Specialized Bicycles has unveiled a new electric-assist bicycle, the Turbo. Like other e-bikes, it uses an electric motor to supplement normal pedaling, offering both higher top speed and increased range. In this case though, it’s that top speed that’s a bit of a problem. It seems the aptly-named Turbo is just too fast to be legal in many places (like the US), topping out around 28mph. So for now, availability is limited to some areas of Europe, but it also seems that a simple design tweak could reduce its top speed to a more legal level for broader appeal.
More pictures can be found here, or check out the video below.
Broadcom has unveiled a new chip (the BCM4752) that can receive data from all four satellite navigation systems in orbit (GPS, GLONASS, SBAS, QZSS) to provide faster, more accurate results. Not only that, but it can also reference other radio signals, like wi-fi and Bluetooth, for example. Combine that with additional inputs from accelerometers, compasses, gyroscopes, and altimeters, and the result is an unprecedented ability to locate one’s exact position with potentially centimeter-level accuracy, even indoors.
Some people freak out about this ‘big brother’ like capability, but the reality is that this is providing incredible information to the user. It’s how that information ends up being used that may or may not be Orwellian; I see so much potential is this level of detail that I remain optimistic that developers can find a way to provide this service to users in a way that protects privacy.
Here’s a cool gadget that’s a bit counter to the ‘keep it simple’ philosophy. It’s a thermoelectric device buried under a pot, designed for backpacking use to charge your iPhone and other gadgets (you’re not really keeping it simple if you’re depending on those while backpacking!). So if you really can’t leave those gadgets behind when backpacking, this is the perfect solution to ensure they’re always fully charged. The alternative would be solar panels, though if you assume that you’ll be making a campfire regardless, then this might be more reliable than counting on sunshine. The inventors are currently seeking funding at Kickstarter; cost is $125.
The first human genome to be sequenced took about thirteen years, and cost a few billion dollars. A new product from Life Technologies has dramatically improved upon that, offering sequencing of an entire human genome sequence in under a day and at a cost under $1000! The machine itself costs around $150k, so would pay for itself pretty quickly (current costs for sequencing a genome are around $10k+). We’re entering a new era of medical care enabled by information like this, and it’ll be exciting to watch how these technologies are used (such as in preventative care, also with targeting medications).
Yesterday I (and about a million other websites) posted a video of Google’s concept Augmented Reality (AR) glasses. It was pretty similar to other AR systems (here and here, for example) so in that respect was nothing new. I found it interesting how much more publicity that video gained, perhaps because of its source? Well no matter. I really had to share an funny video that someone made to show a possible downside of this AR glasses technology. Hilarious, yet so true…and it shows some of the real challenges that designers of these AR systems will be facing.
Engineers at the University of Delaware have developed a prototype hydrogen generator that has the potential to revolutionize solar energy production. Solar thermal energy is used to vaporize zinc oxide powder. This gas is then reacted with water to produce hydrogen gas and zinc powder (which can then be fed back into the system). The shortcoming of any solar energy system is energy storage, and a system that produces hydrogen gas solves that as the gas can be stored for later conversion to electrical power in a fuel cell.
The system requires further testing but it’s off to a promising start! Read more at Physorg.
Google is rumored to be releasing some Augmented Reality glasses later this year, and while there is no official word on this, they make no secret of the fact that they’re interested in this market and working on concepts. One such concept implementation is shown in the video below, and is a really interesting example not only of AR, but how Google specifically can offer services that enhance your AR experience.
According to this article in the New York Times, the future does not bode well for our planet. By 2050, the global economy is expected to be about four times its current size, and fossil fuels will be supplying around 85% of energy at that time. Not only does that mean increased air pollution (and the health effects caused by that, such as millions of deaths per year due to air pollution), but an increase in global average temperatures of 3-6C, well above the 2C limit internationally agreed upon. With increasing population will also come increasing demand for water, something that is already in scarce supply in much of the world. As climate patterns change due to global warming, we can expect those water supplies to be further strained as historical norms make way for the new (look at Texas’ drought as one example).
So, what can we do? Let’s face it, not much. In the US, we have a major political party that’s still in denial, so we could start there perhaps. Realistically though, Bill Gates got it right in this TED talk where he says that what we need is a ZERO CO2 energy economy. We’re so far away from that, that if we don’t take action and get serious about this soon, it’s going to be a really rough transition to adapt to a dramatically warmer Earth. It’s a good talk, watch it:
Bad news, kids…we’re approaching ‘peak helium.’ This rare gas is obtained as a by-product of the petroleum industry, and thanks to huge stockpiles this country set aside after WWI, supply has been plentiful. However, those helium reserves are dwindling as demand exceeds production…once gone, expect prices to skyrocket faster than, well, a helium filled balloon. The days of cheap helium party balloons are numbered…enjoy it while you can! On the more serious side, this gas is incredibly useful for extreme refrigeration needed in many science and medical applications, so the impact will be far-reaching. Read more over at the Guardian.
Specialized Bicycles has unveiled a new electric-assist bicycle, the Turbo. Like other e-bikes, it uses an electric motor to supplement normal pedaling, offering both higher top speed and increased range. In this case though, it’s that top speed that’s a bit of a problem. It seems the aptly-named Turbo is just too fast to be legal in many places (like the US), topping out around 28mph. So for now, availability is limited to some areas of Europe, but it also seems that a simple design tweak could reduce its top speed to a more legal level for broader appeal.
