web metrics

Archive for October, 2008

Now, a robot that can mimic human faces

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

In the pursuit to create a more ‘life-like’ robot, researchers have created a realistic robot head that can mimic human facial expressions, thus making communication more human-like.Robotics engineers at the University of Bristol, UK, actually made a copycat robotic head, called Jules, which can mimic the facial expressions and lip movements of a human being.

Jules is an animatronic head produced by US roboticist David Hanson, New Scientist reports.

Honson builds uniquely expressive, disembodied heads with flexible rubber skin that is moved by 34 servo motors.

A video camera picks human face movements, and then maps them onto the tiny electronic motors in Jules’ skin.

The researchers developed their own software to transfer expressions recorded by the video camera into commands so that the servos produce similarly realistic facial movements.

But, as the robot’s motors are not similar to human facial muscles, the researchers filmed an actor making a variety of expressions indicating, say, “happiness.”

Then, an expert animator selected 10 frames showing different variations of the expression and manually set the servos in Jules’s face to match.

Later, the researchers created software that can translate what it sees on video into equivalent settings of Jules’s facial motors. Now, the robot can do this in real time, at 25 frames per second.

This the first copycat robot heads with realistic human-looking faces. As human communication is very much dependent on facial expressions, robots that can mimic them well can find much wider application.

He has speculated that this would make them useful in healthcare settings, such as nursing homes.

Save 40 mw from 1000 computers: AI technopreneurs

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Here’s an idea spark for corporate honchos bogged down by cost-cutting pressures, following the market-meltdown. An AI (artifical intelligence) firm in Kerala Technopark has developed a product that claims to save upto 40 mw phantom power per 1000 computers.

Phantom power is the power which is consumed by an electronic device, when its is in standby mode. The new product SPARA is likely to be priced in the $50-$80 band per piece. One unit would be needed for each end-module of the electronic device. SPARA is spanish for ’save” (power).

“As much as 26% of the total energy loss in the world is through phantom power, although one would think its value is considerably low compared to the actual power used by the device,” says 23-year old Nelvin Joseph, CEO of Artin Dynamics.

Besides Joseph, the other four technoprenurs who put their heads together for the AI firm, are fresh engineering graduates. In fact, Artin Dynamics is just hatched from the technology-business incubator of Technopark.

SPARA, according to the AI whizkids, has software modules that uses the most efficient algorithms. Its hardware modules are set up as to maximise the efficiency of the system.

And what kind of AI feats does it do? SPARA can manage various high level power management features like Monitor control, Core handling, CPU throttling, besides the usual power management options such as hibernate, shutdown, standby etc on a network distributed scale. Once a power save command has been passed to the computer and if the computer switches to a power down state, the module terminates the power supply and thus saves Phantom power losses fully.

Sounds complex? Joseph says the product is simple enough that a layman can get its efficiency verified whenever needed. The software gives the administrator proof of energy saved generating detailed reports of usage statistics. The system is capable of over-riding or respecting the software shutdown or usage parameters already programmed in various computers.

The hardware unit in SPARA works on a patented technology called ETL or enhanced trigger loop and interfaces with the computer using a USB Port. Artin Dynamics plans to develop and distribute more products and services based on artificial intelligence and the company claims it is first in India to work exclusively in this domain.

“By saving power, the company will also be entitled to carbon credits given to green technologies,” Joseph said. The company is eyeing export markets and is in talks with a couple of MNCs to finalise marketing ties.

Artin Dynamics, however, is not the first start-up by fresh engineering graduates to use the “business incubator” offered by Technopark. The most well-known is three-year old Torque Technology Solutions, set up Union defence minister AK Antony’s son Anil K Antony and his seven friends from CET (College of Engineering Trivandrum). Torque had been in news for products like FastAlert, a popular multi-modal communication tool integrating SMS, e-mails and voice alerts into an intuitive and user-friendly online interface, and MobShare, which enables interaction through MMS blogging and SMS alert, and BlueMessenger, a Bluetooth-enabled kiosk creating distant Blue Zones

How to find the right Label for your Mailing Needs

Monday, October 27th, 2008

When it comes to mailing or bulk mailing it has always been a tough job to handle, especially the labeling part. If only if you have an easy way to do it, you will mostly end up in getting it wrong. Hence it is suggested to for a readymade label brands like Avery labels. Thus you can save a lot of time by not needing to create your labels manually and tearing it and pasting it, etc.With the compatible Avery Labels you get the labels in a tear-away sheet in which you can print and get it torn away easily and stick it on your envelope or wherever you intend to use it.

