• James Brutons Omni-Directional Ball-Wheeled Bike: Re-Inventing Mobility with Spherical Wheels
    www.yankodesign.com
    James Bruton, a renowned inventor and YouTuber, has created an innovative omnidirectional bike that uses large balls instead of traditional wheels. This unique vehicle dubbed the Omni-Directional Ball-Wheeled Bike, is capable of moving in any direction while maintaining balance. Unlike conventional motorcycles, this bike reimagines mobility by integrating balancing technology similar to a Segway but with the added ability to shift sideways and rotate freely.Designer: James BrutonDesign and ConstructionThe bikes core structure is built for durability and precision control. Instead of wheels, it features two massive rigid spheres, often referred to as Walking Globes, commonly used by circus performers. These are driven by a complex motor and roller system, enabling seamless omnidirectional movement.James BrutonKey components include:Two large rigid spheres (Walking Globes) These act as the primary contact points with the ground, enabling movement in any direction.Five electric motors Four are dedicated to balancing, while the fifth controls forward and backward motion.Omni-wheels attached to the motors These transfer power to the spheres, ensuring smooth directional control.4040 T-slot aluminum framework Provides structural rigidity while keeping the overall build lightweight.Custom 3D-printed parts Used for motor mounts, gear housings, and other essential support elements.Bearings, pulleys, and belts Ensuring smooth energy transfer and operation.James BrutonElectronic SystemsThe bikes electronics are equally as impressive as its mechanical components. To maintain stability and control, Bruton equipped it with cutting-edge hardware, ensuring real-time adjustments to rider input and terrain changes.James BrutonSome of the key electronic components include:ODrive motor controllers These manage torque and velocity control for precise movement.Teensy 4.1 microcontroller Works alongside an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for continuous balance adjustments.Custom twist-grip controls Enable intuitive steering and directional control.Six 6S lithium polymer batteries Wired to create a 50V system, delivering ample power to sustain smooth performance.How It Works: A New Kind of RideThe fundamental principle behind Brutons invention is using omni-wheels and motorized rollers to drive the spheres instead of direct rotational force like traditional motorcycles. This allows for movement in multiple directions, creating a unique riding experience.The control system allows for:Forward and backward movement The rear motor dictates linear motion.Sideways motion A distinct ability not found in conventional bikes.Rotation in place The independent sphere control enables rotation on the spot, adding to its maneuverability.Control MechanismBruton designed the bikes control scheme to be as intuitive as possible. It operates using a dual-hand grip system:Right-hand twist grip Controls forward and reverse motion.Left-hand twist grip Handles yaw (left and right rotation).Adjustable trim and gain settings Allow fine-tuning for lean and pivot behavior to accommodate different riders and environments.Challenges and RefinementsDeveloping an unconventional mode of transport inevitably led to several design challenges, which Bruton tackled through iteration and testing.James BrutonBalance and StabilitySince the bike lacks traditional gyroscopic stability, the system relies entirely on real-time adjustments. The IMU constantly measures tilt and movement, making micro-adjustments to keep the bike upright. However, at higher speeds, maintaining traction and stability becomes more challenging.Wear and Tear on the SpheresDirt accumulation and surface wear posed significant issues during testing. The spherical wheels require regular maintenance to prevent slippage and degradation over time.Handling and Steering RefinementsTo improve maneuverability, Bruton experimented with two different steering methods:Lean-to-steer The rider shifts body weight to initiate turns.Steer-to-lean Handlebar inputs dictate lean direction to maintain control.Software and Open-Source ApproachBruton coded the bikes control system using Arduino-based C++ programming, optimizing motor functions and balance algorithms.James BrutonAdditional software elements include:Custom firmware Designed to handle precise balance adjustments in real-time.Sensor integration The IMU and additional gyroscopic sensors ensure smooth compensation for shifts in weight and terrain variations.Open-source documentation Bruton has made all CAD files, wiring diagrams, and software available online for others to modify and experiment with.PID tuning The system uses Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers