Lamborghini unveils the Gallardo LP 560-4 and the LP 570-4 Edizione Tecnica

Lamborghini took its turn at the Paris Motor Show last week as it introduced two new “baby Lambos,” the Gallardo LP 560-4 and LP 570-4 Edizione Tecnica. Showing off refreshed stylings that should appeal to purists, the additions to the stables brings the Gallardo line up to six models... Continue Reading Lamborghini unveils the Gallardo LP 560-4 and the LP 570-4 Edizione Tecnica

Curiosity finds ancient stream bed on Mars

NASA’s unmanned Curiosity rover has found the most direct evidence to date that ancient Mars once had running water. The robot explorer discovered rock outcroppings thrusting from the Martian surface that are the remains of an ancient stream bed consisting of water-worn gravel that was washed down from the rim of Gale Crater where the nuclear-powered rover landed. This means that Mars was once a much wetter place and increases the chances that it once harbored life ... or still does... Continue Reading Curiosity finds ancient stream bed on Mars

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive – the world's fastest production electric supercar

Mercedes-Benz and AMG have been teasing us with the prospect of an all-electric supercar since the SLS AMG E-Cell concept broke cover in 2010. Now at the Paris Motor Show, Mercedes has presented the public with an all-electric SLS that's set to become the fastest production electric supercar in the world when it hits the road next year... Continue Reading Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive – the world's fastest production electric supercar

Curiosity completes first rock inspection, unveils Stars and Stripes

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover reached another pair of milestones over the past week. Last Saturday, the 4x4-sized lander touched its first rock with the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) mounted on its seven-foot (2.1 m) robotic arm. Then on Wednesday, 50 Martian days into the mission, Curiosity took its longest drive yet as it rolled 160 feet (48.9 meters) eastward toward the Glenelg area. It also took the opportunity to show off the American flag... Continue Reading Curiosity completes first rock inspection, unveils Stars and Stripes

U.S. Navy looking at obtaining fuel from seawater

Tell someone that you’ve invented a car that runs on water and they're liable to report you for fraud. That hasn’t stopped scientists and engineers at the U.S.. Naval Research Laboratory (NSL) who want to run warships on seawater - or at least, to turn seawater into jet fuel. This may sound like they’ve been standing too close to the ether again, but the idea is to extract carbon dioxide and hydrogen from seawater and then convert these into jet fuel by a gas-to-liquids process. If this proves practical, American naval vessels could refuel themselves at sea... Continue Reading U.S. Navy looking at obtaining fuel from seawater

NASA to build manned space station beyond the Moon?

After forty years of venturing no farther than low Earth orbit, NASA may have decided to establish a manned outpost at a greater distance than humanity has ever traveled before. According to documents seen by the Orlando Sentinel, NASA has chosen a proposal to build a space station beyond the Moon that will act as a “gateway spacecraft” to explore the Moon, the asteroids and eventually as a staging post to launch a manned mission to Mars... Continue Reading NASA to build manned space station beyond the Moon?

Mazda to premiere the 2013 Mazda CX-9 at the Australian International Motor Show

Mazda has announced that it will be unveiling its 2013 CX-9 crossover SUV at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show, October 18 - 28. Highlighting a stouter “refreshed” design than the 2012 CX-9, the latest version has a more aggressive front that’s all bumps and forward-thrusting angles. Read More

Silver Arrow motor yacht features Mercedes-Benz design

Mercedes Benz is famous for its range of cars, trucks buses and vans, but the company has ambitions beyond the land. Last year, Mercedes took to the skies with the Eurocopter EC145 Mercedes Benz Style luxury helicopter, and now it has eyes on the seas as part of its vision of “all encompassing mobility.” Presenting the designs at the 2012 Monaco Yacht Show, Mercedes has teamed up with UK-based boat-building company Silver Arrows Marine to design what it describes as a “14-meter (46 ft) long seagoing Granturismo.” Read More

DARPA's CT2WS technology uses "mind reading" to identify threats

A new Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) project crosses the line between man and machine, with a threat detection system that uses “mind reading.” No, the Cognitive Technology Threat Warning System (CT2WS) doesn’t pick up the thoughts of approaching baddies. Instead, it uses a combination of a digital imaging system, computer algorithms and an electroencephalogram (EEG) to help observers scan areas for threats with much greater accuracy by making them aware of things that they’ve seen, but aren’t consciously aware of... Continue Reading DARPA's CT2WS technology uses "mind reading" to identify threats

Aston Martin unveils 2013 DB9 to replace the Vantage

Aston Martin has officially taken the wraps off of its latest Sports GT car, the 2013 Aston Martin DB9. Taking its styling cues from the now discontinued Aston Martin Vantage and aimed squarely at the GT market, the 2013 DB9 is now available in both two-door coupe and Volante versions. Read More

