The bicycle-powered supercomputer

In an attempt to illustrate the low power requirements of its latest Linux-based supercomputer, a company called SiCortex put together a demonstration showing the massive number-cruncher performing billions of calculations per-second while a team of between eight to ten bicyclists pedaled to keep it going. The NextFest presentation was a ploy to showcase the small power consumption of the new machine, and to point out that energy conservation for both system power and cooling are major issues facing manufacturers and end-users. As the custom Trek bikes churned out 260-watts of power each, Dr. John Mucci -- the company's CEO -- said, "Ten years ago, this analysis was impossible on even the biggest computers, and now it's being done on a bicycle powered machine," then added, "Ten years from now, we'll probably be doing it right down at the docks as they unload the ships." Which sounds kind of weird, but isn't.

[Via I4U]

[alex @ Sep 15th 2007 2:00AM]

Maybe I'll hack up a device charger using a bicycle dynamo.

[Weeliano @ Sep 15th 2007 2:12AM]

One more step to enslavement by our machine overlords.

[maddox @ Sep 15th 2007 4:01AM]

Now that's what I call a lot of CPU cycles!

[Terry Thomas @ Sep 15th 2007 4:11AM]

I didn't get the docks reference.

[granny down east @ Sep 15th 2007 4:15PM]

Read the article.
Genomic analysis of new agricultural pest species is the insect world equivalent of folding@home.

[coffeepot64 @ Sep 15th 2007 5:36AM]

These people should hook up with the guys who invented the heely battery charger, we could all shuffle our feet on the carpet to run our computers. Saves on electricity. Just be careful the static shock doesn't get you.
I'm picturing the wired hair look. lol

[Ronda Inman @ Sep 15th 2007 6:56AM]

Interesting idea... I think

[olsenba @ Sep 15th 2007 11:10AM]

I'll take two.

[angela @ Sep 16th 2007 5:07AM]

A vision for the future. Technology just keep
on improving our daily lives but we must not let
it take over us till we are lazy for anything.
www.netpreneur.cybersiti.com

[Joe Inman @ Sep 19th 2007 3:43AM]

no way! then would have to feed and house those "eight to ten bicyclists".