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[Math is Hard: TSA Botched Radiation Levels on Body Scanners]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/tsa-math-error-airport-body-scanners/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/tsa-math-error-airport-body-scanners/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/tsa-math-error-airport-body-scanners/#comments airport body scanner The TSA says it will be re-testing hundreds of airport body scanners after its last round of tests found radiation levels 10 times higher than expected -- a number the agency chalked up to a calculation error.

"We understand it as a calculation error," TSA spokesman Sarah Horowitz told Wired, before explaining how difficult it can be to remember to divide by the number of units tested. The TSA claims that the error came about when technicians -- who typically test the radiation output of a machine 10 times in a row -- forgot to divide the total output by 10.

Continue reading Math is Hard: TSA Botched Radiation Levels on Body Scanners

SwitchedMath is Hard: TSA Botched Radiation Levels on Body Scanners originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airportBodyScannersMathIsHardMillimeterWavenewsmainprivacysciencetoptransportationtransportation security administrationTransportationSecurityAdministrationtraveltsaWed, 16 Mar 2011 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Nils Ferber's Motorcycle Runs on Screwdrivers]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/14/nils-ferbers-motorcycle-runs-on-screwdrivers/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/14/nils-ferbers-motorcycle-runs-on-screwdrivers/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/14/nils-ferbers-motorcycle-runs-on-screwdrivers/#comments nils ferber screwdriver vehicle Occasionally function should take a backseat to form. Take this three-wheeler, resembling, ever-so-slightly, a medieval torture device. Built by German designer Nils Ferber, the vehicle hits (a likely dangerous) 18.5 mph. It's powered solely by a pair of 18-volt-screwdrivers. The driver, doubtless possessing balls of steel, sprawls across the length of the vehicle and steers by leaning to either side. As Ferber notes: "The headlong position gives you an ex[c]iting driving experience." To put it mildly.

SwitchedNils Ferber's Motorcycle Runs on Screwdrivers originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designinsanenewsmainpower toolsPowerToolstransportationMon, 14 Mar 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Survey: 1 in 5 Drivers Browse the Web Behind the Wheel]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/02/19-percent-browse-web-while-driving/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/02/19-percent-browse-web-while-driving/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/02/19-percent-browse-web-while-driving/#comments Driving while talking and texting may seem dangerous enough, but just wait and see what happens as the roads fill up with people driving and browsing the Web. According to a survey by State Farm, it's already happening: More than 19-percent of respondents admitted to browsing on their phone while behind the wheel. That number is significantly lower than the 74-percent that said they'd made or received phone calls while driving, and the 35-percent who sent text messages, but it's still a terrifying to think one in every five cars you encounter may be helmed by someone checking sports scores or Facebook updates on their phone.

State Farm plans to launch a more detailed study of the behavior soon. Cindy Garretson, director of auto technology research at State Farm, told USA Today that 19-percent may be a low estimate. The actual percentage my be highter "because the majority of the respondents were in the age range of the 30s," she said, adding, "the largest users of cellphones tend to be the younger-age population." Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a dark hole to go hide in before we get run over by somebody Googling "Santorum."

SwitchedSurvey: 1 in 5 Drivers Browse the Web Behind the Wheel originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>distracted drivingDistractedDrivingdriving while browsingDrivingWhileBrowsingstate farmStateFarmsurveytoptransportationwebWed, 02 Mar 2011 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA['Smart' Red Light System Predicts and Prevents Traffic Collisions]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/18/smart-red-light-system-predicts-and-prevents-traffic-collision/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/18/smart-red-light-system-predicts-and-prevents-traffic-collision/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/18/smart-red-light-system-predicts-and-prevents-traffic-collision/#comments'Smart' red light could prevent collisions. In about a month, the city of Marysville, California will test the country's first "smart" red light system, which is designed to predict and prevent traffic collisions at intersections. According to Sacramento's Fox 40 News, the city has incorporated predictive software into an existing red-light camera system, which is located at the intersection of 3rd and F streets. The system predicts when an approaching driver is most likely to run the red light, and it holds traffic coming from other directions until the unlawful car zips safely (and illegally) past. If there isn't a threat of somebody running the light, the intersection lights will just operate as usual.

From the beginning, traffic cameras were meant to make intersections safer by discouraging drivers from running red lights and ticketing those who violated the law. Despite these fines and threats, some people will always break the rules of the road, which is why the preventative aspect of this "smart" red light is so important. It's a much more active way to prevent collisions. The one or two additional seconds a driver might wait at the intersection could literally be the difference between life and death.

Continue reading 'Smart' Red Light System Predicts and Prevents Traffic Collisions

Switched'Smart' Red Light System Predicts and Prevents Traffic Collisions originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CaliforniaCardrivingRedLightredlightcamerassafetytoptransportationFri, 18 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Street Bump' App Maps and Reports Potholes as Your Car Hits Them]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/11/street-bump-app-maps-potholes-via-gps-accelerometer/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/11/street-bump-app-maps-potholes-via-gps-accelerometer/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/11/street-bump-app-maps-potholes-via-gps-accelerometer/#comments The city of Boston is developing a new app called Street Bump, which would allow citizens to report potholes to city officials without even lifting a finger. The app, which is currently in development, uses a smartphone's GPS receiver and accelerometer to sense whenever a moving car hits a bump, and is reportedly accurate enough to pick up on cracks and divots in the road. Whenever Street Bump senses some roadway interference, it automatically sends an alert to city officials, who can then take care of the problem before it worsens.

