10 most bizarre Tanks ever made (Part-1)

Every country should have a military force that became defense forces. But it is not complete without the presence of combat vehicles such as the fighter aircrafts to battle tanks. Well as a child, you must have the desire to be able to ride a tank.

One of only twenty ever made, a German Panzerkampfwagen A7V heavy tank makes it way to battle (France, 1918). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1XPm8rP)

Generally the tank figure is somewhat unique, because it use different form of wheels from the other vehicles. Besides tank is also equipped with a large weapon. However, in contrast to the 10 unique tanks ever below:

10. Armored Quadricycle (United Kingdom)
The most unique of tank is a British tank that were used in 1899 ago. The tank also claimed as the world's first tank. Its shape is very unique, there are two wheels on the left and right and equipped with a machine gun on the front, shield and used an engine that can burst a power of 15 hp to drive it forward. It was designed and built by British inventor Frederick R. Simms in 1898.

This is the so called armoured quadricycle. This photograph was taken during a demonstration in June 1899 by F.R Simms. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1Ny2ivw)

9. Tsar Tank (Russia)
The Tsar Tank was Russia’s answer to the problem of how to break through the German frontlines of World War 1. Unfortunately, as you can see, that answer was ridiculous. The Tsar was essentially a larger version of a tricycle, but with a cannon instead of a small child. However, whilst the first two wheels were stable enough to cross even the most treacherous terrain (and even crush a few trees), the little wheel at the back wasn’t so maneuverable. On its first test run, it got stuck in a patch of mud; since nothing could be found strong enough to pull it out, the Russians abandoned it until 1923, when it was dismantled for scrap metal.

The Tsar Tank, a Russian larger version of a ridiculous tricycle tank with a cannon built for WW1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1O8NzI7)

8. Panzerkampfwagen A7V (Germany)
The Panzerkampfwagen A7V heavy tank was built and designed during the later stages of World War 1, in response to the tanks that the British were using on the battlefield. However, unlike the British tanks, the A7V was built by a tractor maker, a fact that was glaringly obvious to everyone that rode in it. It was basically a huge steel box fitted onto a tractor chassis. The only good thing about it was that it was well-armed; they had between 7-8 machine guns, with thousands of rounds of ammunition on board. Unfortunately, most never got to the battlefield, either because the crews kept passing out from the heat inside the tank, or because it kept getting stuck in the mud.

Panzerkampfwagen A7V Heavy Tank, a German moving fortress introduced in 1918, near the end of World War I. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1LTUNOu)

7. Christie Amphibious Tank (USA)
Built by inventor J. Walter Christie in 1921, the Christie Amphibious Tank was intended to be used by the Army during beach landings, to both land on-shore and blow any enemy resistance to Hell. It was armed with a 75mm gun; however, the weight of the gun, combined with the weight of the quarter-inch armor that surrounded the sides, meant it came in at over seven tons in total. Shockingly, the military decided to pass on this tank, so Christie came back a few years later with a much lighter version, this time for the US Marines. They too passed on it, namely because somebody realized that it was open-topped, and that the soldiers inside might want a protective roof over their heads.

1922 Christie Amphibious Tank. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1O8O2tU)

6. Tortuga Tank (Venezuela)

If this one probably looks like a combat vehicle in the movies. Its name is Tortuga Tank, a combat vehicles belonging to Venezuela. As the name implies, Tortuga has meaning 'turtle'. The tank shape like a turtle's shell is made of steel and have two eyes in front. This tank was designed in 1934's and armed with machine guns. Venezuela is known to use these vehicles to frighten neighboring countries, namely Colombia in order not to attack.

The Venezuelan Tortuga Tank In 1934. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1XHMscG)

It was her the first part of 10 designs or models of the most unique tanks ever of all time. However, the current combat vehicles are already retired, aka not used anymore for war. Moreover, the technology is also not as advanced as today's tanks. (Jump to 2nd part). *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DID YOU KNOW]

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Mercedes launches the A45 Limited Edition car

Mercedes-AMG is celebrating a victory in the Formula 1 Championship 2015 by launching a limited edition version of A45 car called Champion Edition.

2016 Mercedes-AMG Champion Edition. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1PmWonA)

As reported by the Leftlanenews, the Champion Edition car comes in a silver color blend, black, and green, as well as additional bumper, sporty spoiler and equipped with four 19-inch size wheels.

The A45 Champion Edition version is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a turbocharger could generate the power up to 381 hp and torque of 350 lb-ft.

