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.
~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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~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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~Lets 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]
~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 ]
~Touch ME~ In today's car's entertainment devices almost always include a touch screen feature to set some functions, but has it ever thought by us that's several decades ago there had been similar device is also equipped with a such kind feature and was installed inside a standard car in the 1980s?
The 1986 Buick Riviera is considered to be the first production car to come with a touchscreen feature, and referred as the Graphic Control Center. (Picture from: WikiCars)
As quoted of TopGear, what is considered to be the first production car to come with a touchscreen feature is the 1986 Buick Riverra, something the automaker referred to as the Graphic Control Center which had a bulky shaped Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitor that only displayed two colors, black and green. Its features, on the other hand, are far from outdated as they boast 91 functions, some of which are still relevant today.
Besides that it also emits a high-pitched beeping sound every time the digital button is pressed. So, how revolutionary was this Buick' touchscreen system? The such system applied by the maker to this touchscreen feature is excellent, and it can be said that was decades ahead of its time.
The Buick Riviera's touchscreen display which had a bulky shaped Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitor that only displayed two colors, black and green. (Picture from: Flickr)
Due to this Buick's system does not use physical knobs and buttons at all, instead uses the screen itself as its sole means of control. This was more akin to the Tesla Model S that came out over a decade after BMW's iDrive system, making the 1986 Buick Riviera worthy called as the "pioneer" of the touchscreen infotainment system.
Of course the first-ever-in-car touchscreen not happen by accident, it was a direct result of Buick's desire to become the industry leader at the time. As quoted of Hagerty, it all started in 1980, when this American automaker executives wanted to develop a vehicle with the most cutting-edge technology, so they tried to realize it through GM subsidiary Delco Electronics.
The Buick Riviera's touchscreen display are far from outdated as its features boast 91 functions, such to show a five-band audio equalizer, stereo balancing, and one-touch windshield defrost. (Picture from: SlashGear)
This subsidiary developed such device specifically for car use later named Graphic Control Center with a touch sensitive CRT. Unlike modern capacitive touchscreens, this display is embedded with a row of invisible Mylar switches, which perform different functions depending on the page its user was on.
As you can see at YouTube video showcase by MotorWeek highlights most of its CRT display's luxurious amenities, which included a five-band audio equalizer, stereo balancing, and one-touch windshield defrost. Its Climate Control system not only showed both internal and external temperatures, it even included animations, portrayed by a mini digital fan that changed rotation speed depending on the air-conditioning level.
The Buick Riviera's touchscreen display are far from outdated as its features boast 91 functions, such to show vehicle diagnostics, trip computer, and fuel economy. (Picture from: SlashGear)
It also handled all the essentials such as vehicle diagnostics, trip computer, and fuel economy, as well as a slew of safety features that utilized graphics reminding drivers to keep their eyes on the road or even alerting them if their door wasn't fully closed. To say that the 1986 Buick Riviera was innovative is an understatement considering the number of features it offered at the time. In fact, everything about it was decades ahead.
The problem is, it took a while before these dated monitors could display anything, so its engineers cleverly made it heat up when the driver
touched the car door handle. There're another problem which was later noted as a weakness of this system was the incessant beeping sound, the tendency to distract the driver from the road, as TopGear noted.
However, Buick only used this system again for the 1988 Buick Reatta before eventually discontinuing it in later models. Of course, this is not the end of car touchscreen monitors, it will only
be another two decades before such advanced technology returns to
surface.
Then-Buick executive Cary Wilson
claimed the company "set the stage" for what he believed to be a "new
generation" of automotive electronics. It's a shame it came at a time when the world wasn't ready for the touchscreen revolution.😯 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SLASHGEAR | TOPGEAR | HAGERTY ]
~Weird ONE~ Sedan has been known as a classy, elegant vehicle, and is used to transport officials or dignitaries. But you know, that the largest sedan in the world is actually used to pull the plane (strange isn't it?)
The Soviet aircraft tug MAZ-541 was known as was the largest sedan ever built with a weight over 3,5 ton, and powered by a 38.8 litres, 12 cylinder 300hp D-12A diesel engine. (Picture from: Wikiwand)
In the mid-1950s, when aircraft evolved into large jet aircraft and where the airport had to find a larger vehicle to pull the plane. And in Russia (the Soviet Union at the time) offered one of the most curiously revolutionary solutions ie making sedan-shaped cranes with large bodies and machines outside the tank.
Yes, these weird sedan is the MAZ-541, that made by the Minski Autamabilny Zavod (Minsk Automobile Plant). This car is only produced as many as three units and was first launched in 1956. In some articles indicate that the car manufacturer has produced 13 units, but other sources claim that 10 other cars have been planned to be produced but never implemented.
A Soviet sedan-shaped tow truck called MAZ-541 with a TU-144 supersonic plane or Soviet Concorde. (Picture from: Wikiwand)
With a box-shaped body, it seems to be tailored to its function as an aircraft tow truck. With this function, the car has two drivers, just like a train that has two engineers to facilitate the operation of the car at the airport.
A Soviet MAZ-541 tow truck on action at Sheremetyevo International Airport. (Picture from: Flickr)
But for a tow truck class, driving style and features installed on this car was more surprising. Yes, seen on the sedan-shaped tow truck has a wide body, there are chrome features in some parts, and a stylish grille shape. These MAZ-541 uses a Soviet-made T-34 liquid-cooled V12 diesel engine that has capacity of 3,888 liter. The machine is capable of supplying the power for MAZ-541 up to 500 horsepower assisted by a five-speed transmission with three forward gears and two gears for retreat.
