AIRCRAFT
Solar-powered airplane completes trans-America flight
By Brian Dodson July 7, 2013
André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard celebrate the completion of the Solar Impulse's Mission Across America at New York's JFK International Airport
Solar Impulse – the solar-powered airplane of Swiss pioneers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg – has successfully landed at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. In so doing, it begins a new era in the history of aviation: for the first time, a plane capable of flying day and night powered exclusively by solar energy has crossed the USA from the west to the east coasts, without using a single drop of fuel.
Solar Impulse's Mission Across America began in San Francisco on May 3, and made stops in Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, St. Louis (where the plane's inflatable hangar was used for the firs time), Cincinnati and Washington D.C. The 3,511-mile (5,530-km) trip took a total of 105 hours and 41 minutes in the air, for an average speed of 33.14 mph (53.34 km/h).
The flight ended at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport on July 6 at 11:09 pm local time. The pilot for this final leg of the voyage was Borschberg, who had alternated with Piccard throughout the journey.
While Solar Impulse succeeded in finishing the cross-country flight, during the flight from Washington D.C. to New York its left wing suffered an 8-foot (2.5-m) rip in the wing fabric on the lower wing surface. Inspection by helicopter while in flight led to the conclusion that the rip was stable, and would not prevent the mission from proceeding.
After catching their collective breaths, the next set of tasks for the Solar Impulse team is to build and test the next-generation of the solar-powered aircraft. The HB-SIB will be larger and heavier, comprising a pressurized cockpit to allow cruising at altitudes up to 39,000 feet (12 km). Advanced avionics will allow the HB-SIB to safely navigate the airways on transcontinental and transoceanic flights. HB-SIB test flights are likely to begin in 2014.
Source: Solar Impulse
http://www.solarimpulse.com/en/
http://www.gizmag.com/solar-impulse-trans-america-flight-power/28186/
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Peleton stationary bike links home users to live-streamed spin classes
By Ben Coxworth July 5, 2013
If people can just exercise at home on stationary bikes, why does anyone even bother going to spin classes? Well, for two main reasons: they get guided through the workout by a fitness expert, and (perhaps more importantly) they receive motivation by being part of a group that’s sharing the same experience at the same time. Now, a New York-based team is developing a product that combines the best of both worlds. The Peleton Bike lets users ride in their own homes, while taking part in a spin class that’s being streamed live to a built-in Android tablet.
The sweat-resistant tablet is custom-made for the bike, and features a 21.5-inch 1080p multitouch display. It’s powered by a Texas Instruments 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, and uses 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi to connect to the internet. Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ allow user-supplied wireless gadgets (such as heart rate monitors and headphones) to communicate with it.
A 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera and a microphone let the rider chat with fellow tele-participating classmates. Additionally, using integrated software, it’s possible to keep track of personal stats such as speed, resistance level, calories burned, cadence and power output – both for the current ride and as they’ve progressed over time.
Classes will be broadcast live from Peleton’s New York City studio, at numerous times (for multiple time zones) and for a variety of fitness levels and riding styles. The company is currently recruiting professional indoor cycling instructors to lead those classes. If users can’t tune in live for the session of their choice, they can still watch a recording of it on demand, at whatever time suits them best. A basic tier of classes will be available free to all users, although a monthly subscription of up to an estimated US$39 will be required to take advantage of the full package.
The steel and aluminum monocoque-framed bike itself utilizes an adjustable magnetic resistance flywheel, and a smooth and quiet belt drive.
Production funds for the Peleton Bike and its associated classes are currently being raised on Kickstarter. A pledge of US$1,500 will get US-based supporters a bike of their own – when and if they reach production – along with one year of free access to all of the classes. More information is available in the pitch video below.
Now, if only someone could develop a system where helmet-camera video from actual outdoor training rides were broadcast live to stationary bikes ...
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/568069889/the-peloton-bike-bring-home-the-studio-cycling-exp#
http://www.gizmag.com/peleton-stationary-bike-live-spin-classes/28179/
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