This Avery Labels surely will be an handy stationary which you can rely upon for your mailing needs and ease most of your handling of mails with its easy to cut and easy to peel away stickers which can be customized according to the size and shapes you want.

Also compatible Avery labels are available readymade for your specific needs. Thus you don’t have to rely on or dedicate any manpower to do these specific jobs. You would actually need hardly few to do this and hence you save cost this way too.

Be Secured!

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

If you think you can easily fool others when it comes to the security that you have to have on your checks, think twice. There is the amazing MICR toner, which is at its best when it comes to the lines that you can possibly see on your check papers. Visible as it is, you may think that it is only a simple derangement of the ink from the printer but actually, it is magnetic ink that can transmit a code when it will be under a special reader and a digital data may be read. In this manner, it will be impossible for other people to make use of it in a bad way. HP MICR is also the same kind as that of the toner that I have regarded above. Through this, people who are on the syndicate will be having a hard time copying certain checks and it will be impossible for them to do such. This is really a great way to be secured and as such, it will be easy to deal with and you no longer have to undergo those other hard ways of securing things that you currently have on hand.

ITIL Training

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

There is a lot of information that is constantly traded through the growing population with an Internet connection. People aren’t the only ones sending a lot more data though. Businesses are having to manage much larger packets that are coming and going as part of their everyday operations. This means that they will really need someone who knows how to manage the system and keep everything going. They need someone with ITIL training.ITIL stands for information technology infrastructure library. You would basically just need to have the proper training to keep files organized and ultimately know where they need to go. It’s just like a virtual librarian who’s in charge of a whole bunch of files. This isn’t as easy as one might think though. The system isn’t like something you’d be used to from personal experience. You need to understand just how complex networks work and how the library software organizes the comings and goings of all the files. For this, you’ll need to take the time to learn ITIL v3 training, especially if you want to be up to date on the latest changes.

There is a lot of demand for someone with the right skills in information technology. If you are willing to get the training necessary, then a whole world will open up to you.

How to reduce excess weight

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

Excess weight has become a problem for the modern generation. People are trying to find out methods which will reduce the fat accumulated in their body.

Hydroxycut has proved to be an effective supplement which will aid in weight loss, when taken along with diet. Most of the physicians’ advice to take this supplement along with your regular exercise program intended at weight loss. One of the main advantages of using hydroxycut is that, the medicine is a supplier of nutrition as well. This helps in reducing the weight as well as fat without affecting the health in a bad way.

Another diet supplement available in pills form and is much easier to consume is superdrine. This is a fat burner which is herbal and without side effects and aids in burning the excess fat which contributes to your weight. Cheap priced pills of superdrine are available in online shops and you will be able to lose weight at an affordable rate.

Yellow bullets are other dietary supplements for weight reduction, which has received world class acceptance as quality products in fat loss. Their magic results have helped in the popularization of these products among the interested customers suffering from excess weight in their body.

How to customize your T-shirts

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

Wearing custom printed t-shirts is a good idea, especially if you are going for the promotion of any particular company, brand or product. You can select the kind of T-shirt which has to be customized from the great collection including, sleeveless, long sleeve etc.

If you don’t have a clear idea of how to personalize your T-shirts, you will get assistance from custom shirt printing services. They will be able to give you thousands of wise advices with regard to the printing of designs and names on your T-shirt.

The t-shirts with customized prints are good and attractive items to be given as gifts. You will find a range of interesting and attractive designs online. You will get cheap shirt printing from the online shops.

T-shirts from such online services will be printed using the most latest and the advanced technologies available. They will use the most vibrant colors with high durability and ensure that the quality of the product is the best. Hundreds of templates will be available with them or you can prefer to choose designs from the scratch. They can be used for business purposes, clubs, meeting places and for marketing of your company or your favorite brand.

Work with Confidence at Heights

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

Working in heights have so much risk that if it fails due to any reason, the workers will even have to pay the penalty with their lives. It is here that, a fall protection device comes into picture. These are equipments that aid in fall arrest and prevention, that can be used in various environments including construction, transportation, oil and gas industries etc.

