So we have hybrid cars now. Why not hybrid scooters? That’s the question that a Dutch student asked and then answered himself in designing the Fhybrid, which runs ons an electric motor powered by a lithium ion battery that can get its juice from a tank of hydrogen. The student, Crijn Bouman of Delft University of Technology, actually has a prototype, which you can see him riding in the photo at right.

The scooter is front-wheel drive, so that when you brake, the machine can take that energy and plug it back into the battery. The current distance capability is 124 miles. That’s a lot of trips back and forth to the market.

Oh, yes, Bouman’s top speed is 40 mph.

As of now, the scooter is just a prototype, wich a simulated fuel cell to recharge the battery. Hydrogen production is still costly to depend on as a viable fuel source. But a guy can dream, can’t he?

Read More | LiveScience

Gallery: Hybrid Scooter Powered by Hydrogen

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Just when you thought you were caught up on airport security comes a report out of the U.K. of a sniffing dog so small you can’t see him with your own eyes. Actually, it’s not a dog at all. It’s more like a gadget. Okay, it’s a nano sensor that is being developed by a team of scientists at the University of Wales. They’re just calling it a “nanodog” because of what it does: It “sniffs” for explosives at a level that a live dog can’t match, one part per trillion. That renders useless even the most clever bomb-hiding methods and devices.

Read More | icWales via Engadget

Gallery: ‘Nanodog’ to Sniff Out Bombs at Airports

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Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a Texas Hold ‘Em playing poker program, and they plan to enter it in the American Association for Artificial Intelligence Computer Poker Competition in July.  Unlike most poker algorithms, this program, called GS1, bases its strategy on hand analysis rather than taking its cues from human-inspired poker heuristics.

Texas Hold ‘Em Poker is believed to be a better test of artificial intelligence than chess, in which computer players have become nearly unbeatable.  In Hold ‘Em, the player must make decisions based upon guesses or assumptions about the hidden cards in others’ hands, whereas the entire board is a known quantity in a chess match.  For this reason, a computer program that can win reasonably often at Hold ‘Em would be displaying a different type of intelligence than one that consistently wins at chess.  The intelligence gained would be much more appropriate for analysis of real-world situations, in which unknown factors can play a large part.

Read More | Science Daily

Gallery: CMU Builds Poker-Playing AI

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Can technology really help reduce stress? A company called Quantum Intech, through its Heartmath subsidiary, is out today with a device they claim does just that. Meet the emWave Personal Stress Reliever.

The idea behind the emWave Personal Stress Reliever is to help shift its user into a high performance state called coherence, which Quantum Intech says “helps the heart, brain, and nervous, hormonal, and immune systems work with more harmony and efficiency.” The device works by detecting a pulse from a thumb or ear via a sensor. This pulse is converted to “real-time displays of coherence levels through two colorful light panels”.

The emWave reportedly includes “techniques to help the user increase coherence levels and sharpen their ability to transform stress on-demand.” The cost of this little wonder device? $199.99. That should be enough to stress you out right there.

Read More | emWave Product Page

Gallery: Getting Rid of Stress the emWave Way

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At Gear Live’s Seattle Mind Camp event, we spent 3 hours transforming Sparky into a Borg. When it was all said and done, he was so happy, he did the Dance of Joy. Or something like that. Check it out, and let us know what you think. We will be putting up a video look at what it took to transform Sparky into this dancing abomination.

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Gallery: Bleeding Edge Byte 002: Sparky The Dancing Borg

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In this episode we destroy a Zip Drive, teach you how to make a cheap tripod, and much more:

THE WIRE
Google Calendar
Domain Roundtable Conference
HD DVD Launches

HACK ATTACK
DIY Bottlecap Tripod

BREAKIN’ STUFF
Destruction of a Zip Drive

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|Download| - PSP

IMPORTANT: We are surveying the viewers of our show to see what it is that people like, and more importantly, what they don’t like. It is anonymous, and just takes a couple of minutes. If you have the time, we would appreciate it! As always, feel free to let us know what you think in the comments.

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Gallery: The Bleeding Edge 012: DIY Bottlecap Tripod, Google Calendar, Zip Drive Destruction

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German company Loremo AG has introduced a new vehicle which they claim gets 157 miles per gallon.  The new car uses state-of-the-art aerodynamics combined with a lightweight body to combat gas guzzling.  While some of the fuel efficient cars use smaller engines that deliver less power, this car doesn’t play around in the power department.  The base model uses a 2 cylinder 20 hp turbo diesel engine that reaches a top speed of 100 MPH with a 0 to 60 time of 9 seconds, and the GT model boasts a top speed of 135 MPH.  Loremo has a new technology that they call “linear cell structure” that makes the car light without sacrificing strength.  Both models meet static/dynamic requirements for crash safety.  Standard features on both models include airbags, particle filter, dashboard computer, and air conditioning.  Loremo AG plans to sell the Loremo LS for less than 11,000 euros and the GT for 15,000 euros.  With the rising costs of gas in the US we would like to see a vehicle like this available.  Unfortunately this car is still dependant on gas, and we doubt its strength in a crash, as tiny car + low weight = death.

Read More | If Energy

Gallery: Loremo AG’s Solution to High Gas Prices

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Our boy, David Ponce, over at OhGizmo has just posted up a review of the Wicked Laser Nexus. This is the green laser that we featured in Episode 4 of The Bleeding Edge, and in our quick review of Wicked Laser products. These things are, um, Wicked in every sense. Check out the full review over at OhGizmo.

Read More | OhGizmo

Gallery: Wicked Laser Nexus Review

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POV uses LED lights on a spinning device to create an image.  There have been several devices recently that demonstrate this technology, but none as awesome as the do it yourself SpokePOV kit.  Basically, SpokePOV turns the wheels of your bike into fancy LED displays.  The kit comes with all of the parts needed including a circuit board, electronics, 60 bright LEDs (30 for each side of the wheel), and 1K of memory (enough for one static image).  The memory can be upgraded to 4K for use in an animated display.  The documentation appears to be quite good and even a beginner should be able to complete this project.  The kit retails for $37.50 here.

Read More | SpokePOV

Gallery: SpokePOV: Pimp Your Bike

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Users of Google Earth have yet another sweet Easter egg to scout out. In celebration of their 100th issue, Maxim has reproduced one of their magazine covers to the measure of 75 feet by 100 feet, featuring a scantily-clad Eva Longoria. The headline reads “The only magazine big enough to be seen from space—and only in Vegas!” This is one, um, big publicity stunt.

Read More | CNET

Gallery: Maxim Puts Eva Longoria In Space

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