test Site (RTS) on Omelek Island at the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) in the Central Pacific, about 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii.

Preliminary data indicates that Falcon 1 achieved an elliptical orbit of 500 km by 700 km, 9.2 degrees inclination—exactly as targeted.

Falcon 1 carried into orbit a payload mass simulator of approximately 165 kg (364 lbs), designed and built by SpaceX, specifically for this mission. Consisting of a hexagonal aluminum alloy chamber 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall, the payload remains attached to the second stage as it orbits Earth.

This was the fourth launch of the Falcon 1 launch vehicle and second flight for the new SpaceX-developed Merlin 1C regeneratively-cooled engine. A “hold before liftoff” system was used to enhance reliability by permitting all launch systems to be verified as functioning nominally before launch was initiated. A single SpaceX-developed Kestrel engine powered the Falcon 1 second stage.

For more information about the Falcon family of vehicles, and to watch the archived video of the Falcon 1, Flight 4 launch, visit the SpaceX website at www.spacex.com

[SpaceX]

Mitsubishi Motors Enters its Innovative 2025 Rally Racer for LA Auto Show’s Design Challenge. Continuing its world racing heritage and its industry leading expertise in electric vehicles, Mitsubishi Motors has introduced the most revolutionary racing technology that will defy automotive racing standards in the year 2025.

Mitsubishi’s MMR25 is an all-electric race car powered by a revolutionary drivetrain the future has not yet imagined. This forward-looking, high output powertrain is comprised of four lightweight, high-efficiency, in-wheel electric motors whose output is boosted with the help of eight supplemental motors. The batteries are next generation units, which are more powerful, fully recyclable and can run up to 1,000 miles on a single charge. Specially developed uniform composite Nano fibers give the Lithium batteries their long life and reduced weight. These powerful, yet compact battery packs are located in the center and on each side of the vehicle and are positioned low to the ground for enhanced stability and a lower center of gravity.

The MMR25 incorporates an omnidirectional wheel design that consists of eight independently-controlled electric motors within each wheel hub. This makes the MMR25 the first and only “8 x 4” wheel drive vehicle. The rotational direction of the tires allows the vehicle to be driven forward while pointing the nose of the vehicle in any direction, instead of drifting you can actually drive sideways (or at any angle.) Innovative “Oblique Aerodynamics” gives the vehicle aero advantages when driving sideways.

A driver sits inside a windowless pod just below the center wing. The center wing spoiler is located directly over the cabin, which rises and lowers as the vehicle moves sideways. This pod is surrounded by a seamless, 360-degree panoramic screen displaying images from outside cameras. Removing the heavy glass windows significantly reduces vehicle weight and enables the driver to see changing environmental and track conditions throughout the day. Special Memory Metal Alloy is used in fabricating the sophisticated front and rear spoilers, which also act as suspension blades.

Don’t think this is possible? Check this out:

(airtrax)

[via Jalopnik]

Spykee The Spy Robot takes interactive Erector sets beyond the limits of kids’ imagination. This latest build-your-own Erector set from Nikko America does everything from play digital music to guard a home or business.

Spy from Anywhere
Recommended for ages eight and up, Spykee is far more than your ordinary toy robot. Perfect for audio-visual surveillance, Spykee has the ability to move, watch, speak, and hear. With a built-in video camera and microphone, the robot takes real-time pictures with video and with sound effects. When motion is detected, Spykee activates an alarm or sends a picture by email. Compatible with Skype 3.0 (PC) technology, Spykee can also be used as a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone and web camera. Best of all, this motorized robot is equipped with a WiFi card, which means kids can access and control Spykee via the Internet from anywhere in the world.

3-in-1 Robot Fun
But there’s more fun than just spying! Combining a classic robot design with the latest technology, kids can use Spykee to construct three different robot models from this same set. Downloading their favorite songs to Spykee, this spy robot even acts as a digital music player with its own loudspeakers. Compatible with most Erector sets, it features lights and optical fibers, and an IR auto-parking recharging system automatically sends Spykee back to the power station for a recharge.

The Spy robot takes real-time pictures with video and sound effects. View larger.

The robot is equipped with a WiFi card, which means kids can access and control Spykee via the Internet. View larger.

Product Description
Spykee, the spy robot, is a crafty ‘bot that you control via the WiFi connection in your computer. This means you can give Spykee commands from virtually anywhere in the world! Plus, he does just about everything except feed the dog.

Spykee moves, watches, hears, speaks, takes pictures, records video and sound, and can act as a surveillance camera. What’s more - when he begins to lose steam, he automatically heads back to his charging station (included) for more “energy.” Compatible with classic metal Erector sets, sold separately. Requires one 9.6V battery (included). Measures 12″ x 12″ x 12″.

Spy Robot
As you control him through your computer, Spykee can move, watch, hear, speak, take pictures, and record video and sound. Send him off on your most intriguing missions while you watch from the safety of your home computer.

VOIP Phone
Need to make a call’ No problem. Spykee acts as a VOIP phone and webcam, and is compatible with Spykee 3.0 (PC) technology.

Video Surveillance
Spykee keeps an eye out for you. When he detects a movement, an alarm is activated on your computer, or he’ll send you a picture via e-mail.

Digital Music Player
Jam to the beat of your own tunes with Spykee. He’s happy to play your favorite songs.

Other Play Functions
From taking snapshots, sound and video recordings to providing video filters, there’s not much Spykee doesn’t do.

Requirements
PC requirements: Windows 2000/XP with .NET framework 2.0. MAC requirements: MAC OS X.

[Spykee Robot on Amazon]

[Engadget]

[YouTube Link]

[via teh most rad phil torrone’s flickr]

“Richie Hawtin talks us through his DJ setup, and reveals a number of interesting tips and tricks about TRAKTOR. These videos were all shot at Ritchie’s Berlin home, and cover controller setup, looping, double macro functions, needle drop, using 4 decks and the inbuilt TRAKTOR effects. Sit back and learn from a master!”

[Vimeo | via core77 | via psfk | via Noah Brier]