Behold the DIY Batmobile

The postmodernist discussion of what makes a man a real man has been ongoing for decades. Well, the discussion is finally over. The bar has been set, and all of us who think we're real men need to stop pretending and accept that we are not and most likely never will be. The world has birthed its first real man, people. That man is Bob Dullam.
Bob updated his fellow geeks--yes, geeks and real men are not mutually exclusive--on what he's been able to accomplish thus far on his little project. Bob has built a full-size replica of the Batmobile--or Tumbler, as it's called in the first film--from Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. He apparently did this with no actual blueprints, using only photo references that he found online. Feeling a little insecure yet? Yeah, me, too.

According to the thread where he posted under the username "youngbat," Bob did it all on his own with no help whatsoever. This is not surprising, though. Since he is the only real man in existence, any imposters who would try to help would only screw things up. You know, they would probably want stuff like brakes or power windows or something. It's like, no dude. There is no stopping, OK? Real men either go around or through obstacles. They don't stop. And the idea of power windows on a Batmobile is dumb. How would that make sense?! What are you planning to do, stop at the drivethrough for a Biggie Fry and Coke on your way to severing some purse snatcher's spine? I don't think so. Hmmm, actually, I guess it does have brakes according to the thread, but still, most likely no power windows.


Aside from essentials like the engine, wheels and tires, Bob has constructed this thing completely from scratch. So far he's spent between US$50,000 and US$70,000--and it's not even done yet. He's not stopping, though (see?). In the thread, Bob says of quitting: "It feels like climbing Mt. Everest halfway up, you start to wonder if this wasn't a big mistake. Then you realize that you are too far to quit. In fact, quitting is now not an option. Because if you do quit, you will have set a precedence about yourself, and all up to this point will become a huge disaster."

As for future plans? Bob says "Yes, I will do a batpod, and TDK suit for myself. I love building this stuff." Can The Keene Act be far behind?

Via CNET Crave

Fuel gadget checks gas type, reading skills

According to a U.K. report, some 150,000 motorists a year disregard color coding and signage to pump their vehicles full of the wrong type of gas. The result is expensive repairs and probably a Homer Simpson-like "doh!"--or worse. Thus, the aptly named Fuel Checker was born.

The European gadget made its appearance at the London 2008 Motor Show last week. According to the company, it can be permanently affixed to the inside of a car's fuel door or it can be held in hand. The device comes in petrol (regular gasoline) and diesel, and the hope is that consumers can at least get that purchase correct.

After drivers pull up to the pump, they can be assured that they chose the right nozzle by pressing it against the sensors of the Fuel Checker. Flashing red lights show they've chosen the wrong nozzle, while green means go. Although it's unclear from the product site how the device registers the type of gasoline, it has been deemed safe to use around flammable vapors.

Currently, the gadget is only available for European fuel nozzles but it could make its way to the U.S, retailing for the equivalent of US$40. However, it begs the question: If you aren't reading the signs on the gas pump, are you reading the signs on the road?

Via CNET Crave

Wave the torch to see a message at the Olympics

Spectators at the Games will get a chance to touch the flame-bearing torch, but only a replica of it, that is. Instead of fire, the torches have a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), accelerometer and lines of LEDS embedded within.

By waving the torch, an internal sensor will determine the left and right points while the MEMS measures the degree of movement and transmits the information to a microchip which activates the LEDS to display pre-programmed words or images relevant to the Olympics "in the air".

This idea is not novel, and you've probably seen similar products in gift shops. But what's impressive is that each visitor to the Games will probably get one in their goodie bag. This roughly translates to hundreds of thousands of torches being manufactured, and that doesn't include those for sale in the souvenir shops.

So what kept the production cost low? It's reported that a former MEMS engineer came up with technology that enabled the devices to be produced along any CMOS chip manufacturing line, thus driving the cost down and giving spectators a little something to bring home and remember the Olympics by.

Via EETimes

E-smoking to kick a nicotine addiction

If gum, the patch, and hypnosis don't cut it, Chinavasion says smokers can kick their nicotine habit and look tech-savvy at the same time with the "E-Cigarette" anti-smoking gadget sold on its site.

While it has the appearance of a cigarette--albeit a stainless steel one--the gadget is loaded with nicotine cartridges, a different concept than the e-cigar, which uses liquid cartridges to produce the flavored vapor without the nicotine and smoke. The five atomized cartridges in the E-Cigarette contain high-purity liquid nicotine, and each cartridge has the lifespan of about 30 cigarettes.

The cigarette is sold with five cartridges ranging in levels from one-sixth the nicotine content of a normal cigarette to none at all. Based on nicotine replacement therapy, smokers can use the E-Cigarette to slowly wean themselves off the nicotine cartridges, ideally ending with the nicotine-free insert.

Additionally, Chinavasion claims the gadget's lack of tobacco means it's free of carcinogens and tar.

The smoking device is managed by a microchip and powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The tip of the E-Cigarette glows with an LED light that will blink rapidly to warn smokers they have taken too many inhales in one minute.

The device is sold for about US$26, and if the average price of a 20-cigarette pack is around US$5, the gadget could be a low-cost option for smokers trying to quit. A similar product by Ruyan runs for more than US$100.

Chinavasion's discount E-Cigarette and charger might fit in a purse or a pocket, but when a stressful day strikes, a dead E-Cigarette could push a smoker to visit the local convenience store instead.

Via CNET Crave

At Beijing Games, Haier washing-machines spin

In between attending track-and-field events and trying to locate uncensored Web sites, visitors to the Beijing Olympic Games will be able to experience a day in the life of a futuristic-home dweller.

China-based appliance manufacturer Haier on Wednesday opened the doors to its "Making the World a Home" Experience Center in Chaoyang Park, Beijing. The center, which will be open to the public for the duration of the Summer Games, will take visitors through 16 hours in the life of a consumer using Haier's U-Home (Ubiquitous Home) technology, which relies on the Internet, mobile communication, and fixed telephone networks to let users communicate with their home appliances anytime, anywhere.

Haier's vision of such a day will look something like this: In the morning, while the consumer is exercising, the jogging machine will monitor his pulse rate or energy consumed. When he leaves home, U-Home technology will automatically shut down the lights and rev up the security system. Back home in the evening, the intelligent bed will recognize when the consumer is ready to turn in, and it will shut down the lights and the television, and close the curtains.

The bubble-shaped Experience Center also serves as a giant screen where evening light shows will introduce Haier's history, Olympic sponsorship, and environmental-protection efforts. The entertainment area of the center will offer virtual sport games that let visitors test technology by Haier, which is also an official white-goods sponsor for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Via CNET Crave

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