SARTRE autonomous road train project completed

The SARTRE (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) project that first hit the road in 2011 before conducting itsfirst public road test earlier this year has now been completed. As well as finding that semi-autonomous “follow the leader” road train technology is mature enough for practical applications in the near future, the participating partners in the project have concluded that it could be integrated on conventional highways and operate in a mixed environment with existing road users... Continue Reading SARTRE autonomous road train project completed

BMW Concept Active Tourer combines comfort and sustainable driving

BMW is bringing its BMW Concept Active Tourer to the 2012 Paris Motor Show, which takes place September 29 to October 14. The four-door plug-in hybrid concept car showcases technology that combines fuel efficiency and comfort in a design aimed at the premium compact market... Continue Reading BMW Concept Active Tourer combines comfort and sustainable driving

smart forstars concept includes bonnet-mounted cinema projector

Some of the concept cars that turn up at motor shows seem a little bit mad, but the smart forstars scheduled to be unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show (September 29 - October 14) is a car that seems to have developed a particularly serious identity disorder. On the one hand, it’s an electric SUC (Sports Utility Coupé). On the other hand, it’s a mobile video projector for staging impromptu cinema outings on any handy blank wall. .. Continue Reading smart forstars concept includes bonnet-mounted cinema projector

Seiko Astron watch uses GPS to set the time anywhere in the world

For the truly obsessive-compulsive who panic if their watch is even slightly off, the Seiko Astron GPS watch could be the answer. The world’s first solar-powered watch that can set the time with GPS signals, the Astron is accurate to within one second per 100,000 years and automatically adjusts to any timezone in the world. Seiko announced the release of the Astron back in March and it’s now going on sale worldwide... Continue ReadingSeiko Astron watch uses GPS to set the time anywhere in the world

Homeland Security's PLUTO sub designed to imitate narco subs

When someone mentions drug running, most people probably picture a person coming through an airport carrying a suitcase with a false bottom or with balloons stuffed up their nether regions. We don’t usually imagine things like submarines. Unfortunately, the South American drug cartels not only imagine them, but they build and operate them. To help combat these underwater smugglers, the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S and T) is operating their own drug-running submarine called PLUTO to develop and test a new generation of detection equipment... Continue Reading Homeland Security's PLUTO sub designed to imitate narco subs

Museum restores first color motion picture film

A piece of history was rescued from oblivion with the National Media Museum in Bradford, United Kingdom, revealing a restoration of the first known color motion picture. Shot as a test reel by British inventor Edward Raymond Turner (1873 - 1903) in 1901/2, it was long thought to have been a practical failure until restored by the museum, which is showing the film to the public for the first time 110 years after its making... Continue ReadingMuseum restores first color motion picture film

Curiosity finishes self-inspection, photographs Phobos

NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity has limbered up its robotic arm, taken a good look at itself and has been given a clean bill of health. It’s now on the move as it starts its two-year mission of discovery on the Red Planet. On Thursday, it traveled 105 feet (32 m) as it seeks out its first rock for serious investigation. Meanwhile, the nuclear-powered explorer sent back images of Mars’s moon Phobos as it passed in front of the Sun. .. Continue Reading Curiosity finishes self-inspection, photographs Phobos

Next generation Intel Ultrabooks will include voice recognition and gesture interfaces

As computers become more sophisticated, they sometimes seem almost human – especially when they refuse to download a page when you’re in a hurry. At the Intel Developer’s Forum in San Francisco, Intel revealed that it is taking that a step further by giving their new line of Ultrabooks “human-like senses to perceive the user's intentions” thanks to a new generation of processors... Continue Reading Next generation Intel Ultrabooks will include voice recognition and gesture interfaces

Peugeot 2008 Crossover Concept set for production

Peugeot caused a bit of a stir earlier this year in Beijing when it unveiled its 2008 Urban Crossover Concept, a "world car" designed for an increasingly young, urban market. Following the same design philosophy, the French automaker has announced that the new 2008 compact 4X4 hatchback, which is set to get its official unveiling at the Paris Motor Show later this month, will go into production in 2013... Continue Reading Peugeot 2008 Crossover Concept set for production

2013 Ford Mondeo to get 1.0 liter EcoBoost engine

Until now Ford has been installing its 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine in small cars, but the company is pushing the boundaries by announcing that the EcoBoost will be available as one of the engine options for their redesigned 2013 Mondeo family car. Read More