The app was developed by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino's Office of New Urban Mechanics, which launched a similarly civic-minded app called Citizen's Connect in 2009. Thus far, Street Bump (available in the Android Market) has performed pretty well on test drives, though developers are still trying to filter out extraneous noise, like sewers and elevated crosswalks. They're also planning on launching an open competition through InnoCentive.com, which will award $25,000 to the programmers who can come up with the best improvements to the app.

Continue reading 'Street Bump' App Maps and Reports Potholes as Your Car Hits Them

Switched'Street Bump' App Maps and Reports Potholes as Your Car Hits Them originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accelerometerandroidappsbostoncarcellphonescivicGPSpotholesroadsmartphonestreetbumpstreetbump appStreetbumpApptoptransportationFri, 11 Feb 2011 10:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Cassettes Beset with Threat: Cars Ditch the Deck]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/10/cassette-decks-dead-in-us-cars-in-2011/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/10/cassette-decks-dead-in-us-cars-in-2011/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/10/cassette-decks-dead-in-us-cars-in-2011/#commentscassette tape in carLike the eight-track before it, the cassette tape is riding off into the sunset -- just not in a car. According to The New York Times, no 2011 model vehicles manufactured or sold in the U.S. will feature a cassette player as a standard feature or as part of an extra package. The Lexus SC 430 will go down in history as the last car packaged with a factory tape deck. The deck won't be placed in a museum and gazed at like the dinosaur it is, but we will think fondly of the cassette tape, which allowed music lovers to record unique mixes, every time we create a playlist on iTunes.

SwitchedCassettes Beset with Threat: Cars Ditch the Deck originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioautocarsCassetteCassetteTapelexuslexus sc 430LexusSc430musictoptransportationThu, 10 Feb 2011 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[7-Year-Old Almost Buys Harrier Jet on eBay for $113K]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/7-year-old-almost-buys-harrier-jet-on-ebay-for-113k/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/7-year-old-almost-buys-harrier-jet-on-ebay-for-113k/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/7-year-old-almost-buys-harrier-jet-on-ebay-for-113k/#commentsHarrier Jet
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A 7-year-old boy from London almost had himself a real life Harrier Jet after clicking 'Buy it Now' on an eBay listing. The British-built jet capable of vertical take-offs was restored and being sold by Jet Art Aviation not as an auction, but as an instant purchase for £69,999 (around $113,000). Thankfully, the boy's father quickly caught the error and called the sellers to apologize -- gratuitously, we'd imagine -- and explain that his small son would not be able to afford the plane on his allowance.

The sellers were understanding and the Harrier was put back up on eBay, this time as an auction, to prevent excitable children from quickly (and accidentally) claiming ownership. It appears the plane has since been sold and is no longer appearing on eBay. The jet was not quite fully functional at the time of sale but Chris Wilson, the former Royal Air Force mechanic who runs Jet Art Aviation, told Fox News the craft could be made air-worthy again, but only at significant cost to the purchaser.

Switched7-Year-Old Almost Buys Harrier Jet on eBay for $113K originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayharrierlolztoptransportationwebWed, 09 Feb 2011 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Inventor Constructs Phenomenal DIY Propulsion Pack]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/03/sergei-khvalin-propeller-powered-backpack/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/03/sergei-khvalin-propeller-powered-backpack/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/03/sergei-khvalin-propeller-powered-backpack/#comments

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A Russian inventor may have found an easy and awesome solution for stranded sufferers of the winter, snowbound blues. According to ITN News, Sergei Khvalin has assembled an incredible propeller-powered backpack, incorporating various lawnmower and paraglider components. Coupled with skis, Khvalin can bomb across frozen terrain at speeds of up to 25 mph. Amateur inventors frequently produce astounding DIY creations, but this particular masterpiece may be difficult to top (unless someone upgrades it with flying capabilities, of course).

SwitchedInventor Constructs Phenomenal DIY Propulsion Pack originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>PropellerBackpackpropulsionSergeiKhvalintoptransportationThu, 03 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Study Says Video Games Breed Reckless, Risky (and Skilled) Drivers]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/02/video-games-breed-reckless-risky-and-smarter-drive/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/02/video-games-breed-reckless-risky-and-smarter-drive/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/02/video-games-breed-reckless-risky-and-smarter-drive/#commentsWell, 'Grand Theft Auto,' you've done it again. According to a Continental Tyre study, enthusiasts of driving games "take more risks than non-gaming drivers" and more frequently engage in dangerous street maneuvers. The statistics (culled from 1,000 gamers and 1,000 non-gamers) indicate that driving gamers crash, hit parked vehicles, sideswipe other cars, violate one-way streets and run red lights far more often than motorists who don't partake in driving games.

Extremely devoted driving gamers apparently represent the worst and most overconfident segment. People who spend more than eight hours per day behind the controller reportedly crash three times more often than gamers who spend less than an hour playing. Tim Bailey, a Continental Tyre safety expert, believes that, "while gamers develop useful skills and are more confident, they need to apply some balance with a sensible assessment of risk."

