Star Wars Speederbike, in Real Life: Aerofex Hover Bike Flies the Mojave

As young boys, how often did we dream of speeding through our neighborhood like Luke Skywalker did in the forests of Endor on a speederbike? Probably way too often, at least in my case.

READ MORE: DeLorean Hovercraft Makes its Debut at Giants Game (Video)

But now that dream may be one step closer to reality, thanks to the “Tandem-Duct Aerial Vehicle” fromAerofex.

The company isn’t going into mass production just yet, so put your checkbook away, but they envision these hoverbikes as a development platform for robotic drones for lifting and carrying cargo. Currently, the Aerofex machine is being tested at a top speed of 30 mph and a max height of 15 feet above the ground.

READ MORE: The Closest Thing to a Real-life Lightsaber (Video)

Follow along with their progress at the Aerofex Flight Log.

A Personal Weather Station for Your iPhone: Netatmo

Imagine having a mini personal weather station at your own house, one that allows you to monitor and track the outside temperature, humidity, air quality, and atmospheric pressure, right from your iPhone or iPad. Now imagine being able to also monitor and track the inside temperature, humidy, CO2 levels, and indoor air quality.

Well, you’re in luck, because if you’re weather-obsessed, meteorologically-inclined, or your daily activities depend on knowing the current conditions outside, the Netatmo Urban Weather Station is for you.

With two sleek aluminum sensor bodies – one for inside and one for outside – measuring the data, an iPhone/iPad app for viewing and sharing it, realtime air quality and weather alerts, and cloud data storage backing it all up, the Netatmo system can help you decide the best (and worst) times for watering the garden, going for a run, riding your bike to work, or making your kids go outside to play. The app also features a 7-day weather forecast, and for those who live in areas with plenty of noise pollution, the sensors also measure and track the sound levels (from 35 dB to 120 dB).

In addition, those who use Netatmo weather stations can also choose to help contribute to a wider community-based network of weather monitoring, so that scientists and meteorologists can further their understanding of the climate and weather in urban environments.

“The Netatmo Urban Weather Program aims to create the largest community based weather and Air Quality monitoring network ever established, offering a wealth of info to scientists and people living in urban environments…”

Roomba Turns 10, a DIY Autonomous Paintball Turret, and More at Tested.comRoomba Turns 10, a DIY Autonomous Paintball Turret, and More at Tested.com

When they’re not busting myths on the Discovery Channel, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage are busy cooking up great DIY projects and keeping up to date on the latest achievements of the world’s best makers.

Here’s some of the latest from Tested.com:

The Roomba Turns 10

Everyone’s favorite robo-floor cleaner is now 10 years old. Tested.com outlines the history of the home robot and the company that creates it, iRobot.

3D Printing at the World Maker Faire

Meanwhile, at World Maker Faire, Tested.com checks out a new 3D printer that uses stereolithography instead of extruded plastic filament to build highly detailed objects.

The Autonomous Sentry Gun

How cool is this? Project Sentry Gun is a homemade paintball and airsoft turret that uses open source software to track moving targets with a webcam and trigger arduino-connected servo motors to activate a homemade sentry. You’ve got to see it in action.

Talking With Makerbot Industries’ Bre Pettis

Finally, Tested.com talks with the co-founder of Makerbot Industries, Bre Pettis. He explains the improvements in the company’s latest 3D-printer.

Victorinox Unveils 1 Terabyte Solid State Drive in a Swiss Army Knife

Image: Victorinox

The Swiss Army drive is ready for its update.

At CES, Victorinox announced two new products to its portable storage line: the Victorinox SSD and Victorinox Slim 3.0 USB drive. Both look like teeny flash drives. Both pack quite a bit more.

The company claims the drive is the world’s smallest high-capacity solid-state drive, ranging from 64 gigabytes to 1 terabyte. It has a 220 MB/second read and 150 MB/second write speeds with 256-bit AES encryption. The drive can also handle automatic backup and syncing. The drive is removable and can be outfitted with two included cases, a TSA friendly one and a signature Swiss Army one with all the bells (blade, scissors, nail file/screw driver). The Slim 3.0 USB drive has a capacity of up to 128 gigabytes and is up to 10 times faster than the its predecessor. Pricing for either product has not been announced.

