Uber partners with UT Austin and US Army Research Labs on flying cabs

Uber has added the University of Texas at Austin to its list of partners as it tries to turn its flying taxis into a reality. The company is also working with the US Army Research Laboratory on a project to develop rotor technology for the vehicles....

Army scientists juice battery voltage, hike life up to 30 percent

army-scientists-juice-battery-voltage-up-to-30-percent

With the modern US soldier turning into a walking gadget, the army has some heavy reasons to lower battery weights. Its own scientists might have the answer, claiming 30 percent energy density jumps could happen using additives they developed. Those "sacrificial agent" materials would bond with electrodes to allow five volts instead of the four they've been stuck on, permitting a "quantum leap" in efficiency and weight. We'll have to see if that'll come to pass, but given the sheer volume of tech that soldiers are strapping on these days, it couldn't be too soon. To see a video of how it works, zap past the break.

Continue reading Army scientists juice battery voltage, hike life up to 30 percent

Army scientists juice battery voltage, hike life up to 30 percent originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceUS Army  | Email this | Comments

Army spy blimp to launch within weeks: 300 feet long, $500 million, ‘multi-intelligent’

Image

It can't go faster than 34MPH and it's already a year late for its planned deployment in Afghanistan, but Northrop Grumman's Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) is now set for its maiden flight. The test run is scheduled for sometime between June 6th and 10th over Lakehurst, New Jersey, whose residents ought to be forewarned that it is not a solar eclipse or a Death Star, but simply a helium-filled pilotless reconnaissance and communications airship that happens to be the size of a football field. After floating around for a while, the giant dirigible is expected to journey south to Florida, where it'll be fitted to a custom-built gondola that will carry the bulk of its equipment, and by which time her enemies hopefully won't have come into possession of an air force.

Army spy blimp to launch within weeks: 300 feet long, $500 million, 'multi-intelligent' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 08:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceWired  | Email this | Comments