Final spacewalkers of Nasa's 30-year shuttle mission

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Space Shuttle Endeavour astronaut Greg Chamitoff is seen outside the International Space Station in this photo taken by Mike Fincke


159 space walks totalling 1,000 hours to build the station and keep it running

These stunning images capture the final stage of the construction of the International Space Station.

But as they marked the beginning of a new era in space exploration, the spacewalk undertaken by Gregory Chamitoff and Mike Fincke also represented an end - of Nasa's 30-year shuttle programme.

All future spacewalks - including one during the final shuttle voyage this summer - will be performed by full-time space station residents.


The space shuttle Endeavour, seen docked to the International Space Station, will be returning to earth in just a few days as the Nasa space shuttle mission draws to a close


'This space station is the pinnacle of human achievement and international co-operation,' spacewalker Gregory Chamitoff observed before heading back inside.

'Twelve years of building and 15 countries and now it's the Parthenon in the sky and hopefully the doorstep to our future. So congratulations everybody on assembly complete.'

The two astronauts completed construction of the International Space Station with the smooth addition of an extension boom.

Mr Chamitoff said it was fitting for Endeavour to be present for the last spacewalk by a shuttle crew - conducted on the next-to-last flight of the shuttle era - since it was present for the first in December 1998. It was the fourth spacewalk in a week for the Endeavour astronauts, who will head back to Earth in just a few days.

Mr Chamitoff and his spacewalking partner, Mike Fincke, teamed up with robot arm operator Gregory Johnson to accomplish the last construction job.


The space shuttle Endeavour first made the voyage to the International Space Station in 1992


The Russian Soyuz capsule is seen docked to the International Space Station with the earth's horizon and the sun in the background


Mr Fincke is due to pass the US record of 377 days in space. He spent six months living on the space station - twice. This is his first shuttle trip; he previously rode Russian Soyuz rockets into orbit.

'I could not share this moment with a group of better people, including our friends on the ground,' he radioed.

Endeavour and its crew of six will leave the space station late on Sunday night. Landing is set for the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday during a rare touchdown in darkness.



The space shuttle Endeavour is seen docked to the International Space Station


source: dailymail

The Apes trailer which takes humanised monkey effects to a whole new level

By GRAHAM SMITH

You'll believe an ape can talk: A five-second preview from the forthcoming Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes took the Internet by storm yesterday. Today a full trailer was unveiled to awestruck science-fiction fans


The original 1960s film was a milestone in prosthetic make-up effects.

Now the latest instalment in the Planet Of The Apes franchise is taking another giant step forward in depicting 'realism' in fantasy cinema.

A five-second preview clip of Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes posted online yesterday, left awestruck science-fiction fans clamouring for more. Today, the full trailer was unveiled.


Spellbinding: Filmmakers have made liberal use of CGI technology to create what looks to be the most realistic depiction yet of a humanised ape


Pop culture icon: Roddy McDowall as Cornelius in Escape From The Planet Of The Apes, the third film in the franchise


Yesterday's tantalisingly brief segment shows an actor - who could be Andy Serkis as Caesar, the part made famous by Roddy McDowall in the original films - in his ape 'make-up'.

This close-up comes at the end of the full trailer for the new prequel, which shows how apes in the present day came to be supremely intelligent beings who take over Earth.


The new prequel, which shows how apes in the present day came to be supremely intelligent beings who take over Earth, stars James Franco (right) as a scientist conducting experiments on the animals


Filmmakers have made liberal use of CGI technology to create what looks to be the most realistic depiction yet of a humanised ape.

By using motion-capture technology - which records and analyses information from markers stuck onto the actor's body, and infrared lights which illuminate him - the special effects team is able to track motion and force.

This 'MoCap' technique has been used in many recent blockbusters, including the Lord Of The Rings trilogy for translating Serkis' movements into Gollum.


