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Showing posts with label Did u know. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Did u know. Show all posts

Friday, March 1, 2024

The UFO Cars of 1969: Gerry Anderson's Unearthed Sci-Fi Rarity

SHADO Treasures - Gerry Anderson, known for his iconic sci-fi puppetry in the '60s, surprised everyone in 1969 by delving into a new realm – a little-known show featuring live actors. If you're yearning for a touch of silver catsuits and purple wigs in today's society, this journey back to 1969 might be just what you're looking for.
SHADO's Commander Ed Straker's car is a notable addition to the UFO car series featured in Gerry Anderson's visionary sci-fi TV series from the 1960s. (Picture from: Hemmings)
In the realm of '60s sci-fi and Gerry Anderson's visionary creations, this lesser-known gem not only provided a glimpse into an imagined future but also left an indelible mark with its unique blend of creativity and practicality. As we ponder the show's idiosyncrasies and innovations, one can't help but marvel at the audacity of envisioning a world where alien defense and stylish cars converged in a captivating symphony of imagination.
The show transported us into the futuristic landscape of 1980, accurately predicted an alien invasion aiming to abduct humans for their body parts – a dark and captivating premise. The defenders against these otherworldly threats were the members of SHADO, the Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organization, a club seemingly as exclusive as escaping Virgin Media's relentless mailing list. Intrigued by the title sequence?
The SHADO Commander Ed Stalker's car touted as turbine-powered with power-operated gull-wing doors and a built-in mobile phone. (Picture from: SlotForum)
Derek Meddings, the creative genius behind the show's design, had previously lent his talents to numerous Gerry Anderson productions. For a more in-depth look at his work, particularly the two full-sized vehicles in this TV series—the cars driven by SHADO's Commander Ed Straker and field commander Paul Foster—explore his book, '21st Century Visions'.
Commander Ed Straker's car stood proudly among the operational jeeps of the SHADO board in front of its headquarters. (Picture from: Forum-RetroRide)
The special effects team, well-versed in crafting models for filming, took an unconventional approach when tasked with creating a real car. Alan Mann Racing, renowned for their work on the iconic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, was given the responsibility, drawing on their expertise in racing Fords.
All cars, including SHADO Commander Ed Straker and Foster's, were built over a six-month period on modified Zephyr-Zodiac Mk4 platforms, equipped with Escort engines and gearboxes. (Picture from: TheNorthernEcho)
The Ford connection added an interesting layer as the UFO cars featured in the series were constructed on Ford Zephyr running gear, equipped with a 1600 Cortina engine. UFO cars, indeed! Colonel Foster sported his own attention-grabbing lilac stunner.
Straker's car is the 'basic' version, while Foster's vehicle boasts added details like air scoops and subtle extensions to alter its appearance. (Picture from: Forum-RetroRide)
Yet, the most prominent in the fleet was the brown coupe used by SHADO's Commander Straker for his daily excursions. This vehicle had its roots in the 1969 movie "Doppelgänger" (also known as "Journey to the Far Side of the Sun"), a film produced and written by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.
Both car bodies (Straker and Foster's) were handcrafted from aluminum, with doors requiring manual lifting by a stagehand off-screen for character exits, as they did not open automatically. (Picture from: SlotForum)
Touted as turbine-powered with power-operated gull-wing doors and a built-in mobile phone, the truth behind the glamour was fascinating. The car, with its aluminum bodywork, sat on a modified Zephyr-Zodiac Mk IV chassis, housing an Escort engine and gearbox.
As you can see, Foster's car appears longer than Straker's; these extensions not only add length but also enhance its sleek appearance. (Picture from: SlotForum)
Contrary to the futuristic depiction, the phone was merely a prop, and the doors required manual effort to lift, as revealed in several pictures. Ultimately, it stands as a testament to the enduring charm of vintage sci-fi, resonating with enthusiasts and curious minds alike, bridging the gap between the past and our present fascination with the unknown.