Continue reading Study Says Video Games Breed Reckless, Risky (and Skilled) Drivers

SwitchedStudy Says Video Games Breed Reckless, Risky (and Skilled) Drivers originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carCarAccidentsContinentalTyresDistractedDrivingdrivingDrivingGamegamingstudytoptransportationWed, 02 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Virtual Picture' Tech Helps Blind Man Drive at Daytona]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/31/blind-driver-challenge-mark-riccobono-laps-at-daytona/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/31/blind-driver-challenge-mark-riccobono-laps-at-daytona/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/31/blind-driver-challenge-mark-riccobono-laps-at-daytona/#commentsmark riccobono Mark Riccobono, who has been legally blind since the age of 5, showed off some of the Ford Escape's new features at the Daytona International Speedway on Saturday... by driving one.

As part of the activities scheduled before the Rolex 24, Riccobono, who is also the executive director of the National Federation of the Blind's Jernigan Institute, piloted the hybrid SUV around the famed racetrack with thousands watching (and hundreds more blind crowd members listening).

Continue reading 'Virtual Picture' Tech Helps Blind Man Drive at Daytona

Switched'Virtual Picture' Tech Helps Blind Man Drive at Daytona originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blindBlindDriverChallengeblindnesscarsdaytonaDaytonaInternationalSpeedwayHybridCarsMarkRiccobonoRolex24AtDaytonatoptransportationvirginia techVirginiaTechMon, 31 Jan 2011 09:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Insurance Company's DriveCam Lets Parents Spy on Teen Drivers]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/26/drivecam-lets-parents-spy-teen-driving-american-family-insurance/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/26/drivecam-lets-parents-spy-teen-driving-american-family-insurance/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/26/drivecam-lets-parents-spy-teen-driving-american-family-insurance/#commentsInsurance company puts cameras in teens' cars. To help parents monitor their young drivers, American Family Insurance is offering its customers the option to have a small video camera installed in their childrens' vehicles, free of charge. According to The Kansas City Star, the camera, which is mounted on the rearview mirror, records views of the person behind the wheel, and of the road ahead. If a driver makes an irregular move -- like whipping into another lane, stomping the brakes or crashing into something -- an analyst for DriveCam, Inc., the video firm behind this technology, can view a 20-second clip. After looking at the moments before, during and after the accident, the analyst determines whether or not the video should be sent to the teen's parents. Sandra Spann, a spokeswoman from the insurance company, told the Star that this video footage isn't typically used to settle claims or determine liability for customers. Instead, the idea is for parents and teens to sit down, look at the footage, and discuss what the teen was doing wrong, so that he or she doesn't make the same mistake in the future.

Of course, teens want their privacy and freedom behind the wheel. Driving unaccompanied is a rite of passage, and the fact that the DriveCam is always recording will likely annoy young drivers. But parents will only see footage from inside the car if their teen makes a mistake behind the wheel. Sorry kids, but you can't cry privacy violation as your folks watch you plowing over a mailbox because you were texting on your iPhone.

Continue reading Insurance Company's DriveCam Lets Parents Spy on Teen Drivers

SwitchedInsurance Company's DriveCam Lets Parents Spy on Teen Drivers originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmericanFamilyInsurancecamerascarCarInsurancedrivecaminsuranceprivacyteenstoptransportationvideoWed, 26 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Plate-Reading, Car-Finding Camera System Raises Privacy Concerns]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/25/park-assist-raises-privacy-concerns/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/25/park-assist-raises-privacy-concerns/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/25/park-assist-raises-privacy-concerns/#commentsPark Assist Santa Monica Place, a shopping mall in the sixth circle of hell Los Angeles, has installed America's first car-finding camera system in its parking lot. Mall-goers can swing by Park Assist kiosks placed around the shopping center, and search for their car by license plate number. High-resolution cameras then scan the parking garage, and use image-recognition technology to read plates. Once a car has been identified, the kiosk spits out its location to help guide the consumer to their vehicle.

While the system has found fans among the forgetful, it's caused serious concern with privacy advocates. There is nothing to stop a jealous ex from searching the garage for their former lover's car, for example. Even more disconcerting, laws give those taking the footage (in this case, the mall or Park Assist) the right to distribute it as they see fit. That means the system could be used to alert debt collectors, repo men or divorce lawyers when a vehicle is parked. It could also be used to share your shopping habits with market research companies. If Park Assist systems become more widespread, expect a serious backlash from the privacy-loving American public.

SwitchedPlate-Reading, Car-Finding Camera System Raises Privacy Concerns originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ParkAssistprivacySantaMonicaPlacetoptransportationTue, 25 Jan 2011 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Elderly Couple Crash Car Into Old Church, Blame Faulty GPS System]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/25/elderly-couple-crash-into-old-church-blame-gps/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/25/elderly-couple-crash-into-old-church-blame-gps/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/25/elderly-couple-crash-into-old-church-blame-gps/#commentsAn elderly British couple recently got lost while driving around Germany, so they decided to consult their vehicle's GPS navigation system. As it turns out, the device was totally faulty, but the couple didn't realize it until they had already crashed into a 19th century German church -- because, apparently, the GPS system told them to. The church suffered about $37,000 in damage, but the septuagenarian lovebirds were fine. The 78-year-old driver reportedly blamed the accident on the "machine," and not, as many would, on the fact that he's 78-years old.

