Gearfuse

Seeing this video makes me hope that one day I’ll be flying in a giant robotic butterfly. Researchers in Japan are working on this small ornithopter, a flying device with wings that are modeled after those of a butterfly. The idea is to one day have commercial airplanes with flapping-wing flight just like birds.

Above is a high speed video demonstrating the small scale design of the ornithopter. It turns out that the most efficient forward flying wings are wings with micromolded veins flapping at 10 beats per second. I say we just clone ginormous insects and ride them like horses. If only we could get around that gravity thing.

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If you’ve been keeping track of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, then you’ve certainly noticed the amazing camera work detailing every event clearly and at every angle. That is to say if you haven’t been too distracted watching Michael Phelps tear everyone a new asshole. I bet you’re wondering how they cover events such as synchronized diving so thoroughly? The answer is quite simple:

The camera technicians simply drop the camera at the same time the diver begins to fall. If you remember from your high school physics class: all objects fall at the same speed, the speed of gravity. The DiveCam is no exception. This is the camera which follows the diver from the top of the platform all the way into the water without the use of complex pneumatics or motorized tracks, but rather the natural forces of gravity. Newton would be proud.

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No one likes hauling ridiculously heavy bags around the airport. LiveLuggage’s Power Assisted series uses a special wheel to make your traveling a heck of a lot more lightweight. This luggage is designed to distribute 85% of the total weight directly upon the wheels, making you feel you’re only carrying a fraction of it.

The intelligent torque control powers the wheels and the pressure is applied to the handle, leading to the concentration of force sensors at the base. The tilt switch/sensors power the wheels at specific angles between 15% and 35% incline.

This torque control activates manually or automatically when necessary and in the event that you drop your luggage, it’ll automatically deactivate so your stuff won’t resist gravity and fly away.
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