The first British driverless cars

Not just Google (USA) alone who was testing a car without a driver (read about it here), the UK is also being tested for the same thing. 

The car, named LUTZ Pathfinder (autonomous pods) which are being designed and built by RDM Group, an advanced engineering company, in partnership with the Transport Systems Catapult, the UK's innovation centre for intelligent mobility; the Catapult is a partner in the £20m twin-city UK Autodrive project announced by Chancellor George Osborne in last year's autumn statement and is claimed as the first driverless cars in the UK.

Half the length of a Smart Fortwo and two-thirds the width, the Lutz Pathfinder is a two-seater, fully electric car which can travel for 40 miles between charges at up to 15 miles per hour. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/19aS0VO)

Spanning the UK, the project has backing from car makers Jaguar Land Rover and Ford, and will see experiments take place in Greenwich, Bristol, Coventry and Milton Keynes, as well as at Oxford and Cambridge universities, The Open University, and AXA insurance.

Lutz Pathfinder autonomous pods has an array of cameras, sensors and radar to navigate through pedestrian areas. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/19aS0VO)

This little car has a capacity of 2 passengers are immediately tested in the near future by test about 40 cars. This trial also will be the basis for what about the rules application for the driverless cars in the future.

Gateway will test self-drive passenger shuttle vehicles in Greenwich. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1zV3XaO)

As reported by BBC on Wednesday, February 11, 2015, The UK government promised a full review of current legislation by the summer of 2017. That review will involve a rewrite of the Highway Code and adjustments to MOT test guidelines, potentially taking into account whether a higher standard of driving should be demanded of automated vehicles.

As we know definitely a lot of things that should be regulated by the presence of these driverless cars, such as when it hit someone, and who will be prosecuted, the owner or the manufacturer? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | INTERNATIONAL BUSSINESS TIME | BBC]

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Weird-faced shark that shook the World

The sea is so wide and deep, is home to a variety of marine species. Almost every day scientists get a species that has never been encountered before. Maybe you've heard about the shark that washed up on the coast of the Philippines some time ago.

Fishermen have discovered a massive 15-foot adult male rare megamouth shark washed up at the Barangay Marigondon shores in between the Albay and Masbate provinces, Philippines. (Picture from: http://dailym.ai/1IzCqD0)

As reported by the BuzzFeed on Wednesday, February 4, 2015, many people in social media considered the animal is terrible, though actually quite funny. This shark even earned the nickname "Toothless", in accordance with the fictitious dragon name in the "How to Train your Dragon" animated movie.

The shark's cause of death has yet to be determined but it is thought it's body will likely go on display at Albay Parks and Wildlife Centre in the Philippines. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1DbapNe)

Animals are called "Megamouth shark" has a length of approximately 15 feet (or about 4.5 meters) and weigh about a ton. These sharks live was a plankton-eating which herded using their glowing jaws. So rare and unique shape, these animals were classified into groups cryptid by scientists.

Until now, scientists have very limited information about the sharks. Because they are so rarely seen by humans. A researcher who studied the sea sharks at the University of Southampton in England, Christopher Bird, Ph.D. said the shark was difficult types to studied.

"The shark was discovered around 1976. Just a really noticeable when accidentally caught in fishing nets or washed up on the beach. The shark was like a mystery," said Bird.

Bird revealed, the toothless shark was seen on the surface when they appear in search of food. The size of sea creatures that can reach a maximum length of 5.2 meters with a 100-year age range. They are often located in deep water, but rose to the surface at night to find food or eat plankton.

In the Philippines, has found 15 megamouth sharks, that's number was the second after to Japan. The Toothless was the 66th megamouth ever found. Finally the Toothless, megamouth shark brought to the Philippines' Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to be examined and preserved. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILYMAIL]

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Hydrogen-fueled Electric motorcycle

An Indian motorcycle manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp showcase their latest motorcycle technology in India Auto Expo 2014 some times ago. The electric motorcycle concept was used hydrogen fuel and given a name 'Hero iON'. This bike was arguably a new leap in the alternatives-powered motorcycle industry.

The Hero iON features electric wheel rim motors with hydrogen fuel cell range extender. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1zn5rHd)

The iON uses advanced lithium-air (Li-air) batteries and a hydrogen fuel extender with super capacitors to power the two-wheeler. In contrast to its brother, Hero Leap Hybrids that use lithium-air batteries. Lithium-air technology theoretically offers an energy density several times higher than conventional lithium-air, which is commonly used by most electric motors.

Right side view of Hero iON motorcycle concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1C8ttHT)

Hero Electric motors use hydrogen fuel has a minimalist design with single-seater and claimed to be very environmentally friendly. In a full battery condition, it able to run the vehicle up to as far as 180 miles or about 300 km and has a top speed of 99.4 mph (160 kph). And going from 0-62 mph (100 kph) in five seconds.

Rear side view of Hero iON motorcycle concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1C8ttHT)

The electric motor doubles up as a brake and delivers its power through a conventional tyre mounted to a less than conventional hubless magnetic wheel.

The bike does away with a normal twist-grip throttle and is fitted with trigger-like buttons fitted onto the handlebars. The controls feature ride-by-wire technology allowing the iON to integrate multiple onboard traffic-sensors and the VSA system (Variable Situational Awareness) to keep track of surrounding flow of traffic and collision detection.

Even steering the iON isn’t conventional, being fitted with ‘M-Link’ and ‘Flex Axis’ technology, the motorcycle is steered by rotating the front and rear wheel, and suspension system, for maximum road-holding and driver confidence. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | VISORDOWN]

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The world's first smart umbrella

Do not want to buy expensive umbrella for fear of missed it somewhere? Maybe it's time you buy this smart umbrella. Kisha is claimed as the world's first smart umbrella because it is not just an umbrella to protect you from the rain.