Samsung Debuts New Product Category: The Note is a Smartphone-Tablet Hybrid

Image: Samsung

It had to happen. On Thursday, Samsung debuted a tablet-phone hybrid with the 5.3-inch Galaxy Note.

Samsung’s new product category, CNET reports, combines tablet-like functionality with smartphone features and portability.

The Note, with a 1.4-gigahertz dual-core processor, has a Super AMOLED touchscreen, which Samsung says is more vivid and brighter than standard hi-def displays. The screen — large for a smartphone, tiny for a tablet — makes is easy to view websites, books and documents, but overall the phone is pretty thin at 9.65 millimeters.

It runs on Android’s Gingerbread operating system, comes with a stylus (did we return to the ’90s?) and has both a 2-megapixel front camera and 8-megapixel rear camera. With 16-gigabyte and 32-gigabyte versions, the phone will also support the various 4G networks: one model will support HSPA+ and the other LTE. But details are scant on pricing and timing.

iPad Meets Antique Typewriter

Image: etsy/usbtypewriter

Is your iPad feeling a bit too modern for you?

Then attach a typewriter to it. An etsy member has hacked an antique typewriter to work as a USB keyboard for Macs, PCs and even iPads.

The typewriter’s keyboard includes all letters, numerals, punctuation marks, shift, space and a functional return carriage. Non-standard keys, such as function (eg. F1, F2), esc, ctrl are available with a special toggle key.

READ MORE: Autonomous Robots Use Wii Sensors to Play Hockey

Image: etsy/usbtypewriter

The modification is very clean leaves the typewriter looking, feeling, and working like a regular typewriter — and yes, it still writes beautifully on paper. A beatiful, functional, unique addition to your home office.

The USB typewriter doesn’t require special software and also works with a number of tablets, including the Toshiba Thrive, Motorola Xoom and HP TouchPad.

READ MORE: Can’t Decide Between a Private Island or a Mega-Yacht? Get Both in One

Image: etsy/usbtypewriter

532 Million Status Updates, 864,000 Hours of Video: A Typical Day on the Internet (Infographic)

According to information I found on the Internet, back in 1993 the Internet carried only 1% of all information from two-way telecommunication. By 2007, more than 97% of that information was flowing through the Interwebs.

So what exactly does that translate to in real numbers? Since the Internet has proven to not only be the go-to choice for communication and information, but is also one of the fastest ways to become a billionaire, the guys over at MBA Online poured through the research to find out what we do on the InterGoogles on a typical day.

READ MORE: The Earth – and Its Average Inhabitant – at 7 Billion People (Infographic)

And the numbers are staggering. In 24 hours we consume enough information to fill 168 million DVDs, send enough emails to keep the post office busy for 2 years, write enough blog posts to fill Time magazine for 770 years, and upload 98 years worth of videos. Every. Single. Day. It’s a miracle we have enough time to do actual work.

Car-Building Robots with Laser Eyes Can “See” Exactly Where to Place Parts for Custom-Like Fit

New car building robots can "see" where to place parts (Photos: Ford)

Assembly line robots that are programmed to build cars by placing parts in exactly the same place every time are no longer tech cool. You know what is tech cool?  Assembly line robots with laser eyes that can see where parts need to go, adjust themselves to even the slightest variations in positioning, and custom fit each placement.

An army of these new “seeing” robots has been installed at Ford‘s Louisville Assembly Plant to install Instrument panels, windshields, roofs and fenders on the all-new Ford Escape, and they can adjust to any variations in positioning as each Escape rolls across the line to be fitted with its parts.

The machines are programmed to recognize any tiny deviation from specification such as gaps between door panels or between the windshield and the vehicle body.

“The ability of the machines to register any difference in each vehicle on the line improves our quality by providing a custom-like build,” said Thomas Burns, an engineer who works with the technology for the Escape. This results in things like door panels that fit tighter, reducing wind noise inside the cabin.