Calm before the storm: WETA Digital, an Oscar-winning visual effects company who worked on Avatar, is responsible for the new film's effects


Even the CGI effects in Tim Burton's 2001 remake Planet Of The Apes look dated when placed alongside the new effect.

Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes stars James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow and Brian Cox and is scheduled for an August release in the U.S.


Rising star: The film also features Freida Pinto (pictured) and veteran acrtors John Lithgow and Brian Cox


Apes escape: What looks to be the start of a simian rampage begins


Too close for comfort? An ape watches over Pinto and Franco asleep in bed


Summer blockbuster? The new film is scheduled for an August release in the U.S.


Big budget: Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes promises to be an action-packed, special effects-driven extravaganza


Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) - Trailer (HD)



source: dailymail

Futuristic fly-by: Wing-to-wing, Virgin's spaceship and Airbus soar over San Francisco en route to new £238m airport terminal

By GRAHAM SMITH


Air show: Virgin America's A320 Airbus (left) flies in tandem with White KnightTwo, carrying SpaceShipTwo, over San Francisco Bay yesterday


San Francisco International Airport's Terminal 2 will be home to both Virgin America and Virgin Galactic


Even by Virgin's standards it was a markedly grand opening ceremony.

The new Virgin America A320 Airbus yesterday flew over San Francisco in tandem with WhiteKnightTwo, a carrier aircraft holding SpaceShipTwo, the world's first commercial passenger spaceship.

The planes were en route to land at San Francisco International Airport to become the first aircraft to arrive at the redeveloped £238million ($388million) Terminal 2, which officially opens on April 14.

Guests onboard the A320 - aptly named My Other Ride Is A Spaceship - included Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson and legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin.


City by the bay: The planes were en route to land at San Francisco International Airport to become the first aircraft to arrive at its redeveloped Terminal 2, which officially opens on April 14


Virgin America will occupy seven gates at the new terminal. American Airlines will occupy six gates and there will be one common-use gate.

David Cush, Virgin America spokesman, said: 'We’re proud to unveil a new home that similarly reinvents the travel experience for the modern flyer - and that also reflects the innovative, forward-looking spirit of our San Francisco home.'


Star-studded: Guests onboard the A320 (left) included Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson and legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin


Terminal 2 will also be the home of Virgin Galactic, the world's first commercial spaceline.

Carrier craft WhiteKnightTwo represents a giant leap forward in aerospace design and will enable access to space for private individuals and academic researchers.

The world’s largest all carbon composite aviation vehicle and the most fuel efficient aircraft of its size, WhiteKnightTwo possesses the high-altitude heavy-lift capability to air-release the world’s first commercial manned spaceship – SpaceShipTwo – on its journey into sub-orbital space.

SpaceShipTwo is a rocket-powered space plane, which is intended to air-launch via a ground-breaking feather re-entry system.


WhiteKnightTwo (top) carries SpaceShipTwo, a rocket-powered space plane intended to air-launch via a ground-breaking feather re-entry system


Virgin Galactic spokesman George Whitesides said: 'Virgin America has the most advanced and carbon-efficient commercial fleet in the U.S. and when it touches down today at its new home it will share the runway with the future of commercial aerospace – SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo.

'We’re proud that two Virgin-branded companies can link the cutting-edge present to the future of commercial aviation. It is also fitting that yesterday’s flights are helping to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and aviators.'

Virgin Galactic's flight test program is set to run throughout this year before passenger travel is scheduled to begin in 2012.

SpaceShipTwo will be carried to an altitude of about 50,000ft and then released by the mothership.

Powered by a single rocket motor, the spaceship will be flown by a crew of two and carry six passengers on a Mach 3 thrill ride through the edge of the atmosphere for a brief zero-gravity experience and views of the Earth far below before gliding to a landing.


Looking to the future: Virgin Galactic's flight test program is set to run throughout this year before passenger travel is scheduled to begin in 2012

Such suborbital flights are similar to the 1961 flights of Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil Grissom - up into space and then back down without circling Earth.
But by launching SpaceShipTwo from a high-flying carrier aircraft, there's no need for the massive rockets that propelled the Mercury capsules.