Within this umbrella there is a Bluetooth connection that makes this umbrella can be connected to mobile phones (iOS and Android) and presents some features which was not have on the ordinary umbrella.

Kisha is a smart umbrella that uses an app to predict the weather. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1uhES5d)

First, with the help of existing applications, we will be notified the weather forecast and the application will remind us to bring the umbrella, that means if we ignore the notification and try to leave the house without an umbrella, automatically the application will issue a notification when the distance of the umbrella and mobile phone was out of Bluetooth connection range.

The manufacturers describe Kisha's opening and closing mechanism as "perfect". (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1uhES5d)

Second, we do not need to worry about this expensive umbrella (it costs US $ 59, about Rp.650,000) will be missed somewhere because Kisha will provide notification to our phone when the Kisha umbrella are out of Bluetooth connection range so that we will remember that our umbrella was left behind.

The manufacturers of Kisha are so confident about its quality they're offering a 3-year guarantee. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1uhES5d)

We do not have to worry if the notification continues to beep when the umbrella is in a safe location because Kisha will not interfere us by issued notification when the location is in a place that is already stored in the database, for example Kisha will not sound when in the house, car or office.

This smart umbrella uses a battery that is claimed to be used for 3-6 months. In addition to the smart features, Kisha as the regular umbrella also not forget the basic features as the umbrella where Kisha has a good quality that is not easily damaged and easily to opened/closed when needed. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KISHA | GIZMAG]

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New Tushek's supercar

Although late, but great curiosity, so on this occasion we submit an article about the latest Tushek supercars. As already known Tushek Supercars, a Slovenian high-performance car maker, has been rebranded Tushek & Spigel and is now based in Austria. Recently debuted their latest supercar, Tushek TS600, at the 2014 Top Marques Monaco.

Tushek TS600 debuted at the 2014 Top Marques Monaco. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1xR8b3C)

As reported from Motor Authority, like their first Tushek supercar, Renovatio T500, which has been introduced to the public and got a pretty enthusiastic at the same event in 2012 ago. Since the Renovation T500 debut, the company confirmed that it has started up a second supercar called Forego T700 (jump to the article). However, now presents a TS600 as the newest Tushek supercar.

Front side view of Tushek TS600. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1DLW5tc)

We also knew, that Tushek’s cars were renowned for their lightweight construction. As Renovatio T500, for example, has a weighs less than 2,500 lbs (1,133 kg), but is supported by a powerful V8 engine. Meanwhile, Tushek T600 is also equipped with a V8 engine capable of spewing power of more than 620 hp (477 kW), and has a weighs only 2,470 lbs (1,120 kg), makes it have a ratio of power-to-weight that is almost perfect (1 hp for only 4 lbs of weight).

Interior view of Tushek TS600. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1DLW5tc)

Tushek TS600 appears to be the T500 update, but some updated features and new components enough to make it into a standalone model. For the chassis, the T600 is built from a mixture of carbon fiber and titanium, and is claimed to be strong enough to support the lateral acceleration of up to 1.8 G.

Tushek & Spiegel will release more details about this TS600 some future time. Like all of their production supercar, the Tushek TS600 will also be built in handbuilt and can be individually adjusted to meet the desires of the buyer. Do you want to have it? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TUSHEK & SPIEGEL | MOTOR AUTHORITY]

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Latest breakthrough in dealing with the urban congestion

There are vehicles such as cars, but only has two wheels but allow users to stay balanced while in it. This vehicle named C1 developed and engineered by LIT Motors since 2012. Vehicle which has a drive like a car, but it has two wheels and has an outstanding balance. In general, with a large body like a car makes the driver will have difficulty controlling the vehicle comfortably, but the engineering is done by LIT Motors provides outstanding balancing technology and also has a fairly light weight ie only 360 kg.

LIT Motors C1, the car-like motorcyle that can't fall down. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1mTP2Jh)

In arranging the balance, C1 uses a gyroscope and an electric motor to keep its balance. C1 is designed for two people and a 100% use electricity. By using a small electric motor and 10 kWh battery, this vehicle can accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds and has a maximum speed of 100 mph. And LIT Motors claimed, when the battery is fully charged, C1 is able to drive up to 200 miles.

LIT Motors C1 does not require spacious parking lot. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1mTP2Jh)

This vehicle has advantages compared to a motorcycles or cars, because it has a fairly small body of 4-inches wide, as well as aerodynamic and sleek design that can break through traffic congestion. With the covered body so that users will be protected from the unwanted weather such as, heat, strong winds, rain, and other.

Rear side view of LIT Motors C1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1DFxHZL)

In addition C1 using the technology of gyroscopic stability, that using electronic Control Moment Gyroscopes System (CMGS) which is able to produce thousands of ft-lbs of torque. With the gyro system is able to make a vehicle stand even when the vehicle stops at a red light, the user does not need to go down or supported by the foot to make the vehicle still stand, or even when a collision it can still remain standing.

This vehicle also uses the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) technology which allowed energy regeneration during the vehicle braking and store the kinetic energy in the gyro flywheel. For now C1 has been made in a limited number of 370 units, but will start plus up to 10,000 units, and sold for $24,000.

C1 is the latest breakthrough in dealing with congestion. Then C1 has an interior like cars and equipped with premium sound system, plus climate control, smartphones and cloud connectivity. Safety features such as seat belts, dual airbags, chassis reinforced with steel, and many other interesting features also installed on the C1 vehicles. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIT MOTORS | MOTORAUTHORITY]

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