SwitchedElderly Couple Crash Car Into Old Church, Blame Faulty GPS System originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentcarchurchCrashdirectionsgermanyGPSGpsNavigationOldPeopletoptransportationTue, 25 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pioneer Developing Powerful Android Computer, for Your Handlebars]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/21/pioneer-cyclocomputer-android-computer-handlebars/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/21/pioneer-cyclocomputer-android-computer-handlebars/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/21/pioneer-cyclocomputer-android-computer-handlebars/#commentspioneer bike computer Parrot's Asteroid -- an Android-powered, in-dash computer -- drew rave reviews from CES attendees earlier this month. Pioneer apparently hopes to produce a similarly impressive Android vehicular device, but this "cyclocomputer" is specifically designed for handlebars, not dashboards.

Pioneer's "graphically enhanced" bike computer will feature wireless sensors that monitor cadence, power, torque and the "graphical vectors for each foot." Judging from a photo, the device also tracks the progress of other riders and stores split times, which would make it ideal for teams or training partners. Its battery life and charging capabilities might present a few issues, but -- given the rapid recent advancement of bike technology and DIY mods -- those minor roadblocks shouldn't derail this Pioneer project.

SwitchedPioneer Developing Powerful Android Computer, for Your Handlebars originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbikeBikeComputercyclocomputerdesignPioneertoptransportationFri, 21 Jan 2011 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Air Force Developing Surveillance Mega-Blimp Dubbed 'Blue Devil']]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/20/blue-devil-mega-blimp-surveillance/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/20/blue-devil-mega-blimp-surveillance/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/20/blue-devil-mega-blimp-surveillance/#commentsU.S. Air Force develops mega-blimp.
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The U.S. Air Force is developing a $211 million surveillance mega-blimp, which, if completed, could stay in the air for a week and will be seven times larger than the Goodyear Blimp. The project, dubbed 'Blue Devil,' could change the way surveillance missions are carried out in Afghanistan by serving as a floating information hub, according to Wired. The 350-foot-long blimp could ascend as high as 20,000 feet and survey a 2.5-mile-wide swath of land. While these specs are impressive, it's what the blimp will carry on-board that's really mindboggling. The Blue Devil blimp will be equipped with about a dozen interchangeable sensors, which will be connected to several on-board cameras.

To process and index all the footage that's collected, Blue Devil will also haul a supercomputer, which will host the equivalent of 2,000 single-core servers. This gigantic processor is crucial to the project's primary goal, which is to get information to the ground within 15 seconds. It understandably takes a lot of manpower and time to organize and sift through surveillance data that's culled from several different aircraft in a given area; by serving as a central surveillance hub for a large area, Blue Devil could save critical time for military analysts. Not only would all the data be collected in one place, but the blimp's supercomputer could also process and index this data using meta tags, like time or location, which would make it easier for ground troops to search and pull the information they need from the servers.

Continue reading Air Force Developing Surveillance Mega-Blimp Dubbed 'Blue Devil'

SwitchedAir Force Developing Surveillance Mega-Blimp Dubbed 'Blue Devil' originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AirForceairshipairshipsblimpblimpsflightmilitarysurveillancetoptransportationUsAirForceThu, 20 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Electronic Devices Might Interfere With Planes -- or Not]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/18/electronic-devices-might-interfere-with-planes-or-not/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/18/electronic-devices-might-interfere-with-planes-or-not/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/18/electronic-devices-might-interfere-with-planes-or-not/#commentsElectronic devices can interfere with plane, sometimes. Despite stern warnings from flight attendants and pilots, we've always wondered if our iPods or cell phones could really cause an airplane's electronics to go haywire. According to a recent article in The New York Times, personal electronic devices don't always interfere with a plane's electronics -- but sometimes they do, or can, cause problems. Clear as mud, right? Bill Strauss, an engineer who's studied the effects of electronic devices on planes, says he is worried that people continue to flout the pre-flight rule of shutting off all devices, which are prohibited below 10,000 feet by the Federal Aviation Administration. But Strauss also told the Times that it would take a "perfect storm" for a personal electronic device to actually cause a plane crash.

Since 2000, U.S. pilots have filed only ten voluntary reports with the Aviation Safety Reporting System claiming that personal electronic devices interfered with a plane's navigational system. But, as more passengers carry newer devices that emit electromagnetic waves, airlines worry that trouble could be on the horizon. A plane's on-board electronics just can't be upgraded as often as your cell phone, so the simplest solution is to ask passengers to shut off the devices before takeoff. Better safe than sorry, right?

