Hoverbikes Will Be Available in 2017!

I’d imagine this is a pretty normal reaction, but ever since I saw the Back To The Future movies when I was a kid, I’ve been waiting for the day when the hoverboard would finally be available. Aside from a pretty awesome spoof a few months back, there’s been no news on that front. Along the same lines, every time I watch Return Of The Jedi, I yearn for the day when those speeder bikes will be released to the market. And while I have no idea if (or when) a hoverboard will ever grace store shelves, I can report that hoverbikes will be available in just a few short years!

While they look nothing like they did in the classic Star Wars movie, they still accomplish the same thing: getting you where you need to go without touching the ground.

Allow me to introduce you to the Aero-X – a real-life hoverbike created by the company Aerofex. While it won’t officially be available for purchase until 2017, there are a few details about the bike that have already been released to the public. First, it can accommodate two people at a time, it will lift you ten feet in the air, and it will travel at a top speed of forty-five MPH. With a full tank, users can expect to ride/hover for about an hour and fifteen minutes before it’ll need a fill-up.

Even though it can seat two riders, it (as of now) can only support up to 310 pounds, so you might want to make sure you and any riders are in pretty decent shape before you climb aboard. Oh, and before you get excited about buying one of these hoverbikes, you might be curious about the price. Please sit down. It’ll cost you $85,000, on top of a $5,000 deposit you’ll eventually get back.
Seriously – could you imagine owning a hoverbike?

Check out this video released by Aerofex which shows off their hover technology.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=akA-B64RACU

Google Driverless Cars Prototype Ready

Imagine driving a car that doesn’t require you to do any of the driving!  Google has recently designed its own rendition of a driverless car.  It has no steering wheel, and other conventional controls are also obsolete.  Only 100 of these cars will be made in hopes that once tested, they can bring this technology to the world ‘safely’.

For many years, Google has been testing regular cars equipped with all sorts of sensors, navigation technology, and computers in order to drive ‘themselves’.  However, whilst doing this, they have created their own prototype vehicle from scratch in which no human may at any time, take control (Though there is an emergency stop button…phew!)

The first 100 test versions will have controls in them but in the future, there are hopes that they won’t need them.  The controls are needed only so that the laws of California, Nevada and Florida which allow autonomous cars but only if the person ‘driving’ can take control if needed.

The director of Google’s Driverless car project, Chris Urmson, said that the goal of the project was to run lots of tests in California where Google is based.  His argument is that driverless cars will eventually improve road safety which is mostly caused by human error.  He stated that this development is “an important step toward improving road safety and transforming mobility for millions of people”. They also said that it was actually safer taking all controls out of the car because human error did not improve if drivers suddenly have to take over the vehicle. Urmson says, “We saw stuff that made us a little nervous.”  After all, its hard enough to fix a problem while driving, if you are paying attention.  You either trust the machine, or you don’t.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CqSDWoAhvLU

So what does this concept car look like?  The vehicle has two seats; a screen showing the route you will be taking; the top speed is 25mph (40km/h); and the sensors allows the car’s computer to ‘see’ several hundred metres in advance.

Top Five Arduino Projects

After reading our guide to Arduino and Raspberry Pi, you may have decided that Arduino is the way forward for you. If that is the case then here are some project ideas to get you started. We’d love to hear from you if you have already done your own project and would appreciate some photos of your creations too!

Simple Robot

To get you started, this simple little robot is a great first project. Although it’s quick and simple to create, you can still program it to do some cool stuff. You can program it so that while whizzing around on its two wheels, it avoids any obstacles. What’s nice about the step-by-step guide is that it is just a basis and gives you the freedom to go mad on creativity should you wish.

 

Tweet-A-Pot Coffee Maker

With only four hardware components and eight build steps, the Tweet-a-pot coffee maker is a guaranteed way to impress everyone. Just send a tweet to your coffee maker and you can arrive home to a freshly made coffee.

Garage Door Opener

 

This great little project will save you from ever having to get out of your car to open the garage door. Once Arduino is connected to a wireless network, you can use your smartphone to connect to the webserver, enter a password and then activate the garage door. For a full step-by-step guide, just follow this link. 

 

Arduino Remote Controlled Lawnmower

Sick of mowing the grass? This RC lawnmower will make it a breeze. This guide to creating a remote control interface can be applied to many projects but if it’s a lawnmower you want, then check out the guide

 

Cat Feeder – Made By A 10 Year Old!

Ok so 10-year old Ella Smith did have a little help from her dad but I think it’s fantastic that such a young person is taking an interest in programming. She combined her love of animals, with her love of ‘tinkering’ and created Zeverino, an Arduino-powered cat feeder. The Zevrino consists of an Arduino Uno, Arduino motor controller, DS1307 real-time clock with battery backup, a toggle switch, 2 low-speed motors, and 2 Zevro dry food dispensers.
 In the words of Ella: “don’t be afraid to try new things!”

