Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hell Yeah, Liquid Nitrogen! Eco-Friendly Swedes Will Shatter Your Frozen Corpse 'Terminator'-Style]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/09/promessa-freezes-corpses-shatters-them-with-sound/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/09/promessa-freezes-corpses-shatters-them-with-sound/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/09/promessa-freezes-corpses-shatters-them-with-sound/#comments T-1000 getting shattered Um, amazing? Promessa is a Swedish company that will freeze your dead body to -18 degrees Celsius, dip it in liquid nitrogen, and then shatter it with sound waves. The resulting "organic powder" is then "introduced into a vacuum chamber where the water is evaporated away," before being sealed in a coffin made from biodegradable cornstarch. So call your power of attorney, hightail it to the Scandinavian Peninsula and get pulverized like the T-1000, so that your powdered remains can provide nourishment for organic lingonberries and MALM headboards, or whatever they grow in Sweden.

SwitchedHell Yeah, Liquid Nitrogen! Eco-Friendly Swedes Will Shatter Your Frozen Corpse 'Terminator'-Style originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>funeralsgreenlingonberriesliquid nitrogenLiquidNitrogenpromessascienceswedenterminator 2Terminator2topWed, 09 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ's 'Homefront' Balloon Stunt Angers San Francisco Residents]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/thqs-homefront-balloon-stunt-angers-san-francisco-residents/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/thqs-homefront-balloon-stunt-angers-san-francisco-residents/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/thqs-homefront-balloon-stunt-angers-san-francisco-residents/#comments balloons in San Francisco Bay Some San Francisco residents are upset about a promotional stunt that, in support of a video game, sent thousands of red balloons drifting across the city on Wednesday, some landing in the nearby bay.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, game developer THQ released the balloons, which had promotional cards from Gamestop attached to them, to promote its new game 'Homefront' at the Game Developers Conference. When people noticed the balloons in the bay, much of their ire was directed at Gamestop, but the retailer was quick to distance itself from the stunt. "[The] balloon drop stunt in San Francisco was created by THQ... and Gamestop had no prior knowledge of it," the company said in a statement.

Continue reading THQ's 'Homefront' Balloon Stunt Angers San Francisco Residents

SwitchedTHQ's 'Homefront' Balloon Stunt Angers San Francisco Residents originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingballoonsenvironmentGameDevelopersConferencegamestopgaminggreenmarketingSanFranciscostuntsTHQtopVideoGamesThu, 03 Mar 2011 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[ecoATM Gives You Cash for Your Old Gadgets, Raises $14M for Kiosks]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/ecoatm-ecycling-kiosks/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/ecoatm-ecycling-kiosks/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/ecoatm-ecycling-kiosks/#commentsecoatmIn an effort to find a convenient and profitable way to recycle discarded electronics, ecoATM has raised more than $14 million to place eCycling kiosks in stores across the U.S. Each kiosk pays people who recycle their e-waste by giving them either cash or coupons from the store where the machine is located. All you have to do is drop off that old BlackBerry, iPod or other device at the kiosk. The ecoATM will then automatically calculate the value of the device, and pay you for it on the spot. It's instant gratification, which could be a crucial aspect in convincing Americans to recycle their old electronics instead of throwing them in the trash. Like it or not, most people are more likely to eCycle if they can do it during a trip to the grocery store or Best Buy.

If this automated system sounds familiar, that's because Coinstar -- the company that operates the DVD rental kiosks called Redbox -- is one of the primary investors in ecoATM kiosks. We can't turn a corner or enter a store without seeing a Redbox, so that gives us hope that ecoATMs will catch on. The plan, however, was to place 200 kiosks across the U.S. by the end of last year. Unfortunately, for now anyway, there are only a handful of machines -- located primarily on the West Coast.

SwitchedecoATM Gives You Cash for Your Old Gadgets, Raises $14M for Kiosks originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atmcoinstare-Cyclinge-wasteecoatmenvironmentewastegreenGreenTechkioskrecyclingredboxtopwasteWed, 23 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[We Want: A Cardboard Flash Drive for Temporary Memory]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/16/art-lebedev-fleshkus-cardboard-flash-drive/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/16/art-lebedev-fleshkus-cardboard-flash-drive/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/16/art-lebedev-fleshkus-cardboard-flash-drive/#comments fleshkus drive Much of the product design coming out of Art Lebedev Studio has been bold, but of questionable taste. Remember those ridiculous Optimus keyboards? Shudder.

But this concept for disposable thumbdrives, designed by Alexei Lyapunov and Lena Ehrlich, is both realistic and restrained. Called Fleshkus, the drives are made of cardboard and not meant to last. Let's hope they eventually make it to market, because we'd much prefer that PR companies start handing out their kits on something that we don't feel so bad about immediately throwing away.

SwitchedWe Want: A Cardboard Flash Drive for Temporary Memory originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlexeiLyapunovAlexeiLyapunovartLebedevStudioArtLebedevdesignDisposableFlashDrivefleshkusgreenLenaEhrlichrecyclingthumbdrivetopWed, 16 Feb 2011 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Wind Power Could Get a Boost By Flying High]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/joby-energy-wind-turbines-fly-high/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/joby-energy-wind-turbines-fly-high/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/joby-energy-wind-turbines-fly-high/#commentsFlying Wind Turbine Cost efficiency has long stood in the way of alternative energy sources becoming a major competitor for coal power, but JoeBen Bevirt thinks he has a solution that could make wind stand up to coal. His company Joby Energy has designed and built wind turbines that hover in the air, rather than being mounted on the top of large towers. His hope is that the company will be able to launch these turbines, which have already been successfully tested at lower altitudes, up to 30,000 feet in the air, where winds howl with a force up to 20 times greater than those on the ground. In addition to being able to generate more power by reaching loftier heights, the flying turbines save money on construction costs by eliminating the need for large blades and tall towers, which require hundreds of tons of steel and cement. These massive crafts are deceptively light, weighing in at only 100 pounds, and are kept aloft by a complex computer system that adjusts the wings and other lift-generating surfaces to compensate for unexpected wind shifts or strong gusts.

We're always excited to see environmentally friendly energy sources make moves to become more cost efficient, but we're going to remain skeptical until we see the system in real-world use. We've heard about numerous systems -- from solar panels to wave generators -- that were supposed to eliminate the price gap with coal power plants, but none have really panned out yet. So "is the coal killer flying thousands of feet up in the sky" as Discover put it? Maybe, but we're keeping our excitement grounded for the time being.

SwitchedWind Power Could Get a Boost By Flying High originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designEnergygreenjoby energyJobyEnergytopwind powerwind turbineWindPowerWindTurbineWed, 09 Feb 2011 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Shoppers Stockpile Incandescent Bulbs in Anticipation of Phase Out]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/08/shoppers-stockpile-incandescent-bulbs/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/08/shoppers-stockpile-incandescent-bulbs/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/08/shoppers-stockpile-incandescent-bulbs/#commentsman holding bulbIn anticipation of a new law that will phase out incandescent light bulbs beginning next year, some shoppers are stockpiling large quantities of the bulbs for future use. According to USA Today, people aren't happy using the more energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), which are cheaper than LEDs and use 75-percent less energy than incandescents. Some complain that CFLs aren't quite as bright as incandescent bulbs, and, despite the money saved on energy bills by using them, aren't willing to pay the extra dollar or two that they cost. "I can't see a thing with the new bulbs and can't afford them anyway," an Oklahoma woman told USA Today. Of course, the only logical action is to spend money on hundreds of incandescent bulbs, which can be stored in the basement right next to the generator you bought for Y2K. An Ohio woman told the paper that she bought enough incandescent bulbs "to last for the next 50 years."

