New Horizons uncover the mysterious moon of Pluto

New Horizons spacecraft belonging to the US space agency (National Aeronautics and Space Administration/NASA) taking pictures of a very small Pluto moon and send it to Earth this week, and complete the Pluto's moon family portrait.

Kerberos moon looks smaller than the estimates of scientists and highly reflective surface, opposite to the predictions before the spacecraft crossed Pluto in July.

This artist's impression of NASA's New Horizons spacecraft encountering Pluto and its largest moon, Charon, is seen in a NASA image from July 2015. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1RvzXhj)

"Once again, we surprised by Pluto system," said Hal Weaver, a New Horizons project scientist from the Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University in Laurel, Maryland.

Kerberos has a double lobe shape and may be the result of a coming together of two objects. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1KwdtmG)

New data obtained from New Horizons on October 20, 2015 indicates that Kerberos has seen two curves of the curve is greater latitudes of about eight kilometers and a smaller one of about five kilometers. Members of the scientific team speculated that the unusual shape that Kerberos can be formed from a blend of two small objects.

Kerberos surface reflectivity similar to another Pluto's small moons (approaching 50 percent) and strongly suspect Kerberos, like the others, webbed ice water is relatively clean.

Charon (at bottom) is by far the biggest satellite in the system with a diameter of 1,212km. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1KwdtmG)

Before New Horizons spacecraft encounter with the Pluto, the researchers used images from the Hubble space telescope to "measure" Kerberos by measuring its gravitational influence on its neighboring moons.

It influence which surprisingly strong, given the Kerberos very dim. They theorized that Kerberos is relatively large and massive, dimmed only because of its surface covered dark matter.

But small Kerberos with bright surface which is now revealed in new images show that the idea was not true, for reasons not yet understood. These new datas will bring a better understanding of the Pluto satellite system which is very interesting. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BBC]

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The real figure of Mazda RX-Vision revealed in Tokyo

Mazda Motor Corporation introduced their new sports car concept called 'Mazda RX-Vision', which uses Mazda rotary engine as a form of technology development at the Tokyo Motor Show 2015.

Here's the new Mazda rotary-engined sports car concept named 'Mazda RX-Vision debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show 2015. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ikkqAz)

"We were in Mazda hopes to continue to express Mazda's vision of the future as we have just launched at the Tokyo Motor Show 2015" said Masamichi Kogai as Representative Director, President and CEO of Mazda Motor Corporation, in a press release on Thursday, October 29, 2015.

"Mazda will continue to perform the latest innovations as Mazda's attempt to build a special relationship with all Mazda customers in order to be the only brand that is loved our customers." Kogai said.

The RX-Vision display is considered to represent Mazda's vision is to be realized in the future that includes the appearance of the front-engine, the sports car equipped with rear-wheel drive, the proportion of "Kodo" design which is solely owned by Mazda, as well as the latest generation of SKYACTIV-R with Rotary engine.

Interior view of Mazda RX-Vision. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ikkqAz)

Mazda rotary engine has a unique construction which can generate power through the rotary motion of the triangular rotor. Mazda successfully commercialize the rotary engine for the first time into their "Cosmo Sport" (known as the Mazda 110S) in 1967.

Rear side view of Mazda RX-Vision. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ikkqAz)

As the only automaker to mass produce the rotary engine, Mazda has made continuous efforts in improving the quality of the power generated from the engine to be efficient in fuel use.

In 1991, Mazda also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans racing cars that use rotary engines. Over the years, the rotary engine has successfully catapulted the creativity and drive Mazda to facing the challenges of the automotive world.. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARANDDRIVER]

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Inspired by origami, Lexus created the car of cardboard

Premium automotive manufacturers, Lexus issued a first car made entirely of cardboard. As reported by Adweek on Wednesday, October 14, 2015, the cardboard car produced by London-based prototypes and architectural models makers, LaserCut Works and Scales and Models. This may also be part of the automaker's effort to participate in environmental programs.

An electric-powered Lexus IS sedan out of cardboard. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1LMneyV)

Daniel Ryan, of LaserCut Works describes the extraordinary work as "a cross between animation and reality. There is a quality of a dream to see the familiar shape of the texture".

Dashboard view of the electric-powered Lexus IS sedan out of cardboard. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1WaftaR)

In the manufacturing process, they assisted by a skilled group, known as Takumi, who worked on the production section of Lexus. They showed the talent and skill to learn to fold paper.

Rear side view of the electric-powered Lexus IS sedan out of cardboard. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1LMneyV)

These origami car made using a piece of cardboard taped gradually, and equipped with doors, lights, and tires. A total of 1,700 ten-millimeter-thick cardboards are used, and each layer has a reference number to make sure it is installed in the right order.

The car also uses water-based glues wood must be dried for ten minutes before it was patched with new pieces. Then the electric motor also mounted on its steel and aluminum frame so as to allow the car can be driven as usual. No mention, what if the car is exposed to water? Considering that car made of cardboard. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ADWEEK]

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UNY students create the automatic train doorstop

A team of students of the Faculty of Engineering, State University of Yogyakarta (Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta/UNY) creating an automatic ultrasonic sensor-based train doorstop named 'Papinka'.

"Papinka is an automatic train doorstop prorotipe equipped with a countdown to provide information and early warning to road users who will pass the railway crossing," said the team coordinator, Dimas Imaduddin in Yogyakarta on Friday, October 23, 2015.