DBI Sala is a manufacturer specialized in providing work positioning, fall arrest, restraint and rescue services equipment. They help in holding the worker in place limiting free fall and in raising and lowering users to reach any heights.

The retractable lifeline safety devices have mechanical components sealed in a housing filled with viscous fluid. The device has a brake facility that will prevent the descending of the worker. The sealing inside the housing prevents the corrosion and damage of the mechanical parts of the device.

Safety equipments like miller fall protection aids in providing maximum gripping that prevents the fall and the unique components are made of high standard after inspection by safety engineers.

When industries and individuals look for such products, they have to take into consideration that the innovative technology used for the construction has to be of high quality aiding complete safety to customers.

Holiday Travel to Europe

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

Egypt, one of the most famous places in Africa is well known for the ancient mysteries. The mystery and secrets are still unrevealed. The Egyptian pyramids are world famous and are a matter of fantasy to many. The mummies and their history, their origin, the way of maintenance, their existence fascinate all the visitors who visit the place. When we read in articles and books, we get interested in visiting the places and thus Egypt vacation is always thrilling and adventurous. Also the culture they follow is very different making us get drawn towards it.

Not only Egypt, we are aware that Europe being a peninsula looks so very pleasant with the rivers flowing in them. Thus the European river cruises are very catchy and win people’s admiration. There are a number of activities taking place on board which fascinates the public and visitors.

Italy one of the prominent country in Europe is world famous for its monuments and majestic buildings. Rome, being the capital of Italy also holds colosseum and buildings which have won many people’s admiration. Thus Italy vacation is very interesting and incredible. The climate adding to its features is very cool and snowy in places where height is very high.

Is there a ban? sorry

Friday, October 3rd, 2008

Ban on smoking in public came into effect on Thursday but not one challan was issued. However, it wasn’t quite Gandhigiri that prompted smokers to become law-abiding citizens on Thursday.

The fact that it was Bapu’s birth anniversary, a national holiday, saved the day for many as no one came looking for law-breakers. “Today is a national holiday.

How can you expect people to work today? We’ve been implementing the ban for 11 years and will continue to do so, but not today. No one authorised to implement the law is working today, so please call us tomorrow,” said Dr R.P. Vashisht, Delhi’s State Tobacco Control Officer.

Even in Tamil Nadu, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss’s home state, where he is on a long weekend, officers with the power to issue challans stayed away from the job. Ramadoss expressed his surprise at this.

“It’s my day off too, but I’m spending my holiday distributing anti-smoking pamphlets in Chennai’s Koyambedu bus terminal. Many, especially women from small towns and rural areas, said they were happy as the law would help them save money and health,” he told HT from Chennai.

Ramadoss said the idea was to use the law to help people become aware of the hazards of passive smoking and make smokers think twice before lighting up. “The change has to come from within, that’s what Gandhigiri is all about,” said Ramadoss, explaining why he chose October 2.

Delhi restaurants say no Though no raids were conducted, the ban was clearly in place here. Eating joints like TGIF, Nirula’s Potpourri and Caf and #233; Coffee Day joints removed ashtrays and displayed signs requesting guests not to smoke inside restaurants.

“People are requesting us for a smoking area but we are abiding by the government order. Most of our customers come in for a drink, and when people drink, they also like to smoke.

So, this ban is bad for business. It will bring profits down by at least 20 per cent,” said Bhim Singh Kumar, manager of Zen Chinese Restaurant in Connaught Place.

Others feel the decline in profit will be a temporary phenomenon. “If we consider the global scenario, in New York and countries such as the UK, Ireland and Singapore where such a ban is in place, there was an initial dip in the business but things gradually improve,” said Dhiraj Arora, managing director of Shalom, lounge and bar.

Sumitro Mazumdar, manager of Nirula’s Potpourri, said, “We have declared our restaurant a non-smoking area. There have been customers coming and asking where our smoking zone is, but we have politely informed them of the ban, and they still chose to have their meals here.

” Restaurant owners are still confused about the specific guidelines to demarcate smoking and non-smoking zones. “We know about the ban, but what if we want to have a smoking area in the cafe.

What exactly does the law say about it we aren’t aware of,” said Chandan Chaudhary, deputy manager of Cafe Morrison. Some of them have decided to wait and watch for a while.

“We will all follow the law but we’ll observe for a couple of weeks how things go before making the necessary changes,” said Arora.