In a survey conducted by the lighting company Osram Sylvania, only about 13-percent of people said they would hoard 100-watt bulbs before they're phased out in eleven months. That's a pretty small segment of the population, which means incandescent bulb hoarding likely won't become a full-blown trend -- until some pundit decides to rail against the government restricting how he lights his bedside lamp.

SwitchedShoppers Stockpile Incandescent Bulbs in Anticipation of Phase Out originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cflCFLsEnergyenergy+saving+light+bulbsenergysavinglightbulbsgreenhouseholdincandescent bulbsincandescent+light+bulbsIncandescentBulbsincandescentlightbulbslightlightbulblightingtopTue, 08 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Smart Meters Draw (Misguided) Opposition from Left and Right in California]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/01/smart-meters-draw-misguided-opposition-from-left-and-right/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/01/smart-meters-draw-misguided-opposition-from-left-and-right/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/01/smart-meters-draw-misguided-opposition-from-left-and-right/#commentssmart meters As the government and utility companies have continued to work towards modernizing our energy infrastructure and ushering in the era of the smart grid, they've met with surprisingly strong resistance across the political spectrum. The backlash against wireless smart meters has been particularly strong in California, where Tea Party conspiracy theorists and overzealous left-wing Luddites have found themselves on the same side of a battle to keep modern electricity meters out of their homes. Pacific Gas and Electric has been installing wireless smart meters in homes across northern California, but activists have gone to great lengths to cease the rollout, including blockading the company's garages.

The meters originally sparked outrage because residents claimed they were reporting artificially high electricity usage, but those accusations were quickly debunked after several studies confirmed their accuracy. Once that tactic was shot full of holes, the Golden State's activists changed their arguments. Suddenly Tea Party activists were arguing that monitoring the electricity usage of appliances was a violation of privacy rights. (This coming from the group that demands President Obama turn over private medical documents to prove he isn't a secret Kenyan Muslim!) Meanwhile, bleeding-hearts were voicing concerns about potential health issues and the potential for harm to people suffering from electromagnetic hypersensitivity (E.H.S.), a disease that has been repeatedly shown by medical studies to be a figment of the sufferer's imagination.

Continue reading Smart Meters Draw (Misguided) Opposition from Left and Right in California

SwitchedSmart Meters Draw (Misguided) Opposition from Left and Right in California originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiaehselectromagnetic hypersensitivityElectromagneticHypersensitivityemsgreenpoliticsprivacysmart gridsmart metersSmartGridSmartMeterstea partyTeaPartyTue, 01 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Thanks to Ethanol Plant, Cars Using Four Loko for Locomotion]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/09/four-loko-cars/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/09/four-loko-cars/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/09/four-loko-cars/#commentsfour loko Now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cracked down on the sale of Four Loko, what's there to do with all the excess product? According to an Associated Press report, MXI Environmental Services, a waste-management company in Virginia, has been buying truckloads of the caffeinated malt beverage, and will recycle it to get pure ethanol. That's right, the alcoholic energy drink that used to fuel your Saturday night can now fuel your car. About 200 trucks, each carrying 2,000 cases of the 23.5-ounce drink, will soon arrive at the MXI plant. Vice president of operations Brian Potter told the AP that, each day, MXI can process about four truckloads of Four Loko, which are bought from wholesalers that are eager to unload the banned product. MXI distills the alcohol from the drink, and sells it to fuel companies who blend it with gasoline. The company then recycles the aluminum cans, which will end up as new beer cans in about a month. MXI also recycles the drink's water, cardboard packaging and shipping pallets.

Unfortunately, Four Loko fans, there's no way to recycle the drink into a product that can repair the damage done to your body (or dignity) by such a vile and potent beverage.

SwitchedThanks to Ethanol Plant, Cars Using Four Loko for Locomotion originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlternativeEnergycarethanolFourLokoFourLokoBannedFourLokosfuelgreenrecyclingtoptransportationSun, 09 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Focus Electric Takes Ford Into the Electric Car Market]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/ford-focus-electric/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/ford-focus-electric/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/ford-focus-electric/#commentsFord Focus Electric Ford decided to use CES as the stage to announce its foray into the field of electric vehicles. In late 2011, the American car company will begin selling the Focus Electric, the first member of its all-electric fleet of vehicles, which will grow to a total of five by 2013. Though the company would not say how far the car can travel on a charge, or what the MPG-equivalence is, it promised that the Focus would surpass the Chevy Volt in those regards, and would be comparable to other all-electric vehicles like the Leaf. Ford is also promising incredibly quick charge times, with only three to four hours required when using the optional 240-volt charge station.

The car will also launch with a special version of MyFord Touch and the 'MyFord Mobile' app, which will let you check the car's battery level, find the nearest charging station, and even view how much an individual system (such as the AC) is drawing on the battery and thus reducing the range. The navigation system will also be getting a new 'EcoRoute' option, which finds the most energy-efficient driving route (presumably one that avoids traffic lights and keeps the speed low). Owners will be able to access much of that information, as well as remotely turn their vehicle on or off, from the 'MyFord Mobile' app or from the Web. The car will even send alerts when it needs to be charged or is done juicing up. Check out the gallery below for an early look at the 2011 Ford Focus Electric.

Gallery: Ford Focuc Electric

SwitchedFocus Electric Takes Ford Into the Electric Car Market originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2011Ces2011Electric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehiclefocus electricFocusElectricfordford focusford focus electricFordFocusFordFocusElectricgreenmyfordmyford mobilemyford touchMyfordMobileMyfordTouchtoptransportationFri, 07 Jan 2011 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford Announces MyFord Mobile App, Teases Unannounced Electric Car]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/ford-announces-myford-mobile-app-teases-unannounced-electric-ca/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/ford-announces-myford-mobile-app-teases-unannounced-electric-ca/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/ford-announces-myford-mobile-app-teases-unannounced-electric-ca/#commentsFord has not officially announced an all-electric vehicle yet, but that hasn't stopped the company from unveiling 'MyFord Mobile,' an app specifically designed to work with a (currently non-existent) battery-powered car. Ford announced Android, iPhone and BlackBerry versions of the app, along with an HTML5-powered Web-app, accessible from a PC and many dumbphones. The app allows a user to do all the things you'd expect, like check the charge level of your mysterious car, locate it using GPS and remotely start the car or unlock the doors. You can also fire up the AC or heat to get your car nice and comfy before heading off on your vehicular adventure.

Ford also mentioned the ability to schedule charging sessions to avoid peak electricity rates, and mobile alerts for when you need to plug in the car. Obviously, Ford is planning to enter the electric vehicle market, and with an impressively connected car, at that. We'd bet good money the announcement will come sooner rather than later.