Ancient Egyptian faience may be key to printing 3D ceramic

We like to think of technology as always being forward looking. It’s supposed to be about nanoparticles and the Cloud, not steam engines and the telephone exchange. But every now and again the past reaches out, taps the 21st century on the shoulder and says, “Have a look at this.” That’s what happened to Professor Stephen Hoskins, Director of the University of West England, Bristol's Centre for Fine Print Research. He is currently working on a way of printing 3D ceramics that are self-glazing, thanks to a 7,000-year old technology from ancient Egypt... Continue Reading Ancient Egyptian faience may be key to printing 3D ceramics

BMW's “V-12 25 Years Edition” 760Li sedan sells out in three days

Last Friday, BMW announced that it was releasing a limited series of 15 760Li Sedans in the United States to commemorate 25 years since the company built its first V-12 engine L series cars. By Monday afternoon, all had been snapped up at an eye-watering price of US$159,695 each. Read More

John Cooper Works unveils its take on the 4x4 MINI Countryman

When MINI Cooper came out with its Mini Countryman in 2010, it looked like what it was – a 4x4 crossover for people who like MINIs, but occasionally need to drive through a field or live on steep, icy hills. This year, MINI’sJohn Cooper Works sub-brand comes out with its version of the Countryman that takes the bucolic MINI and gives it a heavy dose of racetrack style and technology... Continue Reading John Cooper Works unveils its take on the 4x4 MINI Countryman

2013 Toyota Avalon sheds 110 pounds

With U.S. mileage standards set to rise to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, Carmakers are working flat out to make their vehicles burn as little fuel as possible. One approach is to develop new drivetrains based on hybrid orall-electric technology, but regardless of the platform, weight reduction remains very much a part of the equation. Toyota is pointing to its 2013 Avalon as an example of its progress on this front, having designed the mid-size sedan with 110 pounds (49.89 kg) less weight than the 2012 model... Continue Reading 2013 Toyota Avalon sheds 110 pounds

2014 Honda Accord PHEV features electric-only mode

Scheduled to go on sale in early 2013, the new Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) sedan represents Honda's first two-motor hybrid system. It has the ability to travel up to 15 miles (24 km) on electrics only and boasts a total driving range of more than 500 miles (800 km). .. Continue Reading 2014 Honda Accord PHEV features electric-only mode

Solar-powered oven makes fresh water

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. Concerned about the lack of fresh water in the developing world, designer Gabriele Diamanti wanted a solution to desalinate water that was available to households rather than relying on giant centralized plants. He also wanted it to be something inexpensive that could be made by local craftsman. The result is a ceramic solar still called the Eliodomestico that operates like an “upside-down coffee percolator”... Continue Reading Solar-powered oven makes fresh water

AutoTram Extra Grand carries 256 people

Love them or hate them, bendy buses are impressive. You see one coming around a corner looking like an ordinary bus, then comes the articulated bit and then more bus. Now the unveiling in Dresden, Germany of the AutoTram Extra Grand raises the bar with a bendy bus that’s more like a bendy train. With three sections, measuring over 30 meters (100 ft) long and a passenger capacity of 256, it’s the world’s longest bus... Continue Reading AutoTram Extra Grand carries 256 people

World’s largest self-powered land vehicle gets an overhaul

NASA’s giant crawler transporter that carried the Apollo missions and the Space Shuttles to the launch pad is getting an upgrade. In service since the mid-1960s, the 5.5 million pound (2.49 million kg) vehicle is receiving new engines and other improvements that will allow it to carry the future Space Launch System (SLS) rockets due to enter service in 2017... Continue Reading World’s largest self-powered land vehicle gets an overhaul

Kia Quoris: Loaded with luxury and ready for export

Kia has announced that its Quoris luxury sedan is going on sale outside of South Korea later this year. The rear-wheel drive Quoris, known as the Kia K9 in Korea, is the company’s latest move to tempt upmarket consumers into the showrooms with a combination of high-tech gadgetry, opulent trimmings and a dash of GT styling... Continue Reading Kia Quoris: Loaded with luxury and ready for export

LED lantern runs on saltwater

Every now and again, a rumor crops up that someone has invented a motor car that runs on water. Sadly, that still remains a rumor, but Green House Co Ltd of Japan will soon be marketing an LED lantern that runs on saltwater... Continue Reading LED lantern runs on saltwater

Spinach protein boosts efficiency of “biohybrid” solar cells

Popeye gets his strength from downing a can of spinach and what works for him also works for solar panels. Researchers at Vanderbilt University led by David Cliffel and Kane Jennings have come up with a way to dope silicon with a protein found in spinach to create a more efficient "biohybrid" solar cell that produces substantially more electrical current than previous efforts and may one day lead to cheaper, more efficient solar panels... Continue Reading Spinach protein boosts efficiency of “biohybrid” solar cells