Motherships have been used for decades by Nasa and the military for 'captive-carry' tests and launches of such craft as the X-15 rocket planes.

The novel part of its design is its 'carefree re-entry' system.

SpaceShipTwo has tailbooms extending rearward from its wings. In space, the booms pivot upward to a 65-degree angle. The position causes drag and slows the descent in the upper atmosphere before the booms pivot back to horizontal.



Guided tour: Sir Richard Branson is shown around San Francisco International Airport's Terminal 2 by its architect Arthur Gensler (left)


Virgin Galactic over San Francisco Bay



source: dailymail

Video of babies 'talking' takes the Internet by storm and is viewed TEN MILLION times on YouTube

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Online hit: Twins Sam and Ren McEntee, aged just 17 months, enjoy a lively exchange in which they laugh, raise their hands emphatically and nod their heads


A home video of two babies engaged in an animated conversation in a kitchen has become an Internet phenomenon.

The two-minute clip shows twin brothers Sam and Ren McEntee, aged just 17 months and barely able to stand, enjoying a lively exchange in which they laugh, raise their hands emphatically and nod their heads.

So far the footage has attracted a staggering 9.4million views on YouTube.

This is probably because the boys' conversation is so adult in its mannerisms and they appear to genuinely understand what each other is saying.

Transfixed viewers even made suggestions as to what the brothers might be talking about - before comments on the video were disabled.

Suggestions had included one brother telling the other 'That diaper is so 2010', before receiving a response of 'If you're so smart, where is your other sock, Einstein?'

The babies' mother Abby has a blog, twinmamarama.com, on which she writes about her experiences as a twin sister raising twin boys.


Good times: The home video has been watched almost ten million times


Mrs McEntee wrote on Wednesday: 'We've had a fascinating time seeing language blooming around here. Now the experts weigh in on this kind of twin language.

'I remember my own folks talking about my sister and I sending out verbal signals (essentially squeaks and shouts) in an attempt to pinpoint the location of our twin sister around the house!'

Child development specialists have even chimed in to say how natural and healthy it is for babies to develop language skills as they mature.


An early 15 minutes? The brothers arrive to make in Times Square, New York, to make an appearance on Good Morning America this week


Professor Karen Thorpe, of the Queensland University of Technology’s School of Psychology and Counselling, told ABC News: 'Babies are wired for communication from the start and we see here a fine example of how sophisticated and beautiful communication in even young children can be.'

The broadcaster also reported that 40 per cent of twins develop what appears to be their own language.

However, they are mimicking sounds and mannerisms that they have heard or seen, rather than actually understanding what each other is saying.


twin baby boys have a conversation - OFFICIAL VIDEO



source: dailymail

Video of babies 'talking' takes the Internet by storm and is viewed TEN MILLION times on YouTube

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Online hit: Twins Sam and Ren McEntee, aged just 17 months, enjoy a lively exchange in which they laugh, raise their hands emphatically and nod their heads


A home video of two babies engaged in an animated conversation in a kitchen has become an Internet phenomenon.

The two-minute clip shows twin brothers Sam and Ren McEntee, aged just 17 months and barely able to stand, enjoying a lively exchange in which they laugh, raise their hands emphatically and nod their heads.

So far the footage has attracted a staggering 9.4million views on YouTube.

This is probably because the boys' conversation is so adult in its mannerisms and they appear to genuinely understand what each other is saying.

Transfixed viewers even made suggestions as to what the brothers might be talking about - before comments on the video were disabled.

Suggestions had included one brother telling the other 'That diaper is so 2010', before receiving a response of 'If you're so smart, where is your other sock, Einstein?'

The babies' mother Abby has a blog, twinmamarama.com, on which she writes about her experiences as a twin sister raising twin boys.


