flying
Latest
The Skyacht "practical" personal blimp
While we're still waiting for our jet pack and saving up for our Moller Skycar, it looks like we may soon have another flying machine at our disposal once the Skyacht personal blimp hits the market. The blimp's been in development since 2002 (including some makeshift wind tunnel testing) but just recently underwent its first tethered test flights and is set to make its first untethered flight later this month. Unlike traditional blimps, the Skyacht simply uses hot air instead of helium, and employs a "virtually silent" motor for propulsion. The use of hot air makes the Skyacht cheaper to operate than other blimps but, as you can see, also requires a much bigger balloon. Rest assured though, it is the world's first "practical" personal blimp.[Via MAKE: Blog]
Shape-shifting paper could help tiny bots take flight
A new breakthrough in materials science may pave the way for those inevitable swarms of tiny flying robots that will one day darken the skies and strike fear into us all, as researchers in South Korea have succeeded in coaxing specially-prepared cellophane paper to rapidly curve and straighten itself in an insect-like flapping motion. Although scientists have apparently known since the 1950's that wood was piezoelectric, meaning that it bends slightly when exposed to electricity, it took a team from Inha University with help from Texas A&M to discover that the same property also holds true for other cellulose-based material. By coating both sides of a sheet of cellophane with thin layers of gold, the researchers were able to create so-called Electroactive paper (EAPap) so sensitive that the voltage from a microwave beam provides enough power to trigger its unique shape-changing abilities. Oddly enough, no one is quite sure of the physics behind the transformation -- theories center around pressure changes resulting from the movement of ions -- but regardless of how it works, we're sure that more than a few governments will be most interested in deploying this technology to beef up their domestic and international surveillance programs.[Via Roland Piquepaille and ScienceNOW]
StarFox DS commands new title, release date
StarFox Command, the newly renamed DS adventure featuring Arwings, anthropomorphic pilots and gratutious amounts of spinning is now set to release on 28 August 2006. Apart from maneuvering through 3D landscapes and blasting enemy ships to smithereens, you'll be able to draw routes on the bottom screen for your teammates to follow as they assist you in taking over enemy bases. We assume that's where the "Command" part comes in.As for Nintendo Wi-Fi, up to 4 players can duke it out online, with a more impressive number of 8 being relegated to local wireless play. As Falco would say, "How swell." [Thanks Redfield! I hope this isn't your blood.]
Miyamoto speculates on StarFox Wii
Several sources on the Intertron suggest that Miyamoto recently confirmed a StarFox game for the Wii...sort of. The article cited is an interview from the latest issue of Famitsu, wherein Shigeru Miyamoto suggested that a StarFox game (if Nintendo were to make one, mind you) could make some involving and intricate use of the Wiimote. A shocking revelation indeed, especially in the wake of a Virtual Console that is likely to feature the original, and dare we say good, StarFox titles. No offense to those that enjoy frolicking around on the ground in the company of dinosaurs, of course.If Nintendo takes Miyamoto's ideas and develops a full game (and they almost certainly will), we can only hope they keep the Fox's feet off the ground and well within the space opera house.[Thanks Nikolai!]
Donkey Kong Bongo Blast release notes
What? A brand new Donkey Kong bongo game for the Nintendo Gamecube shows up, and Nintendo doesn't even bother to show it off on their show floor? We realize that the Gamecube is on its way out, but robbing us of the opportunity to play another DK bongo game is downright criminal. The new game features aerial racing, with DK and the crew tilting and turning in response to your brutal bongo bashing. It's no Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat 2 (Wii version, please), but we'll take it. From the official fact sheet:"Donkey Kong and his pals have gotten their mitts on some high-powered Barrel Jets – incredible engines that boost when struck by a pilot. By beating on the DK Bongos controller, players can make their character swoop up, bank side to side and launch attacks on rivals."Check out the video here.
"Flight Game" coming to Revolution
Some good news for any aviation loving Revolution fans out there, Hudson Entertainment has announced that it is developing an as yet unnamed flying game for the Nintendo Revolution. Naturally, the game will make good use of the Revolution's innovative controller, with objectives including the strange combination of bombing and sky artistry.The game will apparently be debuting at E3, just like everything else Revolution related.[Thanks, Hiro. Image credit: Natalie Dee (her tees rock!)]
