Robots that mimic the behaviour of fish have been developed by Japanese car firm Nissan, who believe the technique can be used in crash avoidance systems.
The tiny robots, called Eporo, can move in a fleet without bumping into their travelling companions.
It is the second time the firm has looked to the animal kingdom for inspiration for its designs.
Last year, the manufacturer unveiled its BR23C robot, which was modelled on the behaviour of bumblebees.
The bee also displays anti-collision behaviour but tends to fly solo.
The new three-wheeled robot, which will be shown off at Japanese design fair Ceatec on 6 October, is designed to travel in a group of up to seven vehicles.
Each uses a laser range-finder to measure the distance between obstacle.
The data is constantly shared between peers via radio, allowing the group to travel as a "shoal" without bumping into each other.
The technique allows the cars to travel side-by-side or quickly switch direction as a group.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sony shows off 3D TV technology
Sony has shown off a new single-lens camera able to capture 3D images.
The majority of existing 3D set-ups use two-camera systems to record images tailored specifically for the left and right eye of the viewer.
The new camera takes a single image that is split by mirrors and recorded on two sensors, resulting in a "smoother" picture, according to Sony.
The prototype camera will be unveiled at next week's Ceatec electronics show in Tokyo, Japan.
Viewers will be able to watch the 3D images using special polarised glasses. Without them, they will just see normal 2D television, according to the firm.
The majority of existing 3D set-ups use two-camera systems to record images tailored specifically for the left and right eye of the viewer.
The new camera takes a single image that is split by mirrors and recorded on two sensors, resulting in a "smoother" picture, according to Sony.
The prototype camera will be unveiled at next week's Ceatec electronics show in Tokyo, Japan.
Viewers will be able to watch the 3D images using special polarised glasses. Without them, they will just see normal 2D television, according to the firm.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Broadband 'not fit' for future
A study of the global state of broadband has put the UK 25th out of 66 countries in terms of the quality and reach of its networks.
The research for Cisco found that countries such as Latvia and Bulgaria were better prepared than the UK for next-generation net applications.
The UK was listed among countries whose broadband is "meeting needs for today".
South Korea and Japan continue to dominate the league table, largely due to their commitment to fast networks.
In South Korea, for example, the government has promised universal speeds of up to 1Gbps (gigabit per second) by 2012.
The research for Cisco found that countries such as Latvia and Bulgaria were better prepared than the UK for next-generation net applications.
The UK was listed among countries whose broadband is "meeting needs for today".
South Korea and Japan continue to dominate the league table, largely due to their commitment to fast networks.
In South Korea, for example, the government has promised universal speeds of up to 1Gbps (gigabit per second) by 2012.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Microsoft launches free security
Microsoft has released its free computer security package to the public.
From 1700 BST on 29 September, Windows users will be able to download the software from Microsoft's Security Essentials website.
The free software gives basic protection against viruses, trojans, rootkits, and spyware.
The Essentials software is Microsoft's second try at making an own-brand security package.
Prior to release, a beta version of Microsoft's Security Essentials (MSE) software, codenamed Morro, has been available to users in the US, China, Brazil, and Israel.
From 1700 BST on 29 September, Windows users will be able to download the software from Microsoft's Security Essentials website.
The free software gives basic protection against viruses, trojans, rootkits, and spyware.
The Essentials software is Microsoft's second try at making an own-brand security package.
Prior to release, a beta version of Microsoft's Security Essentials (MSE) software, codenamed Morro, has been available to users in the US, China, Brazil, and Israel.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Judge delays Google books hearing
A New York judge has put Google's vision of creating the world's biggest digital library on hold.
Judge Denny Chin postponed a fairness hearing set for next month that was meant to address a settlement between Google and authors and publishers.
The $125m agreement, worked out last year, has effectively been sent back to the drawing board by the judge.
The class action case would let Google distribute and sell digital versions of out of print, copyrighted books.
It has been criticised because some say it would give Google too much power to set book prices.
Judge Denny Chin postponed a fairness hearing set for next month that was meant to address a settlement between Google and authors and publishers.
The $125m agreement, worked out last year, has effectively been sent back to the drawing board by the judge.
The class action case would let Google distribute and sell digital versions of out of print, copyrighted books.
It has been criticised because some say it would give Google too much power to set book prices.
Twitter confirms major cash boost
Social networking website Twitter has confirmed that it has closed a "significant round of funding".
Co-founder Evan Williams said in a blog post that the site had secured money from five investment firms.
However, he did not confirm earlier reports that suggested the firm had managed to secure $100 million (£62m), which would value the firm at $1bn.
The site, which allows users to write and share 140-character messages, has more than 45 million users worldwide.
Co-founder Evan Williams said in a blog post that the site had secured money from five investment firms.
However, he did not confirm earlier reports that suggested the firm had managed to secure $100 million (£62m), which would value the firm at $1bn.
The site, which allows users to write and share 140-character messages, has more than 45 million users worldwide.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Opera browser bids for America
The founder of Opera has said despite its 100m worldwide users, they have a big job ahead conquering America.
In the US, the latest figures by Net Applications showed Opera is 5th in the market with a 2% share behind Microsoft, Apple, Google and Firefox.
But Opera claimed in other parts of the globe it is the most popular browser of choice with growth last year of 67%.
In the US, the latest figures by Net Applications showed Opera is 5th in the market with a 2% share behind Microsoft, Apple, Google and Firefox.
But Opera claimed in other parts of the globe it is the most popular browser of choice with growth last year of 67%.
