Looks like the Moller Flying Car is finally entering production. I can’t wait to see these things zipping around. The $90,000 price tag seems like quite a bargain too.

“Moller International (OTCBB: MLER) has completed tooling and has begun producing parts for its Jetsons-like M200G volantor, a small airborne two passenger saucer-shaped vehicle that is designed to take-off and land vertically (see www.moller.com).

The M200G is the size of a small automobile and is powered by eight of the Company’s Rotapower® rotary engines. This vehicle is intended for operation continuously in “ground effect” up to approximately 10 feet altitude.

Dr. Moller calls the M200G, “the ultimate off-road vehicle” able to travel over any surface. “It’s not a hovercraft, although its operation is just as easy. You can speed over rocks, swampland, fences, or log infested waterways with ease because you’re not limited by the surface. The electronics keep the craft stabilized at no more than 10 feet altitude, which places the craft within ground effect where extra lift is obtained from operating near the ground. This lets you glide over terrain at 50 mph that would stop most other vehicles” he continued. While the Company does not foresee the requirement for significant training or licensing to operate the vehicle, it is prepared to offer demonstration sessions in Davis, California once the vehicle is ready for market.

Production on the initial six airframes started earlier this week using hard-tooled molds with the capability of producing one fuselage per day.

Depending upon engine production volume the M200G price could start as low as $90,000. The key component in determining the M200G production price is the cost of its Rotapower® engines. The Company is working with a strategic partner to produce this engine for a number of different applications in order to obtain the cost benefits of high volume production. Persons interested in purchasing a M200G volantor may reserve a delivery position by making a refundable escrowed deposit. ”

Via: Jalopnik, thanks Melvin.

Michael Young and Nick Bilton from New York Times R&D Lab were the Hack Day London 2007 winners. They created a project that is called SHIFD. A RFID tag that’s placed on your cell phone allows your computer to “see” that you are there and allows you to organize many things using your computer.

Videos after the jump.

“Set your hacked (RFID-enabled) mobile phone down on your desk. The RFID reader (hooked in to the PC) detects the presence of your phone and automatically directs your web browser to Shifd.com. You are now in your computer environment. Easily add notes and web content to your Shifd.com page. You can also find local businesses and services using Yahoo! Local Search, allowing you to send the listing information and map to your mobile phone. Then easily organize the order of your content simply by dragging and dropping. Pick up your phone and walk away. Your computer automatically recognizes that you’ve shifted to a mobile environment, sending you a text message with a link to a mobile version of your Shifd.com page.”

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Seems like limos are getting more outrageous all the time. A stretched Hummer is no longer one of the coolest limos out there since the Tank Limo is on the scene.

“So were about ready three crew and up to 8 passengers “cant wait to see the faces of the limo drivers in London as we track past them congestion charge exempt”, were all practicing the royal wave to taunt them.

As for price, best sit down quick £1600 – £4000 plus hire of a low loader to ship her to your area and an excess mileage charge if the mileage starts getting serious. But wow what an entrance and who knows maybe the safest way to travel round London”

Via: Red Ferret

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If this shredding machine was installed in a few parking lots I think people would pay closer attention to parking signs.

More cool shredding videos after the jump.

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Looks like this robotic hand is able to do almost anything that a human hand can do. The Tactile Robotic Hand is powered with Air Muscles which appear to be very strong and versatile.

Video after the jump.

“The Shadow Hand is the closest robot Hand to the human Hand available. It provides 24 movements, allowing a direct mapping from a human to the robot. The Shadow Hand has integrated sensing and position control, allowing precise control from off-board computers, or integration into your existing robot platform. The Shadow Hand contains an integrated bank of 40 Air Muscles which make it move. The muscles are compliant, which allows the Hand to be used around soft or fragile objects. The Shadow Hand can be fitted with touch sensing on the fingertips, offering sensitivity sufficient to detect a single small coin.

The Shadow Air Muscle is a simple yet powerful device for providing a pulling force. It behaves in a very similar way to a biological muscle. When actuated with a supply of compressed air, they contract by up to 40% of its original length. The force it provides decreases as it contracts, and the first few percent of the contraction is very powerful indeed. The simplest use of an Air Muscle is to move a lever. One muscle will pull the lever in one direction, and a spring can return it. Two muscles will allow the lever to be pulled in either direction, with considerable force. Because the muscle contracts over a known distance, it can be used to provide a safe movement: there is no need to ensure that the lever is not going to be rotated beyond its end-stop, because the muscle will only move the lever to its set up angle.”

Via: Robot Gossip

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When building projects using a microcontroller there will come a time when you need to drive a load that exceeds the raw current capability of the device. Eric Wolf wrote a BJT Transistor article that will demonstrate how this can be done.

“As you may or may not already know, typical TTL logic outputs on microcontrollers run in the range of 4.5 – 5.5 volts. Some microcontrollers, such as the microcontroller devices manufactured by Texas Instruments, use voltages as low as 3.3 volts. In regard to current capability, generally speaking, most microcontrollers will only source around 20 mA or less (usually less) of current before you start running into problems. This is less than the amount of current used to power a super bright LED at maximum intensity (the ones I use run around 30 mA, a lot can run less). There comes a time in every man and woman’s life when they just need more power.”

Kingjamez wanted a simple way to control his telescope. A Wiimote and some software ended up being the perfect solution for his automated telescope project.

“At the Howard Astro League star party last night, I was showing off the moon to kids through a video camera. I wanted to pan around the moon to show the kids different parts of the surface. Since I was using EQMOD with no joystick I had to use the directional pads on the laptop. It was very cumbersome.”