Future Weapons

Don’t you think if American firms were not competing with overseas firms the quality would decrease?

Your right. Foreign ideas and weapon development do push the competition and makes sure we stay on our toes. We just would really like American soldiers carrying American weapons made by Americans and designed by Americans. We want the best for our guys.

There have been several US allies interested in the Masada platform. They are interested in seeing what the future holds for the platform itself.



Can you give us any updates on the MagPul PDR?

We are moving forward on it. We are not releasing any info on it right now. We are happy with the design. It’s the bullpup style but a different mission. Its chambered in 5.56, takes GI mags and can easily be integrated into the military for use by tank operators and convoy drivers; the guys that would normally carry an M9 pistol but need the capability to reach out with the 5.56 round. With the short barrel the ballistics are not good after a couple hundred yards but the majority of combat these days is close quarters, anywhere from zero to a couple hundred feet. At the least the idea gives you more options than a pistol.



Metal Storm . It can fire thousands of rounds a second, hence the name metal storm. They even have a pistol type gun that can fire 3 rounds before it even recoils, making it extremly acurate atlhough I do not think it can fire many more rounds that a conventional gun it can fire rounds much faster and no jam.The secret to these metal storm weapons is that they do not use conventional firing mechanism, and therefore have very few moving parts. Metal storm guns use an electronic ignition system so bullets in the guns are just lined up right behind one another, so even if a gun does jam the next bullet behind it will push the jammed bullet out. The metal storm gun can also fire 250,000 grenades a minute.



The lightweight XM307 is being developed by General Dynamics under a 2004 contract worth up to $95 million through December 2007. It will replace the M2 .50 cal “Ma Deuce” machine gun, which has been in service since the 1920s. Here in the 21st century, the USA has had to ramp up .50 cal ammunition production because “Ma Deuce” remains one of the most requested weapons in the Iraqi theater of war. Truly a hard act to follow – but the future M307/ M312 has



OICW Future Rifle Technology- Future Force Warrior.The Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) will be the most versatile weapon ever. It can kill targets hidden around corners or dug in half a mile away. The OICW will leave no place for the enemy to hide with its incredible firepower. As you can see in the picture above the rifle is modular which allows for easy cleaning and maintenance.

What good is virtual reality?

Isn't virtual reality a bit sad? Why would anyone want to play tennis on a computer screen when they can go out and hit a ball with a friend in the real world? Many of us already play computer games in which we pretend we're inside artificial worlds, slaying dragons, jumping off skyscrapers, and generally saving the world. Although some of these offer a kind of virtual reality, and Internet games like Second Life create an entirely artificial world, ordinary computer games do not "immerse" you in a non-existent sensory world in the same way as true VR because they do not fully take over your senses in the same way: you don't wear a headset, special gloves, and other equipment when you're playing ordinary computer games. Some computer games manufacturers have already experimented with developing their own HMDs and data gloves.

In the future, computer games are likely to take us much deeper into virtual worlds.The real applications of virtual reality are in training people to do things that are difficult or expensive for them to do in real life. For example, pilots have long trained on flight simulators because that's much cheaper and safer than having beginners go out and crash lots of airplanes. The US Airforce still trains its pilots this way, and its paratroopers practice their landings wearing HMDs and real parachute harnesses in realistic virtual simulations. NASA too has long used virtual reality to train astronauts and other space scientists. It's not easy to practice being on Mars without going there, but artificial VR simulations can help us imagine what it might be like—and get ourselves ready for meeting the real thing!

Virtual reality

Imagine swimming with dolphins before breakfast and climbing Everest an hour later. What about crawling over the dusty surface of Mars after lunch and then shrinking yourself down to the size of an atom to explore the world of nanotechnology before you go to bed? In a few years time, all these things may be possible thanks to a type of computer technology known as virtual reality (VR). The basic idea of VR is to create an entirely artificial sensory world that fools our brains into thinking we're somewhere else. Virtual reality is incredibly useful and raises all kinds of exciting possibilities. But will the attractions of the virtual world mean people stop meeting and socializing with one another in real reality?

Wonders of technology

Figure out what these are?

Looks something similar to hidden cameras…

Something that will replace current PC…

Isn’t these pics amazing and the way we are going to work in future on these PCs

Gaming Keyboard

You’re a huge fan of computer gaming? Well the designer Hakan Bogazpinar thought at persons like you and it came up with a concept especially for gamers. This concept is definitely for you because it increases the way you play. Take a look at this specially conceived keyboard for wild players that has a very atractiv design. Though it’s small as size the keyboard is conceived in such way that you have only the buttons you need for playing. Also it has a shape that makes you feel comfortable while you play. Well what do you say? What game wouldn’t like to have a keyboard like this one?

