Army dudes sat down with scientists at University of Michigan and other schools and asked for a simple frickin’ bionic bat with frickin’ stereo cameras, miniaturized radar, ultra-sensitive self-guidance, “energy scavenging” recharging capability and a radio to send data back to troops in urban combat zones. Was that too much to ask? Here’s how it’s working out for them: Read more… »
Posted on 2008 under Aero |
14
Mar
The new Gulfstream 650 was unveiled yesterday at their Savannah factory. Yes Steve Jobs, yes Al Gore, yes Kevin Rose, this one can take you anywhere in the world with its 7,000 nautical miles range at a top speed of Mach 0.925 (704mph,) almost the speed of sound at a 41,000-feet altitude. You and your 99,600-pound cargo of, hmm, whatever you dirty rich people take around on trips: all your mountain bikes, your Bonos, and your carbon-footprint air fresheners or something. But don’t put your current Gulfstreams on Craiglist yet, because there’s a catch. Read more… »
Posted on 2008 under Concept, Design, Aero |
20
Jan
A fancy new miniaturized plasma propulsion system being developed at Oklahoma State University promises some exciting new Unmanned Ariel Vehicle spy plane designs for the folks at DARPA. The engine is about the size of a cigarette, contains no moving parts, and will be build into planes as small as 6-inches long, which soldiers can carry in packs of six or so and deploy as a swarm of inquisitive Daniel Craigs. The planes should be able to manage indoors and urban areas. No word on when these will be spying on a homeland security threat near you, but the project is still in the early stages.
Posted on 2008 under Design, Toys, Aero, Miscellaneous |
11
Jan
Flytech created the unique DragonFly last year which was a seriously different flying RC toy. Now they have created the Bladestar which could kind of be compared to a helicopter in some ways. It has a large rotating blade and 2 rear rotors that are opposite each other. Three sensors help keep it out of trouble by detecting the floor, ceiling and walls. It allows the Bladestar to fly it’s self, or alternatively you can use the remote control. If you want to be truly unique then you can guide the robot RC Bladstar by using your hands to block it’s sensors and guide it around.
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