to refine motor responsiveness, ensuring optimal stability during operation.Bruton has also shared the bikes control methodology online, allowing DIY enthusiasts to build their own versions and expand on his work.James BrutonPotential Applications and Future DevelopmentWhile primarily a proof of concept, this ball-wheeled bike hints at exciting possibilities in various industries:Entertainment and stunt vehicles The omnidirectional capabilities make it ideal for performances and live demonstrations.Personal mobility devices While not yet street-ready, the technology could evolve into a novel urban transport solution.Industrial and warehouse robotics The movement system could be adapted for material handling in tight spaces.Mobility assistance technology Future iterations could lead to innovative designs in personal mobility aids and wheelchairs.Where This Leaves DIY EngineeringJames Brutons Omni-Directional Ball-Wheeled Bike is a compelling experiment in mobility, demonstrating how independent creators can challenge conventional transportation concepts. And lets be honesthes really a baller for pulling this off. By combining robotics, 3D printing, and open-source electronics, he has developed something truly innovative, a project that Yanko Design highly values for its contribution to experimental engineering.James BrutonHis decision to share his process, from CAD models to source code, ensures that this concept remains a stepping stone for further innovation. Whether used as an experimental ride, a robotics demonstration, or a testbed for new mobility solutions, Brutons latest invention is an inspiring blend of engineering ingenuity and creative problem-solving.James BrutonThis bike is a working example of how rethinking vehicle design can lead to new possibilities. By breaking away from traditional constraints, it showcases how unconventional solutions can lead to significant advancements in mobility. By rethinking wheels, propulsion, and control, James Bruton has reimagined what a motorcycle can be.The Omni-Directional Ball-Wheeled Bike is unlikely to replace motorcycles or scooters anytime soon, but it does force us to rethink how we approach mobility. And in the world of experimental engineering, thats a thrilling place to be.The post James Brutons Omni-Directional Ball-Wheeled Bike: Re-Inventing Mobility with Spherical Wheels first appeared on Yanko Design.
    0 Комментарии ·0 Поделились ·35 Просмотры
  • The World According to Marc Andreessen
    www.wired.com
    This week on Uncanny Valley, the hosts discuss Silicon Valley's unofficial grandfather, Marc Andreessen.
    0 Комментарии ·0 Поделились ·36 Просмотры
  • Best Heat Protectant Sprays for Wet and Dry Hair (2025)
    www.wired.com
    I spent months testing dozens of heat protectants for hair. Whether youre blow-drying, curling, or straightening, these are the best formulas I've found.
    0 Комментарии ·0 Поделились ·36 Просмотры
  • SoftBank in Talks to Invest Up to $25 Billion in OpenAI
    www.nytimes.com
    A new investment from the Japanese conglomerate would be separate from the $100 billion tied to a project announced at the White House last week.
    0 Комментарии ·0 Поделились ·36 Просмотры
  • You can get a MacBook Air for the same price as an iPhone 16
    www.macworld.com
    MacworldApple can be pretty stingy about discounts, but this amazing MacBook Air M2 is $200 off right now, which means you can get it for $799, an amazing price point.Since this is a MacBook Air, its super light at 2.7 pounds and thin, so it will be easy to carry with you anywhere you go. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display delivers vivid colors and 500 nits of brightness. The M2 chip makes this laptop a fantastic companion for whatever you need to do, while the 18-hour battery life is also a major part of why we love this particular MacBook.This is a laptop we loved in 2022, giving it a 4.5-star rating and our Editors Choice award, and not much has changed since then. We still love its gorgeous display and thin bezels as well as the excellent keyboard with a full-size row of function keys, which is always useful to have. For most of us, the new M2 MacBook Air is all the laptop well ever need. Unless you do some seriously high-end video editing or other computationally intensive work all the time, you have no need for a MacBook Pro, our review notes.And that was at full price with just 8GB of RAM. Now the M2 MacBook Air starts at $999 with 16GB of RAM, which would have cost $1,399 back then. At its sale price of $799, youre basically saving $600 on a laptop that punches well above its class.Dont miss out on getting your very own M2 MacBook Air for just $799 at Amazon.Buy now at Amazon
    0 Комментарии ·0 Поделились ·36 Просмотры
  • Is Apple Intelligence 2.0 on track?