SwitchedFord Announces MyFord Mobile App, Teases Unannounced Electric Car originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsblackberrycesfordgreeniosMyfordMobiletoptransportationFri, 07 Jan 2011 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Shape-Shifting Uno III Defies Scooter Stereotypes]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/uno-iii-shape-shifting-motorcycle-bpg-motors/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/uno-iii-shape-shifting-motorcycle-bpg-motors/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/uno-iii-shape-shifting-motorcycle-bpg-motors/#commentsuno 3
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Segways and scooters definitely look fun to ride, but the vehicles -- despite all manner of possible modifications -- invariably carry a heavy nerd stigma. Benjamin Gulak and his BPG Motors company may challenge that stereotype, however, with the sleek and impressive Uno III. The adaptable vehicle actually morphs from an upright "Segway-like" mode into a horizontal, street-cycle position. Even better: it can apparently execute the conversion while in motion.

Inspired by the overcrowded and polluted streets of China, Gulak actually embarked on the Uno project as a high school student. Now, his collapsible baby can effectively fit in an elevator, and -- according to CNET -- will eventually boast a top speed of "about 35 miles per hour and have a range of about 30 miles." BPG intends to release the scooter-bike on a limited basis "in about a year," so, if you want to look really awesome in a 'Fast and Furious' nerd sort of way, you'll still have to wait a little while.

Gallery: Uno III

Continue reading Shape-Shifting Uno III Defies Scooter Stereotypes

SwitchedShape-Shifting Uno III Defies Scooter Stereotypes originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BenjaminGulakBpgMotorsGreenVehiclesscooterssegwaytopUnoIiiWed, 05 Jan 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[LG Thinq Appliances Let You Remotely Burn Lasagna, Start the Dryer]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/04/lg-thinq-control-home-appliances-smartphone/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/04/lg-thinq-control-home-appliances-smartphone/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/04/lg-thinq-control-home-appliances-smartphone/#commentsEvery year at CES, there are tons of companies pushing home automation and smart appliances, and, every year, these products fail to storm the marketplace. LG is hoping that 2011 will be different, and that the key to success will be the sudden proliferation of tablets and smartphones. LG's new Thinq technology will let handheld devices "talk" to the company's appliances, such as ovens, refrigerators and washing machines. The company is even launching HOM-BOT, a robotic vacuum cleaner that will not only start tidying up on demand but, thanks to its built-in camera, also let you take a peek around your home while you're away. With Thinq-enabled appliances connected to the 'Net via a smart meter, owners will be able to schedule cooking times, defrost their refrigerators and start different cycles on their washing machines from their tablets or phones -- not just while they're home, but while they're out and about. Imagine prepping a nice lasagna, which you toss in the oven on your way out the door in the morning. As you leave work that evening, you remotely tell your oven to fire up, and you'll have a nice hot meal waiting for you at home.

The smart appliances can also send out alerts for things like the ice maker turning on or off, or a load of laundry finishing a cycle. The refrigerator even has a tool for monitoring your food inventory, although it will have to be managed manually to be of any use. Perhaps most interesting is the diagnostic tool, which allows the appliance to play a series of tones that can be decoded over the phone by LG support technicians. And, for the eco-conscious, every Thinq-enabled appliance will track its energy usage. Check out the gallery below.

Gallery: LG Thinq Appliances

SwitchedLG Thinq Appliances Let You Remotely Burn Lasagna, Start the Dryer originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesgreenhouseholdlgSmartAppliancesthinqtopTue, 04 Jan 2011 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Autolib Brings Car Sharing to Paris]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/19/autolib-car-sharing-program/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/19/autolib-car-sharing-program/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/19/autolib-car-sharing-program/#comments Say what you will about their incessant strikes, their unwavering arrogance or their myopic fear of modernity. But when it comes to green transportation, there's no denying that the French are well ahead of the curve. Today, it's virtually impossible to stroll through the streets of Paris without seeing at least a few people cruising around on Vélibs -- the public bikes first introduced a few years ago. Whether they're commuters, tourists, or late night revelers, virtually everyone in Paris has latched on to the bicycle sharing system, thanks in large part, of course, to the commodious bike lanes that run throughout the city. The program has been so successful, in fact, that the City of Lights is now planning on introducing a similar public transport initiative -- for cars.

Set to launch next fall, the Autolib program is essentially a cross between the Vélib system, and Zipcar. The initiative calls for 3,000 battery-powered cars to be scattered across 1,000 self-service charging stations located throughout the city. Anyone with a valid driver's license can pick up a so-called 'Bluecar' at the hiring point, and drop it off at any other station. Subscribers will have to pay roughly $15 per month, and about $6.50 for the first half-hour of use. The next half-hour will cost them about $5.30, with each subsequent 30-minute period priced at nearly $8.00.

Continue reading Autolib Brings Car Sharing to Paris

SwitchedAutolib Brings Car Sharing to Paris originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 19 Dec 2010 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AutolibbatteryBlueCarcarcar sharingCarSharingElectric carElectricCarfrancegreenparisPininfarinapublic transportationPublicTransportationtoptransportationvelibSun, 19 Dec 2010 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Delaware Family's Christmas Decorations Make the Griswolds Look Like Amateurs]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/13/faucher-family-amazing-christmas-lights-house/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/13/faucher-family-amazing-christmas-lights-house/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/13/faucher-family-amazing-christmas-lights-house/#comments
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Clark Griswold's power-sapping, aircraft-guiding Christmas light extravaganza once represented the pinnacle of overzealous Holiday displays. The last few seasons have witnessed an evolution of progressively elaborate home illuminations, though, including one brilliant and blinding arrangement from Delaware's Faucher family.

The Fauchers have apparently adhered to a Griswold-style lighting plan for 25 years, and -- this year -- House Logic broke down the monthly costs required. At four hours per night, for 1 million individual bulbs, the Fauchers allegedly pay $82,320 every month, which breaks down to $686 per hour. According to Gizmodo, though, if the Fauchers were to make the switch to LED lights, the monthly bill would plummet to a relatively reasonable $10,680, or a paltry $89 per hour. Plus, with LED displays, the family could synchronize their illuminated decorations with the classic carols of the season -- like these unwavering traditionalists.

Continue reading Delaware Family's Christmas Decorations Make the Griswolds Look Like Amateurs

SwitchedDelaware Family's Christmas Decorations Make the Griswolds Look Like Amateurs originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChristmaschristmasdecorationsChristmasLightsgreenhgghouselightinglolztopMon, 13 Dec 2010 15:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Mozilla Adopts Red Pandas, Broadcasts Their Adorable Antics on Webcam]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/10/mozilla-red-panda-firefox-webcam/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/10/mozilla-red-panda-firefox-webcam/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/10/mozilla-red-panda-firefox-webcam/#comments
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Mozilla may have struck marketing gold by recently adopting a pair of red pandas. The adorable raccoon-like creatures (also known as fire foxes in Chinese) were adopted from the Knoxville Zoo and are now the central characters in a campaign to raise awareness about their vulnerable status in the ecosystem. As an added bonus, Mozilla picks up some good PR and publicity for its Firefox browser (which should be hitting version 4.0 soon) and we get to watch red pandas be freakin' cute. That's right, Mozilla is broadcasting the antics of the painfully delightful duo, 24/7 via webcam. Even better, you can help improve life for the pandas by simply downloading Firefox. As the browser meets certain download milestones, the Mozilla crew will donate new treats and equipment to the pandas. Users have already earned the pair a new jungle gym; up next are new grass flats for the two to scamper about.

