Mobile app turns smartphones into “virtual radios” for first responders

Mobile app turns smartphones into “virtual radios” for first responders: "In an emergency, every second counts, and communication between various emergency services and government agencies can be of critical importance."

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Honda introduces its newest robot, and it cuts your lawn for you

Honda introduces its newest robot, and it cuts your lawn for you: "Is mowing the lawn one of those household chores that you absolutely dread? Well, Honda is offering a new product in Europe designed to make it so you never have to walk behind a lawn mower again. The Honda Miimo is Honda’s entry into the growing robotic lawn mower market."

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EcoXPower powers bicycle lights and charges mobile devices simultaneously

EcoXPower powers bicycle lights and charges mobile devices simultaneously: "EcoXPower by EcoXGear is another take on a concept which most Gizmag readers will be familiar with: harnessing the kinetic energy produced while one pedals a bicycle in order to convert it into electricity and charge a smartphone or similar device."

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Spray-on coating helps keep bananas from spoiling

Spray-on coating helps keep bananas from spoiling: "Just about everyone loves bananas, but there is one problem with the things – they have a way of becoming overripe before they can be eaten. Yesterday, however, a scientist from China’s Tianjin University of Science and Technology announced the development of a spray-on coating that is capable of keeping picked bananas fresh for almost two weeks."

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Is your hotel room lock safe? Why the answer could well be no

Is your hotel room lock safe? Why the answer could well be no: "If, during your next hotel stay, you're met with a lock on your door like that pictured above, it's time for a conversation with management. This is an Onity HT series lock. Cody Brocious claims that the company has sold 10 million of its various locks to hoteliers, accounting for half of all locks worldwide, and appearing in one in three hotels"

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SunVolt solar charger claims "outlet-like" charging times

SunVolt solar charger claims "outlet-like" charging times: "SunVolt is a portable solar power station able to harness the Sun's rays in order to charge low-power mobile electronic devices, such as digital cameras, e-book readers, cell-phones and tablets. While you'd be forgiven for feeling underwhelmed on hearing news of yet another solar charger in the works, the crucial difference between SunVolt and existing solar chargers like the Solarmonkey and EnerPlex, is that SunVolt’s creator Don Cayelli claims his product can, on a clear day, charge multiple devices just as quickly as if they were plugged into the wall."

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Neurological discovery could lead to machines that speak for the speechless

Neurological discovery could lead to machines that speak for the speechless: "Recently, scientists unlocked the code used by neurons in the retina for sending visual data to the brain. This allowed them to create a device that restored almost-normal vision to blind mice. Now, another group of scientists has announced that they have determined the brain’s code for pronouncing vowels, and they believe that their discovery could lead to machines that speak for people who are physically unable to do so."

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DARPA releases video of floating tank-like CAAT vehicle

DARPA releases video of floating tank-like CAAT vehicle: "So the year is 2015, and you're in a serious disaster – one that requires the immediate provision of food, water, medical care, and shelter for a hundred thousand people. In other words, not something that a few airlifts will handle. If there is navigable water anywhere nearby, you could be saved by a future version of one of DARPA's new toys: the Captive Air Amphibious Transporter (CAAT)."

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McLaren one-off X1 concept surfaces at Pebble Beach

McLaren one-off X1 concept surfaces at Pebble Beach: "The Pebble Beach Concours at Monterey is used to seeing the weird and wonderful creations of bespoke vehicle design and craftsmanship, but one of the most surprising entrants this year was from the McLaren Special Operations team. The vehicle, known as the X1 Concept, is an extraordinary mixture of McLaren MP12C road car and an entirely new bodyshell crafted in a style that wouldn't look out of place in a 1930s comic book. Before you imagine that McLaren has hit the crazy button, a little explanation is in order."

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Video purports to show successful hover bike test flights

Video purports to show successful hover bike test flights: "Videos released by California-based tech research company Aerofex appear to show successful test flights of a prototype hover bike that gains lift from two large ducted rotors, similar in principle to Chris Malloy's Hoverbike prototype we've previously covered. Aeroflex claims its hover bike allows the pilot intuitive control over pitch, roll and yaw without need of artificial intelligence, flight software or electronics of any kind."

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Royal Navy’s T26 GCS next-gen warship unveiled

Royal Navy’s T26 GCS next-gen warship unveiled: "The U.K.’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) has unveiled its new multi-mission warship - the Type 26 Global Combat Ship (T26 GCS). Due to replace the thirteen Type 23 frigates in Britain’s Royal Navy when it enters service in after 2020, the T26 GCS has been in development by the MOD and BAE Systems since 2010 and is intended for use in combat and counter-piracy operations as well as supporting humanitarian and disaster relief work around the world."

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Slovenia's supercar: The Tushek Renovatio T500

Slovenia's supercar: The Tushek Renovatio T500: "In the future, every nation on the globe may just have its own home-brewed supercar. We're getting closer every year, one country at a time. We've seen a 1,100-hp electric supercar from Croatia. Brazil and Poland have chimed in with their thoughts on supercar design. The Netherlands and Denmark have represented. Now, Slovenia has a little something to say."

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