Hasta La Gadget!

Where are the bad guys? The military has eyes and ears everywhere these days, including drones large and tiny, satellites, radar imaging, LIDAR, infrared, thermal and even the enemy’s own cellphones. The problem is how to take all that imaging and create a single picture of the environment. To that end, DARPA and George Mason University in Arlington have created the first Innovation House Project, which will put eight teams together for eight weeks in a “crucible-style” living environment to try to invent new ways of crunching the diverse sensor info. The military’s research arm wants those units to think way off-piste “without fear of failure” to dream up solutions, and will have access to specialists and mentors from the military and academia. Unlike DARPA’s usual challenges which have a grand prize, all teams accepted to the project will receive $30,000 in funding, but groups who go on to survive a four week cut will get an additional $20K. Proposals will be accepted up to July 31 (with no academic credentials needed), and the competition will begin in earnest on September 17. DARPA will get a license of any software created, allowing teams to hold the rights — and hopes to continue the concept down the road, with new themes for team-based research on a tight deadline. So, if you’re a data, imaging or “geospatial” whiz — and don’t mind being locked in a house and put under the brainstorming gun by DARPA — check the PR for all the details.

Continue reading DARPA Innovation House project wants teams to take imaging data, see the big picture

Filed under: Science, Software

DARPA Innovation House project wants teams to take imaging data, see the big picture originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GPS watches generally appeal to those who put navigation capabilities first, and aesthetics a distant second. But with its new fēnix, Garmin has managed to squeeze a backpack full of functionality into a subtle watch design. More »

Garmin is expanding its range of watches by introducing its new fenix outdoor watch. As you might expect, it makes full use of GPS in order to help adventures better navigate the great outdoors, and adds some useful functionality in the process. You can record waypoints using the watch, such as landmarks or campsites, and make notes of points along your route using GPS tracklogs.

The watch provides a navigation arrow that will help steer users to destination points, and there’s a TracBack function that will help the owner retrace their steps as well. In combination with a desktop application, users can also plan certain routes and trips and share them out to friends and families in the process.

In terms of connectivity, the fenix comes equipped with Bluetooth plus altimeter, barometer, and compass sensors. The altimeter will provide elevation data, the barometer may be used to see any upcoming changes in the weather, and the compass naturally helps the user with their bearing. The fenix can also auto-calibrate using the built in GPS chip, and automatically set the time by determining the location of the watch.

Garmin has made sure the watch is rugged and durable too. There’s a “high-strength housing” that will survive shocks and bumps, plus a glass front that will resist scratches. The LCD display is LED backlit, with the watch held together by polyurethane wristbands. Garmin says the watch should be capable of 50 hours of battery life when actively using GPS, and its also waterproof up to 50 meters. The fenix should be on sale sometime this Fall, and cost around $399.99.

Garmin introduces fenix outdoor GPS watch is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Interior navigation is only just coming into its own, but IndoorAtlas has developed a technology that could make it just as natural as breathing — or at least, firing up a smartphone’s mapping software. Developed by a team at Finland’s University of Oulu, the method relies on identifying the unique geomagnetic field of every location on Earth to get positioning through a mobile device. It’s not just accurate, to less than 6.6 feet, but can work without help from wireless signals and at depths that would scare off mere mortal technologies: IndoorAtlas has already conducted tests in a mine 4,593 feet deep. Geomagnetic location-finding is already available through an Android API, with hints of more platforms in the future. It will still need some tender loving care from app developers before we’re using our smartphones to navigate through the grocery store as well as IndoorAtlas does in a video after the break.

Continue reading IndoorAtlas uses disturbances in the (geomagnetic) force to map interiors, plot a path to aisle 3 (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, GPS

IndoorAtlas uses disturbances in the (geomagnetic) force to map interiors, plot a path to aisle 3 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GPS maker TomTom and Fiat are partnering for new connected navigation system will be used in the Fiat 500L. The navigation system used in the little car will be the TomTom Go Live using a special cradle and dashboard system to allow the driver to have clear visibility while providing navigation details. The system will use HD traffic information and allow drivers to use social media apps to access restaurant reviews, hotel options, and to update followers on their location.

It’s strange to me that automakers are going with non-integrated systems such as the TomTom Go Live with their vehicles rather than integrating navigation into the car. The system in the 500L will feature HD Traffic information helping drivers find quick routes through traffic promising more updates than competing services. The system also features Search & Go.

Search & Go is integrated with Expedia, Trip Advisor, and twitter allowing drivers to access reviews to make informed decisions and use services to allow the users to navigate to a friend. This will be available in Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and UK. The navigation system also supports TomTom Speed Cameras allowing drivers access to fixed and mobile speed camera alerts.

TomTom provides connected navigation system for Fiat 500L is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.