Foster's car featured prominent air scoops and subtle extensions to the front and rear bodywork. (Picture from: GerryAnderson)
While the 1980s ushered in car phones, the futuristic features of SHADO cars remain unrealized. Similarly, the moonbase hasn't materialized till today. The distinctive gull-wing doors of these cars never became mainstream. In the 1970s, Canada produced just shy of 3000 Bricklins with gull-winged doors. Meanwhile, in the early 1980s, Northern Ireland manufactured fewer than 10,000 Deloreans, famously featured in Back to the Future. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GERRYANDERSON | HEMMINGS | DIKNYTVSPACE | THENORTHERNECHO | FORUM-RETRORIDES | SLOTFORUM | BRITMODELLER | EPGUIDES ]
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Saturday, December 16, 2023

Optimus Gen-2: Tesla's Next-Level Humanoid Robot Unveiled

Robotic Revolution - Shifting gears from evs to robots, Tesla, the esteemed American automotive and technology giant, grabbed attention at the October 2022 Tesla AI Day. They introduced Optimus, a revolutionary humanoid robot. Touted to bear a production cost below $20,000 or approximately Rp. 306 million, this technological marvel exemplifies Tesla's unwavering commitment to innovation.
Tesla has recently introduced the second iteration of its humanoid robot, aptly named Optimus Gen-2. (Picture from: Dexerto)
Fresh off the heels of this revelation, Tesla has recently introduced the second iteration of its humanoid robot, aptly named Optimus Gen-2. This underscores Elon Musk-owned company's commitment to refining and enhancing the capabilities of the Optimus humanoid robot. Noteworthy improvements in Optimus Gen-2 include the incorporation of flexible fingers adept at delicately handling objects, even as delicate as eggs.
Optimus Gen-2 include the incorporation of flexible fingers adept at delicately handling objects, even as delicate as eggs. (Picture from: Dexerto)
A captivating video released by Tesla captures Optimus Gen-2 in action, showcasing its remarkable ability to boil eggs. The robot, standing at almost 6 feet or 1.8 meters tall, dons a suit as it deftly maneuvers eggs with a finesse reminiscent of a seasoned chef. In this latest footage, Optimus Gen-2 carefully lifts an egg, effortlessly transfers it to the other hand, and places it down without causing any damage to the outer shell.
Optimus Gen-2 can pick up an egg without breaking the shell due to its advanced tactile senses in its fingers. (Picture from: RoboticGizmos)
Beyond its culinary talents, the demonstration video portrays Optimus Gen-2 engaging in a range of activities, from flexing its fingers to performing squats and traversing a room. These movements underscore the robot's potential to assume roles traditionally held by humans in various workplaces. Milan Kovac, an engineer working on the Optimus project, hails Optimus Gen-2 as a humanoid robot with vastly improved capabilities and durability compared to its predecessor.
Optimus Gen-2 weighs 10 kg less than its predecessor, has better balance, and is 30 percent faster. (Picture from: Electrek)
Optimus Gen-2 boasts hands with 11 additional degrees of freedom, courtesy of Tesla-designed actuators and sensors. Kovac notes that the robot's flexible fingers enable it to handle items with smoothness and gentleness. Touch sensors are embedded in all of Optimus Gen-2's fingers, and the overall body is lighter and faster than its forerunner. Notably, this robot boasts a 30% increase in speed compared to the first-generation Optimus, introduced just nine months ago.
Tesla's humanoid robot has come a long way - it was first revealed just as a human in a suit, and now, Optimus can poach an egg like a real chef.. (Picture from: Electrek)
While retaining some key features from Gen-1, Optimus Gen-2 introduces enhancements that align more closely with human movements. The robot is equipped with AI applications and functionality, further expanding its capabilities. Actuators, sensors, integrated circuits, and harnesses contribute to the robot's improved balance and control, with a 10 kg reduction in base weight from the previous version.

Optimus Gen-2 promises various articulation improvements and more precise hand and foot strength sensing. The video emphasizes improved balance, full-body control, and touch sensing on all fingers. Julian Ibarz, Tesla's senior staff software engineer, underscores the authenticity of the showcased capabilities, asserting that the video depicts real-time actions without any CGI or editing tricks.
As of now, it's worth waiting for further developments, due to Tesla has not disclosed yet anything about the further version. Nevertheless, the unveiling of Optimus serves as a compelling glimpse into a future where robots may assume increasingly significant roles in the workforce, potentially reshaping the landscape of employment as we know it. Prepare for a future where the capabilities of humanoid robots like Optimus become an integral part of our daily lives. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GIZMOCHINA | DAILYMAIL | ELECTREK | ROBOTICGIZMOS | DEXERTO ]
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Saturday, September 16, 2023