You can check out the live stream at firefoxlive.org. Just make sure you don't have anything important to do before you click that link. It's a serious productivity-killer.

Continue reading Mozilla Adopts Red Pandas, Broadcasts Their Adorable Antics on Webcam

SwitchedMozilla Adopts Red Pandas, Broadcasts Their Adorable Antics on Webcam originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsconservationfirefoxgreenmozillared pandasRedPandastopwebFri, 10 Dec 2010 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Young Beijing Architect Lives in Mobile Egg House on Sidewalk]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/09/dai-haifei-solar-powered-mobile-egg-house-grass/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/09/dai-haifei-solar-powered-mobile-egg-house-grass/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/09/dai-haifei-solar-powered-mobile-egg-house-grass/#commentsegg house Acting on an impulse familiar to many young people these days, Dai Haifei, a 24-year-old architect in Beijing, said to hell with high rents, and built himself a house. The six-foot-tall, solar-powered, egg-shaped abode is made of bamboo, wood and grass seed, and fits easily on a sidewalk. "The seeds will grow in the natural environment and it's cold-proof," Dai told China Daily. He then added that it's "a bit cold sometimes." Whatever. It's rent-free, dude!

Or, rather it was. Haifei has been ordered off the streets, and is uncertain of where he will go. Facing tough economic realities, the young architect preferred to design and build the $964 structure than to rent a traditional apartment. He says that his mom and dad, a maid and construction worker respectively, would like to buy him a house, but would have to make payments for 300 years to do so. At the moment, Haifei is crashing with a friend, and weighing his options. Fortunately, he still has his job, and his firm (which must be impressed by his ingenuity) has kept the egg house. A source at the firm told People's Daily: "At present, there are still many technical aspects of the egg house that should be improved, such as waste disposal and heat preservation problems, so we cannot begin mass production."

Still, if that sentence has as big a "yet" on the end of it as we think it does, Haifei may not have to worry about rent money for much longer.

Gallery: Mobile Egg House

SwitchedYoung Beijing Architect Lives in Mobile Egg House on Sidewalk originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>architecturebeijingchinadesigngreenhouselowcostsolartopThu, 09 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gift Guide: Blueline Power Cost Monitor Keeps Energy Costs Low]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/07/blueline-power-cost-monitor-keeps-energy-costs-low/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/07/blueline-power-cost-monitor-keeps-energy-costs-low/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/07/blueline-power-cost-monitor-keeps-energy-costs-low/#comments Ever wonder how much juice your various gadgets and appliances are sucking out of your wallet? (And, for that matter, the planet's energy reserves?) With the Blueline Power Cost Monitor, wonder no longer. Attach the Monitor's sensor to the face of the power-utility meter outside your home, tell it what your electric company is charging per kilowatt, and let it figure things out for you. Using an infrared camera, it essentially reads the meter's dial, and transmits the data to an indoor receiver in real time. Blueline reckons that you'll save 20-percent on your power bills, and it may actually be right; you'll be shocked to see how much cash you're burning by leaving that damn laptop open all day and night.

PowerCostMonitor.com
Price: $109.00

SwitchedGift Guide: Blueline Power Cost Monitor Keeps Energy Costs Low originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BluelinePowerCostMonitorEnergyMonitorgreenhggPowerMonitortopTue, 07 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Home Power Plant Uses Sun and Waste Water, Could Cost $20]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/30/daniel-nocera-solar-power-waste-water-sun-catalytix/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/30/daniel-nocera-solar-power-waste-water-sun-catalytix/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/30/daniel-nocera-solar-power-waste-water-sun-catalytix/#commentsDaniel G. NoceraAfter years of work, an MIT scientist has perfected a cheap way to convert and store clean energy using sunlight and water -- much as a plant does during photosynthesis. According to Fast Company, professor Daniel Nocera used solar power captured during the day to split a water molecule into its basic elements -- oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen gas is stored in a fuel cell, which is used to provide energy at night. Although splitting a water molecule isn't revolutionary, this system's ability to split any type of water -- even waste water or drinking water -- is what makes Nocera's system noteworthy. He recently said, "We have the capability to power a household with just two bottles of water from any source."
Nocera's company, Sun Catalytix, has received a multi-million dollar investment from India's Tata group, and in just a little more than a year, the energy system could, according to Business Standard, become available to consumers for as cheap as $20.

SwitchedHome Power Plant Uses Sun and Waste Water, Could Cost $20 originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DanielNoceraelectricitygreenhydrogenHydrogenFuelCellmitsciencesolarSolarPowertopwaterTue, 30 Nov 2010 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[MIT's Adaptive Lighting Could Open the Door to Sci-Fi 'Smart Homes']]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/30/mit-adaptive-lighting-cut-energy-use-90-percent/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/30/mit-adaptive-lighting-cut-energy-use-90-percent/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/30/mit-adaptive-lighting-cut-energy-use-90-percent/#commentsResearchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consistently produce ingenious and creative feats of technology. Those innovative creations often pertain to energy and power, and the University's engineers -- with official support from Philips -- now intend to develop a revolutionary, responsive and environmentally-friendly LED home lighting system.

According to Engadget, MIT's Adaptive Solid-State Lighting (ASSL) technology conceivably relies on a console that "acts as a position tracker, calibrator and sensor" in order to control a room's "dimmable overhead LED fixtures." Homeowners and operators merely establish their preferred "tone and light intensity," and the system appropriately adjusts a room's lighting depending on various factors, including the user's exact position. In addition, the ASSL actually acclimatizes to outside forces, like clouds and penetrating sunlight.

Continue reading MIT's Adaptive Lighting Could Open the Door to Sci-Fi 'Smart Homes'

SwitchedMIT's Adaptive Lighting Could Open the Door to Sci-Fi 'Smart Homes' originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>greenLED lightingLedLightinglightingmassachusetts institute of technologyMassachusettsInstituteOfTechnologymitphilipsphilips researchPhilipsResearchsciencetopTue, 30 Nov 2010 07:20:00 EST<![CDATA[U.A.E. Resident Fuels His Road-Tripping Wheelchair With the Sun]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/22/haidar-taleb-solar-powred-wheelchair-200-mile-journey/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/22/haidar-taleb-solar-powred-wheelchair-200-mile-journey/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/22/haidar-taleb-solar-powred-wheelchair-200-mile-journey/#commentshaidar taleb Haidar Taleb, a resident of the United Arab Emirates, embarks on a 200-mile wheelchair road trip this week, and he plans to completely fuel the journey with solar power. Taleb's mission, which will take him through all seven Emirates, is to reportedly "raise awareness of disability and sustainability as well as what we can achieve as individuals if we have the courage and determination to try." This won't be the 47-year-old Emirati's first solar-powered sojourn either, because -- just a few weeks ago -- he set a Guinness record for motoring his chair 88 miles in 14 hours.

