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Monthly Archives February 2009

Laser imaging helps make 3-D dinosaur models

Imagining dinosaurs in the flesh is tricky since the prehistoric subjects died out some 65 million years ago, but a new tool is helping to fill out the skeleton of T. rex and one of the largest-known duckbill dinosaurs, among other beasts.

Paleontologists used laser imaging technology called LiDAR for the first time to create 3-D computer models of five dinosaurs, including two of Tyrannosaurus rex, a spiny predator called Acrocanthosaurus atokensis, the ostrich-like Strutiomimum sedens and the plant-eating Edmontosaurus annectens, a hadrosaur or duckbill dinosaur.

via LiveScience- msnbc.com.

Posted 26 February 2009 § Application ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: ,



Velodyne Lidal launched in Europe

Routescene has been granted distribution rights in the UK and Republic of Ireland for the groundbreaking Velodyne HDL-64 High Definition Lidar sensor.

The invention of the Velodyne HDL-64 High Definition Lidar sensor, which uses 64 lasers contained within a fast-spinning unit to create a true three-dimensional terrain map, marks a real revolution in the field of lidar technology.

Using the HDL-64 Lidar mobile sensor, a corridor of 220m can be mapped in great detail, as the unit collects over 1.3 million points per second. Each laser is individually calibrated in the factory prior to the unit being shipped to ensure that it achieves the highest degree of accuracy.

Since its successful utilisation by five of the six autonomous vehicles to complete the world-renowned DARPA Urban Challenge in 2007, the HDL-64 Lidar sensor has had a phenomenal uptake worldwide – and not just within the robotics industry.

It is the innovative technology of the HDL-64 Lidar sensor that is responsible for the stunning imagery in Radiohead’s music video promo for House of Cards. Meanwhile, car manufacturers are employing the technology to progress automated vehicle and collision avoidance research.

The HDL-64 Lidar sensor has also been chosen by US road inspection companies to complement existing road mapping technology. Other sectors that have expressed an interest in the potential of the HDL-64 Lidar sensor technology include the video games and animation industries.

Routescene’s Technical Director, Gert Riemersma, comments: “The HDL-64 Lidar sensor technology is very new in Europe and we are delighted to be able to offer our customers support and access to this innovative equipment.

“We are very excited by the range of possibilities offered by the HDL-64 Lidar sensor. Our main focus is to promote the technology within the geospatial industry, but we have already had numerous enquiries from other sectors. These are exciting times: we can now create high definition 3D models in a short space of time, an exercise that previously would have taken weeks to complete using traditional survey methods.”

For further information, please visit www.routescene.com, or contact Sue Hutchison on +44 (0)131 554 8073 or at sue.hutchison@routescene.com

Posted 24 February 2009 § Press Release ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: ,



The OSA president’s blog

Well, the OSA president has joined the blogosphere. He has a travelblog at wordpress.com.

Posted 24 February 2009 § Resources & Tools ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: ,



lasersaber

Posted 24 February 2009 § Art, Gadget, and Hacks ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

Blues and Lasers

It is the name of a Rock n’ Roll band. :)

Posted 23 February 2009 § Art, Gadget, and Hacks ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

South Australia bans high-powered laser pointers

High-powered laser pointers that have been used to distract aircraft pilots will be banned in South Australia.

Lower-power pointers that are used in boardrooms will be exempt from the ban.

The Attorney-General, Michael Atkinson, says high-powered lasers will be a prohibited weapon, attracting up to two years’ imprisonment or a $10,000 fine.

“We want to stop idiots misusing laser pointers, high-powered laser pointers, that is laser pointers generating more than one milliwatt of power,” he said.

“We’ve had to consult widely because there are legitimate uses for laser pointers which generate less than one milliwatt of power and indeed there are some legitimate uses for those that generate more than a miliwatt, surveyors, astronomers and also for engineers.”

via ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Posted 23 February 2009 § Misuse of Lasers ‡ Comments (1) ° Tagged:

CRS reports on lasers

Wikileaks has released many quasi-secret reports commissioned by the United States Congress, which should be in public domain legally. Among as much as 6,780 reports, I find 3 of them are on lasers. You might be interested in reading them.

1. Airborne Laser (ABL): Issues for Congress (RL32123 / 2007-07-09)
2. Lasers Aimed at Aircraft Cockpits: Background and Possible Options to Address the Threat to Aviation Safety and Security (RS22033 / 2005-12-21)
3. The Airborne Laser Anti-Missile Program (RL30185 / 2000-02-18)

Posted 13 February 2009 § Resources & Tools ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: ,

CRS reports on lasers

Wikileaks has released many quasi-secret reports commissioned by the United States Congress, which should be in public domain legally. Among as much as 6,780 reports, I find 3 of them are on lasers. You might be interested in reading them.

1. Airborne Laser (ABL): Issues for Congress (RL32123 / 2007-07-09)
2. Lasers Aimed at Aircraft Cockpits: Background and Possible Options to Address the Threat to Aviation Safety and Security (RS22033 / 2005-12-21)
3. The Airborne Laser Anti-Missile Program (RL30185 / 2000-02-18)

Posted 13 February 2009 § Resources & Tools ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: ,

Maestro Laser Guitar Trainer by Eugene Cheong

Designer Eugene Cheong brings you “Maestro,” laser and mp3 guitar learning aid. You put mp3s into the device via SD card, the songs are converted into guitar tablature, and the tablature is projected, with laser lights, onto the guitar fretboard as you play.

via Maestro Laser Guitar Trainer by Eugene Cheong » Yanko Design.

Posted 07 February 2009 § Art, Gadget, and Hacks ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

LaserPup

The system utilizes a ceiling-mounted laser pointer, an I/O bridge with servo module, two servos, a webcam, an X10 module and a buzzer. When the buzzer sounds, the dog is alerted that it is time to play. Using the iPhone, the user can turn the lights on and off and move the laser around the room for the dog to chase. When you have finished damaging your dog’s mind, the buzzer can be sounded a second time to indicate that playtime is over.

LaserPup – The Internet Enabled Dog Toy.

via: Gizmodo

Posted 06 February 2009 § Art, Gadget, and Hacks ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: ,