Exploring the Fascinating Journey of Human Evolution

Mind Blowing - Disclaimer: This article is not intended as a reference and is unrelated to any race issues. The content presented is a reconstruction by experts, compiled and summarized from various sources, and based on scientific research findings.
Scientists have discovered a 7.2 million-year-old skull belonging to one of our oldest ancestors and they hope it'll give us a much better understanding of human evolution. (Picture from: ABC.net.au)
The saga of human evolution remains a compelling subject, provoking both interest and debate. Nonetheless, it fuels scientists' unwavering determination to unravel its enigmatic path.
Archaeological excavations at Ga-Mohana Hill North Rockshelter, where crystals and other early evidence for complex behaviors among early Homo sapiens was discovered. (Picture from: CNN)
Human evolution represents the extended transformational journey through which we trace our roots from apelike ancestors. Scientific findings firmly establish that the physical and behavioral characteristics common to all humans evolved from these apelike forebears over a span of roughly six million years.

Thursday, August 3, 2023

HaptoClone: A Holographic Technology That Can be Touched

Future TECH - Researchers from the Shinoda & Makino Lab at the University of Tokyo, Japan, have developed a groundbreaking hologram technology that allows for tangible interactions. Named HaptoClone (short for Haptic-Optical Clone), this innovation aims to enhance the realism of holographic communication.

The technology supports an interactive system known as "telehaptic," which enables users to send multi-dimensional hand or facial gestures to friends. Beyond merely visualizing holographic images, recipients can now experience tactile sensations through devices that support the telehaptic system.
The researchers of Shinoda Lab at the University of Tokyo, Japan have developed a machine that replicates real objects as holograms and lets you touch them. (Picture from: IBTimes)
HaptoClone is particularly well-suited for integration with Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR) projects. For example, with VR glasses on, one can virtually sense touching a lion while observing it at a zoo.

The functionality of HaptoClone relies on sensors that can instantly capture and interpret kinetic movements. Additionally, the system incorporates four ultrasound sensors that emit ultrasonic radiation pressure, creating the illusion of genuine physical contact with a person or object. The researchers are committed to further developing the haptic capabilities to enrich human communication.

The possibilities seem endless, and in the near future, this technology could revolutionize video chats by allowing users to experience the sensation of touching the person on the other end. It's truly a remarkable advancement in the field of holographic technology.
With ongoing research and development, HaptoClone holds the potential to bridge the gap between virtual and real-world experiences, making holographic interactions more immersive and engaging than ever before. The researchers at the Shinoda & Makino Lab are eager to explore the full extent of this technology's capabilities, pushing the boundaries of communication as we know it. Exciting times await us as we venture into this new era of tangible holograms. *** [EKA [07012016] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SHINODA-MAKINO LAB | GIZMODO | IBTIMES ]
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Saturday, June 24, 2023

Did you know that the first Porsche car was an electric one?