MAZ-541 sedan-shaped tow truck appearance from front, side and back. (Picture from: Devianart)
On some articles explain that these car is used to serve at Sheremetyevo International Airport located near Moscow, which became one of the Soviet way to boast these weirdo vehicle, especially to the foreigners who visited Russia at that time. So, it is quite possible that the stylish appearance (in quotation marks) is deliberately made.
This car is clearly shown in a promotional footage of the TU-144 supersonic plane, also known as Soviet's concorde. As time goes by and as the aircraft continued to be grown (its size and weight), then in the 1970s those three sedan-shaped tow trucks were no longer in use.
The MAZ-541 may be the largest, powerful, and arguably charming design and weird as well that the Soviets once made. Did you know, until now the MAZ-541 still holds the title as the world's biggest (and weirdest) sedan ever made. *** [EKA [04052018] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DEVIANART | ]
~The Blind's HOPES~ Maybe many of us have ever watched many science-fiction movies such 'Star Wars: The Old Republic' that feature individuals who use technologically advanced implants in the head that are connected to the sense of sight so that they can provide above average vision capability to the user. Thank God maybe not far from now this kind of technology soon become a reality, thanks to the brain implant technology researches carried out by scientists from around the world nearly have the positive results.
The man featured in the 'Star Wars: The Old Republic' movie whose use technologically advanced implants in the head that are connected to the sense of sight so that they can provide above average vision capability to the user. (Picture from: Starwars.Fandom)
One of such as researches carried out by Russian scientists at the ‘Sensor-Tekh’ laboratory and the Foundation For the Support of the Deaf and Blind - ‘So-edinenie’ to develop the first neural brain implant technology that can provide vision for those who have lost their sense of sight or those who are born blind called ELVIS. Indeed, the name accompanies this advanced technology heard so unique, and immediately remind us of the King of Rock'n Roll, Elvis Presley. Giving such name to this device has nothing to do with the famous American artist, but is an acronym for ELectronic VISion.
The Russian scientists at the 'Sensor-Tekh' laboratory and the Foundation For The Support of the Deaf and Blind-'So-edinenie' developed a neural brain implant called ELVIS that could provide vision to people who have lost sight. (Picture from: RussiaBeyond)
While if we've seen from its shape, this tool looks like one of the head devices in the 'Cyberpunk 2077' video game that can provide additional capabilities for its users. As quoted of Russia Beyond, this advanced device has been presented at the Skolkovo Innovation Center, Moscow around June 2021 ago.
The ELVIS technology could be worked after the doctor managed to implant the device into the cerebral cortex or the part of the brain functioned as a sensory information center and decision-making region for motoric output. (Picture from: RussiaBeyond)
Not known yet the results. If it's according to plan, then the technology will be implemented on blind people around the world to get vision starting in 2027. It could be one proof that such a kind of the science fiction devices also able to realize into the real world. As quoted of the Russia Beyond, the ELVIS technology could be worked after the doctor managed to implant the device into the cerebral cortex or the part of the brain functioned as a sensory information center and decision-making region for motoric output.
The ELVIS implant device works by using electrodes as a connector to the brain parts that function to control the vision. (Picture from: RussiaBeyond)
According to researchers of the Sensor-Tech Laboratory related how the ELVIS implant device works by using electrodes as a connector to the brain parts that function to control the vision. Later, the patients for several months will be given a headband equipped with a camera that can send images directly to the brain not through the eyes. Furthermore, this Russian-made brain implant is said would be very suitable for people aged between 24 to 65 years because it requires a fully formed adult brain (so the children are not allowed to use it), and also should be replaced in every 10 years with the new ones.
The ELVIS implant device is slated to enter production in 2027 with the initial cost for operation processes and installation of the camera are estimated RUS Ruble 10 million, or about US $138,000. (Picture from: RussiaBeyond)
And for now, the ELVIS itself is in the animal testing phase and will continue on monkeys. As for humans themselves, the testing will be carried out in 2023 by involving several prevoliously prepared volunteers. This advanced technology is slated to enter production in 2027 with the initial cost for operation processes and installation of the camera are estimated RUS Ruble 10 million, or about US $138,000. Later, after this device is included in the community support and covered by insurance program, might be the cost can reduced by half.
According to the head of the ELVIS project Denis Kuleshov, Director of the Sensor-Tech Laboratory, this Russian-developed brain implant was not the only one in the world, there are about 10 similar studies currently being worked by scientists all over the world. (Picture from: RussiaBeyond)
According to the head of the ELVIS project Denis Kuleshov, Director of the Sensor-Tech Laboratory, this Russian-developed brain implant was not the only one in the world, there are about 10 similar studies currently being worked by scientists all over the world, and one of them with the biggest progress is such currently being worked by a team of researchers from Spain (CORTIVIS), the Netherlands (NESTOR), and Australia (Monash University).
Kuleshov himself explained that the difference between ELVIS and similar other devices has the low offered bionic vision resolution. While the Russian-made ELVIS uses a combination of bionics and artificial intelligence so that the blind can use electronic vision optimally. In addition, the other project uses technology that only projects flashes of light onto the cerebral cortex, while the ELVIS has Artificial Intelegence (AI) working to assist the system in identifying the object, or what it resembles.
"This will also aid our patients at the rehabilitation stage, allowing us to improve the learning process associated with seeing again after the surgery," he adds as qouted of the Russia Beyond. Hopefully this sophisticated devices can be realized soon and able to help millions of blind people get their sight back. What do you think? Feel free to share Your thought about this through the article's comment below.👌*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ELVIS | SO-EDINENIE | RUSSIA BEYOND ]