Good times: The home video has been watched almost ten million times


Mrs McEntee wrote on Wednesday: 'We've had a fascinating time seeing language blooming around here. Now the experts weigh in on this kind of twin language.

'I remember my own folks talking about my sister and I sending out verbal signals (essentially squeaks and shouts) in an attempt to pinpoint the location of our twin sister around the house!'

Child development specialists have even chimed in to say how natural and healthy it is for babies to develop language skills as they mature.


An early 15 minutes? The brothers arrive to make in Times Square, New York, to make an appearance on Good Morning America this week


Professor Karen Thorpe, of the Queensland University of Technology’s School of Psychology and Counselling, told ABC News: 'Babies are wired for communication from the start and we see here a fine example of how sophisticated and beautiful communication in even young children can be.'

The broadcaster also reported that 40 per cent of twins develop what appears to be their own language.

However, they are mimicking sounds and mannerisms that they have heard or seen, rather than actually understanding what each other is saying.


twin baby boys have a conversation - OFFICIAL VIDEO



source: dailymail

Video of babies 'talking' takes the Internet by storm and is viewed TEN MILLION times on YouTube

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Online hit: Twins Sam and Ren McEntee, aged just 17 months, enjoy a lively exchange in which they laugh, raise their hands emphatically and nod their heads


A home video of two babies engaged in an animated conversation in a kitchen has become an Internet phenomenon.

The two-minute clip shows twin brothers Sam and Ren McEntee, aged just 17 months and barely able to stand, enjoying a lively exchange in which they laugh, raise their hands emphatically and nod their heads.

So far the footage has attracted a staggering 9.4million views on YouTube.

This is probably because the boys' conversation is so adult in its mannerisms and they appear to genuinely understand what each other is saying.

Transfixed viewers even made suggestions as to what the brothers might be talking about - before comments on the video were disabled.

Suggestions had included one brother telling the other 'That diaper is so 2010', before receiving a response of 'If you're so smart, where is your other sock, Einstein?'

The babies' mother Abby has a blog, twinmamarama.com, on which she writes about her experiences as a twin sister raising twin boys.


Good times: The home video has been watched almost ten million times


Mrs McEntee wrote on Wednesday: 'We've had a fascinating time seeing language blooming around here. Now the experts weigh in on this kind of twin language.

'I remember my own folks talking about my sister and I sending out verbal signals (essentially squeaks and shouts) in an attempt to pinpoint the location of our twin sister around the house!'

Child development specialists have even chimed in to say how natural and healthy it is for babies to develop language skills as they mature.


An early 15 minutes? The brothers arrive to make in Times Square, New York, to make an appearance on Good Morning America this week


Professor Karen Thorpe, of the Queensland University of Technology’s School of Psychology and Counselling, told ABC News: 'Babies are wired for communication from the start and we see here a fine example of how sophisticated and beautiful communication in even young children can be.'

The broadcaster also reported that 40 per cent of twins develop what appears to be their own language.

However, they are mimicking sounds and mannerisms that they have heard or seen, rather than actually understanding what each other is saying.


twin baby boys have a conversation - OFFICIAL VIDEO



source: dailymail

A novice to rival Nasa? Incredible images of colourful nebulae taken by an amateur in his back garden observatory

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Out of this world: The Rosette Nebula as captured by surveyor Gordon Rogers from the state-of-the-art observatory in his Buckinghamshire garden


These astonishing images show psychedelic nebulae across the Milky Way.

They might look like the latest images from a Nasa satellite, but the colourful pictures were actually taken by an amateur astronomer from his back garden.

Surveyor Gordon Rogers spent tens of thousands of pounds building a state-of-the art observatory at his home in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire.

Mr Rogers even converted his garden shed to include a roll-top roof.

Not one to do things by halves, he built the three-storey construction with his builder son Chris five years ago when his stargazing hobby developed into a full-blown passion.

Mr Rogers has been capturing incredible images like these ever since.