Interior view of 2016 Mercedes-AMG Champion Edition. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1PmWonA)

All Champion Editions come loaded to the gills with equipment such as the AMG Dynamic Plus Package, which bundles a mechanical locking differential on the front axle, and an adjustable sport suspension with a race mode.

Rear side view of 2016 Mercedes-AMG Champion Edition. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1PmWonA)

Those numbers of power could drive all-four wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission, thus making this car can take zero to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed at the numbers of 155 mph.

The Mercedes-AMG A45 Champion Edition will be sold in Germany next January with a base price of €65,402, a sum that converts to nearly $70,000. Are you want to have one? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LEFTLANENEWS]

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Want to solve the Martian mystery, ESA launched a mission

The European Space Agency (ESA) is ready to launch the ExoMars mission to look for traces of methane in the Red Planet. The move is beginning to solve the 'mystery' of the existence of a number of gases in the Martian atmosphere.

An artist's impression of the satellite will release the lander three days out from Mars. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1Q1BxEU)

In addition, the mission will also launch the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) to the surface of Mars to find out what technology is needed for the second mission of ExoMars in 2019 that will bring the rover (a type of automatic vehicle) to Mars. The TGO which has a weighs of 3.7 tons was equipped with technology that can collect data on the Martian atmosphere gas, mainly methane

Since approved by the ESA in 2005, the mission with the main objective to seek the biological heritage of extraterrestrial life in the past and now it has faced a long journey, even nearly stopped.

However, to Mars project worth 1.3 billion euros, or around Rp. 19 trillion was finally able to continue after the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) join following the American out of the mission.

Vincenzo Georgio, a senior director of Thales Alenia Space (the prime contractor of ExoMars mission) revealed that the satellite is ready. Although it had appeared the problem of funding and politics, we are working very hard, seven days a week, three shifts. And see the results now, Mars is more alive.

From previous studies, the concentration of methane on Mars, low and sporadic. However, the fact that there is methane on Mars alone, considered by many researchers has been very interesting.

The reason is simple organic molecules, such as methane, are very easily destroyed in the Martian atmosphere were rude. So the existence of consistent indicate a continuous production of the gas.

This can be explained geologically possibility: methane on Mars is a byproduct of the interaction between water and rock mineral at a certain depth.

Even so, it was likely methane in Mars was 'biological' produced because the Earth is mostly methane derived from living organisms. And it's not unusual if one is predicting, microbes on the Red Planet also emit methane.

"We are very excited to confirm the predictions," said ExoMars scientist, Jorge Vago as reported by the BBC on Thursday, November 26, 2015.

"Despite the correct explanation, geologically or biologically, if methane is found below the surface of Mars, meaning require running water. Although only discovered this fact, Mars will feel more 'alive'."

The TGO planned to be taken to the launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan in mid-December to be launched on March 14, 2016. The unit is expected to arrive at Mars in mid October 2016. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BBC]

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Robots can also disobey the Human orders

A pair of small humanoid robot called Shafer and Dempster, has been programmed not to obey the human instructions. It will be the robot to do, if they feel their own safety at risk when comply with the order.

Robotics engineers are developing robots that can disobey instructions from humans if they believe it may cause them to become damaged. If asked to walk forward on a table top (pictured) the robot replies that it can't do this as it is 'unsafe'. However, when told a human will catch it, the robot then obeys. (Picture from: http://dailym.ai/1T8ktMT)

As reported by the DailyMail on Thursday, November 27, 2015, Engineer Gordon Briggs and Dr. Matthais Scheutz of Tufts University in Massachusetts, trying to make robots that can interact with a more humane way. Despite showed strong principles, with the result that comes out more like Sonny, forgiving rebellious robot figure in the 'I Robot' movie, compared with 'Terminator' killing machines.

In a paper submitted to the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, both explained if people refuse referrals to a variety of reasons, from the inability to doubts. Given the reality of the limitations of autonomous systems, mechanisms of rejection of the most directive only required to take advantage of reasons, lack of knowledge or lack of ability.

"However, while the ability of autonomous agents continue to be developed, there is a growing community and interested in the ethics of the engine, or a field that allows an autonomous agent to act alone on ethical grounds," said the researchers in a paper.

