Tech Universe: Wednesday 13 July

General Motors' EN-V - the way of the future for urban driving? Photo / Supplied

FLIP THE FLIER: At the ETH Zurich University in Switzerland researchers can control their quadrocopters with hand gestures alone.
A Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect sensor registers movements that allow the controller to fly, land or flip the machine in a 10x10x10 metre space. A no-fly zone around the controller keeps them safe. No waving at visitors. More 'copter fun here and video here.

CASH PILLAR: People who can't read and write still need to be able to get cash out of the bank, but traditional ATMs may be impossible for them to use. NCR is developing a pillar-shaped freestanding ATM for use in developing countries. It features a biometric fingerprint scanner, preset cash buttons and a dispenser. In research NCR found that people like a receipt, so it prints a receipt too. Users just scan their thumb, press a colour coded cash button and they're done. Wouldn't we all like a pillar of cash? Scientific American has more.

BUBBLE CAR: General Motors minuscule EN-V car is an intriguing concept. The designer refers to it as a 'Segway in a bubble'. The 2-seater electric car travels at up to 40 Kph and has a range of 40 Km per charge within a specially designated zone. The electric networked vehicle (EN-V) has a GPS unit and sensors to avoid obstacles. It can also drive autonomously, perhaps dropping you off at work and returning home alone. It's a fascinating idea, however it plays out. BBC has details.

DOLLY WANT A CRACKER: The world's oldest commercial recording was made by Thomas Edison in 1883: a woman reciting a verse of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. The cylindrical metal phonograph record was distorted and couldn't be played on the usual equipment, so scientists used three-dimensional optical scanning instead. They recovered almost all of the recording. The record was probably intended to be used inside a talking doll. As usual, toys led technology, even then. More information here and an MP3 of the recording here.

BOMB WEATHER: In World War 2 planes flew a huge number of bombing runs. One study of the effects of their contrails, in a time when there was no real civilian air traffic, has shown the raids may have affected the weather. The study showed increased cloud and lower temperatures as a result of aircraft gathering into formation, meaning the contrails were concentrated. "It was a cloudy, chilly day when the bombers took off..." New Scientist explains.

- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz