Videos
FREE Email Newsletter
Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Need A Tech-Savvy Toilet?
April 28, 2011 6:43 am | CommentsKohler has unveiled the Numi, its new “smart toilet,” which features a variety of motion sensors, an adjustable heated seat, a deodorizer that sucks out undesirable smells, and a personalized bidet. Of course, it all comes packaged with a remote control. All of this for only $6,390... If you’re having trouble watching this video, try downloading the latest version of Flash Player or contacting your IT department.
Bill Nye On 'The God Particle'
April 28, 2011 5:39 am | CommentsU.S. physicists might have found what is commonly known as "the God particle," an elusive, minute substance that has long promised to revolutionize the way we look at the physics of our universe. Bill Nye (aka The Science Guy) seems cautiously optimistic of the findings, which could unlock new forms of hyper-powerful energy sources.
Alan Mullaly Talks The Future Of Cars
April 27, 2011 11:14 am | CommentsEngadget ’s Tim Stevens sat down with Alan Mullaly, CEO of Ford, on the future of not only his company, but the transportation industry in general. Like most other automakers, Ford is taking steps to get into the electric-vehicle market with an all-electric Focus. By the time 2025 rolls around, Mullaly predicts that at least 20 percent of the cars on the road will be electric.
China Could Overtake U.S. Economy By 2016
April 27, 2011 10:04 am | CommentsAccording to a recent economic forecast, China's economy could overtake the U.S.'s by 2016 — or earlier than projected by other recent forecasts. What would this mean for China? But more importantly, what would this mean for the ever-improving American economy? CNN 's Ramy Inocencio breaks things down in this video.
Turning Passion Into A Be-'Spoke' Business
April 27, 2011 6:41 am | CommentsJohn Ryland worked a dozen years at an advertising firm, only to get laid off. Instead of mourning his loss, he got to work on what had always been a hobby and a passion: building custom motorcycles. He now heads Classified Moto , a fledgling business that builds those custom choppers for eager riders.
A Different Kind Of Gatling Gun
April 27, 2011 6:21 am | Comments"That German slingshot guy" is back with another preposterous invention: the slingshot Gatling gun. Jeorg took to designing the repeating gun mechanism, and the result is the launch of eight 20mm projectiles in less than half a second. According to the inventor, the theoretical firing rate reaches 960 rounds per minute, which is faster than an M16.
The Beauty Of The Printing Press
April 26, 2011 7:10 am | CommentsField Notes produces a number of high-quality notebooks for writers, journalists, and artist, but what’s probably more interesting to you all is the way these books are made. Their contracted printers, Freeport Press and Flywheel Letterpress , show off some of the machinery that’s used in the production.
Hurling Bricks At Mach 5
April 25, 2011 5:18 am | CommentsGeneral Atomics has been testing a new railgun that can hurl "hypersonic bricks" at Mach 5 (roughly 3,800mph). Their new projectile, outfitted with a sabot , can travel 4.34 miles downrange — with the gun pointed completely parallel with the ground — even after punching through a steel plate.
How An Hourglass Is Made
April 22, 2011 9:57 am | CommentsMarc Newson, director of this short film, says, “Each hand-made hourglass comprises highly durable borosilicate glass and millions of stainless steel nanoballs, and is available in a 10- or 60-minute timer.” The only thing more stunning than the filming of the process is the incredible craftsmanship that goes into each product.
Would You Stick Tweezers In This Power Strip?
April 19, 2011 7:59 am | CommentsProducts don't always perform as advertised. In some cases, that's a major concern. The $70 Wet Circuits 4-outlet power strip claims it is resistant to water and you can stick tweezers into the sockets without electrocuting yourself to death. Techland's Doug Aamoth put those claims to the test.
Unlocking A Locked-In Artist
April 19, 2011 7:54 am | CommentsThe inventor Mark Ebeling showcases his collaborative creation, the EyeWriter . The project began to help paralyzed graffiti artist, TEMPT, create art again, and developed into an open-source project that anyone can help improve. Better yet, anyone can make one of the devices, giving other paralyzed patients an incredibly affordable and versatile option for communicating with the rest of the world.
Get A Checkmate With CNC
April 19, 2011 7:51 am | CommentsI know many of you are familiar with CNC milling — perhaps you even do your fair share during the work day — but it's hard not to appreciate the incredible complexity, not to mention the engineering, that goes into these processes. According to Glacern Machine Tools, the process involves turning out of a 2.
Deleting CDs With Electrocution
April 19, 2011 7:47 am | CommentsNeed to delete the information from some CDs? You’d be hard-pressed to find a more over-the-top (or cool-looking) way to get the job done. If you’re having trouble watching this video, try downloading the latest version of Flash Player or contacting your IT department.
Saving Lives By Cutting Out Drivers
April 13, 2011 9:18 am | CommentsSebastain Thrun helped build Google’s driverless car, which can navigate through almost any real-life driving scenario, all without any human interaction. At the end of the day, the project isn’t about the technology itself, but rather what it can do for everyone on the road. As Thrun explains, the benefits for machine-controlled motoring are numerous, if done correctly.
Robots Master The Art Of Flying
April 13, 2011 6:55 am | CommentsThe SmartBird — a development from Festo, a manufacturer and developer of automation technology for industrial markets — is an ultralight, robotic replica of a bird, down to the subtle motions that make natural flight possible. The bird can take off, fly, and land autonomousy thanks to wings that beat just like a real bird's.