Curiosity flexes its arm

On Wednesday, NASA’s unmanned Mars rover Curiosity passed another milestone. Having traversed 358 feet (109 m), the 4X4-sized, nuclear-powered explorer is one-quarter of the way from Bradbury landing to it’s first major destination, Glenelg. Now that Curiosity’s mobility system has had the bugs shaken out of it, it’s the arm’s turn to take center stage. Curiosity will spend the next six to ten days testing its 7-foot (2.1 m) arm and the set of tools that make up its “hand.”.. Continue Reading Curiosity flexes its arm

Fastest production MINI to debut in Paris

More details of the two-seater MINI John Cooper Works GP have been released ahead of its official debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month. The "fastest MINI ever" hasn’t just been given a couple of aerodynamic aprons and some racing stripes. BMW has dropped in a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that puts out 218 bhp (160 kW) to send this MINI from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 242 kph (150 mph). Read More

Light-activated skeletal muscle “blurs the boundary between nature and machines”

In Sir Arthur C. Clarke’s 1972 novel Rendezvous with Rama, the explorers of a seemingly deserted alien spaceship passing through our Solar System encounter a strange three-legged creature that turns out to be an organic robot. In the ‘70s, this seemed so incredible that it could only be the product of an alien civilization thousands of years ahead of us. In 2012, scientists at MIT and the University of Pennsylvania are proving otherwise by starting work on organic robots here on Earth. Using genetically engineered muscle tissue that responds to light, they are blurring the line between animal and machine at the cellular level... Continue ReadingLight-activated skeletal muscle “blurs the boundary between nature and machines”

Radio waves used to wirelessly power tiny heart implant

Implantable medical devices are becoming more common everyday. The problem is that no matter how sophisticated the devices are, most still depend on batteries for power. One solution to this is for the power source to remain outside the body and to beam the power to the device. However, that has its own difficulties because wireless power can’t penetrate very far through human tissue ... until now. .. Continue Reading Radio waves used to wirelessly power tiny heart implant

Boeing JDAM-ER munition completes first round of tests

Boeing has completed the first round of tests of the latest variant of its precision bomb kit, the Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER). Developed in partnership with the Australian government, the winged bomb kit finished its first wind tunnel tests in the United States and is one step closer to production and entering service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)... Continue Reading Boeing JDAM-ER munition completes first round of tests

Curved glasses make people drink lager faster

Are you getting blotto on lager more often than you should? If the University of Bristol’s School of Experimental Psychology is to be believed, then you can (try to) blame your glass. According to Dr. Angela Atwood, drinking out of a curved glass makes you drink lager faster. .. Continue Reading Curved glasses make people drink lager faster

New airline seats provide individual climate control

These days, jet air travel is less of a glamorous Don Draper adventure and often more of a tedious ordeal. The cabin air doesn’t help as passengers suffer sinus troubles and can’t stay warm or cool enough for comfort. At the ILA Berlin Air Show running September 11 - 16, the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP) of Valley, Germany will reveal to the public a new airline seat that provides air passengers with individual climate control that may make even travelling Coach a bit more pleasant... Continue Reading New airline seats provide individual climate control

Saturn and Titan in living color

It will soon be spring on Saturn ... and it will last for the next eight years or so. To celebrate the slow passing of the seasons of the giant ringed planet, NASA has released four real-color images sent back by the Cassinispace probe. The images not only show the seasonal changes, but also the mysterious vortex recently discovered at the south pole of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan... Continue Reading Saturn and Titan in living color

Boston subway to be used to test sensors in fake "bioweapons" attack

Over the next six months, the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate is releasing a harmless bacteria into the underground train system as part of its “Detect to Protect” program. It’s purpose isn’t to frighten commuters, but to test sensors designed to detect biological weapon attacks... Continue Reading Boston subway to be used to test sensors in fake "bioweapons" attack

Scientists use light to alter properties of high temperature superconductors

When people have a difficult problem they often talk about “shining a light on it.” Creating and controlling high-temperature superconductors has been a problem for scientists and engineers for over two decades. Now, Yoram Dagan, a professor at Tel Aviv University's (TAU) Department of Physics and Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, has made a breakthrough in superconductors by literally shining a light on them. By doing this, he is able to control their properties. .. Continue Reading Scientists use light to alter properties of high temperature superconductors

3-D printing on the micrometer scale

Three-dimensional printers are popping up everywhere these days. Some are small enough to fit in a briefcaseand others are large enough to build print houses, but scientists at the Vienna University of Technology are going for the microscopic. Earlier this year, the university built a 3D printer that uses lasers to operate on a tiny small scale. Now they're refining the technique to enable precise placement a selected molecule in a three-dimensional material. This process, called “3D-photografting,” can potentially be used to create a “lab on a chip” or artificially grow living tissue... Continue Reading 3-D printing on the micrometer scale