    www.computerworld.com
    Earlier this week, welearnedabout Apples decision to appoint Kim Vorrath, the vice president of the companys Technology Development Group (TDG), to help build Apple Intelligence under the supervision of John Giannandrea, Apples senior vice president for machine learning and AI.Vorrath, who also serves at a board member at the National Center for Women in IT and sits on theIndustrial Advisory Boardat Cal Poly, has been with Apple since 1987. Shestaken leadership roles in iOS and OS X she was even in charge of macOS at one time. Part of the original iPhone development team, she also supervised OS development for iPad, Mac andVision Pro.When it comes to bug testing and software quality control, she can say which features are ready to go and which are not. Vorrath also coordinates releases, not just for the specific platform (such as iPhone), but between devices, which means a great deal when you consider how integrated the Apple ecosystem has become.Getting the band togetherThat established talent will be critical, given that Apple Intelligence features are also designed to work across the Apple ecosystem.Of course, making these complex high tech products work well together takes effective organization. Vorrath brings that. She seems to be a person who can organize engineering groups and design effective workflows to optimize what those teams can do. With all these achievements, it is no surprise Vorrath is seen as one of the women whocontributed the most to making Apple great.In her new role, she joins Giannandrea, who allegedly needs additional help managing an AI group with growing prominence, Bloomberg reported.Put it all together and its clear that Vorrath is one of Apples top fixers and joins the AI team at a critical point. First, shes probably going tohelp get a new contextually-aware Siri out the door, and second, shell be making decisions around what happens in the next major iterations of Apple Intelligence.Its the next steps for Apples AI that I think have been missed in much of the coverage of this internal Apple shuffle.Apple Intelligence 2.0While people like to focus on Siris improvements and shortcomings, it must also be true that Apple hopesto maintain its traditional development cadence when it comes to Apple Intelligence. That means delivering additional features and feature improvements every year, usually at WWDC. With the next WWDC looming fast, it might fall to Vorrath to select what additions are made, and to ensure they get developed on time.Think logically and you can see why that matters. Apple announced Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024, but it wasnt ready to ship alongside the original release of operating system updates, and features were slowly introduced in the following months.Arguably, the schedule didnt matter. What does matter is that Apple, then seen as falling behind in AI, used Apple intelligence to argue for its own continued corporate relevance. It bought itself some time.Now it must follow up on that time. That means making improvements and additions to show continued momentum. It comes down to delivering solutions consumers will want to use, with a little Apple magic alongside new developer tools to extend that ecosystem.It has to succeed in doing this to maintain credibility in AI.Is Apple going to keep relevant?Getting that right particularly across all Apples platforms and in good time is challenging, and is most likely why Vorrath has been brought in. Theres so much riding on getting the mix right. Apple needs to be able to say Hey, Were not done yet with Apple Intelligence, and back that claim up with tools to keep users interest. Those new AI services need to work well, ship on time, and work so people wont even knowhow much they needed themuntil they use them.Getting that mix right is going to take skill, dedication, and discipline. In the coming months, all eyes will be on Apple as critics and competitors wait to find out whether Apple Intelligence was a one shot attempt at maintaining relevance, or the first steps of a great company about to find its AI feet.Making sure it is the second, and not the first, should be the fundamental mission Vorrath has taken on in her new role.You can follow me on social media! Join me onBlueSky, LinkedIn,Mastodon, andMeWe.