These new robots not only improve accuracy and deliver higher standards of build quality, but they save us humans from physical strain and injury due to repetitive motion. According to Marty Smets, an ergonomics engineer, “We also have a variety of semi-autonomous robots, which do tasks that aren’t safe for humans to do repetitively.”

A robot like the Instrumentation Panel Robot (that, not surprisingly, installs the instrumentation panel), performs a task that isn’t safe for humans to do repetitively, while also improving the build quality and maximizing gap seals for that part.

In the paint shop, 88 new robots reduce energy costs by more efficiently applying paint and sealer inside the body and to the exterior of the vehicle. Keeping humans out of the zones where the paint is applied reduces airflow and climate control requirements thereby saving energy and reducing carbon emissions.

Ford has more than 700 robots at the Louisville Assembly Plant assisting in the build of the body and interior of the all-new Escape. And as they begin to “see” and decide where to place parts, how long before humans are no longer needed on the line at all?

Not that I want anyone to lose their job, but I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords.

Flat Speaker is Thinner than a Credit Card (Photos)

Image: Hannes Harms

If you want a set of speakers to match your MacBook Air, then check out the thin boombox.

Measuring a half a millimeter thick (thinner than credit cards), the speaker design from Hannes Harms, a masters candidate at the Royal College of Art, uses sustainable manufacturing methods, design boomreports.

with acid-etching, the sheet of stainless steel is cut and engraved extremely precisely, allowing for 100% recyclability due to its extractive process. the shape of the product also allows for efficient shipping, enabling the use of envelope style packaging. once purchased, the user would assemble the speaker by bending the metal along pre-scored lines.

Image: Hannes Harms

Image: Hannes Harms

Image: Hannes Harms

Looks great, but how does it sound? No word yet, but judging by how puny it is, thin boombox probably can’t output the clearest and biggest audio. It is, however, great eye candy — and for some, that’s good enough.

Meet RUTH, the Touchy Feely Robot That Pokes Car Interiors For a Living (Video)

RUTH pokes and prods car interiors checking for comfort and quality (Photos: Ford Motor Company)

RUTH isn’t the ideal passenger. She’ll spend the entire time poking the seats, pushing all the buttons and flicking the air conditioner vents back and forth. She’s like a sugared-up 5-year-old, only instead of candy she’s powered by electrical wires, and instead of being annoying because she’s bored, she’s just doing her job.

RUTH is a robot. Her full name is the Robotized Unit for Tactility and Haptics. And she’s designed to tell car makers when the materials in their vehicles have just the right amount of softness, roughness, temperature, hardness and comfort that we as customers want. So earlier this year, Ford brought RUTH from Europe to their Michigan product development center to help them create cars with just the right amount of everything we want in a car’s interior materials.

See RUTH in action

“Quality” can be difficult to express, yet when we sit in a high-end car, we know by the feel of the trim and the touch of the buttons that the car is special and well-crafted. The sense of touch and the intuitive understanding of quality are innately human characteristics, but how do you measure them? How do you quantify something like seat comfort or a “satisfying” button push?

“Before RUTH, many engineers had access only to hand-held measuring tools, and no means to test the interiors in a manner that resembled in-vehicle scenarios,” says Luke Robinson, Ford metrologist and RUTH technician. “An engineer outside of our department might even have pushed a dictionary and a pop can into an armrest to measure its resistance and softness.”

RUTH and engineer Luke Robinson test a seat's comfort

Now, with this new technology, Ford has taken data from decades of worldwide consumer feedback and entered them into RUTH. Then RUTH takes her giant, 6-jointed, robotic arm and pokes the trims, turns the knobs, pushes the buttons and interacts with many of the vehicle’s interior areas in the same way a person would. She then “tells” the engineers which option is the best and finest, and Ford puts it into production. This allows Ford to tailor each vehicle interior to exactly what a customer group wants.