Energy firm Masdar helped to construct Taleb's chair, which currently resembles a golf cart. It's hard to find fault with Taleb's awesome feat of engineering, but, if he could get someone like David Pompa to collaborate with design, he'd truly be riding in laid-back, pimped-out, solar-powered style.

SwitchedU.A.E. Resident Fuels His Road-Tripping Wheelchair With the Sun originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disabledgreenHaidarTalebsolarSolarPowertoptransportationuaeUnitedArabEmirateswheelchairMon, 22 Nov 2010 16:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Wi-Fi Radiation Harms Trees, Study Says]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/22/wi-fi-radiation-harms-trees-study-says/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/22/wi-fi-radiation-harms-trees-study-says/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/22/wi-fi-radiation-harms-trees-study-says/#commentsThe Internet may be moving us ever closer to a paperless existence, but, according to a newly released study, it's still not that great for trees. As Mac World reports, the study was commissioned five years ago by the Dutch city of Alphen aan den Rijn, after officials noticed that many trees in the area were exhibiting inexplicable abnormalities, including bleeding and fissures in their bark. Such symptoms didn't seem connected to any particular bacteria or virus, leading some to suspect that wireless networks may be to blame.

After exposing trees to varying degrees of radiation for three months, researchers from TU Delft University, Wageningen University and several other institutions found that trees sitting closest to Wi-Fi radios exhibited a "lead-like shine" on their leaves -- a sign, apparently, that the leaves are dying. Similar reactions were observed in samples from across the Western world; in the Netherlands, a full 70-percent of all trees in urban areas were visibly affected by Wi-Fi radiation, compared with just 10-percent five years ago. Trees in densely forested areas, on the other hand, were hardly affected.

Continue reading Wi-Fi Radiation Harms Trees, Study Says

SwitchedWi-Fi Radiation Harms Trees, Study Says originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carenvironmentforestgreenNetherlandssciencestudytoptreetreeswifiWifiRadiowirelessMon, 22 Nov 2010 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Neil Young's Green LincVolt Hybrid Ignites a Not-So-Green Inferno]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/17/neil-young-lincvolt-hybrid-ignites-fire-warehouse/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/17/neil-young-lincvolt-hybrid-ignites-fire-warehouse/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/17/neil-young-lincvolt-hybrid-ignites-fire-warehouse/#commentsneil young with lincv Two years ago, Neil Young embarked on an admirable mission to provide the world with green, environmentally friendly electric cars. With the help of "motorhead messiah" John Goodwin, Young converted his road hog Lincoln Continental into a biodiesel-fueled electric hybrid, which he dubbed the "LincVolt." The singer invested his own money (and produced his own music video to honor Goodwin), but the LincVolt has cost Young far more than he must have imagined.

As a result of a reported "human error" with a wall-charging system, the LincVolt recently ignited a devastating fire that spread through Young's warehouse. According to the Daily Mail, "fire crews were able to save about 70-percent" of the warehouse's stored contents, but the damage was, unfortunately, already done. The fire reportedly torched an extensive collection of Young's musical memorabilia, cars and guitars, and resulted in more than $1 million in total damages. Hopefully, this won't derail Young's honorable endeavor, but -- for someone who wanted automotive manufacturers to "stop building autos that contribute to global warming now" -- this very public roadblock has to be particularly disheartening.

Continue reading Neil Young's Green LincVolt Hybrid Ignites a Not-So-Green Inferno

SwitchedNeil Young's Green LincVolt Hybrid Ignites a Not-So-Green Inferno originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcelebritiesElectricHybridsgreenhybridLincVoltLincVoltTechnologiesNeilYoungtoptransportationWed, 17 Nov 2010 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Revamped Double-Decker Bus Goes on View in London]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/15/london-double-decker-bus-new-design-ballymena/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/15/london-double-decker-bus-new-design-ballymena/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/15/london-double-decker-bus-new-design-ballymena/#commentsboris johnson and bus Back in May, we learned that London's iconic, double-decker buses would be getting a green makeover, just in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics. On Thursday, city mayor Boris Johnson finally unveiled a life-size model of the new bus in all its red resplendence.

Unveiled at the London Transport Museum, the new bus is modeled after the original Routemaster, and features an open platform and a maximum capacity of 87 passengers. Unlike its predecessors, however, the revamped Routemaster will feature a hybrid engine that's 40-percent more fuel efficient than diesel-powered models. Beginning in 2012, the city will unleash just five prototypes on the streets of London. After that, private companies will be able to order more, should they so desire.

Continue reading Revamped Double-Decker Bus Goes on View in London

SwitchedRevamped Double-Decker Bus Goes on View in London originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballymenaBorisJohnsonbusdesigndouble-deckerenglandgreenhybridlondonolympicsroutemastertoptransportationMon, 15 Nov 2010 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Recyclable Bloom Laptop Comes Apart in 2 Minutes, Without Tools]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/08/recyclable-bloom-laptop-comes-apart-in-two-minutes-without-tool/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/08/recyclable-bloom-laptop-comes-apart-in-two-minutes-without-tool/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/08/recyclable-bloom-laptop-comes-apart-in-two-minutes-without-tool/#comments Taking your laptop in for repair typically involves long lines, condescending tech support workers and hefty bills. With a new prototype laptop called Bloom, however, conducting open hard-drive surgery is so easy, a 10-year-old could do it.

Created by a group of students from Stanford and Finland's Aalto University, Bloom can be completely disassembled within just two minutes, and with relative ease. As one Stanford student explains in the video after the break, users won't even have to get a screwdriver to dig into the gadget's guts, as everything inside connects with slot mechanisms. According to DVICE, the prototype also features a detachable keyboard and mouse, which can be used on any surface. And, because it's all made from just one material, the device is "highly recyclable," which is always a nice perk.

Continue reading Recyclable Bloom Laptop Comes Apart in 2 Minutes, Without Tools

SwitchedRecyclable Bloom Laptop Comes Apart in 2 Minutes, Without Tools originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autodeskbloomgreenkeyboardlaptopmouseprototyperecyclingrepairstanfordtopMon, 08 Nov 2010 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Meet the Urbee Hybrid, The World's First 3-D Printed Car]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/02/urbee-hybrid-worlds-first-3-d-printed-car/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/02/urbee-hybrid-worlds-first-3-d-printed-car/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/02/urbee-hybrid-worlds-first-3-d-printed-car/#commentsurbee car Hybrid cars usually feature snazzy, high-tech designs, but few can compare with the Urbee -- the first car to be manufactured entirely by 3-D printing. Developed by Kor Ecologic and Stratasys, the Urbee was created with an additive manufacturing process, whereby engineers add layers of printed material until finally arriving with a finished product -- in this case, a whole car. As Fast Company explains, the car's entire exterior (including the glass) was created from 3-D prints, with the help of Stratasys's Dimension 3-D printers and a Fortus 3-D Production System.

