Check out this 360° video made as a demo by Samsung. If your internet speed can handle it, I recommend watching it in the full 4K resolution. It will be pretty amazing to hook up the Oculus Rift to video like this and get the fully immersive experience.
Use the ‘W, A, S, D’ keys to control direction on a computer.
Use the + and – keys to zoom.
I think you have to move your phone around if you are watching on mobile. But again, the real experience is to watch this type of video with an immersive virtual reality headset. FYI: you can cheaply get this experience with something like Google Cardboard and your mobile phone.
The BMW S54 was a high performance engine with these features:
1. Increased cylinder bore to 87 mm (from 86.4 mm) for a new total displacement of 3,246 cc (from 3,201 cc)
2. Modified camshafts
3. High pressure Double VANOS continuously variable valve timing system with faster operation at high rpm
4. Increased compression to 11.5:1 (from 11.3:1)
5. More advanced BMW/Siemens MSS 54 engine management control
6. Finger-type rocker arms for reduced reciprocating mass and friction
7. One-piece aluminum head casting for lighter weight
8. Scavenging oil pump to maintain pressure during heavy cornering
An unknown source broke the entire engine down and laid it out carefully for us to enjoy. Now we just need someone to label each part for our didactic purposes.
In a new report from Nature, research from evolutionary roboticist, Josh Bongard, at the University of Vermont in Burlington demonstrates a self-correcting hexapod.
From the article:
“After a fault, such as the loss of one of its feet or a stuck knee, the robot uses its on-board camera to detect that something is slowing it down or preventing it from walking straight. Rather than attempting to diagnose the problem, the robot simply tries out new patterns of motion until it finds one that enables it to restore an acceptable level of performance.”
Robots working in disaster areas may become injured and having this ability to quickly self-correct walking patterns can be crucial for success of a mission. Of course, the robot is not really learning with evolutionary algorithms or through techniques like deep learning. Instead, the robot is pre-programmed to with around 13,000 walking patterns that the robot can quickly cycle through in the event of injury.
The programming also helps the robot with unusual terrains in which a new walking pattern may be more efficient. This will help walking robots become more autonomous in natural terrains.
The German company, Festo, has a history of making incredible, biomimetic robots in their laboratories. We have featured kangaroos, dragonflies, and jellyfish in the past. They’ve also made Air-Penguins, Air-Ray, robotic birds, and the Airacuda. The butterfly may seem less ambitious than those efforts, but the butterflies can swarm in the air while avoiding collisions.
Each butterfly weighs a little over an ounce and has a wingspan of 20 inches. They consist of nothing more than a couple of motors, batteries, infrared markers, and soft, elastic wings.
The robots were not developed to sell but represent continued research efforts towards making ultralight, networked robotics systems. I think the company should focus on these creations and move them to market. I want one!
“Change is Everything” is a new song by the band, Son Lux. The video was conceived and produced by Nathan Johnson and the folks at The Made Shop. Via NPR:
“The first day we knocked out 535 frames (out of roughly 4,000). By day three, the pads of my fingers were so raw that it hurt to move a pin. I didn’t know how I’d be able to keep going, but my wife, Katie found some rubber finger tips at Staples that helped dull the pain (though it also decreased our precision). We also didn’t realize that the surface of the foam core board would be blown out by day four. buy lexapro generic rxbuywithoutprescriptiononline.com over the counter
We got to the point where the board was so pockmarked that the pins would randomly shoot out and fly across the studio every couple frames. After that, we stocked up on a few more boards and started wearing safety goggles.”
“I’ve always been attracted to art that uses very simple materials in its execution,” says Johnson. “I love the ‘lots of something little’ approach. buy lipitor generic rxbuywithoutprescriptiononline.com over the counter
I guess, partly, because it means that you can use everyday materials that everybody has access to, which feels really accomplishable. I love the idea of seeing something ordinary and mundane transformed into something beautiful and lifelike; and it feels extra empowering to know that the price of admission is only the amount of time and energy you’ve got to spend.”
But it does take a fair amount of time and energy…
The whole video took about a week of prep work and then 2 solid weeks of the tedious frame-by-frame shooting that is stop-motion animation. I’d say it was all worth it!
Julie Alice Chappell, hailing from Portsmouth, UK, creates these intricate insect sculptures from re-purposed computers and video game machines. The parts often come from local dumps, many friends, and organizations that support her work.
Via the artist:
“Whilst watching a nature programme about bio-diversity, one eye on the box of circuit boards, one on the TV, and worrying about my looming major project, I was reminded of the ants in the cupboard and my Eureka moment arrived.
I proceeded to create a museum style entomologist’s cabinet of dioramas, drawers and trays filled with pinned bugs and butterflies. The collection has continued to grow in size and complexity and is constantly evolving as new inspiration is triggered by new finds.”
If you are interested, she sells her work online via Etsy (usually ranging between $100 and $200).
