sabrex15 - Slashdot User

Submission + - Whistle While You Work? Not in Space.

Submitted by

Ant

on Thursday February 22, 2007 @11:14PM

Ant writes: "ABC News report that astronauts on spacewalks will never, ever be able to whistle while they work in space. Former NASA astronaut, Dan Barry has seven hours of spacewalking time to his credit. He tried whistling during his spacewalk on STS-96 in May 1999. "It wasn't something I hadn't planned — I thought of it on the fly. It turned out that it didn't work." he said. "You can't whistle because the air pressure in the suit is only 4.3 [pounds per square inch], and normal atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi, so there are not enough air molecules blowing by your lips to make a sound," he said. Seen on Blue's News."

Submission + - Pleo Now Available for Pre-order at Trossen Roboti

Submitted by

Trossen Robotics

on Thursday February 22, 2007 @11:13PM

Trossen Robotics writes: "Pleo Available for Preorder at Trossen Robotics

Feb 22nd, 2007 — Trossen Robotics is announcing the preorder availability of the Ugobe Pleo robotic dinosaur. Trossen Robotics has received permission to begin taking preorders for the Pleo which is slated to ship around July 2007.

CEO Matt Trossen, "The Pleo has been the most talked about commercial robot since the Roomba. We anticipate very high demand for this product and are very excited to be carrying it for our customers. As with any new technical product which has garnered a strong buzz, people should reserve their place in line as soon as possible if they want one. We know that we will be tearing open a box as soon as they arrive."

Price: $349.95
Estimated Shipping date: July 2007
Product Link: http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/5165-PLEO.a spx
Website Link: http://www.trossenrobotics.com/

Items Included:
Pleo / Companion Guide / AC Charger / Training Device / Warranty Card

Pleo Technical Specs:

Ugobe LifeOS
— 32 bit Atmel ARM 7 microprocessor — The main processor for Pleo
— 16 bit sub processor — The processor dedicated to the camera system
— (4) 8 bit processors that provide the low-level motor control for the servos
— (35) Sensors including a camera custom designed to fit into Pleo's very compact body.
— (4) foot-switches to detect footfalls and being picked up — assists with spatial orientation.
— (12) capacitive touch sensors (4) legs, (4) feet, back, shoulder, head, chin
— (2) microphones for directional sound detection
— (14) "Force" sensors, one per servo, to recognize abuse through force feedback joints.
— Orientation/tilt sensor
— IR transceiver for bidirectional data communication with other Pleos.
— IR interrupter for detection of objects in Pleo's mouth
— (14) motors. Standard low voltage DC motors
— (150) gears and clutches
— Rechargeable NiMH battery pack
— USB port with mini USB connector
— SD/MMC memory card slot

Pleo Size Specs:
Length: 18.8 in / 47.75 cm
Width: 5.84 in / 14.83 cm
Height: 6.82 in / 17.32 cm
Weight: 3.5 lbs / 1.59 kg"

Submission + - iPods making their way into cockpits

Submitted by

Agentscott00

on Thursday February 22, 2007 @10:33PM

Agentscott00 writes: "Apple's iPod has found its way into the cockpit and is about to become a flight data recorder (FDR), more commonly known as "black box." Flight reports that light aircraft maker LoPresti Speed Merchants is adding the ability to use an iPod as a flight data recorder to its Fury piston aircraft. The airplane will include an iPod dock connector, and will be able to send data to the iPod for storage. Although it's not clear yet exactly what data will be recorded, typically that includes system monitoring information and data for post-flight analysis."

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