China ready to produce the world's largest amphibious aircraft

China has completed the construction of the largest amphibious aircraft in the world as the country's attempts to break away from dependence on foreign plane manufacturer companies.

Amphibious aircraft AG600 rolls off a production line in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, July 23, 2016. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1cdiN0)

As reported by Xinhua news agency, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has introduced the newest product called 'AG600,' on Saturday, July 23, 2016 in the port city of Zhuhai, southern region of the country. The aircraft has a cruising range of up to 4,500 kilometers and is intended to extinguish the forest fires and rescue at sea.

The aircraft, which has a maximum take-off weight of 53.5 tonnes and a maximum flight range of 4,500 km, will be used to fight forest fires and perform marine rescue missions. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1cdiN0)

According to AVIC's deputy general manager Geng Ruguang, the plane has a similar size of Boeing 737 is the largest aircraft in the world built with the ability to land and take off from the sea. However, with a wingspan smaller than the H-4 Hercules or Spruce Goose were produced in the 1940s for the purpose of military personnel transports. For information, the Spruce Goose the largest amphibious aircraft in the world even it only did one flight in 1947.

The AG600 is by far the world's largest amphibian aircraft, about the size of a Boeing 737. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1cdiN0)

As cited of Xinhua, the planes are preferred for the domestic market will be very useful to develop and exploit marine resources. In addition, these aircraft can also be used for environmental monitoring, resource mapping and transportation, and still so far AVIC already getting orders to manufacture 17 units of the new aircraft.

China is currently developing its flight sector to reduce dependency and if it can compete with the renowned plane manufacturers, such as Airbus and Boeing. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | XINHUA]

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An old school styled Yamaha of Numbnut Motorcycles

Lately, motorcycle builders in Europe continues to show their creative ideas on a regular basis through the Yamaha Yard Built project. As performed by one of the Dutch custom workshop named Numbnut Motocycles which has been completely changed the appearance of Yamaha XV950.

Yamaha XV950 'Son of Time' by Numbnut Motorcycles. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ckY3y)

Initially the XV950 motorcycle is designed as a cruiser bike. However, Amsterdam-based custom shop is more interested to give the impression of a classic cafe racer on those Yamaha motorcycles.

As quoted from The Bike Shed, the modified motorcycle named the 'Son of Time,' that is somewhat influenced by the classic design of the famous 'TW Steel' watches. According to Roderick Seibert, the builder of The Son of Time, he spent time during winter 2015 to be able to complete the bike project.

Front three quarter of Yamaha XV950 'Son of Time' by Numbnut Motorcycles. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ckY3y)

He was stripped of this motorcycle and leaving only the frame and engine. Then he gives a new outfit in the form of a fuel tank, seat covers, engine cover and air filter.

Roderick Seibert entrust the exhaust parts to Nozem and suspension using K-Tech brand. Then switch on the legs, he used Dymag carbon rims and wraped with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tires.

Right side view of Yamaha XV950 'Son of Time' by Numbnut Motorcycles. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ckY3y)

Not mentioned changes in the machinery sector, it could be Roderick Seibert still entrust the original V-Twin engine with a capacity of 942 cc mated with a five-speed gearbox. And to stop the motorcycle, he relies on Brembo.

Now, of course this bike is ready for ride. Are you interested in making your bike like this? Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. God will forgive Your sins.... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NUMBNUT MOTORCYCLES | THE BIKE SHED]

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British robot cars ready to challange the Google's

Oxbotica, an Oxford-based start-up company have made an autonomous technology software that can be used by any type of car. As befits the products of Tesla Motors or Google, any car that uses such software can drive itself to the destination without being controlled by the driver. As a trial in London recently, the the software in question named Selenium is applied to a robot car with a capacity of two persons.

Selenium uses a GPS-free approach, where the vehicle’s environment is mapped using a patented laser and vision-based system. The technology automatically detects and removes 3D objects from point clouds in real time, creating an accurate picture of the car’s surroundings.