The result is the ability to put high-end products into cars faster, with less testing time, allowing them to be more affordable and within reach of a larger group of customers. And for that, we’ll put up with a little poking and prodding.

Apple's Contract-Free iPhone Could Benefit Every Consumer In America

Apple’s introduction of an unlocked and contract free iPhone 5 may be a big thing in the United States, but for the rest of the world it’s business as usual. But it might herald a change in the US market that will benefit consumer choice.

Having consumers buy a subsidised phone on a two year contract has a lot of advantages for the network carrier, but having options in the pay as you go market, as well as SIM only deals and buying the hardware outright is something that is an accepted practice outside of the US.

In the run up to the launch of the iPhone 5 in the UK, SIM only networks such as GiffGaff saw their user base request the new nano-sim in preparation for the unlocked smartphone from Apple; pay as you go data plans in many countries are heavily tailored to data usage for smartphones; and there is very little to stop someone with a two year contract switching the SIM into another phone to see out the contract period. In America the carrier relationship is much more powerful. Handset costs are subsidised to a huge extent. Smartphones on sale for $50 are clearly not being sold at the true cost of production, but it’s the expected price. And if you want to end or switch a contract out, there is a high cost to pay.

By opening up the smartphone market in America with more options for pay as you go users, Apple could have a positive effect on the whole ecosystem. Arguably the press from the American media drives the stories that promote the ‘winning’ smartphones, and that concentrates the story on the carrier, rather than the Lumias, Galaxies, and iPhones of the world.

Just as manufacturers are looking to have people locked into ecosystems, there is a secondary  battle to own the customer. With a reliance on subsidised hardware, the relationship remains with the carrier.

This is where Apple could help the rest of hardware manufactures. Tim Cook’s company does its best to grab user details, both through the iTunes setup and the billing relationship required for app and media purchases. Microsoft are making similar moves with Windows Phone to direct people to register via a Windows ID and set up payment for the Windows Store, and Google has the requirement for a Google account and payment details to fully engage with Android.

All of these relationship require nothing more from the carriers. In essence they become little more than data pipes while the fun stuff happens between users and ecosystems.

Carriers would likely prefer this not to happen, and the two year contracts and subsidies ensure people will return to buy their handsets from them because for many in the US there is no other valid choice. The rest of the world knows differently and the carrier model sits alongside the contract-free option quite nicely.

Opting out of a restrictive carrier grip is a choice the hardware manufacturers would love for the consumers to have. Every little step helps, which is why Apple’s move to supply unlocked handsets should be applauded.

Portable mCAMLITE Turns Your iPhone Into a Versatile Video Camera

The mCAMLITE turns your iPhone into a top-level video camera (Images: Action Life Media)

Yes, you can use your iPhone as a more than decent video camera, but if you want to get better, more professional results, wrap it in an mCAMLITE.

Made from aircraft-grade billet aluminum, the mCAMLITE not only protects your iPhone when climbing on rocks to get the perfect angle, but it gives it the weight and heft you need to stabilize your hands whileshooting.

And because the pros don’t just use one standard lens when pushing for the perfect shot, the kit comes with two 37mm interchangeable lenses: a wide angle for capturing everything you want in the scene, and a macro when you want to get up close and personal. Together, they give you the chance to get shots that are downright impossible with the iPhone’s lens.

Since the best videos have sound, the mCAMLITE comes with a 180-degree external microphone, allowing you to capture directional sound and reduce ambient noise, so your YouTube fans can hear every note of your keyboard-playing cat…

The mCAMLITE’s housing is designed with consideration of your growth as an auteur. It has mounts on top and bottom for accessories and tripods, and has a cold shoe on top for pro quality mics and lights. They even offer a pair of action carts so you can slide your cam along to get smooth action shots. So as you get better and demand more from your cam, the mCAMLITE can oblige.

At only $159.95 it’s the perfect starter kit for any visionary filmmaker (or photographer), to add to their portfolio without spending a fortune. Don’t quote me on this, but I think this is how Scorsese got started…

Modular Keyboard Lets You Rearrange Keys to Your Liking

Image: red dot

Whether you’re a Dvorak diehard or a QWERTY fan, this modular keyboard will satisfy your typing needs.

