12 Speakers on a Kawasaki ZX10R

A modified Kawasaki ZX10R has been built which has 12 speakers around its body which have an output of 1500 watts. To make use of all this power needed to be heard, you have two iPods, a Sony PSP, flat screen with DVD and remote control as well as an input for electric guitar. This is a crazy bike and gives out a lot of noise. I am just not quite sure yet who gets to watch the movies on the DVD player and flat screen when the biker is riding around 🙂 At least he will be heard a few more miles off.

Via: Seihen-World

Scale RC Models

RC planes, helicopters and cars are cool. I have seen a few RC planes and jets, but not actually seen scale models of real planes such as RC 747s, RC Concordes and others. Over at funny pictures you will see a bunch of planes that have been made, scaled down and actually being flown around.

Wood Calculator

This calculator is made of wood and works with marbles. It can do a number of types of sums by dropping marbles down from above. When the marbles drop down the rockers move in to position and then the marbles fall in to the correct place which gives the answer to the sum. I some how dont think that you will be allowed to take this in to an exam though. Still cool though and well worth checking out.

Via: Woodgears

Bright LED Lights used for Security

The LED flashlight is to be used more for security. The Department of Homeland Security are funding LED flashlights to be created which are very high power and are to be used to disorient those causing trouble. It is actually more then a standard LED torch though. It uses a device to measure the range between the torch and eyes and then uses flashes that continually change in colour which throw the person off. The device will not hurt anyone, but will provide a great help to the police when trying to stop someone as it means no force or weapons are needed.

It sounds like an interesting device. Hopefully it wont cause temporary blindness to the innocent bystanders, although as long as the bad guy goes down it would be safer for those around even if they are also caught by this LED light.

Via: Wired

Hide your iPod in your Tie

This tie features a small pocket behind it so you can hide your iPod while walking around. I cant say its the best of ideas I have come across.

Via: Gadgets

Stomp your feet to generate electricity

The idea of underground generators for making electricity has been thought up by 2 students named James Graham and Thaddeus Jusczyk. The idea works by using small dynamos under the floor which when walked on the movement is converted to electricity. As can be expected, there isnt a huge amount of energy created by doing this, but just 1 step can power a 60 watt light bulb for a second. Mix this with thousands of people walking and you could generate a nice amount of energy that would save other sources.

No word yet on if this will go any where, but I do like the idea and by putting something like this in a busy city where there is lots of movement could help shave off a few % of the electricity needed to be generated from a power station.

Now they just need to put it in the roads too so that busy roads can also generate power.

Via: News

In Car Breathalyzer will not allow the car to start if intoxicated

Nissan have created an in car breathalyzer which prevents the car from being started if the person driving is over the limit. The sensor is required to be used before the car starts and will not start until a person under the limit is tested. This is a nice step forwards and helps those driving know if they should drive, and prevents them if they shouldnt. Of course it could be bypassed by having someone else use the breathalyzer… but hopefully all those under the limit would be smart enough to say no to a request like that from a drunk person.

Toyota have also been working on a system, but this time it uses sweat sensors on the steering wheel which take blood alcohol reading while driving. Using this information with a mixture of steering patterns and a test on your pupils while driving it could be set to immobilise the car while driving.

These systems should be available over the next couple of years and might one day become standard in cars to help prevent dangerous driving while intoxicated.

Via: MotorTrend

Umbrella tells you if you need to use it

With the weather not knowing what it is doing most of the time, it is handy to have one of these ambient umbrellas. On the handle is a ring of LEDs which glow according to the weather. The umbrella picks up the weather reports via a wireless network, GSM I believe, and just a glance at the handle of the umbrella can indicate if you should think about taking it with you for the day. Its not a bad idea, although predicting the weather is still questionable… so I guess they have preventions in place to stop you taking legal action when you get soaked when it told you it would be dry.

Via: Engadget