An Oxbotica robot car equipped with an autonomous technology software named Selenium. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1cXp3k)

This means the system can operate indoors, outdoors, and underground, with vehicles capable of autonomous operation in both pedestrianised areas and open stretches of road such as motorways.

According to an expert of Oxbotica named Paul Newman revealed that the rapidly growing automobile technology from time to time. However, the software that makes the car be smart not widely used.

"We make the operating system for the autonomous car. Even, for the forklifts and farm vehicles could drive themselves, "said Newman, as reported by the BBC on Wednesday, July 19, 2016.

Furthermore according to him, the next autonomous cars were circulated in the community does not 100 percent safe. Potential accidents can happen. However, this technology will continue to be refined. "There was an accident there would be development on this technology for years to come," he said.

While the Oxbotica CEO Dr Graeme Smith said, "Selenium represents the culmination of about 130 person years’ worth of work in mobile autonomy.

"Selenium is an important chapter in the ever-changing story of autonomous vehicles. As a result of the team’s hard work on Selenium, our customers are able to take full advantage of the benefits on offer from this futuristic technology today rather than tomorrow."

The technology is set to be deployed at a series of upcoming driverless trials, including the £8 million GATEway project in Greenwich and the LUTZ Pathfinder self-driving pod project in Milton Keynes. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | OXBOTICA | BBC | THE ENGINEER]

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Belgian scientists create an urine converter machine into drinking water

A group of scientists at University of Ghent in Belgium say they have created a solar-powered machine able to converts urine into drinking water and fertilizer. This technique is said to be applied in rural areas and developing countries.

Although there are other options for processing the waste water, the system applied at the University of Ghent using a special membrane, which is said to be energy efficient and can be used in areas that have no electricity supply.

Two Belgian scientists, Marjolein Vanoppen and Sebastiaan Derese (right) shows how to use solar-powered machine to turn urine into drinking water and fertilizer on the campus of the University of Ghent, Belgium, July 26, 2016. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1cfYod)

"We can get fertilizer and drinking water from urine by using a solar powered simple process," said Sebastiaan Derese, a researcher from the University of Ghent. The urine is collected in a large tank, heated in a solar-powered boiler before being passed to the membrane to get water and separating substances such as potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus.

Belgian scientist Sebastiaan Derese drinks water from a machine that turns urine into drinkable water and fertilizer using solar energy, at the University of Ghent, Belgium, July 26, 2016. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1cfZfs)

With #peeforscience hashtag, the researcher team recently installed those machines at music festivals and theater that lasted 10 days in Ghent, and got 1,000 liters of urine from the visitors.

Furthermore Derese said, that the target is to install more larger machines in sports stadiums or airports, and also took it to remote places in the developing countries where fertilizer and drinking water is less available.

As with previous projects involving those researcher team, the water obtained from the festival in the city will be used to create one of the most desirable Belgian products, ie beer. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | #PEEFORSCIENCE | REUTERS]

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A simple grey-colored custom 'What Ever' café racer

In Indonesia, Honda GL100 renowned as one of the motorcycles has a heyday in the 1980s to 1990s. Until now the motorcycle population is still pretty much milling the streets in the country. Its shape is very simple, so making it one of the favorite motorcycles to be modified. 

This can be seen on an old motorcycle 1980 Honda GL100 modified by Depok-based custom workshop named Diwa Creative Studio into a café racer styled bike. 

A simple grey-colored custom 'What Ever' café racer by Diwa Creative Studio. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ch1je)

According to Wastu, the owner of this old bike, it was a birthday gift from his wife, but he did not like the original form. Then he contacted the custom shop to change the bike according to his wishes, ie a café racer motorcycle. The concept was given in detail, it was not surprised because he also is a designer and owner of What Ever Workshop in Jakarta.

