Surfing in the swimming pool

A company has devised a device to allow you to surf in the swimming pool. And you can select the type of waves you want to surf…Hawaiian, Indonesian, Californian or Australian waves.

According to New Scientist…
“Their secret? Computer-controlled pneumatic jacks beneath a tough rubber mat control its shape to within centimetres. By altering the gradient of the slope and the alignment of ridges on the pool bottom, the “reef” can produce breaking waves with different characteristics.

The Versareef will generate four types of wave, named after the places in which they are typically found: Hawaii, Indonesia, California and Australia. The Hawaiian has a steep take-off leading straight into a wall of water, while the Californian is a slower, easier wave, which is better for beginners, says Black.”

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What you need to know about ID theft

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Review monthly financial statements carefully for fraudulent activity.
Request a free copy of your credit report from a credit-reporting agency once a year to examine it for fraudulent activity. A new law requiring credit reporting agencies to provide a free annual report goes into effect nationwide in September. Until then, it’s in effect only in western and Midwestern states. The credit report will show who requested access to your credit record. Look for requests from companies you haven’t done business with and tell credit-reporting agencies if you see credit accounts that you didn’t open or debts you didn’t incur. Check to see that your name and address are correct.
Don’t give your Social Security number to any business that doesn’t really need it.
Cross shred sensitive documents. Thieves have been known to piece together strips of paper that are shredded only once. Cross-shredders double-shred documents.
Shred pre-approved credit-card offers before tossing them in the garbage.
Don’t store sensitive personal information, such as bank account numbers and passwords, on home computers or handheld devices.
Install a firewall and anti-virus software on your computer and keep the virus definitions up to date to prevent viruses and Trojan horses from infecting your computer and feeding personal information back to hackers. “

These and other tips can be found on Wired:

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Military may get private channel on XM radio

“XM and Raytheon Co. have jointly built a communications system that would use XM’s satellites to relay information to soldiers and emergency responders during a crisis.

The Mobile Enhanced Situational Awareness Network, known as MESA, would get a dedicated channel on XM’s satellites that would be accessible only on devices given to emergency personnel. The receivers would be the same as the portable ones available to consumers, with slight modifications to make them more rugged.”

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Just because you're paranoid…

…don’t mean they’re not watchin’ you

Chicago is expanding the number of “gunshot cameras” in their city. The cameras detect the sound of gunfire and then automatically transmit a video of the area so that suspects can be identified. Also, the cameras automatically notify police that a gunshot event has occurred.

Wired Reports:
“Gang members in Chicago who fire off a few rounds at their rivals are likely to find cops on the scene in minutes, thanks to new gunshot-detection devices being installed in 80 locations around the city before the end of the year.
The devices, mounted on telephone poles in specific neighborhoods, listen for the distinctive sound of a gunshot and immediately alert a police dispatcher when one is detected. A video camera in the device allows the dispatcher to keep an eye on the scene until officers arrive.”

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Smart Paper

This new paper is made out of millions of tiny plastic beads. The beads spin to a “on” or “off” – “black” or “white” based on electrical impulses. All together, all the tiny beads create a message on the “paper” which can be changed at any time.

Gyricon has bult an interesting commercial applicaton from what is known as the emerging technolog of “smart paper”. The SyncroSign has several versons ranging from small to large that could be used in all sorts of sales and commercial venues.

The SyncroSign messages can be changed via WiFi or Ethernet using software. And, the messages can be scheduled to show up at a predetermined time.

“Changing the way retailers approach in-store signage, SyncroSign Merchandiser FreeStyle, is an innovative, battery-powered, wireless, display designed to help improve the execution of pricing and promotional strategies. Combined with SignSync Enterprise software, Gyricon’s solution gives retailers the ability to improve price integrity with Point-of-Sale (POS) integration, optimize their merchandising activities and leverage the eSignage infrastructure for operational efficiencies such as the display of planograms and restocking information.”

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Flying Car

Moller International has been developing and improving on their flying car for years. It was founded in 1983. Here is an update on the latest flying car model.

From Moller’s website:
Moller has developed, built, and flown a two passenger prototype model of a volantor called the M200X. The volantor is a new type of aircraft that combines the performance of airplanes and the VTOL capability of helicopters in a single vehicle without the limitations of either.

Moller’s ultimate goal is to have a flying car that the general population can use.

How does it work?
From Moller’s site:
Using a principle similar to that of the British Harrier jump jet, the Moller Skycar volantor incorporates a patented thrust deflection vane system that redirects thrust, enabling it to hover or to takeoff and land vertically from almost any surface. This capability plus the added safety of ducted fans makes it ideal for a wide variety of commercial and military applications. These include private and charter air travel, express delivery, news gathering, border patrol, police and fire work, and search and rescue, to name just a few.

Specs:
“Passengers:4
Top speed @ 25,000 ft:350 mph
Cruise speed @ 25,000 ft (80% Max Range):315 mph
Cruise speed @ 25,000 ft (Max Range):205 mph
Cruise speed @ Sea Level (Max Range):140 mph
Maximum rate of climb:5100 fpm
Maximum range:750 miles
Net payload:750 lbs
Fuel consumption:approx. 20 mpg
Operational ceiling:32,000 ft
Gross weight:2400 lbs
Installed engine power:865 hp
Power boost (emergency):33%
Dimensions (LxWxH):21.5′ x 8.5′ x 7.5′
Takeoff and landing area:35 ft dia
Noise level at 500 ft:65 dba (Goal)
Vertical takeoff and landing:yes
Uses automotive gas:yes
Emergency parachutes:yes”

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Smart Shoe

A new shoe design senses the wearer’s activity level and adjusts accordingly. The shoe will monitor the wearer’s activity and add more cushion if necessary.

The shoe runs on a low powered operating system called Magellan. The shoe’s computing engine is called ThinkShoe. The shoe also can store computer files and exchange files with other similar shoes- wirelessly.

There is also a peripheral so that your shoe can easily upload and download data to your personal computer. Contacts, files, and fitness data can be changed between the shoe and PC.

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Exoskeleton

“Japanese machinery and robotics manufacturer Sakakibara-Kikai has released the first genuine bi-pedal exoskeleton, a landmark event and one which is certain to attract a lot of attention for the company.”

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Meet Valerie, the robot

“Meet Valerie. Valerie is a domestic android. Valerie will clean your house, change light bulbs, wash the dishes, do the laundry, check the sports scores for you, book plane tickets and call the police if there’s an emergency. She speaks English but more importantly, understands English and hence be programmed by non-programmers. Valerie will be on sale by Christmas 2004 for US$59,000 with a two year warranty. Gizmo spoke with her creator, Chris Willis.”

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Robo-Doc

Two robot-doctors have been unleashed on a London hospital. The “virtual doctors” purpose is to allow specialists to “see” patients who are far away.

The device can not conduct an exam on a patient… yet.

“A London hospital has two new members of staff — two robotic “doctors” that can carry out ward rounds in place of human physicians.

The robots will be trialed in a general surgery ward and the accident and emergency department at St Mary’s Hospital. They will also be used for surgical training for junior doctors at London’s Imperial College.”

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