He said: 'My passion for astrophotography has become all consuming - I wanted to build something which was the bee's knees.


Orion Nebula: Each of Mr Rogers's images takes around nine hours to expose


'It's a real labour of love. I have spent tens of thousands on this but if you were to put a figure on time invested - it's probably about a million pounds worth.

'I used to take pictures of galaxies but you need to be up a cliff in Arizona for those sort of things - so I started investing more time in pictures of the Milky Way.'


Dedication: Mr Rogers converted his garden shed to include a roll-top roof


Mr Rogers' love of astrophotography developed when he observed 'something dramatic on the moon' through a three-inch Zeiss refractor telescope he bought in a sale.

He said: 'Back in 1994, I observed something happening at the moon. It was so dramatic that I got my wife and neighbours to look and in my determination to speak with an astronomer there and then I made 14 telephone calls, the last four to Hawaii.

'I was then determined to update to something that would permit photography.'


Enthusiast: Mr Rogers poses next to his telescope inside his garden observatory


Astrophotography is the practice of recording images of astronomical objects in minute detail.

Mr Rogers' photographs of nebulae - clouds of dust, gas and plasma that form stars - are for aesthetic value rather than scientific research.

He said: 'My photographs pick up the different types of atoms that produce red, green and blue colours.

'It was worth all the effort. I am pleased with the choice I made.

Many of Mr Rogers' images are available to buy in his astronomy book, My Heavens!


source: dailymail

12mph step-on-and-go unicycle you can take anywhere

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Balancing act: A user test out the Solowheel, which has a top speed of 12mph and can travel for two hours on a single 45-minute charge


A designer has reinvented the wheel - with the world's smallest self-balancing unicycle.

Suitable for the daily commute or for weekend leisure, the one-wheel machine is powered by a 1,000-watt electric motor that generates a top speed of 12mph.

Users place their feet on a foldable platform either side of the wheel and simply lean forward to move, back to stop and left and right to turn.

The further forward you lean, the faster it goes, and a series of gyroscopes inside ensure the wheel remains perfectly balanced.

The Solowheel can travel for two hours on a single 45-minute charge and can climb hills with an incline of up to 15 per cent.

The rechargeable lithium-ion battery even recaptures energy when going downhill or slowing down.


The one-wheel machine will retail at £975


It was designed and created by Shane Chen, 54, who has created over 30 sports-related products for his company, Inventist.

A spokesman for the firm, based in Washington, U.S., said: 'The Solowheel is the smallest, greenest, most convenient people-mover ever invented.

'Our new self-balancing electric unicycle is more compact and fun to ride than any folding electric bike.

'Because of the gyro-sensors and left and right steering capability, you can literally step on and go - it is easy to learn.

'The Solowheel is very portable and weighs only 20lbs. This allows you to carry your wheel with you into a shop or restaurant, on an elevator, into work, to the cinema, onto a bus or train or into your classroom.

'It eliminates chaining your electric bike up to a bike rack along with others where it may get damaged or even stolen.

'Solowheel provides users with an easy, uncomplicated, straightforward ride.'
The unicycle costs £975 and will be available in the UK from next month.





source: dailymail

12mph step-on-and-go unicycle you can take anywhere

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Balancing act: A user test out the Solowheel, which has a top speed of 12mph and can travel for two hours on a single 45-minute charge


A designer has reinvented the wheel - with the world's smallest self-balancing unicycle.

Suitable for the daily commute or for weekend leisure, the one-wheel machine is powered by a 1,000-watt electric motor that generates a top speed of 12mph.

Users place their feet on a foldable platform either side of the wheel and simply lean forward to move, back to stop and left and right to turn.

The further forward you lean, the faster it goes, and a series of gyroscopes inside ensure the wheel remains perfectly balanced.

The Solowheel can travel for two hours on a single 45-minute charge and can climb hills with an incline of up to 15 per cent.

The rechargeable lithium-ion battery even recaptures energy when going downhill or slowing down.


