Gizmag

URBAN TRANSPORT
Raht Racer velomobile may let riders pedal "as fast as a car"
	Human-powered velomobiles can't go as fast as automobiles, meaning that they often have to be ridden along the edge of the road. The electric-assist Raht Racer, however, amplifies the rider's pedaling power, reportedly allowing them to move as fast as the cars around them. read more
ARCHITECTURE
Subterranean roads proposed for greener London
	Fresh from being the subject of an idea to move its pedestrians and cyclists below ground, London might now see the same happen to its motorists. New proposals would see a number of the city's roads buried. The aim is to create new space above ground and make the city greener and more pleasant. read more
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Opinion: Pitchforks @Dawn – the case for keeping Twitter trivial
	People diss Twitter for its triviality, but give me lunch tweets and lighthearted nonsense over pitchforks, death threats and endless opinions any day, says Gizmag's James Holloway. read more
ARCHITECTURE
Rio Grande: Towable tiny living, supersized
	We recently reported on the Custom 30 Foot House, by Colorado's Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses. For those who like their tiny homes supersized, the firm recently followed-up with an even bigger model dubbed Rio Grande. read more
SCIENCE
Tiny robotic hand-like grippers dissolve in the body after performing task
	John Hopkins University scientists have created soft robotic microgrippers that can safely dissolve within a living body once they've performed surgical procedures, delivered drugs or performed other tasks. read more
URBAN TRANSPORT
Space technology cools Paris commute
	The Paris Metro is one of the world's great underground railways, but for the last year and a half a cooling system developed by the European Space Agency has been making Trains on Metro Line One more comfortable. read more
URBAN TRANSPORT
Briefcase Electric Scooter motors through airports for timely connections
	The Briefcase Electric Scooter from Coolpeds is literally a briefcase which transforms into an electric scooter. Capable of traveling at speeds up to 20 km/h for approximately 10 km, the scooter could ensure you make that vital connection or arrive at the office on time.read more
ELECTRONICS
GE RFID tech turns stickers into explosives detectors
	With more goods passing through the world's shipping terminals and airports than ever before, hunting explosives is a bottleneck. To help US counterterrorism efforts, GE has developed RFID stickers that act as wireless, battery-free explosives detectors that can be placed almost anywhere. read more
MEDICAL
Satellites and GIS help developing countries target deadly parasites
	Scientists are using satellite data combined with local health information uploaded into geographical information systems (GIS) to help developing countries better manage limited resources and target interventions in the fight against malaria and other deadly parasitic diseases. read more
OUTDOORS
Collapsible, two-ski Zibock takes sledding backcountry skiing
	Sledding is moving from neighborhood front yards to high-mountain bowls. The all-new Zibock packs small and light for hiking deep into the mountains, then assembles into a full-suspension sled in minutes, providing a sit-down alternative to backcountry skiing and snowboarding. read more
MEDICAL
Magnetic nanoparticles quickly bust blood clots to promise improved stroke prevention
	tPA is a drug commonly used to bust open blood clots, but it does have its limitations. Researchers have now found that using a type of magnetic nanoparticle to deliver the drug offers a much more direct route, promising to significantly aid in the prevention of heart attacks and strokes. read more
SPACE
Could Virgin Galactic's Spaceport America be put up for sale?
	Incidents, including last year's Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo crash, have led some politicians in New Mexico to question the future of Spaceport America, where Virgin is an anchor tenant, and to even call for the US$200 million facility to be put up for sale. read more
AUTOMOTIVE
Mercedes raises possibility of G500 4x4 Squared concept entering production
	Mercedes has unveiled its crazy new G500 4x4 Squared – a near-production G-Wagen show car fitted with a portal axle system that gives it it greater off road capability without compromising the G-Wagen's luxury bent. read more
WEARABLE ELECTRONICS
Sony announces pre-order of Smart Eyeglass Developer Edition
	In September, Sony announced its augmented reality Smart Eyeglass wearable, but at that time only the Software Development Kit (SDK) was available. Now developers can get their hands, ears, and eyes on the Developer Edition of Sony's chunky AR specs. read more
LAPTOPS
Samsung Ativ Book 9 (2015) vs. Microsoft Surface Pro 3
	The 2015 Samsung Ativ Book 9 shows us what Intel Core M laptops will be able to do: squeeze high-end specs into ridiculously light and thin packages with long battery life. How does it compare to one of the best Windows devices, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3? Let's line them up. read more
MEDICAL
Stem cell breakthrough may allow same gender couples to create babies
	Researchers are claiming a stem cell research breakthrough that would allow a baby to be created from the skin cells of two adults, no matter their gender. From this, scientists have produced precursor cells for sperm or ova that may allow same gender couples to produce offspring. read more
INVENTORS AND REMARKABLE PEOPLE
Yutaka Katayama, father of the Z car, passes away at 105
	In sad news for the automotive world, Yutaka Katayama, first president of Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A., and father of the Z Car, passed away on February 19 at the age of 105. Affectionately known as Mr. K, his impact, on the automotive industry worldwide, cannot be understated. read more
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Solar-powered arm band lets caregivers know if patients are running a fever
	New help may be on the way for healthcare personnel tasked with monitoring multiple patients. Researchers from the University of Tokyo have created a solar-powered arm band, that sounds an alarm if the wearer's body temperature gets too high. read more
SPACE
Astronauts undertake spacewalk to begin reconfiguring ISS
	NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Terry Virts have successfully completed a grueling six hour and 41 minute spacewalk, beginning the process of reconfiguring the ISS for the next generation of docking ports. read more
ARCHITECTURE
Creative AI: Algorithms and robot craftsmen open new possibilities in architecture
	Algorithms can already produce remarkable architecture of incredible detail, that never would have been possible before computers and modern fabrication techniques. Now there are robotic craftsmen under development, that may soon add a touch of uniqueness to stock standard buildings. read more
GOOD THINKING
Hobbyist creates working League of Legends zapper pistol
	Laser weapons hobbyist Patrick Priebe is no stranger to building functioning versions of guns from video games. Recently, he received a number of requests to create something from League of Legends. The result, the Jinx character's zapper pistol, could certainly be described as "electrifying." read more
GOOD THINKING
CriticaLink provides emergency care when 911 isn't an option
	Many of us take for granted that, should we have an accident, the emergency services will be able to help. In some places that's not possible though. CriticaLink, being trialed in Dhaka, Bangladesh, seeks to provide volunteer emergency assistance when it might not be otherwise possible. read more