SwitchedElectronic Devices Might Interfere With Planes -- or Not originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplaneaviationcellphonecellphoneselectronicsflightnavigationresearchtoptransportationTue, 18 Jan 2011 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Keyless Car Entry Systems Easily Hacked]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/17/keyless-car-entry-systems-easily-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/17/keyless-car-entry-systems-easily-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/17/keyless-car-entry-systems-easily-hacked/#comments You probably could have guessed this for yourself, but keyless car entry systems aren't particularly secure. A group of researchers found that such such keyless systems could be hacked to unlock and start a car with as little as $50 in equipment and some relatively basic know-how. The group tested ten vehicles from eight different manufacturers and with little effort successfully drove each of them away. The keyless fobs work by sending low-powered wireless signals (that generally can cover short distances) to the vehicle. But the researchers managed to intercept those signals and extend the range, tricking the vehicles into unlocking and starting their engines without the keyfob being nearby.

The only requirement is that a potential crook needs to get within eight meters of the keyfob in order to pick up the signal with an antenna and relay it back to an accomplice with a second antenna near the target vehicle. Eight meters is more than enough room to avoid arousing suspicion when following a target through a parking lot or store. Thieves could even potentially snatch a vehicle from a driveway if the keys are placed close enough to a window. Check out MIT's technology review for more on how the researchers pulled it off.

SwitchedKeyless Car Entry Systems Easily Hacked originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>keylesskeyless entryKeylessEntrysecuritytoptransportationMon, 17 Jan 2011 11:50:00 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[Parrot Asteroid Puts Android in Your Dash, Makes Car Stereos Cool Again]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/06/parrot-asteroid-puts-android-in-your-dash-makes-car-stereos-coo/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/06/parrot-asteroid-puts-android-in-your-dash-makes-car-stereos-coo/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/06/parrot-asteroid-puts-android-in-your-dash-makes-car-stereos-coo/#commentsParrot Asteroid The Asteroid from Parrot has been one of the early sensations at CES. It drew such at crowd at the CES Unveiled event that we could barely get near it. This morning, though, we swung by the Parrot booth, and spent some time poking and prodding the in-dash device. The big news about the Asteroid is that it runs Android. It's not just a car stereo; it's a Web-enabled, app-running mini-computer with a GPS receiver and the ability to be hooked up to a 3G modem. While the Asteroid is certainly impressive and loaded with potential, there are still some kinks to work out -- not just in the software, but in the device's ecosystem, as well -- before the Asteroid qualifies as a truly mind-blowing device. There is no access to the Android Market, as you could probably guess. Instead, apps must be built for the Asteroid, although Parrot has yet to make the SDK available. There's also the issue of voice recognition, specifically that it only works for playing back songs on your iPhone or iPod. There's no voice search for points of interest or even text-to-voice directions from the included Google Maps (which the company simply renamed Parrot Maps).

That being said, it is an impressive marriage of tech trends. While having things like a 3G radio and GPS actually built into the in-dash device would be nice, we can certainly appreciate the modularity of the system. The Asteroid will ship with a GPS receiver, but it comes in the form of a USB puck. Additional USB ports can connect to practically any USB 3G modem as well as an iPod or iPhone for playing back media. You can also load songs from USB drives and SD cards, although you'll have to take the face off to access the SD card slot. For wireless fans, music can be streamed to the Asteroid via Bluetooth. Parrot couldn't tell us how much the unit would cost or when exactly it would ship in the U.S., only saying that it would be in the second quarter. We just hope that, when it does finally launch, it'll be reasonably affordable and have access to some U.S.-based music services like Pandora -- the biggest omission from the Asteroid app lineup. Check out the gallery below for some hands-on.

Gallery: Parrot Asteroid

Continue reading Parrot Asteroid Puts Android in Your Dash, Makes Car Stereos Cool Again

SwitchedParrot Asteroid Puts Android in Your Dash, Makes Car Stereos Cool Again originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 20:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidasteroidcesparrottoptransportationwebThu, 06 Jan 2011 20:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Texting Your Car a Reality With Hyundai Blue Link]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/hyundai-blue-link-text-your-car/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/hyundai-blue-link-text-your-car/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/hyundai-blue-link-text-your-car/#commentsHyundai with Blue Link Hyundai is here at CES, and it wasted no time announcing its new Blue Link system. Combining GPS navigation with an entertainment system and Internet connectivity, Blue Link can turn even the humble Sonata into a digital powerhouse of a vehicle. You can even remote start and disable your car with a text message. The system's speech-recognition software can help you in finding points of interest, navigating and interacting with the in-dash entertainment system. You'll also find a host of advanced OnStar-like features, such as remote start and unlock, roadside assistance and emergency notification. There are also a host of anti-theft features, such as automatic slowdown and GPS-enabled vehicle recovery. And, of course, there are hands-free features that allow you to send texts and make calls while keeping your digits securely on the steering wheel.

Blue Link will be launching in the spring, first with the Sonata and later with the Veloster. Hyundai plans to have the system available on all models by 2013. There's no word, however, on what the system or a subscription to the service (if one will in fact be required) will cost.