Vertu ‘Ascent Ti’, ‘Ascent Ti Ferrari Rosso’ and ‘Giallo’ Mobile Phone Released

Good news for Vertu’s fans that Vertu just released its latest mobile phone editions 'New Signature Collection', 'Ascent Ti', 'Ascent Ti Ferrari Rosso' and 'Giallo' in Japan market. All will be available on February 19th via NTT DoCoMo. No words on pricing and detail specifications yet. Stay tuned.

Froot, an Ecologic PC Without Monitor and Peripheries!

You had enough to stay in front of the monitor all day? You want something new that you can use anywhere you want? (vacation, picnic, work). Designer Paulina Carlos has for us a new technology, Froot PC. This device is formed just from one system with a superb design. It doesn’t have monitor or peripheries (keyboard and mouse). It uses laser technology that projects the monitor and keyboard regardless where you are. It has a biodegradable skin composed of polymers based on starch, kind of in the same way as fruits. Practically you can plant something on it so that you have a PC that helps with something. Nice huh? His components can be returned to the producer to be reutilized or recycled. This device managed to get to DELL competition for Ecologic Computer technology. I didn’t think that this thing could happen soon but we see as days go by how much the technology progresses. I want it in my house as fast as possible.

Space elevator

Humankind has always been interested in discovering alien space. The greates accomplishment from outer space is the International Space Station (ISS), which goes around the Earth 16 times in a day with merely 27 000 km/h . Not all of us are very happy when we talk about flying outer space. Althoug , Japanese are planning to travell outer space with an elevator and for good reason because they’ll have to cover only 36 000 km. How the’ll do this? They want to connect/link a geostationary satellite to a fixed point on Earth using very resistant and very light cables. In order to achieve this, they must build a counterweight positioned 100.000 km from Earth. The cables will be made of carbon nanotubes, which are considered to be the strongest and most rigid materials on Earth ( a cable of 1 square mm in diameter can sustain 6300 kg). The costs are estimated around less than $10 billion. I don’t know what to think but it doesn’t seem impossible when it comes to japanese. We will know for certain when the construction will be decided upon.

A critical tool for Neuroscience and Image Guided Interventions

Revolutionary robots guided by real-time 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning would enable reliable and precise minimally invasive operations with minimal recovery time. On the other hand, using a robotic interface in conjunction with functional MRI (fMRI) would enable neuroscientists to 'view' and investigate the brain mechanisms involved in performing tasks with arbitrary dynamics. There is, however, a major problem for robots working within an MRI environment: conventional materials, actuators and sensors interfere with the static magnetic field, switching magnetic field gradients and radio frequency (RF) signals generated by the MR scanner.














In this project we are developing a comprehensive robot technology compatible with MRI and fMRI, i.e. actuators, sensors, electronic hardware and software able to exert computer-controlled force/torque simultaneously to the imaging. These manipulators are safe, and smooth enough to interact with human motion. The control is based on existing PC technology and can be synchronized with commercially available scanners. We have developed several haptic interfaces to investigate the control of wrist, arm and finger movements as well as tactile sensing, for neuroscience groups in Europe and Japan.

This is a collaborative project between the group of Hannes Bleuler at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and the group of Etienne Burdet at Imperial College London, which currently involves Dominique Chapuis at EPFL and Roger Gassert at Imperial.

Japan Creates the Future

Science and technology have become deeply intertwined with everyday human lives, industries, and societies. In November 1995, Japan enacted the Basic Law on Science and Technology, requiring the government to increase its spending on research and development and mandate reforms in science and education. Today, Japan leads the way in technology and new product innovation. Look around: your computer, your car, your stereo, your robot - where were they made? Get a glimpse of Japan’s latest creations, hear from some of its leading innovators, and discover why Japan loves its robots in this intriguing program.

Opening the discussion is Dr. Mamoru Mohri, executive director of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Tokyo, who asserts that science and technology are an integral part of human culture. Dr.Mohri discusses the "state-of-the-art knowledge and innovation" stemming from Japan’s quest to become a scientifically and technologically creative nation.