Front and rear view of a simple grey-colored custom 'What Ever' café racer by Diwa Creative Studio. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ch1je)

The process begins by reconstructing its frame, some parts trimmed and adjusted to the new body. The body is made of 0.9 mm galvanized plate and for the café racer tail made special and unique so it does not resemble the tail of bees in general.

To add a distinctive impression of a classic café racer, as well as ride comfort, the front suspension using parts taken from GL Max and rear using Yoshimura 34 in order to dampen the shock and well as combined with the SB classic wheels wrapped with Deli Tire 17-400 in front and 18-400 rear.

Right side view of a simple grey-colored custom 'What Ever' café racer by Diwa Creative Studio. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ch1je)

According to Wahyu the owner of custom shop with an address at Permata Arcadia, Block H 10 cimanggis-Depok, after the retro look is obtained then the selection of paint colors Grey Doff or Gun Metal to add a macho impression on this bike.
Then the engine sector upgraded, "Its engine experienced a rejuvenation by aplicated the standard piston of GL Max so that its performance is more steady," said the modifiers who is finished this motorcycle modification within 1.5 months.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. God will forgive Your sins.... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DIWA CREATIVE STUDIO | OTOSIA]

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You won't believe, this tiny car was the world's quickest street-legal EV

Don't judge the book, from its cover is the appropriate term, do not judge things by their outward form, but also see its contents. A car made in 1973 was named as the quickest street legal electric-powered vehicles in the world.

Although the body still retains the shape of the original manufacturer, but the iniards are not original anymore. This little British EV put a beat down on the Lamborghini Aventador, McLaren 650S, Porsche 911 Turbo S, the Nissan GT-R, and even Tesla’s Model S P90D.

Flux Capacitor, an Enfield 8000-based electric car was crowned the quickest street-legal electric vehicles in the world. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1cbr7q)

One of the Enfield 8000 cars named Flux Capacitor is not using a standard electric drive manufacturers, but has been modified. Batteries using lithium ion taken from the Bell Super-Cobra helicopter. Power from the battery is supplied to the two electric motors DC 9 inches is placed on the rear wheels. With that change, Flux Capacitor can generate the power equivalent to 800 bhp and a maximum torque of 1,627 nm.

The car's owner as well as a journalist, Jonny Smith himself who did the record-breaking. This car is able to reach a distance of 0-400 meters in 9.86 seconds. Acceleration from 0-182 kilometers per hour could be reached within six seconds.

Jonny Smith’s Flux Capacitor electric hot rod. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1cbsFY)

Actually, in June 2016, a team of students of ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and the University Hochschule Luzern, Sweden, have developed a prototype electric car named Grimsel. The car is capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 1.513 seconds. Note that making it as the fastest electric car in the world. Only, Grimsel not equipped with doors, lights, and roof meet common standards so it can not be used on the street. In contrast to the Flux Capacitor that can be used legally on the streets because the components are still the standard.

And here's the proof. Neverminds Ludicrous Mode, that's some serious speed. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1cbr51)

"I am amazed that the 'little yellow' can resolve the problem. Although many drivers who told me that a car with the wheelbase of 68 inches is not safe to use in high speed, Enfield has proved that assumption was wrong," Smith said.

According to him, an Enfield 8000 in standard conditions only could reach a maximum speed of 64 km/h. Which mean the Flux Capacitor can run three times faster within a distance of 400 meters compared to the standard version.

Enfield itself is known as the pioneer of electric cars manufacturer based in the UK. The weight of the car can be lightweight because it is made of steel and aluminum tubes. Like a modern car that exists today, its lead acid batteries can deliver the car through 80-145 km on a single charged.

After three years of production, problems began to arise the soaring raw material prices which have an impact on the production cost overruns. Enfield finally go bankrupt and until the company closed only approximately 100 units of Enfield 8000 were produced. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ARS TECHNICA | TOP SPEED]

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