SwitchedTexting Your Car a Reality With Hyundai Blue Link originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlueLinkceshyundaitoptransportationWed, 05 Jan 2011 16:10:00 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[Get OnStar in Any Car With Retail Rearview Mirror]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/onstar-mirror-rearview-any-car/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/onstar-mirror-rearview-any-car/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/onstar-mirror-rearview-any-car/#commentsOnStar Mirror After almost 15 years of keeping OnStar exclusive to its own vehicles, GM is finally making the service available as an after-market add-on for other cars. The OnStar mirror should be compatible with most cars on the market when it comes out this spring for $299. On top of the retail price, you'll also have to cough up for an OnStar subscription ($18.95 per month or $199 for the year), and pay for installation (which will likely be performed by Best Buy, which just has a stellar track record). While you'll be able to call OnStar operators for help or to track a stolen vehicle, you'll be missing out on some of the more advanced features, like remote door unlocking (in case you leave your keys in the car). The OnStar mirror does have Bluetooth, though, and can act as a hands-free speakerphone.

With more people toting smartphones packed with GPS receivers, it's harder and harder to make the case for OnStar. The biggest selling point of the original service has been the tight integration with GM vehicles, which allows for remote door opening and car diagnostics, but the retail version of the product won't be able to offer such features. If you happen to be a fan of OnStar service -- but not GM cars -- this might appeal to you, but we doubt it will suddenly double OnStar's subscriber base.

SwitchedGet OnStar in Any Car With Retail Rearview Mirror originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BestBuycarcesCes2011GeneralMotorsgmonstartoptransportationWed, 05 Jan 2011 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Amphibious HydroCar Listed on eBay for $777,000]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/03/ebay-hydrocar-777-000-rick-dobbertin/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/03/ebay-hydrocar-777-000-rick-dobbertin/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/03/ebay-hydrocar-777-000-rick-dobbertin/#commentsMan sells HydroCar on eBay. Gearheads with cash to burn might want to bid on this amphibious, 762-horsepower HydroCar, which is currently listed for $777,000 on eBay. Rick Dobbertin spent nine years and more than 18,000 hours personally building the HydroCar, which can go from driving on land to floating on water by lowering and extending a pair of giant pontoons. Despite all that work, Dobbertin never could figure out how to get the amphibious car to plane-out on water, meaning it won't go near its top speed of 60-mph. Instead, it sort of cruises along like, well, a pontoon boat -- making one man's labor of love the world's most expensive "party barge."

SwitchedAmphibious HydroCar Listed on eBay for $777,000 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amphibious carAmphibiousCarcarcarsdiyDrivingeBayrick dobbertinRickDobbertintoptransportationwaterMon, 03 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[2.2 Million E-Mail Addresses and VINs Stolen From Honda]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/29/honda-acura-e-mail-vin-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/29/honda-acura-e-mail-vin-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/29/honda-acura-e-mail-vin-hacked/#commentsHonda has begun to reach out to the 2.2 million customers who have had their names, e-mail addresses and vehicle identification numbers (VINs) poached by hackers that infiltrated the car company's database. Honda's luxury brand Acura also had its systems hacked, but only e-mail addresses were stolen. The cause for concern here is obvious. With names, e-mails and VINs in hand, it would be easy for crooks to craft targeted, scam e-mails that lull a victim into a sense of security by reassuringly repeating the customer's VIN. Honda said the information was stolen from a third party that it hired to send out e-mails to new customers, but it isn't attempting to avoid responsibility for cleaning up the mess. The company has contacted those who have been affected, and has posted a FAQ on its site, detailing how to protect your account and avoid being taken in by scammers.

Still, with the almost five million e-mail addresses harvested from Honda and Acura combined, spammers will have a massive new e-mail list to work with at the very least.

Switched2.2 Million E-Mail Addresses and VINs Stolen From Honda originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acuraemailhackhondascamsecurityspamtoptransportationvinWed, 29 Dec 2010 15:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Outdone by Smartphones, Portable GPS Sales Slip in 2010]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/portable-gps-sales-slip-/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/portable-gps-sales-slip-/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/portable-gps-sales-slip-/#commentsThis holiday season, plenty of people are expected to exchange e-readers, tablets or smartphones. One gadget that probably won't be under the tree, however, is a portable GPS device.

According to statistics from the NPD Group, unit sales of portable navigation devices (PNDs) have dropped by 9-percent through the first 11 months of 2010. Sales revenue, meanwhile, has slid by 22-percent since last year. NPD says smartphones may pose the biggest threat to portable GPS devices, since 86-percent of all mobile phones sold in the U.S. now come with GPS capabilities.

Continue reading Outdone by Smartphones, Portable GPS Sales Slip in 2010

SwitchedOutdone by Smartphones, Portable GPS Sales Slip in 2010 originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appscellphonesGPSgps navigationGpsNavigationholidayholiday shoppingHolidayShoppingmapsportable gpsPortableGpssalesstatisticstoptransportationTue, 21 Dec 2010 11:45:00 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[Gilt Offering Jettas for $10,000 Off List Price]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/gilt-vw-jetta-10000-off-sale/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/gilt-vw-jetta-10000-off-sale/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/gilt-vw-jetta-10000-off-sale/#commentsGilt Jetta Sale Fashion flash-sale outlet Gilt is going to be selling three 2011 VW Jettas, one a day, starting tomorrow afternoon for $5,995 each -- a stunning $10,000 off the list price. Wednesday will be exclusive to users of the mobile app, but Thursday's and Friday's sales will be extended to the website. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Dress for Success.