The Puzzle Keyboard, a red dot award winner for design concept, uses rearrangeable keys to adjusts to users’ needs. For those who frequently use odd keys (such as F1-9) or program custom shortcut keys, this would allow them to layout a keyboard to their liking, in theory promoting typing efficiency.

Furthermore, the keyboard can be angled to adjust for ergonomics and wrist relief. But the possibilities don’t end there.

Furthermore, Puzzle Keyboard can provide efficient customised interaction with mobile devices, and could even be shaped like a remote control when the user is watching movies.

Jackets with Built-In Heating Let You Extend Your Cold Weather Golfing, Tailgating and Spectating

These jackets have a built-in heater with four temp settings (Photos: Mobile Warming Gear)

Just because it’s gotten colder outside it doesn’t mean you have to cut your golfing or tailgating short, or freeze your butt off supporting your team in the Frozen Tundra. Mobile Warming Gear has jackets and vests featuring built-in heating elements using technology originally pioneered by NASA during the early days of the space program, so you can crank up the heat when the temperature drops.

A system of unobtrusive micro-alloy heating elements built into the back and chest area are powered by a small, rechargeable lithium ion battery. A push-button switch lets you dial in the heat to your choice of four settings, depending on the conditions outside: 100%, that’ll bring the heat at 135 degrees, 75% for 120 degrees, 50% delivers 105 degrees and 25% will warm you to 90 degrees. Forget layering, you’d have to pile on a half dozen bulky layers to get you close to 135 degrees of chill-busting warmth.

But all that warmth comes at a price. A time price. The battery lasts about 2.5 hours at 100%, but when you dial it down to 25% you’ll get up to 10 hours of heat. So pace yourself.

For golfers who want to squeeze in a few late month rounds around the holidays, Mobile Warming Gear’s new waterproof collection of heated golf jackets are designed with performance and movement in mind. The jackets and vests are seam-sealed, USGA conforming and cut from ultra-lightweight and breathable technical polyester that’s waterproof to keep the rain and snow from shorting out the heaters, and your game. Featuring four-way stretch and golf-specific construction, the jackets provide exceptional freedom of movement without restricting layers.

Offered in both men’s and women’s styles the golf jackets are also windproof and feature waterproof pocket zippers, Velcro cuffs and a hem cinch cord for easy adjustment, and to keep the frost from blowing up your back. Because it’s hard to sink that 30-foot putt when you’re shivering.
$159.99-$219.99

Cocktails Would be Foolproof with this Shaker (Photos)

Image: Tatabi Studio

Enjoy a nice cocktail but clueless about how to make one?

Tatabi Studio’s Enkaja is a concept cocktail shaker that makes mixed drinks almost foolproof — almost being the operative word. There’s no telling what your choice ingredients are.

Image: Tatabi Studio

The shaker is made up of different building blocks: bases (such as mixers), spirits and touches (eg. bitters). After pouring in the different components, you compose the Enkaja, mix and pour. Sounds simple enough right?

Image: Tatabi Studio

Image: Tatabi Studio

The cocktail snobs among us might think this is too simplistic, but for those of us lacking an inner mixologist, this is a fuss-free way to bartend a small gathering at home. Too bad it’s just a concept for now though.

HyperJuice: How to Charge Your MacBook On the Go

Image: Alice Truong for Discovery Channel

These days, many companies have addressed the perpetually dying cell phone problem with battery packs. With USB output, these portable batteries — powered via wall outlets, the sun’s rays or a hand crank — can charge up most mobile devices.

Yet such a solution has been lacking for the laptop, another portable device that always manages to die at critical times. Whether you’re commuting on the train or watching movies on the plane, it’s always a frustrating process to be stranded without power, which is why the HyperJuice batteries for Apple devices — MacBooks included — is so useful.