As you can see in the video demonstration after the break, the Urbee actually works, too. It gets a cool 200 mpg on the highway, and a not too shabby 100 mpg while driving in the city. Once you're done cruising around, you can charge it with a standard electrical outlet, wind power or a solar panel array. No word yet on when the Urbee might make its market debut, but a full-scale prototype will be on display at this week's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, in case you want to check it out for yourself.

Continue reading Meet the Urbee Hybrid, The World's First 3-D Printed Car

SwitchedMeet the Urbee Hybrid, The World's First 3-D Printed Car originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-D3-dPrintercarconceptConceptCardesigngreenhybridtoptransportationUrbeeUrbeeHybridTue, 02 Nov 2010 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay 'Instant Sale' Helps You Ditch Your Gadgets for Cash]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/25/ebay-instant-sale-helps-you-ditch-your-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/25/ebay-instant-sale-helps-you-ditch-your-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/25/ebay-instant-sale-helps-you-ditch-your-gadgets/#commentseBay Instant Sales As befits the tech-blogger lifestyle, we have piles of aging gadgets lying around. And, while many of them could potentially net us a few bucks on eBay, we're usually too lazy to put together a listing, post photos, and actually ship the small mountain of junk to the people willing to pay for it. But eBay doesn't want you to let your tech castaways gather dust, so the auction site has just launched a streamlined process called Instant Sale. The premise is simple: you search the database for the product you want to ditch, eBay offers you a price, and, if you accept, the company will send you a free label for shipping it to a buyer or recycling facility. (Don't expect to earn a fortune, though; our friends at Engadget were offered $23 for their aging Dell Inspiron 8200, and $57 for a Palm Pixi in good condition.)

Perhaps eBay's having a little launch day trouble, because we couldn't get the site to work at all. Even though Instant Sale suggested that we employ "keywords like the product name (e.g.: iPhone)," our "iphone" search came up empty. Once all the kinks are ironed out, though, Instant Sale could be a perfectly viable way to recycle all of your old gadgets, and maybe make a buck or two.

SwitchedeBay 'Instant Sale' Helps You Ditch Your Gadgets for Cash originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebaygadgetsgreenInstantSalerecyclingtopwebMon, 25 Oct 2010 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[GE's Hybrid Lightbulb Is Instant-On]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/22/ge-hybrid-lightbulb-halogen-brightness-cfl-energy/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/22/ge-hybrid-lightbulb-halogen-brightness-cfl-energy/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/22/ge-hybrid-lightbulb-halogen-brightness-cfl-energy/#commentsGE hybrid lightbulb Your hybrid car should help reduce your carbon footprint, but what about all the energy you waste when you come home and turn on the lights? Apparently, GE's new hybrid lightbulb can help control your energy usage, without sacrificing your late-night lighting.

As Engadget explains, GE's forthcoming product is essentially two lightbulbs in one. At first glance, it looks like any other compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb. Nestled inside, though, is a tiny halogen capsule. The bulb's halogen component powers on immediately after you flip the switch, but eventually fades away as the longer-lasting, more energy-efficient CFL unit kicks in to gear. According to GE, the new bulb can last eight times longer than most incandescent lightbulbs, and uses what the company calls "an exceptionally low" amount of mercury.

Continue reading GE's Hybrid Lightbulb Is Instant-On

SwitchedGE's Hybrid Lightbulb Is Instant-On originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cflCFL bulbsCflBulbsEnergyenergy efficientEnergyEfficientGEgreenHaloGenhybridlightlightbulblightingMercurytopFri, 22 Oct 2010 10:06:00 EST<![CDATA[It Looks Like E-Mail Isn't Good For the Environment, Either]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/22/carbon-footprint-of-email/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/22/carbon-footprint-of-email/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/22/carbon-footprint-of-email/#commentsE-mail may save a lot of paper, but according to the Guardian, our electronic missives do have some impact on the environment. Although authors Mike Berners-Lee and Duncan Clark acknowledge that e-mails will never probably comprise a major component of our energy consumption, they claim that the energy required to send and receive our messages can quickly add up.

According to their estimates, a year's worth of regular e-mail use -- including sending, filtering and reading -- results in a carbon footprint of roughly 135 kilograms (about 300 pounds). To put that figure in context, a year's worth of e-mailing generates as much CO2 as taking a 200-mile car ride.

Continue reading It Looks Like E-Mail Isn't Good For the Environment, Either

SwitchedIt Looks Like E-Mail Isn't Good For the Environment, Either originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon dioxidecarbon footprintCarbonDioxideCarbonFootprintduncan clarkDuncanClarkemailenvironmentenvironmentalgreenmike berners-leeMikeBerners-leemoneytaxestopwebFri, 22 Oct 2010 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Earthjustice Ad's Foursquare Check-ins Raise Money for the Environment]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/20/earthjustice-ads-foursquare-check-ins-raise-money-for-the-envir/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/20/earthjustice-ads-foursquare-check-ins-raise-money-for-the-envir/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/20/earthjustice-ads-foursquare-check-ins-raise-money-for-the-envir/#commentsEarthjustice Foursquare Ad Generally when you "check in" with social services like Foursquare, it's to announce your arrival at a bar to your friends (and, inadvertently, that your home is vulnerable to thieves). But the environmental group Earthjustice sees the social-gaming engine as a tool with potential for more than simply sharing where to get the best bagel with a schmear. The nonprofit has plastered transit stations around San Francisco with ads that read, "What does it take to help save the endangered pika? About 20 seconds." This is followed by instructions to check in at "Earthjustice ad," and that, for every check-in, a donor will give $10 to save an endangered species.

This is just one of three ads by Earthjustice that blur the lines between advertising, social networking and location-based services. The location data provides valuable insight for advertisers; and having supporters repost their message to sites like Facebook, Foursquare and Twitter extends the reach of their campaigns. The Earthjustice campaign is unique, though, in that it offers people a way to support a cause without sacrificing time or their own money. In the environmentally friendly city of San Francisco, it may not be hard to get people to check in if it leads directly to a charitable contribution. But it may prove difficult for for-profit companies to match the 5,700 posts generated by this campaign. Would you check in at a Coke ad because you like soda? We wouldn't.

SwitchedEarthjustice Ad's Foursquare Check-ins Raise Money for the Environment originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingBillboardEarthjusticeFourSquareLocationlocation-basedSocialNetworkingtopwebWed, 20 Oct 2010 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Invests in Atlantic Wind Connection Offshore Turbine Power]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/13/google-invests-in-atlantic-wind-connection-offshore-turbine-powe/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/13/google-invests-in-atlantic-wind-connection-offshore-turbine-powe/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/13/google-invests-in-atlantic-wind-connection-offshore-turbine-powe/#commentsAWC Google has its hands on everything, it seems. The company just revealed that it had invested significant resources in developing self-driving cars, and now it has announced that it will be investing heavily in the construction of the Atlantic Wind Connection (AWC) backbone. The 350-mile transmission backbone will connect several offshore wind farms, and provide additional power transmission capacity to the Northeast corridor, which is stretched incredibly thin. The cable backbone will stretch from New Jersey to Virginia, between 10 and 15 miles offshore. The new AWC will also make it easier to build additional turbines offshore once completed.