UNY students create the automatic train doorstop called 'Papinka'. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1KvO24x)

According to him, the device is controlled by a microcontroller that got the "input" of an ultrasonic sensor mounted on the "gate" at a certain distance before railroad crossings. "Input" provided an ultrasonic sensor in the form of the train's speed and length.

"The input is then processed by the microcontroller to get train arrival countdown towards the rail crossings and will move to the bottom bar and the display counting backwards time in seven segment mounted on the doorstop crossings," he said.

He said the device displays the time counting backwards so that road users can estimate the expected closing time of the doorstop railroad crossings. Thus, the user can stop comfortably and safely.

With the tool, he said, is expected to reduce the rate of accidents on railway crossings. In addition, it can also help guard the railway track at the time of charge and can reduce the risk of accidents due to negligence of railway crossing guards.

"In the future there will be a further development of the device in order to later be able to significantly reduce the rate of accidents at railway crossings," said Dimas. Papinka making team members were among others Kiky Aprilia Yannik, Rizky, Sigit, and Hanafi Slamet with the supervisor Muhammad Ali. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ANTARANEWS.COM]

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Rossin-Bertin Vorax Review: Brazil’s Homegrown Supercar Beast

Supercar Swagger - When someone mentions Brazil, your mind probably races to football, Carnival, or maybe that perfectly grilled steak you still dream about. But tucked away in the world of palm trees and samba is something far more unexpected—a homegrown supercar that roared into existence with flair and fearless ambition. Meet the  Rossin-Bertin Vorax, Brazil’s audacious leap into the fast lane.

2010 Rossin-Bertin Vorax Coupe. (Picture from: Car-Pic-Db)

Back in 2010, two men from wildly different worlds decided to stir things up. Fharys Rossin, a former GM designer tired of playing by the rules, joined forces with Natalino Bertin, a young millionaire whose family made their fortune in the meat industry. Sounds like the start of a joke, right? A designer and a meat mogul walk into a garage… and somehow, a supercar comes out.

 
Several pictures of 2010 Rossin-Bertin Vorax convertible version. (All pictures taken from: GT Planet)

The result was the Vorax—a name as dramatic as the car itself. Its design is sharp, muscular, and anything but shy. The body is sculpted from carbon fiber, giving it lightweight agility, while the aluminum spaceframe adds rigidity and race-ready stability. This isn’t your average exotic—it’s a statement on wheels.

 

Powering this beast is a 5.0-liter V10 engine borrowed from the BMW M5. In its naturally aspirated form, it delivers 570 horsepower and a 0–100 km/h time of just 3.8 seconds. If that doesn’t quite ruffle your hair, the supercharged version brings 750 horses to the party, launching the car to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 372 km/h. In other words, it’s not just fast—it’s Brazilian steakhouse-on-wheels fast.

Pictures of 2010 Rossin-Bertin Vorax Coupe. (All pictures taken from: SupercarSempire)

What made the Vorax stand out wasn’t just the specs. It was the guts behind the project. Rossin-Bertin didn’t come from a long legacy of racing pedigree or billion-dollar factories. They came with ambition, bold design, and a V10 that could wake an entire neighborhood. And even though the Vorax didn’t hit full-scale production, it earned serious respect from car lovers around the world.

Today, it remains one of Brazil’s most fascinating automotive ventures—a rare gem that proved innovation doesn’t need a European address. The Rossin-Bertin Vorax wasn’t just built to drive fast. It was built to show the world that even in a land known more for football fields than racetracks, you can still build a machine with supercar swagger. (Jump to another Brazilian supercar). *** [EKA [28102015] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GT SPIRIT ]

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Latest MPV concept of Mercedes-Benz has debuted in Tokyo

Before the biennial auto show, the Tokyo Motor Show 2015 held on this week, Mercedes-Benz leaked their new concept of multipurpose van (minivan). The renowned German automotive manufacturers intentionally make leaks via a teaser silhouette of the left side of the car.

Teaser image of the new Mercedes-Benz MPV concept referred as the Mercedes-Benz Vision Tokyo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1k41FCC)

The minivan concept as reported by Carscoops on Monday, October 26, 2015 referred to as the "Mercedes-Benz Vision Tokyo". It is luxurious and progressive vehicle from Mercedes-Benz for the future.

Reportedly, the minivan will use autonomos or "car without a driver" technology. But, it has not been officially confirmed and the Mercedes-Benz promised to inform when the Tokyo Motor Show 2015 opened.

Mercedes-Benz Vision Tokyo Concept has debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show 2015. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1GIbyR1)

Although only leaked a few hours on the internet media, various speculations have emerged. The Mercedes-Benz minivan concept is called a bit like the Renault Espace F1 and Citroen Tubik Concept that ever appeared in the mid-1990s.

Left side view of Mercedes-Benz Vision Tokyo Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1GIbyR1)

Clothed in a smooth monobox body sporting a large trapezoidal grille within its bold front end, the Vision Tokyo stretches is 4803mm long, a generous 2100mm wide and 1600mm high. That makes it 117mm shorter, 180mm wider and 75mm lower than the short wheelbase R-Class – Mercedes-Benz’s last attempt at combining traditional luxury with the practicality of an MPV.
Power comes from an updated version of the hydrogen fuel-cell electric hybrid system initially showcased by the F015 Luxury in Motion. Details of the layout and output of the driveline remain under wraps, although it is claimed to provide the Vision Tokyo with a range of up to 609 miles – some 118 miles courtesy of electricity stored in a battery via either plug-in or inductive means and a further 491 miles on the electricity produced on the run by the fuel cell stack. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | AUTOCAR.CO.UK]

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