Tech Stream
Archive for the ‘ Transport’ Category
Tech Stream 044
19 March 2010
Listen and download: MP3
The Martin Jetpack, developed in New Zealand. Photo from Flickr. Strong men not included.
This week in the Tech Stream, the futuristic transport we’ve all been dreaming about is here: JETPACKS! We’ll meet a New Zealand man who says he’s turned his childhood fantasy (and mine) into a legal, almost affordable aircraft for one. We’ll also find out how to use our laptop to measure, map and even predict earthquakes. And Twitter expands into richer geo-location services and spreads our conversations across the web… but is it innovating or just playing catch-up?
Follow the MP3 link above to start listening, or take the jump to find out more.
Tech Stream 026
14 August 2009
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Kong Pharith’s solar-powered electric jeep hits the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Solar and other renewable energy sources could one day be powering all of our cars. At least that’s the long-term hope for those who understand the impacts that the current methods for powering our vehicles has on the planet.
In the Tech Stream this week we hear about the battery technology which is making this future possible now; the rollout of an electric vehicle recharge network in Australia and how an industrious inventor in Cambodia decided he couldn’t wait any longer so built his own solar-powered electric jeep (see the photo above). More details after the jump, or follow the MP3 link above to hear the program right away.
Electric cars for Canberra
14 August 2009
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Plug it in: goodbye petrol, hello electricity from renewable sources.
The infrastructure required to support battery-powered electric cars is being rolled out in Australia, with the national’s capital the first city to take part in the project. Better Place Australia will begin building an the electric vehicle recharge network in Canberra in 2011 and start supporting customers who have electric vehicles by 2012.
I asked their director of government affairs Guy Pross how the system will work and why Canberra was chosen for this initial roll-out. You can hear the full interview via the MP3 at the top of this post.
Tech Stream 021
10 July 2009
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With more smartphones featuring GPS, maps and navigation applications what does the future hold for dedicated sat-nav devices? Photo from Flickr by tripu.
We hit the wide open road in the Tech Stream this week with some of the latest GPS satellite navigation applications for mobile phones.
Technology journalist Adam Turner has had a chance to try an Australian sat-nav mobile maps application for the iPhone called Sygic (you can read a full review on his blog). But it seems we shouldn’t be throwing out our dedicated sat-nav devices just yet.
Plus we ask, what exactly is GPS and where did it come from? We have an expert in the field with us to answer our questions: Professor Chris Rizos, Head of the School of Surveying & Spatial Information Systems at the University of New South Wales. You can also read more about GPS – the Global Positioning System – on ABC Science Online.
We also briefly mention the news about Google launching its own PC operating system called Chrome OS. Details are still sketchy but the company has posted this FAQ and blog-post about it.
And finally to gaming and EA’s Sims 3 – the latest in the world’s most successful computer games series. Bajo from Good Game on ABC TV in Australia reviews it for us and says its strongest selling point is the way if fosters an active online community who can use the game to create their own content, including videos.
You can listen to the full Tech Stream program with the MP3 link above or the “Listen Now” link on the right. Feel free to comment on any of these stories or suggest something we can follow up in future programs. You can also subscribe to the podcast too!
New technology for the modern traveller
23 April 2009
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Many inflight entertainment systems feature USB and power outlets for mobiles and portable media players. Photo from Flickr by Alan Chan.
We’re focusing on changes in the technology being used to research, book, document and enhance our travels this week. Joining us for the journey is Peter Marks, technology editor for ABC Radio National Breakfast, Angus Kidman, Australian editor of Lifehacker and Venessa Paech, community manager at Lonely Planet online. A shortened version of our chat will be in the Tech Stream radio program and podcast, but you can listen to the full discussion now via the MP3 link at the top of this story.
If you have any tips for new travel related technology or travel community websites we’d love to hear them!
Nano hits the road
31 March 2009
The Nano on show at the Geneva Car Show in early March [Reuters]
The car slated as ‘the cheapest in the world’ has starting rolling out of two factories in India. Despite some significant setbacks, the Tata Nano has moved into production, and there’s a growing waiting list for prospective buyers. But some are worried that it poses a threat to the environment.
Michael Coggan has a special feature on ABC Radio Australia News.
Location based mobile applications
26 March 2009
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The iPhone 3G launched officially in Indonesia last week. Smartphone uptake has been on the rise in the country, with many people opting for the latest Blackberry devices, which have a strong suite of SMS and IM tools. But the iPhone’s success could be driven by its ability to know where you are.
Anyone who has been to the capital Jakarta knows how difficult it is to navigate the complex, overcrowded road network. It is a city of over 15 million residents and traveling to meet up with friends can be a grueling, frustrating affair.
Mark Hanusz is from Equinox Application Development, based in Jakarta. The company is developing location based applications for mobile phones. I spoke with him about these applications, including one called Transjakarta (pictured above) for use on public transport. You can hear the interview via the MP3 link at the top of this story.