SwitchedGilt Offering Jettas for $10,000 Off List Price originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsdealsgilthggjettashoppingtoptransportationvolkswagenvwTue, 14 Dec 2010 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Progressive Offers Discounts to Drivers Who Install 'Snapshot' Monitoring Device]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/progressive-discount-snapshot-monitoring-device/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/progressive-discount-snapshot-monitoring-device/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/progressive-discount-snapshot-monitoring-device/#commentsProgressive Snapshot Progressive wants to save its customers some money using a unique, and slightly creepy, program called "Snapshot." Only available to New York City drivers during the initial phase, the program allows drivers to save up to 30-percent on their premiums. To find out if they're eligible, drivers will have to plug a device into the diagnostics port on their car, and leave it there for 30 days while it sends data back to Progressive about their driving habits. The tiny device tracks only basic info such as: when you drive, for how long you drive, and how smoothly you brake. If you drive less often, and primarily during times of the day when accidents are less likely to happen (i.e., not rush hour), then Progressive may offer steep discounts on your insurance.

Plugging a device into your car to let your insurance company track your driving habits may bother some who put a high priority on their privacy. Still, know that the Snapshot device doesn't have a GPS, and can't track where you drive or where you're parked -- only when you're driving. It's up to you to decide whether or not 30-percent is enough to let your insurance company track you.

SwitchedProgressive Offers Discounts to Drivers Who Install 'Snapshot' Monitoring Device originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcartechinsuranceprivacyprogressivesnapshottoptransportationTue, 14 Dec 2010 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Government Wants All Cars to Have Rearview Cameras by 2014]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/06/government-require-cars-rearview-cameras-2014/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/06/government-require-cars-rearview-cameras-2014/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/06/government-require-cars-rearview-cameras-2014/#commentsOn Friday, the U.S. Department of Transportation proposed a new set of rules that would require all future cars to come equipped with rearview video cameras. The cameras, according to governmental officials, could greatly increase rear visibility, thereby decreasing the risk of running over toddlers or elderly pedestrians when backing up. As the AP reports, only about 20-percent of all 2010 model cars currently have rearview cameras, but the government's proposal would require that all vehicles have them by model year 2014. The government estimates that the new requirements, overall, would cost about $1.9 to $2.7 billion to implement, and that the average car buyer would have to shell out an extra $200 for a camera-equipped ride.

According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, though, these costs pale in comparison to the grave risks that they would offset. "There is no more tragic accident than for a parent or caregiver to back out of a garage or driveway and kill or injure an undetected child playing behind the vehicle," LaHood said. The department's proposed regulations, on the other hand, would "help drivers see into those blind zones directly behind vehicles to make sure it is safe to back up."

Continue reading Government Wants All Cars to Have Rearview Cameras by 2014

SwitchedGovernment Wants All Cars to Have Rearview Cameras by 2014 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 08:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentcarDepartmentOfTransportationlawpoliticsRayLahoodRearViewCameraregulationsecuritytoptransportationMon, 06 Dec 2010 08:47:00 EST<![CDATA[U.K. Auctioning Off Aircraft Carrier Online]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/02/aircraft-carrier-uk-auction-online-hms-invincible/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/02/aircraft-carrier-uk-auction-online-hms-invincible/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/02/aircraft-carrier-uk-auction-online-hms-invincible/#commentsUK Aircraft Carrier Governments have been auctioning off surplus materials and goods for some time to help pad their coffers, or to keep them from sliding further into debt. But Britain is selling off a rather spectacular piece of military equipment to help close part of its budget deficit. The Ministry of Defense's disposal services site is currently home to an auction of the HMS Invincible, an aircraft carrier that saw combat action during the Falklands War in 1982.

Completed in 1980 and decommissioned in 2005, the Invincible has been collecting dust (or barnacles?) for the past five years. The Ministry of Defense is now accepting bids for the massive ship, with the auction set to end on January 5th. Although a Ministry spokesperson would not speculate for Reuters as to how much the craft might be worth, its assumed it won't return to active duty for another nation. "The ship would most likely be sold for scrap," the spokesman said. But if anyone wants to get us a particularly elaborate gift, we think it'd be lovely for the Switched offices.

SwitchedU.K. Auctioning Off Aircraft Carrier Online originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AircraftCarrierauctionbritainFalklands+Wargovernmenthms invincibleHmsInvincibletoptransportationwebThu, 02 Dec 2010 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massive San Francisco Touch Screen Makes Riding MUNI Palatable, Perhaps Even Fun]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/02/bus-stop-derby-muni-giant-touchscreen-san-francisco/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/02/bus-stop-derby-muni-giant-touchscreen-san-francisco/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/02/bus-stop-derby-muni-giant-touchscreen-san-francisco/#comments In the past couple years, the experience of waiting for public transportation has morphed into a daily opportunity to play around with the electronic device of your choice. And, for the next two months in San Francisco, Yahoo will be trying to take that experience one step further.

As part of an ingenious marketing campaign called Bus Stop Derby, the search corporation has installed 20 enormous touch video screens (72 inches tall!) at bus stops in distinct neighborhoods around the city. Folks who are waiting for their MUNI buses are invited to play games, and the points they score are added to a neighborhood total. The 'hood with the highest score on January 28th wins tickets to an OK Go concert (yay?), and bragging rights of some kind (maybe?).