The one-wheel machine will retail at £975


It was designed and created by Shane Chen, 54, who has created over 30 sports-related products for his company, Inventist.

A spokesman for the firm, based in Washington, U.S., said: 'The Solowheel is the smallest, greenest, most convenient people-mover ever invented.

'Our new self-balancing electric unicycle is more compact and fun to ride than any folding electric bike.

'Because of the gyro-sensors and left and right steering capability, you can literally step on and go - it is easy to learn.

'The Solowheel is very portable and weighs only 20lbs. This allows you to carry your wheel with you into a shop or restaurant, on an elevator, into work, to the cinema, onto a bus or train or into your classroom.

'It eliminates chaining your electric bike up to a bike rack along with others where it may get damaged or even stolen.

'Solowheel provides users with an easy, uncomplicated, straightforward ride.'
The unicycle costs £975 and will be available in the UK from next month.





source: dailymail

US Army to build a Cheetah robot that can run faster than humans... let's hope it doesn't get a taste for flesh

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

The Cheetah-bot will be developed by Boston Dynamics and could reach speeds of 70mph. The first prototype is due in 20 months


But despite spending taxpayer millions on the android the Department of Defense officials don't know what they will use it for

A new robot that can outrun the fastest man on Earth and a Terminator-type android that will work alongside troops is being developed for the US Army.

The speedy robot – called, unsurprisingly, the Cheetah – is being developed by Boston Dynamics, which brought to the world the $18million BigDog robot used to help soldiers carry equipment over tough terrain.

But despite the multi-million dollar contracts awarded by the Department of Defense, army officials still don’t know exactly what the robots will be used for, according to the company’s boss.

Marc Raibert, lead investigator on the project and president of Boston Dynamics told the Boston Herald the Department of Defense is ‘not so focused on what the ultimate use will be.’

He added: ‘They’re most focused on developing the technology and seeing what uses they can be applied to.’

The four-legged Cheetah will have a flexible spine and articulated head, and, when built, it will be added to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s impressive robot arsenal.


Boston Dynamics boss, Marc Raibert, who will oversee the multi-million project, said the army doesn't know what purpose the Cheetah will have


It will be able to sprint, take sharp corners, zigzag and be precise enough to stop on a dime.

The costs have not been revealed, but the multi-million dollar contract is expected to take quite a bite out of the department’s $3.2billion annual budget.

Real Cheetahs – the faster animal on land – can reach speeds of up to 70mph, and the company are hopeful their robot will be able to match them pound for metal.

The company hopes to have a prototype built in 20 months which will hit between 20 and 30mph.


Robots in disguise: The BigDog was unveiled in 2008


The Atlas robot, which looks not too dissimilar to the androids in Terminator, will be a force to reckon with, the company hopes.

It has a body, two arms and two legs but no head and will be able to walk over rough terrain, fit through tight gaps and crawl on its hands and knees if needed.

The makers hope it will be a more technologically advanced version of its Petman robot, which is used to test out chemical weapons protection suits for the army and is capable of walking at 3mph and remain standing, even when pushed.


the Atlas is set to be the newest robot built for the Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency alongside the Cheetah


Boston Dynamics hope to recreate the success its BigDog robot had when it was unveiled in 2008.

The BigDog supports American troops by carrying up to four backpacks of equipment over bumpy and rocky ground that wheeled vehicles cannot move over.

The 2ft tall and 3ft long metal beast also comes with high-tech gadgets including laser gyroscopes, video camera sensors and an on-board computer.

It wowed the world in 2008 and the company hopes to eventually sell the dogs to farmers for transporting crops.


BigDog Reflexes



PETMAN Prototype



source: dailymail

US Army to build a Cheetah robot that can run faster than humans... let's hope it doesn't get a taste for flesh

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

The Cheetah-bot will be developed by Boston Dynamics and could reach speeds of 70mph. The first prototype is due in 20 months


But despite spending taxpayer millions on the android the Department of Defense officials don't know what they will use it for

A new robot that can outrun the fastest man on Earth and a Terminator-type android that will work alongside troops is being developed for the US Army.

