While this might not sound like much of an accomplishment to the Western powers who have already developed weapons of such capability, the Chinese are pretty upbeat about the weapon added to their arsenal. The press release from the Ministry of National Defense exudes the sense of accomplishment as it states how its new weapon seeks out targets, senses them and then destroys them with multiple sub-projectiles. Terminal Sensing Ammunition (TSA) is especially effective against armored tanks and other heavily protected targets on ground as it can approach them, blow the armor apart with an initial explosion and then wipe out targets with a series of sub-projectiles.

Terminal Sensing Ammunition

Continue reading →

Don’t worry too much, the blinding part is only temporary and while you will be able to see just fine within a few seconds, you will no doubt end up on the wrong side of that crucial set point or match point. Created by SyynLabs and on display at Mindshare LA, the table will most likely challenge even the very best in the business and the design of this pneumatically actuated table is such that it gives advantage to the lesser skilled played at times, to even out the game. You can push the buttons or use a remote attached to tilt the table at an angle of your choice and both players can try and outfox opponents with varied angles.

Challenging Ping Pong Table

Continue reading →

Uncovering patent applications can sometimes show how firms are planning the future direction of their products. Apple’s patents seem to constantly make a buzz in the gadget world, but here is a patent application from IBM that really seems to have hit on something. IBM have applied for a patent on ‘Multitouch Floor’ technology that will enable them to design floors of future homes that are smart enough to identify who is in the home, welcome its residents, open doors for them, switch on lights and pretty much offers services the moment your feet hit the floor!

Multitouch Floor

Continue reading →

And the highlight of this latest venture at Manchester University is not just that. It actually is backed by Bill Gates and his foundation which has already donated $100,000 to the project and promised a million if it showed some actual results in the next year or so. Dr. Sarah Haigh is working along with researchers at Imperial College London and Durham University in an attempt to create an affordable technology that will turn all the toilet waste into useful energy along with some drinking water. We already talked about robots that are powered by human waste and maybe this is the start of the future where we get our drinking water from sewage treatment plants!

Dr. Sarah Haigh

Continue reading →