Technology Madness

Super slow motion videography

Super slow motion videography. Shot on the Photron SA1.1 high-speed camera, capable of recording 5,000 frames per second (fps) at high resolution and 650,000 fps in low resolution. Directed and produced by Philip Heron and James Adair.
Enjoy!

Tempus II from Philip Heron on Vimeo.

Boeing 787 Dream-liner, first touchdown video

This is a video of a Boeing 787 Dream-liner landing at the Farnborough International Airshow for its international debut. This is Boeing’s long-range, mid-size plane of the future, and it features extensive use of composite materials. more cool information about 787: Boeing 787 Dream-liner Test flight Nippon Airways is the first customer of the plane.

Video:

Pictures:

Vertical Volkswagens’ car garage

Volkswagen Golfs are stacked in one of the massive glass silos at Autostadt; amazing German Engineering

Microsoft Gives Glimpse Into the Future of productivity

I just watched Microsoft’s futuristic vision about day-to-day activity and showcase concepts of what the future holds for productivity. It’s all about touch screen technology, lightweight internet connectivity and some cool-interesting ideas that would perfectly change the way we do and see the stuff around us. I am sure its going to be couple of decades to see such vision into reality. However, Microsoft’s Stephen Elop who used this video in his presentation imagines that the technology you see in this video achievable within five years. If you want to watch the full presentation by Stephen Elop on the future of business and technology, you can find here   or below (Silverlight required)

Prezi - The Zooming Presentation Editor: Infinite space on one slide

Are you looking for some tool for presentation but not from Microsoft -powerpoint? Prezi is incredible service will change the way we create presentations. Do you remember when you want to present a flow chart in slides with boxes and arrows but it always goes in linear (and boring) fashion. Then Prezi is an answer for you to add coolness to ideas!

Prezi is a nonlinear presentation editor, with a very intuitive interface and support for online sharing. With the help of Prezi you can create dynamic and visually structured zooming presentations using texts, videos, drawings, and present it as a very dynamic and free experience. (Prezi definition: via aether.hu)

Whole presentation laid out as if it’s prepared on the dining room table, and you zoom in and out to your presentation topics based on predefined path. Its like infinite space on one slide! Sounds interesting? It is more engaging for the audience than waiting for the next predictable slide. I guess this kind of presentation is fun to create for composer and fun to watch for audience too! Creativity is a prime key here.

See demo here to see what you can do with Prezi and find a different prospective of presentation. Currently registration is available by invitation only.

I can’t say much about the service, because I haven’t got my invite yet, but I’ve tried the demo (see here) on the site and it’s a “wow” so far. When you sign up for the beta invite at the site, write down that you read about Prezi @ Technology Madness blog

Demo:

Don’t Miss: YouTube - Prezi used at various venues

Via [go2web20, blog.prezi.com and aether.hu]

Travel between Los Angelis and Seattle in one tank of Compressed AIR

Could the Air Car be the next generation motor vehicle? Could this charming (but looks very retro) car be the starting of ‘death’ count-down for the oil-petroleum guzzler automotive industry in coming days?

Air Car is running exclusively on compressed air, it emits only air - zero pollution. The air car claims to be able to drive 106 miles per gallon which is 170 kilometer per gallon. Now lets say if car has 10 gallon tank, it means you can drive 1060 Miles in one tank of Gas (opppss, sorry, please read AIR, not gas) that is approximately distance between Los Angelis and Seattle. Wow, now this is amazing fuel economy.

It’s NOT a dream or a project on paper but ZPM (http://zeropollutionmotors.us) will begin taking reservations in mid-2009 for US deliveries of our compressed air vehicle in 2010. It is estimated to have a retail price of $17,800USD. A six-seater model is the first Air Car scheduled to enter the US. On top of all cool specs, this car has no keys - just an access card which can be read directly from your pocket. Also, Refilling the car tank will cost $2 (…that is unless the price of air goes up… he he)

Check it out. Watch this you tube video:

Via [popularmechanics.com and blog.sabasearch.com]

Who will feed your Fish when you are out?

My wife frequently asks me to bring pet animal at home (i.e.: Fish) but I have some (maintenance) problem, especially who will feed my fish when we are out?

Now she got an answer to my dilemma - A Robotic Fish Feeder is the answer. (Designer: Ran Xiangfei) FIFER robot (Fish Feeder) does feeding job to Fish. Fish finally get the attention they deserve. One less item you need to worry about on your day to day tasks. (Related article: End of one more boring task - inflate your car tire)

Fish feeder not only feeds but feeds the fish in correct amount. First it calculates the density of Fish in water and dispenses the right amount of food at the pre-set times. If you are growing fish in fish pond then Robot moves to another area (based on pre-set path setting) of the pond calculate the fish density and dispenses. There is also a plant on top which grows to represent the health of your fish.

See more pictures here

Via [GearFuse.com and Designer: Ran Xiangfei]

Unique Computer without monitor

Wow, very unique computer (hardware) design by Korean designer Won-Seok Lee. He removed the monitor as an integral part of computer. Instead, he designed the computer as a overhead projector and beam on a drape or a wall. Beaming is coming out of funnel (or rather periscope kind of design of computer) to the wall. Integrated optical drive is a part of its circular base. Also, base is integrated with thin membrane keyboard that appears when needed. On top of everything, this computer can be use to beam an appropriate ambient light effects as needed. So, once you are done with work, just in a few clicks, create a party atmosphere for your inner party animal.

for more pictures see [yankodesign]

Architectural wonders: New view every day, Eco-friendly rotating Residential-Commercial tower

United Arab Emirate is gaining widespread global attention: Dubai is experiencing a construction boom, with new buildings going up at a pace that rivals China’s development. Dubai’s growth is exponentially impressive in last few years and its going to supply Architectural wonders in coming years. See Dubai’s wonders here and here.

However, growth and new construction comes with the side effect of pollution and carbon foot prints. But now things are changing, not only they construct with environmental friendly martial and follow safe-eco-practice in construction but continue to contribute the same forever (for building itself and the neighborhood.) Yes, there is new news from Fisher’s Dynamic Architecture firm. New build is going to be energy self-sufficient by sun and wind powered design.

The tower is going to be twirling around the tall shaft. Rotation of each building block around the shaft is going to contribute in energy production for the building and neighbors. Its construction is set to begin this month! The Dynamic Architecture building has been appropriately named Rotating Tower as the floors would be rotating around an inner-tall shaft. It will be continually in motion, changing shape and giving residents the ability to choose a new view at the touch of a button. Beyond doubt, every day is a new day! Guaranteed! The external view of the building would constantly change as each floor rotates separately giving a new view of the building as it turns. According to architect, David Fisher, the building is going to be strong and flexible enough to disaster like, earthquakes as each floor rotates separately.

Must see Youtube video: The first World Dynamic Architecture in DuBai project

Via [bdonline and AnkitSruti blog] and huffingtonpost.com at Dubai’s Skyscraper and 2Modern.com

Extra reading:
Architect David Fisher profile: here

Dubious Dubai Museum

Japan’s Plan For World’s Tallest Building

Video Tour of Google Earth 4.3 - Wow, Amazing piece of software

This is a video tour of new features introduced in Google Earth 4.3. They will make you say wow! especially the lighting effects and the panorama street views.

What is new in Google Earth 4.3:

New navigation gadgets and controls.

Also check out gearthblog.com for a more detailed review of Google Earth 4.3. The download is available here.