    0 Комментарии ·0 Поделились ·35 Просмотры
  • Apple Hearing Study confirms Super Bowl fans get really loud
    appleinsider.com
    People are exposed to more noise in the United States during special events like the Super Bowl, the Apple Hearing Study has confirmed, with elevated levels happening well before the game takes place.Apple Hearing Study on the Apple Research app, and the Apple Watch Noise app. Image credit: AppleThe Super Bowl is one of the most-watched live events on the planet, and supporters often get a little loud during the game. The latest results from the Apple Hearing Study indicate that it's a phenomenon that is felt across the United States.The report published by the University of Michigan's School of Public Health examined the data from 115,049 Apple Hearing Study participants, capturing levels via the Apple Watch Noise app. The team wanted to know if the noise levels of participants were raised during major events. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
    0 Комментарии ·0 Поделились ·34 Просмотры
  • UNStudio's 18T housing block inspires resident interaction in southwest China
    archinect.com
    A new project from UNStudio in Chongping, China, that has gained attention as the first WELL Platinum-certified residential project in the countrys Southwest region is being shared by the firm along with photos detailing its ability to deliver a high quality of living for inhabitants of the citys dense urban environment.Photo: Kris Provoost/UNStudioThe 18T Mansion is so-named for a historic 18-step well located on its site footing the Yuzhong peninsula. The project, aimed at promoting an active lifestyle and residents' well-being, includes some 10 clubhouse spaces, sports and fitness centers, heated swimming pools, childrens rooms, and a medical infirmary scattered across a layered building footprint that includes five towers.Photo: Kris Provoost/UNStudioPhoto: Kris Provoost/UNStudioOpen floor plans in the towers maximize user comfort, access to daylight, and privacy. Units feature ceiling heights of up to 11 feet, ranging in size from approximately 900 to 13,000 square f...
    0 Комментарии ·0 Поделились ·36 Просмотры
  • Liam Youngs 'provocative' city of 10 billion acquired for MoMAs permanent collection
    archinect.com
    The Planet City project by director and speculative architect Liam Young has been acquired by MoMA for the museums permanent collection. As we described in our 2021 coverage of the projects launch, Planet City is centered on an imaginary city for 10 billion people, the entire planetary population, allowing the world beyond the citys borders to re-wild and rejuvenate.Planet City. Image credit: Liam YoungThe hypothetical project is presented through a 15-minuteshort filmand anassociated book publication. Young also presented the project in aTED talk released in August 2021. The film presents scenes from life in the city, which sees a population of ten billion people supported by renewable energy sources, pumped hydro storage, and the utilization of algae as a food and filtration system. Young designed the city as a closed-loop system which is waste-free and constructed entirely of recycled materials.Although wildly provocative, Planet City eschews the techno-utopian fanta...
    0 Комментарии ·0 Поделились ·34 Просмотры
  • New Job Opportunity: Join LA Firm Breland-Harper as a Senior Project Architect
    architizer.com
    Los Angeles-based design firm Breland Harper is seeking a Senior Project Architect to join its growing team.Founded by Michael Breland and Peter Harper, Breland Harper provides interdisciplinary services across residential, commercial, mixed-use, and hospitality projects.The integration of architectural, interior, and landscape design within the studio is a founding tenet of their practice, rooted in the desire to cultivate comprehensive experiences with subtle transitions between disciplines. With particular expertise in adaptive reuse and historic preservation, the firms newly constructed work is also handled with the same sensitivity and awareness.Learn More and ApplyRole DescriptionThis is a full-time on-site role as a Senior Project Architect at Breland-Harper in Los Angeles, CA. The Senior Project Architect will be responsible for leading multiple architectural projects, managing project timelines and budgets, overseeing submittals, collaborating with teams, and implementing sustainable design practices.QualificationsBachelors or masters degree in architecture.Over 15 years of experience in the field of architecture with a focus on technical delivery and design excellence.Strong project management skills, including the ability to plan, schedule, and execute multiple complex projects.Expertise in building envelope and construction documentation.Excellent communication and presentation skills.Knowledge of local codes and zoning regulations.Proficient in BIM and other 3D modeling software.Ability to work collaboratively with a team of designers, architects, and consultants.Licensed Architect preferred, but not required.How to ApplyTo apply, head to Archtizers Architecture Jobs Board, click the Apply to This Job button and follow the steps. Apply before February 20, 2025 to be considered.Apply NowAre you hiring and want to attract top talent to your firm? Create a post on Architizer Jobs to have your listing viewed by thousands of highly qualified design professionals! Click here to view our packages >The post New Job Opportunity: Join LA Firm Breland-Harper as a Senior Project Architect appeared first on Journal.
    0 Комментарии ·0 Поделились ·35 Просмотры