Saturday 18 October 2014

Watch Microsoft's RoomAlive Is A New Gaming Platform That Takes Gaming To The Next Level

Watch Microsoft's RoomAlive Is A New Gaming Platform That Takes Gaming To The Next Level


Microsoft has shifted its focus from IllumiRoom (which basically added visuals to the periphery of the TVs), to RoomAlive – an idea that is far more expensive and somewhat less practical when compared with IllumiRoom, however, it is still a look into the potential future of gaming.RoomAlive4
What is so different about RoomAlive? It imparts a new dimension to gaming by using projection mapping so that video games can be brought to life right in your living room. The idea is simple; instead of playing the game on the screen the user is placed in the game, all thanks to RoomAlive that employs projections of visual elements on walls and surfaces of the living room. Kinect sensors are incorporated to make these projections interactive; you can shoot the person sitting on top of the cupboard.RoomAlive5
The critical component of RoomAlive is the procam, also known as multiple projector depth-camera units, that are in turn made up of a Kinect sensor, projector and a computer. The projector projects the images onto the surface and walls within the room while the movements through the gaming environment are tracked by the Kinect sensor. RoomAlive makes use of 6 procams. It goes without saying that RoomAlive is capable of working in any kind of room with any kind of furniture present.RoomAlive
The team behind RoomAlive has designed 4 different experiences attempting to take advantage of the system in unique ways. They include, Setting The Stage – enabling users to transform the room into different environments, What-A-Mole – enables user to stamp/shoot moles that pop up randomly in your room, Robot Attack – allows you to control a virtual battling robot and Traps – user shall be avoiding traps that spring up on floor and walls.RoomAlive3
Although the equipment is quite expensive at the moment, we would still commend Microsoft on taking a peak into the future. Hopefully, days of sitting idle and playing on screen shall be over soon.

Wednesday 8 October 2014

The salt water-powered New NanoFlowcell QUANT e-Sportlimousine is the Albatross of EVs

The salt water-powered  New NanoFlowcell QUANT e-Sportlimousine is the Albatross of EVs


The stunning salt-water-powered QUANT e-Sportlimousine and you need to see this stunning innovative design. The car was introduced at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show and most doubted that it would ever make it passed concept stage after hearing bold claims on the specifications and with a previous Quant car failing to get passed concept stage years before, they had reason to doubt.
quant[Image Courtesy of nanoFLOWCEL AG]
Now however, just a few months after Geneva, they have announced that the e-Sportlimousine has received approval from Germany’s TÜV Süd, meaning that it can now be driven on European roads.
We are delighted as pioneers to be able to present an automobile driven by flow cell technology on public roads, and one which achieves not only fantastic performance values but also zero emissions,” said the company’s founder, Nunzio La Vecchia.
La Vecchia is the guy behind the NanoFLOWCELL technology, combining the aspects of accumulator batteries and fuel cells. Two electric electrolytes, one positive and one negative, are stored in tanks and are circulated through the cell by being passed into a third tank. The electrolyte solutions are separated by a membrane which allows electrons to pass through, thereby producing power for the electric drivetrain. See the video below for a more in-depth explanation:
The technology is said to feature high charge density, high performance density, and low weight compared to conventional energy storage systems such as lithium-ion batteries. La Vecchia makes a bold claim that his technology offers five-times greater performance-to-weight ratio than current lithium-ion batteries, meaning that a flow cell of the same weight would offer five-times the range. Four electric motors are designated to each wheel, giving a combined total power output of 680 kW (912 hp). This can apparently accelerate the car from 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and offer a top speed of 236+ mph. With two full tanks of fuel the range is said to be 249-373 miles (400 and 600km).

The heart of the QUANT e-Sportlimousine prototype is the nanoFLOWCELL® battery. It gives the car a driving range of 600 kilometres. The newest product moving the world towards attractive electrical mobility was conceived at the nanoFLOWCELL DigiLab simulation lab at nanoFLOWCELL AG in Zurich, Switzerland. It is still under active development and the results so far are extremely promising.
Drivetrain:
All-wheel drive via 4 three-phase induction motors, torque vectoring for optimal drive torque distribution
Peak power: 680 KW (925 PS); 170 KW (231.2 PS) x 4
Operating power: 480 KW (653 PS); 120 KW (163.2 PS) x 4

nanoFLOWCELL:
nominal voltage: 600 V
nominal current: 50 A
tank capacity: 2 x 200 L

Performance:
0 - 100 KM/H: 2.8 S
top speed: 380 + KM/H
range: projected 400 to 600 KM
energy consumption: 20 KWH/100 KM

Dimensions and weight:
kerb weight with full tanks: 2,300 KG
wheelbase: 3,198 MM
The storage capacity of the e-Sportlimousine is 120 kWh, compare that to the more expensive option of the Tesla Model S which has 85 kWh. Charging requires a change of the electrolyte solution but no details have been released on this yet but you can check out the pictures below until more info is released:
quant6
quant2
quant3
quant5
quant4[Images Courtesy of nanoFLOWCEL AG]