The humanoid robots can sit down (pictured) and stand up in response to verbal commands from a human, but if asked to walk forward on a table or through an obstacle they politely refuse. (Picture from: http://dailym.ai/1T8ktMT)

By the robots they have created a number of verbal cues such as standing and sitting, through a human operator. However, when they were asked to walk into an obstacle or the end of the table, for example, the robot politely refused to do so.

"Sorry, I can not do this because there is no support." said robot when asked to walk forward to the end of the table. After the second command to walk forward, the robot was still rejected politely. "But, it's not safe," said the robot.

To achieve this, the researchers introduced reasoning mechanisms into the robot software, which enables them to assess their environment and check if the command allows their safety.

However, their work appears to violate the laws of robotics developed by science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, which states a robot must obey all orders given to it by human beings. Many experts believe it is very important to make sure the robots obey this rule, which also keeps the robot to never harm human beings and protect their own existence, only if it is contrary to the two other rules. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILYMAIL]

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The new desert conqueror of Dubai

Now the car is no longer a concept, Zarooq Sand Racer as if a car comes out of a set of Hot Wheels toys come true. Besides designed to conquer the fierce of an off-road terrain, this car wants to prove a matter of convenience during use.

Zarooq Sand Racer. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ND43xQ)

As reported by the Carscoops on Monday, November 30, 2015, this car has a design like an SUV, but equipped with extra large off-road tires are used for heavy terrain. Not for those who live in urban as Beverly Hills or other public roads.

Zarooq Sand Racer was developed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) company recently held a press conference explaining the performance and comfort level of the car. The company's Motorsport Director Mohammed Al Qadi said, if it goes smoothly Zarooq Sand Racer will perform final assembly in January 2016.

Front three quarter of Zarooq Sand Racer. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ND43xQ)

"Currently, construction of the chassis, engine and wiring on the body has been completed. Even for the mold body is now in progress. We're just waiting for some parts to arrive to complete the assembly, in December," he said.

This car is designed to be able to bulldoze a variety of harsh terrain such as deserts and other off-road terrains. But still comfortable like a regular car.

Rear side view of Zarooq Sand Racer. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ND43xQ)

Although the present as the product of a new automotive manufacturers, the Zarooq development spelled not kidding. To design its futurisitis models produced by the creative hand of Anthony Jannarelly, who deisgned the Lykan Hypersport ever used in the 'Fast and Furious 7' movie.

Zarooq equipped with engines that can generate the power up to 500 hp which is channeled through a six-speed automatic gearbox. This car is claimed to have a maximum speed of up to 200 kilometers per hour.

Its body exterior and interior materials made of carbon fiber but it is also equipped with the infotainment system, comfortable seats, spare wheels, LED lights, as well as things like cupholders and so on. It's really a car that can comfortably although it is designed for the off-road terrain.

Zarooq Sand Racer offered with the price in the range of US. $180 thousand, or approximately Rp. 2 billion more. In fact, the company built an off-road circuit in Dubai dedicated to sand racing, providing the car owners with a safe and dynamic competition environment. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ZAROOQ MOTORS | CARSCOOPS]

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Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 made its Asian debut in Thailand

Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 perform at the Thailand Motor Expo (TME) 2015 in Bangkok. This is the first appearance in Asia. Previously the Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 official world's debut at the EICMA 2015 in Milan last month.

Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 made its Asian Debut at the Thailand Motor Expo 2015 in Bangkok. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1N0iB77)

As reported by Indianautosblog, Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 or can be referred as the Scrambler 400 is the younger brother of the Scrambler 800. This is reflected in the body design presented which is identical with Scrambler 800, including the engine construction.

Rear three quarter of Ducati Scrambler Sixty2. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1N0iB77)

This retro-style motorcycle carried a 399 cc newest engine, L-twin, and two valves per cylinder. As a result, maximum power output reached 41 ps at 8,750 rpm and torque of 34.6 nm at 8,000 rpm. This bike is also fitted a six-speed transmission system.

Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 carried the newest 399 cc air-cooled engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1N0iB77)

Another important feature offered by Ducati includes a 41 mm fork, disc brakes on both wheels complete with ABS, steel pipes swingarm, stainless steel tank accommodate up to 14 liters of fuel, and black exhaust. While on the legs mounted a 18-inch rim with 110/80 Pirelli tire at the front wheels and a 17-inch rim with 160/60 Pirelli tire at the rear.

Ducati said in a press release that the new motorcycle is targeting young people who need affordable motorcycles with lower operating costs. Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 will be marketed at a price of US. $7,995 or approximately Rp.110 million. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | INDIANAUTOSBLOG]

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