Continue reading Massive San Francisco Touch Screen Makes Riding MUNI Palatable, Perhaps Even Fun

SwitchedMassive San Francisco Touch Screen Makes Riding MUNI Palatable, Perhaps Even Fun originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 07:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BusStopDerbygamingipadmarketingMarketingCampaignmediamuniSanFranciscoTabletPctabletstoptouchscreenYahooThu, 02 Dec 2010 07:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Street Legal 'Tron' Light Cycle Unites Hardcore Gear-Heads and Fanboys]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/01/tron-light-cycle-street-legal-brothers-choppers/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/01/tron-light-cycle-street-legal-brothers-choppers/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/01/tron-light-cycle-street-legal-brothers-choppers/#commentstron bike 'Tron: Legacy' hits theaters on December 5th, and the hype is definitely peaking. New trailers (which reveal increasingly intimate details) as well as new products are systematically arriving. And perhaps most notable is one particularly mouth-watering piece of merchandise from Parker Brothers Choppers.

While gear-heads may not seem like the ideal target audience for geeky 'Tron' gear, the Choppers motorcycle crew recently engineered a realistic -- and perhaps even beautiful -- 'Tron' Light Cycle. The latest theatrical Light Cycle was digitally created, so Parker Brothers reportedly had to pull images "off the Web to make the bike." The bike, which costs approximately $55,000, houses a Suzuki TLR1000 V-twin engine -- and is actually street legal. It also awesomely features a dock that enables riders to view the bike's various gauges on an iPad. All it needs, apparently, is authentic cinematic sound effects.

Continue reading Street Legal 'Tron' Light Cycle Unites Hardcore Gear-Heads and Fanboys

SwitchedStreet Legal 'Tron' Light Cycle Unites Hardcore Gear-Heads and Fanboys originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>moviestoptransportationTronTron:LegacyTronLightCycleTronLightCyclesWed, 01 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Anti Sleep Pilot' Warns Drowsy Drivers When to Pull Over]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/24/anti-sleep-pilot-warns-drowsy-drivers-when-to-pull-over/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/24/anti-sleep-pilot-warns-drowsy-drivers-when-to-pull-over/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/24/anti-sleep-pilot-warns-drowsy-drivers-when-to-pull-over/#commentsAnti Sleep Pilot It won't be able to help the U.S. drivers who are taking long trips this holiday season, but a new in-car device available in Denmark prevents drivers from dozing off by testing their awareness and monitoring their vehicle's movements. The Anti Sleep Pilot sits on the dash, and monitors the car's speed and direction, while intermittently asking the driver to tap its surface in order to combat fatigue. Before hitting the road, the driver completes a short fatigue test, so that the device knows how often to turn itself on. If the device thinks you're just too tired to keep driving, it starts beeping and flashing until you pull over and rest for a while -- or smash it to pieces.

The Anti Sleep Pilot costs 1,499 kr ($270) in Denmark, and it'll probably run in the same price range when it eventually lands on our shores. Until then, find yourself a trustworthy co-pilot, and stock up on truck stop coffee and caffeine pills. Maybe they aren't the healthiest alternatives, but at least they'll help you get where you're going -- jittery, twitching and on edge.

Switched'Anti Sleep Pilot' Warns Drowsy Drivers When to Pull Over originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntiSleepPilotAsleepAtTheWheelautoCarTechDistractedDrivingDrivingsafetytoptransportationWed, 24 Nov 2010 15:45:00 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[Modder Makes Segway Fast and Dangerous, Still Super Nerdy]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/18/modded-segway-fast-and-dangerous-still-super-nerdy/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/18/modded-segway-fast-and-dangerous-still-super-nerdy/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/18/modded-segway-fast-and-dangerous-still-super-nerdy/#comments Info about this mod is a little tough to come by, but it appears that a German man, through the simple application of physics, has turned his Segway from dorky death-trap to speedy, dorky death-trap. By slapping a pair of large carriage wheels on his gyroscope-balanced nerd-mobile, YouTube user mastersector managed to top out at blazing 25 mph. Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Modder Makes Segway Fast and Dangerous, Still Super Nerdy

SwitchedModder Makes Segway Fast and Dangerous, Still Super Nerdy originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diylolzmastersectormodsegwaytoptransportationThu, 18 Nov 2010 06:30:00 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[Tiger-Stone 'Printer' Lays Brick and Stone Roads in No Time]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/16/tiger-stone-brick-printer/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/16/tiger-stone-brick-printer/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/16/tiger-stone-brick-printer/#commentstiger-stone Some bricklayers may soon give up their kneepads (if not their jobs) if a new machine comes into vogue. The Tiger-Stone enables two operators to lay the entire width of a brick or stone street at once, allowing two people to do in an afternoon what has taken days for many more. We hope, for bricklayers' sakes, that a new John Henry emerges -- one more successful than the last.

Continue reading Tiger-Stone 'Printer' Lays Brick and Stone Roads in No Time

SwitchedTiger-Stone 'Printer' Lays Brick and Stone Roads in No Time originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>constructioninfrastructureroadtiger stonetiger-stoneTigerStonetoptransportationTue, 16 Nov 2010 11:25:00 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