McGill University researchers show off lunar rover prototype with unique ‘iRing’ wheels
January 3, 2011 No Comment
We’ve already seen researchers at the University of Chicago and Cornell use coffee grounds to develop an entirely different type of robotic hand , and it looks like some folks at McGill University in Montreal, Canada have also been taking a similar approach to quite literally reinvent the wheel. That’s being done as part of the Lunar Exploration Light Rover (or LELR) project, which is aiming to build a lunar rover that’s light and able to navigate difficult terrain (i.e. the surface of the moon) with ease. One of the key aspects of that, of course, are the wheels, and the McGill researchers’ solution is something called the “iRing” — a wheel made of a chainmail-type fabric and filled with “granular particulate matter” (or tiny pieces of metal). That creates a wheel that’s heavy and sturdy enough to avoid bouncing around on the moon, but still flexible enough to absorb shocks and overcome any obstacles. Will it actually wind up on the moon? That remains to be seen, but the researchers expect the final prototype of the complete rover (which could even carry a crew) to be complete in the spring of 2012. Be sure to hit up the via link below for the best look at the rover on video. McGill University researchers show off lunar rover prototype with unique ‘iRing’ wheels originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 04:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …By E.J. Dionne, Jr. Welcome to the Republicans who take over the House of Representatives this week. Since it is a new year, let us be optimistic about what this development means for our nation. Related Entries January 3, 2011 ‘The Left Has Nowhere to Go’ January 1, 2011 Obama Resolves to Fix the Economy
Continue reading …Toshiba announces unnamed Tegra 2-powered Android tablet, waits only for Honeycomb
January 3, 2011 No Comment
Let the Tegra 2-powered, Android Honeycomb tablet announcements begin! Apparently (and understandably ) staying away from a Folio 2 moniker, Toshiba is kicking off CES with its new unnamed 10.1-inch Android tablet, and we have to say from our brief look at a non-working unit a few weeks ago, it may just have what it takes to stick out from the rest.. at least on the spec and manufacturing quality front. The tablet has a capacitive, high 1280 x 800-resolution display along with an accelerometer and ambient light sensor (or what Toshiba has dubbed as Adaptive Display technology). It also has a 5 megapixel rear camera as well as a 2 megapixel front-facing one. Yep, this one is well stocked and just a quick look at the pictures below will show that the slab has got full sized USB and HDMI jacks, a single mini-USB socket, and an SD card slot. While we couldn’t turn on the dual-core Tegra 2-powered tablet, which will eventually run “the next version of Android designed for tablets” aka Honeycomb , we have to say the EasyGrip, spill-resistant, rubberized back felt really solid in hand and the 1.7-pound, .6-inch thick tablet felt comparable to the iPad in terms of portability. Oh, and did we mention that the aforementioned rear cover is swappable, so not only can you change its color but you can replace the battery? We told you it had some of the ingredients to make it go far, but we’re obviously lacking quite a bit of information here to make any further decisions. Toshiba’s maintaining that the tablet will be released in the first half of 2011 and the pricing will be competitive, but we’ll be digging for more when we get to Vegas and hopefully reporting back with some impressions of a working unit. Gallery: Toshiba 7-inch tablet hands-on Toshiba announces unnamed Tegra 2-powered Android tablet, waits only for Honeycomb originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 03:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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By Chris Hedges “The more outrageous the Republicans become, the weaker the left becomes,” Ralph Nader said when I reached him at his home in Connecticut on Sunday. Related Entries January 3, 2011 ‘The Left Has Nowhere to Go’ January 1, 2011 Obama Resolves to Fix the Economy
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A first-of-its-kind hijacking exercise involving the US, Canadian and Russian militaries went “flawlessly,” and a similar drill is planned next year, an American officer said. (Jan. 3)
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January 3rd: Washington’s army routs the British in the Battle of New Jersey; Manuel Noriega surrenders to US forces; Jack Ruby dies; Author JRR Tolkien is born.
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At a Miami restaurant, the last of a generation of exiles cry, laugh and lament over Cuba. (Jan. 3)
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When Polish security forces came to arrest Poland’s Solidarity Movement leader, Lech Walesa, he said, “This is the moment of your defeat. These are the last nails in the coffin of Communism.”(1) Not only did he understand that millions of workers in Poland’s Solidarity Movement (National Coordinating Committee of Independent Autonomous Trade Unions) would continue to resist oppression and struggle for economic and political freedoms, but he also knew that clandestine aid and assistance from the CIA would help bring an end to Soviet and Communist rule. It was of great disservice to Poland’s government and the memory of the Solidarity Movement, then, when the CIA and President Barack Obama…
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Dieter Graumann, new president of Central Council of Jews in Germany, says ‘role of victims is not enough Judaism is much, much more’
Continue reading …Samsung crafts ‘world’s lightest’ 3D glasses in partnership with Silhouette
January 3, 2011 No Comment
You had to know that once LG sought a designer’s inspiration for improving its 3D eyewear, Samsung too would be recruiting outside help with its three-dee goggles. Sure enough, Sammy has partnered up with Austrian design firm Silhouette to deliver what it claims are the world’s lightest 3D glasses, weighing a measly 28g. The design is such that all the electronics are housed in two compartments at the rear of the specs, permitting for a perfect weight balance between the front and back. They’ll supposedly fit on adults and children alike, will recharge wirelessly, and will also detect when 3D content is being beamed at them and automatically switch on and off. Their ability to deliver compelling content to make 3D TVs worth it, however, remains a mystery. We should be seeing plenty more of these active shutter lightweights at CES this week. Continue reading Samsung crafts ‘world’s lightest’ 3D glasses in partnership with Silhouette Samsung crafts ‘world’s lightest’ 3D glasses in partnership with Silhouette originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 01:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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