The speedy robot – called, unsurprisingly, the Cheetah – is being developed by Boston Dynamics, which brought to the world the $18million BigDog robot used to help soldiers carry equipment over tough terrain.

But despite the multi-million dollar contracts awarded by the Department of Defense, army officials still don’t know exactly what the robots will be used for, according to the company’s boss.

Marc Raibert, lead investigator on the project and president of Boston Dynamics told the Boston Herald the Department of Defense is ‘not so focused on what the ultimate use will be.’

He added: ‘They’re most focused on developing the technology and seeing what uses they can be applied to.’

The four-legged Cheetah will have a flexible spine and articulated head, and, when built, it will be added to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s impressive robot arsenal.


Boston Dynamics boss, Marc Raibert, who will oversee the multi-million project, said the army doesn't know what purpose the Cheetah will have


It will be able to sprint, take sharp corners, zigzag and be precise enough to stop on a dime.

The costs have not been revealed, but the multi-million dollar contract is expected to take quite a bite out of the department’s $3.2billion annual budget.

Real Cheetahs – the faster animal on land – can reach speeds of up to 70mph, and the company are hopeful their robot will be able to match them pound for metal.

The company hopes to have a prototype built in 20 months which will hit between 20 and 30mph.


Robots in disguise: The BigDog was unveiled in 2008


The Atlas robot, which looks not too dissimilar to the androids in Terminator, will be a force to reckon with, the company hopes.

It has a body, two arms and two legs but no head and will be able to walk over rough terrain, fit through tight gaps and crawl on its hands and knees if needed.

The makers hope it will be a more technologically advanced version of its Petman robot, which is used to test out chemical weapons protection suits for the army and is capable of walking at 3mph and remain standing, even when pushed.


the Atlas is set to be the newest robot built for the Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency alongside the Cheetah


Boston Dynamics hope to recreate the success its BigDog robot had when it was unveiled in 2008.

The BigDog supports American troops by carrying up to four backpacks of equipment over bumpy and rocky ground that wheeled vehicles cannot move over.

The 2ft tall and 3ft long metal beast also comes with high-tech gadgets including laser gyroscopes, video camera sensors and an on-board computer.

It wowed the world in 2008 and the company hopes to eventually sell the dogs to farmers for transporting crops.


BigDog Reflexes



PETMAN Prototype



source: dailymail

Perfect for those tight parking spaces: A £10k miniature replica E-Type Jaguar and Porsche Speedster... with top speeds of 46mph

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Miniature replicas of a Jaguar E-Type and a Porsche Speedster, with top speeds of 46 miles per hour. The tiny cars, which are half the size of the original, took over 450 hours to make and come with a 110cc petrol engine or an electric motor


These £10,000 miniature replicas of a Jaguar E-Type and a Porsche Speedster are perfect for squeezing into the tightest of parking spaces - and can still reach pretty impressive top speeds of 46 miles per hour.

The tiny cars, which are half the size of the original, took over 450 hours to make and come with a 110cc petrol engine or an electric motor.

Engineering firm Pocket Classics also makes 'tribute' versions of the Mercedes 300SL, Willys Jeep and Bugatti Type-35.

A full size Bugatti would cost up to £1.5 million and the others could set you back £200,000 each but these handmade miniatures are priced between £6,995 and £9,995.

Their makers claim they are designed to be the 'best toy in the world' and, at 7ft 6ins long and 3ft wide, they are just big enough for an adult to drive.

The replicas are fully serviceable and most come with working lights, horn, indicators, adjustable seats and disc brakes.


The handmade miniature cars by engineering firm Pocket Classics - some of which can be driven by children as young as four - are priced between £6,995 pounds and £9,995


The petrol models deliver a staggering 250 miles per gallon and have a semi-automatic gear box with three gears, plus reverse.

