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Articles archive for August 2009

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RFID chips obtained computing skills

By Damir Beciri
15 August 2009
rfidRadio-frequency identification (RFID) chips have a problem related to the memory of their previous states because they reset their information every time they lose their external radio frequency power supply. Computer scientists from University of Massachusetts Amherst are working on software, fittingly named Mementos, which could allow an RFID to perform computations that span many… »

Robotics»

Honda ASIMO robot footstep planning

By Damir Beciri
14 August 2009
asimo-1One of the most advanced contemporary humanoid robots ASIMO has been developed since 1980s. In a couple of our future articles we’re going to write about ASIMO’s features. In this article we’re going to write about its footsteps planning algorithm. The possible future foot placement positions are dependent on the current state of the robot…. »

Tech»

Better electronics? Nanoelectronic transistor combined with biological machine

By Damir Beciri
13 August 2009
integrated-circuitThe electronic devices could get a boost in operating efficiency if manmade devices could be combined with biological machines. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers have developed a versatile hybrid platform that uses lipid-coated nanowires to build prototype bio-nanoelectronic devices. Combined biological components in electronic circuits could enhance bio-sensing and diagnostic tools, advance neural prosthetics… »

Robotics»

Robots replacing cooks? Robot chefs in Japan make ramen noodles

By Damir Beciri
3 Comments11 August 2009
ramen-cooked-by-robots-japanAt the “Fua-men” (available in Japanese) ramen noodle shop in the central Japanese city of Nagoya, two robotic arms are busy serving their hungry customers, make eighty bowls of noodles per day. Kenji Nagoya, the owner of the noodle shop and a robot manufacturer says nobody gets it as accurate as the robots. The robots… »

Robotics»

Modular robots – SuperBot

By Damir Beciri
10 August 2009
superbotOne of the most challenging issues for human-centered long-range space exploration is performing complex tasks in environments that are not human-friendly. These tasks range from activities such as inspection, maintenance, and assembly, to surface landing, exploration, and habitat-construction. A robotic solution is essential to this challenge, however, the traditional approach of building separate robots for… »

Gadgets»

Numark STEREO|iO an affordable audio necessity

By Damir Beciri
9 August 2009
stereo-io-angleWe already had a few articles regarding audio technology such as turning flat surfaces into speakers, digitizing old vinyl records and thin directional speakers. In this article we’re not going to write about anything revolutionary, but it is an affordable necessity when it comes to AD/DA audio signal conversion. The Numark STEREO|iO is a connection… »

Architecture| Bionics| Tech»

Green architecture – Citigroup Data Center in Frankfurt

By Damir Beciri
7 August 2009
citigroup-data-center-in-frankfurt-1Citi’s new Data Centre in Frankfurt has been awarded LEED Platinum, it’s the first data centre in the world to achieve a platinum rating and the first building in Germany to achieve LEED accreditation. The data centre plant topology, unit sizes and operating parameters have been selected to exceed reliability criteria and to enhance the… »

Tech»

Tangible holography – Airborne Ultrasound Tactile Display

By Rob Aid
2 Comments6 August 2009
tokyouniversity-holography-2009Mid-air displays which project floating images in free space have been seen in SF movies for several decades. We wrote about technologies that contribute to the development of holograms (regarding data storage and potential interfaces that could be developed for usage with holographic technology) in our previous articles. Recently, they are attracting a lot of… »