Robots are the wave of the future and the pinnacle of Japanese innovation today. Journalist and author Tim Hornyak joins the discussion, talking about Japan’s robot design and its unique relationship with technology. From Edoperiod wooden automatons to popular animation icons and the high-tech labs of current researchers in robotic motion and intelligence, Hornyak traces a journey of passion and discovery.

Tomotaka Takahashi, futuristic robot creator, scientist, and founder of Robo Garage, a venture company of Kyoto University, talks about Chroino, a small humanoid robot he created that is complete with friendly appearance and sophisticated movements. He also describes the recently created FT (or "Female Type"), one of the first robots designed and arranged to simulate a feminine body line.

The Smarty

Aside from being prime eye-candy, Japanese cars are typically made to be more fuel efficient, eco-friendly vehicles.

The most obvious of these is the new gas-electric hybrid, the Smart Car. Needless to say, the name suits the car perfectly. Sure, you might think it looks like the equivalent of Hotel-Pillow Mint on the road but, in the case of the Smart Car, looks aren't something to be mocked. It not only has stylish lines but takes the prize for the most environmentally sound car on the market. What's more is that it's the first of its kind to sell internationally and succeed at edging into the old-school car economy. The technology for alternative fuel-based cars has been a possibility for years and finally it has come to fruition! Honestly, it’s a huge milestone!

Utilities Suggest Huge Electric Vehicle Orders

Utilities are among the groups now considering mass orders of electric vehicles from the U.S. automobile manufacturing sector, to help the auto companies make the biggest manufacturing realignment since since WWII.

The exploratory discussions are being conducted at top levels and among firms like PG&E who see plug in hybrid and all electric vehicles as a solution to uneven grid loads. Utilities have invested a great deal of research using the vehicle to grid (V2G) capabilities of plugged in electric vehicles to stabilize the grid.

The idea being considered would involve joining together to put in a substantial order to put weight behind development of Plug In Hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). The idea is that large fleet orders would provide the certain market car makers need to make the initial move away from fossil fueled vehicles.

With their buying power (they could order 50,000 electric vehicles for their fleets) utilities could provide a solid beginning to switching Detroit to entirely new vehicle markets.

s with automakers have occurred individually and through the electric industry’s primary trade organization, the Edison Electric Institute, and include Xcel, Progress Energy, PG&E, Edison International and Wisconsin Energy Corp.

Dick Kelly, chief executive of Xcel Energy in Minneapolis said, “If we get enough of us together, we could put in a very large order and maybe a big down payment.”

Utilities gain less in increased electricity sales than in grid stabilization; evening out the load with the prospect of being able to swap electrons back and forth between a fleet of vehicles and the grid. PHEVs draw only about 1.4–2 kW of power while charging; only about what a dishwasher draws.

The benefits for the nation are huge. Plug-In Hybrids leave their Hybrid counterparts in the dust, in mileage.

For example, where the Ford Escape Hybrid gets mileage in the 20’s or 30’s, a Plug In Escape would get over 80 MPG. It has now completed a year of successful testing with Southern California Edison.

The many aftermarket Prius conversions boast over 100 MPG as Plug In Hybrids compared with about 50 MPG as a first-gen Hybrid. Aftermarket Ford truck conversions similarly get about twice the mileage of their non plugged in hybrids.

And the Chevy Volt Extended-Range EV is designed from the ground up as an EV that only gets a boost for long-distance from gas. It would get also get over 100 MPG in cross-country driving, and not need gasoline for trips under 40 miles a day.

Further development to get these to market are endangered by the auto meltdown. In fact, to some extent, we have stopped buying new vehicles precisely because we are waiting for the switch to the post gasoline era vehicles.

So, Mark Duvall, a researcher at the EPRI suggests that the best help for automakers would be a multiyear order placed in one group from utilities fleets.

That’s because early models may be money losers, so multiyear orders would help automakers achieve profitable production. He estimates fuel savings, for utilities, at $10,000 to $15,000 per car. This kind of certain ongoing manufacturing order is a very safe way to grow small businesses from scratch, and could even help restabilize the large automanufacturers in the same way now that their future is under threat.

“I would do it,” says Gale Klappa, CEO of Wisconsin Energy, adding that his utility has about 3,000 vehicles in its fleet and replaces 20% each year. Bill Johnson, chief executive of Progress Energy Inc. said, “Our industry is interested in reducing carbon-dioxide emissions, and it seems like a good idea for auto makers and us to pull together,”

He added that the idea is in a formative stage and is “gaining momentum.”