Unique ONES - One of the leading automotive manufacturers from Germany Porsche, in this year of 2023 entering the age of 75 years since it was first founded by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche on June 9, 1948. As time goes by, the German automaker has a long journey in producing many kind of motorized vehicles, ranging from small scale automaker up to becoming one of the world's automotive giants.
The world's first functional hybrid car named the Semper Vivus (Latin for always alive) by Ferdinand Porsche in 1900. (Picture from: Carmudi)
Besides that, Porsche also has a shiny reputation in the world's car racing. But did you know that the history of this German manufacturer begins with electric-powered vehicles? As quoted from Newsroom.Porsche, the founder of the company of the same name was fascinated by electricity even as a teenager. As early as 1893, the 18-year-old installed an electric lighting system in his parents' house.
The first electric-powered vehicle named Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton designed by Ferdinand Porsche which had been stored in an Austrian garage since 1902. (Picture from: BBC)
In the same year, he joined Vereinigte Elektrizitäts-AG Béla Egger in Vienna. After four years working in there, he steadily progressed from mechanic to head of the testing department. The first vehicle he designed also had an electric drive, so it's not wrong to say that Porsche's history begins with electric vehicles developtment.
The first electric-powered vehicle named Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton designed by Ferdinand Porsche powered by a rear-mounted electrical engine which could reach speeds of 21 miles per hour. (Picture from: BBC)
Once upon a time in 1898, the company where he worked collaborated with a coachbuilder company, Jacob Lohner & Co. As the result at that time was an electric vehicle named Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton which can be categorized as one of the world's first electric cars. 
The Porsche's first electric-powered vehicle was the most energy-efficient car in an 1899 Berlin road race. (Picture from: BBC)
The vehicle was powered by an octagonal electric motor capable producing 3 to 5 hp, made it run up to a top speed of 25 kph only. Only a year later precisely in 1899, Ferdinand Porsche joined with the Viennese coachbuilder Hofwagenfabrik Ludwig Lohner & Co. which known later in early of 1950s to be a scooter manufacturer.
The first electric-powered vehicle named Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton aka P1 or 'Porsche No.1' designed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1898 under commissioned of Jacob Lohner & Co. (Picture from: BBC)
There he developed the electric wheel hub motor. In 1900, the first Lohner-Porsche Electromobile applied with this innovation was presented at the Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris. Also in 1900, Porsche designed the world's first functional hybrid car, the Semper Vivus (Latin for 'always alive'). As a plug-in hybrid concept, the Semper Vivus also runs long distances purely on battery power. 
The first electric-powered vehicle named Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton while sat on display the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany, the plastic placeholders show the original design. (Picture from: BBC)
The combustion engine must be used again to recharge the battery. To save weight and create space for the petrol engine, Ferdinand Porsche swapped the original 74-cell acceptor in his electromobot with a smaller battery of only 44 cells.
Ferdinand Porsche developed his first EV, the P1 or 'Porsche No.1' in 1898, the replica as shown above in the Porsche museum in Stuttgart, Germany. (Picture from: HydraEV)
For the combustion engine, the Semper Vivus relies on a 3.5 hp water-cooled DeDion Bouton petrol engine which is positioned in the middle of the vehicle. The machine also generates electricity which is operated independently, each delivering 20 amperes at a voltage of 90 volts. The technology, marketed as the Lohner-Porsche system, also had applications beyond the sphere of electric vehicles.
Even Ferdinand Porsche had stamped each part of the vehicle with P1, to differentiate it from other models. (Picture from: BBC)
Porsche extended the car's range by not using a battery as an energy source, but instead using a petrol combustion engine to drive a generator and thus supply the wheel hub with electrical energy. One year later, the production-ready version was born as the Lohner-Porsche Mixte. With a front four-cylinder engine, this model copied the Mercedes concept vehicle recently designed by Wilhelm Maybach.
Ferdinand Porsche also designed the world's first functional hybrid car in 1900 called the Semper Vivus (Latin for always alive), and marketed as the Lohner-Porsche system. (Picture from: Porsche)
However, the Lohner-Porsche also demonstrated why electric mobility has failed over the decades; despite its modest power output, the car weighed almost two tonnes. The lack of infrastructure and the short range put an end to electromobility for a long time.
Ferdinand Porsche developed a revised concept hybrid electric car for mass production under the name Lohner-Porsche Mixte in 1901. (Picture from: Carmudi)
The idea was resurrected more than 100 years later: With the development of lithium-ion batteries suitable for use in vehicles and ever more stringent legal requirements for pollutant and carbon dioxide emissions, the focus turned once more to electric drive systems.
Ferry Porsche (centre), his father Ferdinand Porsche (right) and Erwin Komenda (left), 1948, in front of the 356 No. 1 in Gmünd. (Picture from: Motor1)
On this modern day the Stuttgart-based automotive company managed to pave the way for electromobility in the company through Cayenne S Hybrid in 2010. And its development is running rapidly so that now the new Porsche Taycan GTS charges the Porsche electric driving experience with even more intense emotions.
Not only that, recently Porsche has launched another dream all-electric supercar come to set a new world's record at the Nürburgring racing circuit through the Porsche Mission X. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BBC | PORSCHE | HYDRAEV.CO.UK ]
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Friday, September 16, 2022

This car is the forerunner of the name of an adult magazine today

Let's PLAY! If you are a playboy or a guy who likes to have fun, what car is suitable for you? Is it an Italian roadster, English limousine, or a rare car whose name is the same as your personality?
A rare unique 1948 Playboy A48. (Picture from: RM Sotheby)
Yes, this unique car name is the Playboy A48 which was produced in 1948. This rare car was the brainchild of Louis Horwitz, a Buffalo Packard dealer; Charles Thomas, a Pontiac engineer; and service station owner Norman Richardson. And reportedly, this car was not made much, and only numbered less than 100 units.
Left side view of 1948 Playboy A48. (Picture from: RM Sotheby)
As reported by RM Sotheby's sites, the Playboy A48 made its debut at the Statler Hotel in Buffalo in the autumn of 1946. The prototype car was a three-passenger runabout with a canvas top, propelled by a rear-mounted Hercules four-cylinder engine.

