Viodi finally has liftoff with the purchase of a drone and associated time investment into FAA Part 107 certification. Part 107 certification is necessary for the commercial use (which can include non-revenue work) of the amazing videos this autonomous flying camera captures. It may feel odd to see things (especially oneself – YouTube) from a new perspective, but sometimes a different view opens up new horizons, such as seen in the Korner, below.
The Fungible Cell Tower – #CES2022
If a portable cellular tower on wheels is called a COW, then what does one call a drone with a tether for power and communications? Whatever the acronym, Minnesota-based Spooky Action is bringing a new approach to creating ad-hoc communications networks and more.
Circular Shower = Less Water and a Better Environment #CES2022
With drought seemingly everywhere (at least in the western half of the United States), solutions for squeezing every last drop of our water supply will be increasingly important. A Kelowna, British Columbia wife and husband team have turned their passion for the environment into a better shower. Rainstick Shower indicates their solution provides an 80% reduction in water use and up to 80% energy savings while offering a better quality shower.
A College Job and Its Impact on the Direction of Ethernet
It is a given that Ethernet is a fundamental building block of today’s Internet. From local area networks in the 1980s to cable modems in the 1990s to today’s fiber to the home and WiFi networks, Ethernet is a common thread in the evolution of broadband. But would that thread even have been possible if not for the insight of someone who had a college job installing MATV (Master Antenna Television) networks for schools in Michigan?
In this interview, Dr. David Liddle recounts his time at Xerox PARC and how his early work experience with a system that used a flying broadcast antenna informed his work at Silicon Valley’s most influential research firm.
Some Tweets and Short Thoughts
- It was an honor to play a part in the background of this amazing live stream from the @IEEE Silicon Valley History Committee. The focus was the Ethernet days with Bob Metcalfe, Gordon Bell, & David Liddle, and many others who went on to do amazing things with 3COM, @Apple, Metaphor Computer, Sun, and other Silicon Valley icons.
- Even if this below-ground, city-oriented, package delivery system is successful it will be a Pipedream. Pipedream is the name of a company that is combining 12″ PVC pipe tunnels with autonomous robots, and above-ground package depots to offer rapid package delivery without adding to traffic woes. They are promising the first delivery via their pilot tunnel by the end of Q3.
- This podcast with New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti is a great preview of the June 2nd-4th SmartDrivingCars Summit at Princeton and Trenton.
- Kudos to Roger Bindl for creating the first country and western song about a self-driving truck leaving its owner stranded. Of course, his catchy ditty might have been the perfect C&W song, if he had added something about mama, getting drunk, prison, and trains (a tip that the late Steve Goodman took to heart).
The Korner – Welcome Kids of All Ages to the 3D Universe
Just like the world isn’t flat, neither is space. But how to convey that to humans who can’t see the depth of objects that are millions of miles away? The authors of the new #1 book, Welcome to the Universe in 3D: A Visual Tour, came up with a clever way for humans to see the three-dimensional space without the need for high technology gizmos.
This book could be considered upgradable, as the built-in 3D viewer is able to view images projected from a smartphone or tablet, as demonstrated in the above interview by Princeton Professor and co-author, Robert J. Vanderbei. By creating tools like this book Vanderbei is making science and math interesting for people of all ages and abilities.
