The team over at NerdKits recently put together a device aimed to help make the process of measuring things more accessible to those with disabilities. [Terry Garrett] is a Mechanical Engineering student, and as anyone who is in the field knows, it’s a discipline which requires taking tons of measurements. Since [Terry] cannot see he was often asking classmates to assist in measuring items during labs, but when he got a job at a nearby design studio, he knew he would have to find a way to take those measurements on his own. via < … Read More → "Talking digital calipers for engineering accessibility"

When we first took the Zero S electric motorcycle for a spin our verdict was that while great fun to ride, impending advances in battery technology will mean that this – and other electric bikes – will only to get better from here … and they are. Zero Motorcycles has announced a complete overhaul of every model in its 2012 range of electric two-wheelers with new powertrains and upgraded power … Read More → "2012 Zero S electric motorcycle gets 100 miles+ on a single charge"

The problem with most virtual reality glasses, is that you can’t see a darned thing while wearing them besides what’s on the screens. Epson knows that people like to multitask, so their new glasses let you see right through the projected image so you remain aware your surroundings.

The display of the Epson Moverio BT-100 … Read More → "Transparent VR glasses let you watch TV while doing other stuff"

Interesting. As I said in this recent article (https://www.eejournal.com/archives/articles/20111108-blackheli/ ), every time we have an extravagant engineering claim (cold fusion, in this case), we seem to have an abundance of matching conspiracy theories describing how big corporations will never allow the disruptive technology to see the light of day.

The flimflam man and the conspirator definitely come in matched Yin – Yang sets.

Russia’s Mars-bound probe Phobos-Grunt had an almost immediate engine failure after launch, and now the race is on for the space agency to correct its course and get it back on track towards the red planet. 

The craft successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on 9 November (Moscow time), and separated from its Zenit-2 booster rocket some 11 minutes later. But its engines failed … Read More → "Russia’s Martian moon mission stranded in Earth orbit"

… Read More → "Surfing a massive 90-foot wave to claim the world record"

via Gizmodo

Get yours for only $17,000 here at Hammacher Schlemmer. From the catalog:

These are the motorized boxers controlled by two drivers who battle to deliver chin-lifting uppercuts for victory. Similar to bumper cars, a driver up to 300 lbs. sits inside the robot’s protective steel cage cockpit and … Read More → "Rideable Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em robots??"

Yesterday, American Airlines completed the world’s first commercial biofuel flight, from Houston to Chicago, with 40% Solazyme algae biofuels and 60% traditional jet fuels. Tomorrow, Alaska Airlines will attempt a similar feat, flying 75 planes with a 20% cooking oil biofuel blend. Quite a achievement, but more surprisingly the sustainable flight attempts have become something of an industry scandal, with insiders claiming that American Airlines heard of Alaska’s plans and rushed to beat them in becoming the first airline to go green with biofuels</ … Read More → "American and Alaska Airlines Complete World’s First Commercial Biofuel Flights Read more: American and Alaska Airlines take world’s first commercial biofuel flights"

You’re looking at Honda’s brand new ASIMO robot, which was just unveiled today in Japan. While the new ASIMO’s appearance is similar to the version of ASIMO that we’ve come to know and love, there are some key differences inside that promise to make this generation more autonomous and c< … Read More → "Honda Robotics unveils next-generation ASIMO robot"