Merrill Lynch moves online
America's largest broker, Merrill Lynch, has finally decided to roll out a full online trading service.
The move has been forced on the 85-year-old Wall Street institution by the rapid growth in online share dealing, and is a further sign of the rapid technological revolution transforming the way shares are bought and sold.
The days when stock markets were like gentlemen's clubs, dominated by brokers placing orders for wealthy clients from leather armchairs seem long gone.
With new technology, the stock market is awash with amateur traders who buy and sell stocks at home by punching personal computer keyboards.
The move has been forced on the 85-year-old Wall Street institution by the rapid growth in online share dealing, and is a further sign of the rapid technological revolution transforming the way shares are bought and sold.
The days when stock markets were like gentlemen's clubs, dominated by brokers placing orders for wealthy clients from leather armchairs seem long gone.
With new technology, the stock market is awash with amateur traders who buy and sell stocks at home by punching personal computer keyboards.
The Economy Online trading sweeps
Japan's financial "Big Bang" has paved the way for a boom in online share trading.
Investor demand for Internet-based trading has boomed since the commissions charged for share trading were overhauled on 1 October.
Some financial institutions now say that one million people could be trading online in the New Year.
Investor demand for Internet-based trading has boomed since the commissions charged for share trading were overhauled on 1 October.
Some financial institutions now say that one million people could be trading online in the New Year.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Japan trio to merge mobile units
Japanese electronics groups Hitachi, Casio and NEC have announced plans to merge their mobile phone operations to cut costs and become more competitive.
The three companies, which are relatively small players in the mobile phone market, will share both technology and resources.
By next year, NEC will own 71% of the new business, with Casio owning 20% and Hitachi holding a 9% stake.
The merger will create Japan's second largest mobile phone maker.
Analysts say there could be further consolidation in the competitive Japanese mobile phone market.
The three companies, which are relatively small players in the mobile phone market, will share both technology and resources.
By next year, NEC will own 71% of the new business, with Casio owning 20% and Hitachi holding a 9% stake.
The merger will create Japan's second largest mobile phone maker.
Analysts say there could be further consolidation in the competitive Japanese mobile phone market.
Next generation wi-fi approved
The next-generation of wi-fi technology has finally been approved for use, despite being on sale in laptops and other equipment for several years.
The 802.11n technology, as it is known, was ratified by the IEEE, a body that oversees all wi-fi standards.
It was conceived seven years ago and offers speeds at least six times faster than current approved technology.
Electronics firms have sold PCs and routers using the standard for many years, labelled "802.11n draft".
But without the IEEE's approval, there were no guarantees that future networking equipment would be compatible with the devices.
The IEEE's rubber stamp has changed that.
The 802.11n technology, as it is known, was ratified by the IEEE, a body that oversees all wi-fi standards.
It was conceived seven years ago and offers speeds at least six times faster than current approved technology.
Electronics firms have sold PCs and routers using the standard for many years, labelled "802.11n draft".
But without the IEEE's approval, there were no guarantees that future networking equipment would be compatible with the devices.
The IEEE's rubber stamp has changed that.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Superb vistas from reborn Hubble
Astronomers are celebrating the release of remarkable new images from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST).
They prove the mission carried out by astronauts in May to service the observatory was an outstanding success.
The latest pictures include trademark Hubble visions - from colliding galaxies to dying stars.
Nasa says the orbiting telescope, regarded as one of the most important scientific tools ever built, should keep working until at least 2014.
The Atlantis shuttle mission in May was the fifth and final Hubble makeover.
They prove the mission carried out by astronauts in May to service the observatory was an outstanding success.
The latest pictures include trademark Hubble visions - from colliding galaxies to dying stars.
Nasa says the orbiting telescope, regarded as one of the most important scientific tools ever built, should keep working until at least 2014.
The Atlantis shuttle mission in May was the fifth and final Hubble makeover.
Monopoly game launches on Google
A massive multi-player version of the popular property game Monopoly has been launched online.
Monopoly City Streets, developed by toymaker Hasbro, will go live on 9 September for four months.
The free game uses Google Maps or the open source Open Street Map as the playing board.
The toymaker claims it will be "the biggest game of Monopoly of all time" and will allow players to purchase almost "any street in the world".
Monopoly City Streets, developed by toymaker Hasbro, will go live on 9 September for four months.
The free game uses Google Maps or the open source Open Street Map as the playing board.
The toymaker claims it will be "the biggest game of Monopoly of all time" and will allow players to purchase almost "any street in the world".
Smart tech reconnects Colombians
Semantic web technology" is being used to reconnect Colombians displaced in the country's civil conflict.
The international team aim to use smart technology to allow people to search currently incompatible databases of missing persons.
By the end of 2008, it was estimated that there were 4.3 million displaced people in Colombia - around 10% of the country's population
The international team aim to use smart technology to allow people to search currently incompatible databases of missing persons.
By the end of 2008, it was estimated that there were 4.3 million displaced people in Colombia - around 10% of the country's population
Websites 'breaking consumer laws'
More than half of websites selling electronic goods were breaking European laws aimed at protecting consumers, according to an EU investigation.
The analysis of 369 websites selling mobiles, DVD players and games consoles in 28 European countries found that 203 of them held misleading information.
The biggest failure surrounded the right to return a product bought on the internet within seven days.
The analysis of 369 websites selling mobiles, DVD players and games consoles in 28 European countries found that 203 of them held misleading information.
The biggest failure surrounded the right to return a product bought on the internet within seven days.
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