The HyperJuice comes in four capacities varying from 60Wh to 222Wh, the last of which can power a MacBook for up to 45 hours or the iPhone 52 times over. Clad in aluminum to complement the MacBook, the HyperJuice includes four ports for charging (DC in) and discharging (DC out and two USB ports) along with a backlit screen that shows remaining battery life and the temperature the battery is running at. The company says the lithium-ion cells can be recharged up to 1,000 times and includes a built-in short circuit to prevent overcharging and overheating.

Still, despite its utility, there are two major drawbacks. The first is the setup. What you get out of the box is a battery and a strange connector. Though I initially thought the included adapter was for use with a car cigarette lighter, turns out it’s supposed to help you connect the HyerJuice to a MagSafe Airline Adapter, one that’s sold separately by Apple.

Image: HyperShop

There is another method to connect the battery to your computer, and that requires you to modify your existing MagSafe charger. Step one requires you to cut the cable of your charger, something I don’t expect most people will feel inclined to do, despite the following reassurance from the company: “Don’t worry. You will still be able to use your MacBook/MagSafe Power Adapter.” The full directions, which should take about five minutes to complete, are below:

1) Cut your MacBook/MagSafe Adapter’s cable.
Don’t worry. You will still be able to use your MacBook/MagSafe Power Adapter.

2) Attach Magic Boxes (Ed note: sold separately as part of the MagSafe Modification Kit) to your cut MagSafe Adapter’s cables.

3) Recharge your HyperJuice battery with modified MagSafe Adapter

4) Recharge your MacBook using your HyperJuice battery.

5) Recharge your MacBook with modified MagSafe Adapter

6) Recharge your MacBook with 12V auto power.

The second drawback is the cost. The entry-level HyperJuice begins at $169.96. The top-of-the-line model that can provide 45 hours of power to your MacBook? That’ll run you $449.95. That’s of course not including the additional airline adapter ($49) or the Magic Box mod kit ($49.95) — at least one of which is required to make this work with your MacBook.

Despite the steep price, there are plenty of professionals who are often on the road who will find this useful. By all means, if you have an expense account, go for it. But this might be out of the reach for the occasional flight or everyday commute on the train.

Wireless Speaker Bar Attaches to Your Gear, Goes Where You Go

Photos: Carbon Audio

There are an endless number of good wireless Bluetooth speaker options out there to choose from these days, and most are meant to sit on your desk behind your laptop or ride a shelf. And that’s fine, unless you want your laptop or tablet to do what it was designed to do, and go portable. Then you’re stuck juggling your device and a speaker (or two).

That’s why I like the new Zooka wireless speaker from Carbon Audio. A sound emitting tube made from medical grade silicone with 30mm drivers positioned on each end, the Zooka was conceived to also be a grip—a way to hold your music player while you listen.

Watch how the Zooka was created

The slit down the middle (or top or bottom, depending on what you’re attaching it to), lets the Zooka clamp onto your iPad or ride atop your laptop. A strategically placed notch keeps it from blocking your computer’s built-in video camera. Used with your iPad, it becomes a handle when taking your tablet with you, or use the pull-out “kickstand” hidden in the end to prop your screen up to the optimal viewing angle for watching movies and videos.

The placement of the speakers at the ends means you get a wide, room-filling sound field, and you won’t muffle the music with your mitts when using it as a portable grip. Which is good, since Zooka claims to play your music at 5 times the sound level your player is capable of. I tested one on my laptop, and the sound was deeper, richer and most definitely “louderer” (that’s how Zooka describes its sound), than the anemic stock speakers.

I did learn pretty quickly, that screen angle is essential to keeping the Zooka from tipping my laptop backwards. I’m tall and keep my screen angled back when I’m working. Not ideal for topping it with a speaker, even one weighing less than a dozen or so ounces. But standing the screen at a more upright angle isn’t a big deal when I’m getting this kind of sound. And sliding my iPad into it and watching movies is a whole different experience. I love that it can go anywhere, and not take up any more space than the iPad itself. And you style mavens will dig the choice of six colors.

Looks like the Zooka has a grip on what we’re looking for in a wireless speaker.
$99