The electric motors, which have a top speed of 14mph, will do up to two hours on a single one-hour charge.

They all have eight- or ten-inch tyres and weigh up to 200kg.
Some can be driven by children as young as four and others by children as young as six.


The car makers claim their vehicles are designed to be the 'best toy in the world' and, at 7ft 6ins long and 3ft wide, they are just big enough for an adult to drive


Ben Hedley, of Pocket Classics, said: 'Our cars offer luxury motoring at a fraction of the price and size of the original models.

'We like to think of them as the best toy in the world for grown-ups - they are designed to be big enough for an adult to drive.

'When you get an adult behind the wheel they immediately revert to being a big kid - their eyes light up, they have a huge smile on their face and you can see they are having a lot of fun.

'The vehicles handle very well and are great to race

'We are not associated with any of the original manufacturers so can't say they are exact replicas but if you put them side by side they are a very good match.
'They are a tribute to the original.

'Many of our customers already own the real thing and want a smaller version for their children to drive or to put on display in their home.

'They often add their own manufacturer's badge too.'

The models are not road legal but can be driven on private property.
Cars can be built to a buyer's exact specification with any combination of interior and exterior colour.

source: dailymail

Perfect for those tight parking spaces: A £10k miniature replica E-Type Jaguar and Porsche Speedster... with top speeds of 46mph

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Miniature replicas of a Jaguar E-Type and a Porsche Speedster, with top speeds of 46 miles per hour. The tiny cars, which are half the size of the original, took over 450 hours to make and come with a 110cc petrol engine or an electric motor


These £10,000 miniature replicas of a Jaguar E-Type and a Porsche Speedster are perfect for squeezing into the tightest of parking spaces - and can still reach pretty impressive top speeds of 46 miles per hour.

The tiny cars, which are half the size of the original, took over 450 hours to make and come with a 110cc petrol engine or an electric motor.

Engineering firm Pocket Classics also makes 'tribute' versions of the Mercedes 300SL, Willys Jeep and Bugatti Type-35.

A full size Bugatti would cost up to £1.5 million and the others could set you back £200,000 each but these handmade miniatures are priced between £6,995 and £9,995.

Their makers claim they are designed to be the 'best toy in the world' and, at 7ft 6ins long and 3ft wide, they are just big enough for an adult to drive.

The replicas are fully serviceable and most come with working lights, horn, indicators, adjustable seats and disc brakes.


The handmade miniature cars by engineering firm Pocket Classics - some of which can be driven by children as young as four - are priced between £6,995 pounds and £9,995


The petrol models deliver a staggering 250 miles per gallon and have a semi-automatic gear box with three gears, plus reverse.

The electric motors, which have a top speed of 14mph, will do up to two hours on a single one-hour charge.

They all have eight- or ten-inch tyres and weigh up to 200kg.
Some can be driven by children as young as four and others by children as young as six.


The car makers claim their vehicles are designed to be the 'best toy in the world' and, at 7ft 6ins long and 3ft wide, they are just big enough for an adult to drive


Ben Hedley, of Pocket Classics, said: 'Our cars offer luxury motoring at a fraction of the price and size of the original models.

'We like to think of them as the best toy in the world for grown-ups - they are designed to be big enough for an adult to drive.

'When you get an adult behind the wheel they immediately revert to being a big kid - their eyes light up, they have a huge smile on their face and you can see they are having a lot of fun.

'The vehicles handle very well and are great to race

'We are not associated with any of the original manufacturers so can't say they are exact replicas but if you put them side by side they are a very good match.
'They are a tribute to the original.

'Many of our customers already own the real thing and want a smaller version for their children to drive or to put on display in their home.

'They often add their own manufacturer's badge too.'

The models are not road legal but can be driven on private property.
Cars can be built to a buyer's exact specification with any combination of interior and exterior colour.

source: dailymail