By the summer of 1947, they had changed to a front-engine configuration and were building a few Continental-powered cars, now with a manually operated retractable hardtop.
Interior view of 1948 Playboy A48. (Picture from: RM Sotheby)
The car using a four-cylinder engine with a total capacity of 2 liters which is only capable of spewing power of 40 hp. From the engine, those power is transferred through a 3-speed manual transmission system. This car has a top speed of 125 km/hour.
Rear side view of 1948 Playboy A48. (Picture from: RM Sotheby)
But unfortunately, Playboy did not last long, because the auto maker company was declared bankrupt in the 1950s, and the remaining car was then sold by distributor Alvin Trumbul, the Hartford, Connecticut, distributor, who sold many of them to a former dealer in Massachusetts.

Reportedly the name was fondly remembered by Hugh Hefner from his childhood and the rest is history. Then, he borrowed the name of this car to build his male entertainment empire named Playboy.
This Playboy A48 is the last model, and  once owned by a Florida car collector since the 1960s. Not long ago, these two tone classic colored car was finished repairing, and has been auctioned by RM Sotheby. In the auction held on next October, the car is offered at prices ranging from $55,000 to $75,000. Well, how much is the final price of this car when it was sold at those auction? Does anyone here know about that? Hope you don't mind to share with us through the comment section below. *** [EKA [27092018] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | RM SOTHEBY'S]
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Sunday, July 24, 2022

The modern "Noah's Ark" was built to find solutions Our Earth's climate change

Safe FUTURE Reportedly, there's a giant vessel was being built and even some parties dubbed it as the incarnation of Noah's Ark. Why is that? Perhaps they saw the purpose of this vessel being built to save lives as the real Noah's Ark did.
A proposed ship aims to merge luxury and scientific research, by crewing it with climate scientists and the wealthy in a daring quest to save the planet called the Earth 300. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)
This giant vessel is and called the Earth 300 and planned to be a research ship used by scientists to find solutions to climate change that can threaten life on Earth. This vessel designed to accommodate up to 160 scientists whose gathered from all over the world to conduct joint research by utilizing the advanced technology attached on the ship.
Suitably futuristic, Earth 300 features a contemporary shape with a pared-down conceptual language and an aerodynamic form. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)
Then who's the man behind this enermous giant vessel building project? The originator of the idea as well as the shipbuilder is the Gibraltarian-born, Singapore-based entrepreneur named Aaron Oliviera is assisted by many parties with various backgrounds from all over the world and hopes that the Earth 300 giant vessel can attract public attention to science and especially about climate change."This ship is designed to capture people's attention as well as their hearts and imaginations. If we want to make big changes, we need the help of people of all ages, ages, backgrounds and all kinds of intelligence," he said.
The Earth 300 vessel’s most striking feature, however, is its “science sphere”, chosen to resemble Earth. (Picture from: DesignWanted)
Furthermore, this research vessel run by a multinational company under the same name of the Earth300 with goals as an historical environmental initiative to ring the ecological alarm on a global scale and inspire a new brand of planetary vanguard. As written on its official sites; "We love life and want to ensure that humanity survives in the future."
 
As seen as the appearance, the Earth 300 is an enermous giant emission-free nuclear powered vessel with 22 state-of-the-art laboratories. It is almost 500 meters long and consists of 13 levels, and has futuristic design with a unique rounded building in the middle.
The Earth 300 vessel includes an observation deck that appears delicately balanced on the ship’s top, a 46-metre beam and a helicopter pad. (Picture from: DesignWanted)
As quoted of the ScienceFocus, the Earth 300 vessel is also equipped with a quantum computer featured with built-in sensors, artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning to direct data processing to handle the massive data it collects, and Aaron Oliviera calls it a floating computer.
Set for launch in 2025, the Earth 300 boasts 500 meters in length and will be packed full of green technology. (Picture from: DesignWanted)
Of course with all that sophistication, the cost of manufacture is not cheap. It is estimated, the vessel building will cost between 350 and 500 million pounds. If nothing goes wrong, the plan is that the giant vessel scheduled to lift its anchor and start sailing in 2025.
Later in addition to scientists who research climate change on board, it can also be boarded by VIP guests, and said will be charged a fairly high accommodation fee. For example, a VIP single trip for 10-days will cost you around US. $3 million. Wow!! *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | EARTH300 | SCIENCEFOCUS | AUTOEVOLUTION | DESIGNWANTED ]
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