The undersea cable will increase access to renewable energy, and improve the quality of service along the mid-Atlantic coast. Google is investing 37.5-percent of the equity in the initial development stage, although it's unclear exactly how much cash the company will be seeding for the project, which is estimated to cost a total of $5 billion. Trans-Elect is the company building the transmission line, but the project is being funded by Google, Good Energies and Marubeni Corporation. The new backbone will help ensure that the East Coast doesn't experience another catastrophic blackout like the one in 2003.

SwitchedGoogle Invests in Atlantic Wind Connection Offshore Turbine Power originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtlanticWindConnectiongooglegreengreentechtopwindWindPowerWed, 13 Oct 2010 07:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Cars Drive Themselves in Traffic]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/11/google-cars-drive-themselves-in-traffic/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/11/google-cars-drive-themselves-in-traffic/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/11/google-cars-drive-themselves-in-traffic/#commentsGoogle Car Google has been secretly building and testing autonomous vehicles that have successfully driven over 1,000 miles without any human intervention. The fleet of robot Priuses has logged 140,000 miles across California with only minimal input from a driver. The vehicles use cameras, radar and lasers to detect other cars, obstacles and pedestrians, and the vast databases of images in Google Maps and Street View to navigate. During the testing, the autonomous cars were involved in only one accident. And, in that case, the Google Carbot was rear-ended by a human driver while stopped at a red light. (Somehow, California law enforcement was aware of the tests, yet managed to keep them secret; consider us impressed.)

The project is the passion of Sebastian Thrun, the director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and creator of Google's Street View. He has been working on building a self-piloted car since at least 2005, when he led a team of Stanford students and faculty to victory in a DARPA-funded contest for building autonomous vehicles. Proponents of these cars, like Thrun and Larry Page, argue that self-driving cars could make streets safer, reduce fuel consumption, and move more passengers more efficiently. Such technology is years away from being commercially viable, and laws will have to catch up to the technology, but it's clear that Google wants to be intimately involved in this potentially revolutionary change to how we drive. Or, more accurately, how we don't.

Continue reading Google Cars Drive Themselves in Traffic

SwitchedGoogle Cars Drive Themselves in Traffic originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googleGoogleStreetViewgreenpriusrobotsSebastianThrunstanfordStanfordArtificialIntelligenceLaboratorytoptransportationMon, 11 Oct 2010 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[White House Going Green With 2011 Solar Power Plan]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/05/white-house-going-green-with-2011-solar-power-plan/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/05/white-house-going-green-with-2011-solar-power-plan/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/05/white-house-going-green-with-2011-solar-power-plan/#commentswhite house with solar panels Barack Obama initially promised to support and fund numerous techie projects, and now the President appears ready to publicly lead by example. With mounting pressure from green activists, White House officials are reportedly intending to install solar panels atop the President's residence next spring. According to the Associated Press, the White House solar panels will power unspecified areas, and will actually heat the Obamas' water.

The plan has been under consideration since 2008, at least according to government sources, but, even if the green project is only a mid-term publicity move, the White House's transition to panels should at least help solidify solar power as a viable and legitimate option.

Continue reading White House Going Green With 2011 Solar Power Plan

SwitchedWhite House Going Green With 2011 Solar Power Plan originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BarackObamagreenobamapoliticsPresidentBarackObamaSolarPowertopWhiteHouseTue, 05 Oct 2010 15:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Just-Add-Water SiGNa Electric Bike Gets 60 Miles Per Charge]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/05/just-add-water-signa-electric-bike-gets-60-miles-per-charge/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/05/just-add-water-signa-electric-bike-gets-60-miles-per-charge/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/05/just-add-water-signa-electric-bike-gets-60-miles-per-charge/#commentsSiGNA electric bike While its main function is to demo a new fuel-cell technology, SiGNa's electric bike can travel 60 miles on a single charge, which is nearly twice as far as most electric bikes. According to Wired, its fuel cell is filled with a powdery chemical that -- upon adding water -- generates hydrogen gas, which produces electricity. The chemical reaction is safe for bikers, and the excess electricity is stored in batteries that provide an extra burst when you're pedaling through tough terrain. These units are also interchangeable, so you can pop in another fuel cell right after you've drained one. All that is much more convenient than stopping and waiting for a battery to charge. The potential to swap batteries could be very important if SiGNa can develop more powerful models of its fuel cell for use in larger vehicles. You can pre-order now, but the SiGNa bikes won't be available until next summer.

SwitchedJust-Add-Water SiGNa Electric Bike Gets 60 Miles Per Charge originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterybicyclebikeelectricbikeelectricvehicleFuelCellgreenhydrogenHydrogenFuelCelltopTue, 05 Oct 2010 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The 205 MPH, Micro-Turbine-Boosted Jaguar C-X75]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/03/the-205-mph-micro-turbine-boosted-jaguar/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/03/the-205-mph-micro-turbine-boosted-jaguar/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/03/the-205-mph-micro-turbine-boosted-jaguar/#commentsjaguar c-x75 To all of you traditionalist motorheads unimpressed by all the nerdy, newfangled hybrids on the market, be prepared to be mopped up with a sponge and bucket after the electric Jaguar C-X75 tears through you at 205 miles per hour. You have some time before you become luxury roadkill, though, since the vehicle was only just unveiled as a concept at the Paris Motor Show.

And how the hell does it reach 205 with a single electric motor? Well, it's actually got four -- yes, four -- motors, one for each wheel. But, if those aren't somehow capable of delivering the requisite juice, you can flip on the two tiny gas turbines that are basically micro-jet engines. All told, the C-X75 can get up to 560 miles in a single charge, but, as FastCoDesign notes, the fact that the car is battery-powered basically precludes it from being sold. (We're thinking about the Daihatsu Mira Van, which went 623 miles on one charge from a whopping 74 kilowatt-hour battery.) Still, look at that Jag! Check out the company's site here to slobber over all the features.

Gallery: Jaguar C-X75

SwitchedThe 205 MPH, Micro-Turbine-Boosted Jaguar C-X75 originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptConceptCarElectricCarelectricvehiclegreengreen techGreenTechjaguarJaguarC-x75JaguarC-x75ConcepttoptransportationturbineSun, 03 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Invests $1M in Shweeb's Bike-Powered Monorail]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/28/google-invests-1m-in-shweebs-bike-powered-monorail/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/28/google-invests-1m-in-shweebs-bike-powered-monorail/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/28/google-invests-1m-in-shweebs-bike-powered-monorail/#commentsShweeb Monorail When you think of monorails, you probably conjure up images of the famed Disney World shuttle or of a super-fast bullet train rocketing across Japan, not about recumbent bicycles housed in plastic tubes dangling from some roller coaster-like track. The latter is essentially what the folks at Shweeb have created, though, and Google thinks the idea is good enough for the company to invest $1 million in it. Shweeb placed in the top five of the Project 10^100, a Google-funded competition to identify ideas that "help," for "helping" to reinvent urban transport.

The concept places pedal-powered pods on a track, but, unlike trains, the enclosed bikes produce no pollution, and can theoretically move faster than a bicycle on the ground (about 28 mph). The promo video after the break was taken from a facility in New Zealand that currently attracts tourists, but Shweeb hopes to use the Google cash to give the system a serious test in an urban environment.