 

 

Microsoft Windows 8 Banned By Chinese Government

In a move that caught Microsoft offguard, the Chinese government has issued a notice that  agencies are to for ego purchasing Windows 8 and installing the software on any new government devices. The notice that was officially sent out is titled “Agreement to supply information about the class of energy-saving products complement the mandatory tender notice“.

If that reads a little awkward to you, ask Google Translate, as the original page is in Chinese. In any case, the announcement highlights energy-saving products, but Windows 8 is specifically mentioned as item #5: “all computer products are not allowed to install Windows 8 operating system.”
Chinese news outlet Xinhua looks back to the termination of support for Windows XP as a reason for the ban on Windows 8.

In a news report, it says that the move was made to ensure computer security. Apparently, the Chinese government is not confident that Microsoft will continue support for Windows 8 in the future, hence the ban.

It is important to note that the ban is only in effect for government-owned devices. Private consumers are free to purchase whatever OS they want to.

On another note, the ban on Windows 8 seems to be only a part of the government’s strategy. In the same report, Xinhua states that China is going to focus on developing its own operating system, based on Linux. Knowing just how China does not lack for talent in this niche, it is not surprising that they will want to work on their own operating system.

On Microsoft’s part, the company says they were surprised by the announcement, but they also emphasized that they are doing what they can – and will continue to do so – to meet the requirements of the Chinese government in terms of procurement. They also mentioned their ongoing relationship with the government by providing Windows 7 and that they will work with the government to evaluate Windows 8.

Words Of Wisdom From Steve Jobs

From time to time we all need a little motivation (if not a quick up the backside) to help us not just to keep going but to provide us with some motivation. When it comes to providing inspiration for all technology lovers, Steve Jobs has to be the go to for helping you remember to think out of the box. Here is a small collection of Jobs’ words of wisdom to inspire you in whatever you are doing today.

Man Turns Himself into A Real-Life Transformer

Since I’ve been writing for Electronic Craze, I’ve covered some pretty interesting stories, and some of them stick out more than others. This story may turn out to be one that sticks out in my mind for quite a while. I’m not so far removed from my childhood that I can’t remember what excited me as a child. I loved the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, G.I. Joe, Star Wars, and I also really got into the Transformer toys. There was just something about a normal-looking truck that turned into a fighter jet in a matter of seconds. As a kid, I had decided I’d probably never live to see the day someone would create a real-life Transformer. Boy was I ever wrong.

Late last week I came across a story and a video about a man who transformed himself into…you guessed it – a Transformer. He goes from what appears to be a miniature yellow Hummer into a standing transformer ready to take on whatever evil may come his way. And naturally, all the kids who are surrounding him can’t get enough of the magic. (And yes, the Hummer actually drives around).

Maybe the day’s not so far off when we’ll see Transformers in real-life. Since they’ve created them on the big screen, and at least one man has created a miniature working model, how hard could it really be? I’m sure the military could find their uses for them. Oh well, one can hope. Maybe they’ve already created them and we just don’t know about it yet…

Have a look for yourself at the awesome video below.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UU-k8M_gFLM

Go ahead; it’s okay to feel a little jealous. If you’d like to see it in person, the above video stems from Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Have An Emergency? You Can Now Text 911 in The U.S.

Gone are the days when those in an emergency situation have to pick up the phone and call 911. Like most everything else in the world, even the emergency 911 service is evolving technologically. Now, instead of actually calling 911, talking to a dispatcher, and waiting on the line until help arrives, you can simply send them a text message. At first glance, this seems like both a good idea and a not-so-good idea.

As of 5/15/14, if you live in the United States and are covered by Sprint, Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, you should be able to text 911. If you’re wondering what all you should say in the text message, you’re not alone. Apparently it’s pretty easy, though.

Should you have an emergency and don’t want to physically talk to a dispatcher, here is what you have to do: open up whatever texting app you use, put “911″ in the recipient/phone number box, and then type your emergency in the message box. When typing, you should include your address and a description of what is going on. I should add that Text-to-911 is not able to accept any kind of pictures or videos in the texts at this time. Hopefully this will change in the future, as it could potentially be helpful especially in motor vehicle accidents where callers/texters aren’t exactly sure of their physical address.

As I wrote earlier, I think this is overall a good idea, but there’s also the obvious chance that the text won’t go through and a person will be left waiting for help, whereas if you call 911, you’re certain they’ve received your information. That’s why the National Emergency Number Association still recommends that you actually physically call 911 when you have the ability.

What do you think of this update?