Continue reading Google Invests $1M in Shweeb's Bike-Powered Monorail

SwitchedGoogle Invests $1M in Shweeb's Bike-Powered Monorail originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicycledesigngooglegreenmonorailpedalpowerProject10100shweebtoptransportationTue, 28 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Scott Brusaw's 'Solar Roadways' Are Self-Sustaining Smart Streets]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/26/citizen-scientist-designs-self-sustaining-solar-street-sheets/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/26/citizen-scientist-designs-self-sustaining-solar-street-sheets/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/26/citizen-scientist-designs-self-sustaining-solar-street-sheets/#commentsScott Brusaw's Solar Road Scott Brusaw believes he may have discovered an efficient method of covering and restoring damaged roads, and his revolutionary surface material could even adapt to changing traffic conditions. The system would also generate serious revenue, and -- most significantly -- power.

Brusaw's plan involves blanketing streets and highways with solar panels. According to Wired, "a cul-de-sac paved with [Brusaw's] solar panels could take an entire subdivision off the grid even on a cloudy day." Brusaw's unorthodox solar sheets feature a durable and unyielding glass casing, though, that would allow cars to travel directly over the solar cells without damaging them. If equipped with LEDs, the glass could also display speed limits, provide congestion information, and allow for lane and directional changes based on traffic conditions.

Continue reading Scott Brusaw's 'Solar Roadways' Are Self-Sustaining Smart Streets

SwitchedScott Brusaw's 'Solar Roadways' Are Self-Sustaining Smart Streets originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 26 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>greensolarsolar panelsSolarPanelstransportationSun, 26 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW Mini Scooter E Charges in Household Outlets, Uses Smartphone as Key]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/24/bmw-mini-scooter-e-charges-in-household-outlets-uses-smartphone/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/24/bmw-mini-scooter-e-charges-in-household-outlets-uses-smartphone/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/24/bmw-mini-scooter-e-charges-in-household-outlets-uses-smartphone/#comments At first glance, BMW's new scooter prototype, the Mini Scooter E, seems like just another electric scooter. Unlike others, though, the Mini will never ask its drivers to waste time looking for specific charging points -- or, for that matter, their keys.

As Fast Company reports, the Mini is set to be unveiled at next month's Paris Motor Show, where it's unique electrical design will surely get some attention. A compartment over the Mini's rear wheel holds a single battery, which can be charged via any standard household electrical outlet. And, instead of using a traditional key to start the scooter, drivers need only plug their smartphones into the machine's snap-in adapter, which will automatically get the Mini purring. Once the smartphone is plugged in, it'll serve as the scooter's central display, allowing drivers to consult GPS data without ever having to take their hands off the bars. A Bluetooth-equipped helmet will meanwhile enable users to make hands-free calls.

Gallery: Mini Scooter E

Continue reading BMW Mini Scooter E Charges in Household Outlets, Uses Smartphone as Key

SwitchedBMW Mini Scooter E Charges in Household Outlets, Uses Smartphone as Key originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothbmwBmwMiniBmwMiniEelectricElectricVehicleGPSiosiphoneParisMotorShowscootersmartphonetransportationFri, 24 Sep 2010 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[First Human-Powered Ornithopter Flight Recorded by Canadian]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/23/first-human-powered-ornithopter-flight-recorded-by-canadian/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/23/first-human-powered-ornithopter-flight-recorded-by-canadian/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/23/first-human-powered-ornithopter-flight-recorded-by-canadian/#commentsMan records first sustained ornithopter flight. A University of Toronto engineering graduate student recently set a new world record for man-powered flight. According to Physorg, Todd Reichert flew an ornithopter -- an aircraft that flaps its wings like a bird -- over a field in Tottenham, Ontario, Canada for about 19.3 seconds at 16 mph. It's the first recorded, sustained, man-powered ornithopter flight in history. Reichert filed a claim for the record in August, and expects the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) to confirm it in October. The 'Snowbird,' which is constructed from carbon fiber and balsa wood, weighs just 94 pounds and has a 104-foot wingspan -- just six feet shorter than that of a Boeing 737. Of course, this is about the least practical form of air transportation we've seen. (Okay, maybe flugtag is a less practical way to fly.) Still, the video (after the break) reveals the lightweight aircraft's massive wings flapping as the sun rises in the background.

Continue reading First Human-Powered Ornithopter Flight Recorded by Canadian

SwitchedFirst Human-Powered Ornithopter Flight Recorded by Canadian originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftcanadaengineeringflightflyinggreenornithopterrecordsnowbirdtoptransportationWorldRecordThu, 23 Sep 2010 14:24:00 EST<![CDATA['Stringbike' Replaces Bike Chain With Wire Pulley System]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/22/stringbike-replaces-bike-chain-with-wire-pulley-system/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/22/stringbike-replaces-bike-chain-with-wire-pulley-system/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/22/stringbike-replaces-bike-chain-with-wire-pulley-system/#commentsstringbike Meet the Stringbike, a new, chain-free bike that will solve all the problems you never even knew you had. Designed by a team of Hungarian cycling enthusiasts, the 19-gear Stringbike replaces the traditional chain apparatus with a significantly more complex wire and pulley system. Whenever a rider applies pressure to a pedal, a swinging arm swings back and forth on its shaft, and pulls the wire around a pulley system, which rotates the wheel. (See a hypnotic animation here.)

As Wired reports, the baroque bike also boasts a few extra benefits, including a pedal system that can be replaced according to your riding needs, as well as a rear wheel that can be removed and replaced within seconds. And, unlike common chains, the driving wire is made of a high-density polyethylene resistant to mud, water, dirt, sand and humidity.

Continue reading 'Stringbike' Replaces Bike Chain With Wire Pulley System

Switched'Stringbike' Replaces Bike Chain With Wire Pulley System originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebikingcyclingdesigngreenHungarystringbiketoptransportationWed, 22 Sep 2010 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Talking Tree Transmits Environmental Conditions to Twitter, Facebook]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/21/talking-tree-transmits-environmental-conditions-to-twitter-face/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/21/talking-tree-transmits-environmental-conditions-to-twitter-face/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/21/talking-tree-transmits-environmental-conditions-to-twitter-face/#commentsTree streams info to Facebook and Twitter. If a tree speaks in the woods, and nobody's there to hear it, does it make a noise? According to Engadget, some guys from EOS Magazine and Happiness Brussels have rigged a 100-year-old tree with devices that monitor environmental conditions and then post the data to sites like Facebook, Twitter and Flickr via text and photo updates. Talking-Tree.com is the hub for your peek into the daily life of a tree. You can check weather conditions, watch videos, browse photos and read the talking tree's Twitter feed -- all thanks to the dust meter, ozone meter, light meter, weather station, webcam and microphone that are locked inside a metal box strapped to the trunk.

Continue reading Talking Tree Transmits Environmental Conditions to Twitter, Facebook

SwitchedTalking Tree Transmits Environmental Conditions to Twitter, Facebook originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>environmentfacebookgreenSocialNetworkingtoptreetreestwitterTue, 21 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST