Category: Technology (Page 2 of 8)

Clever new system to backup GPS.

April 18, 2025 / Richard Nestoff / 0 Comments

Australia unveils jam-proof quantum tech that’s 50 times more accurate than GPS

Instead of relying on satellites, Q-CTRL’s system can read the Earth’s magnetic field, which varies slightly depending on location (like a magnetic fingerprint or map). The system can determine where you are by measuring these variations using magnetometers.

GPS is one of those “living in the future” technologies that we rely on, but don’t think about much because it works seamlessly. An extensive array of satellites are required to keep it working. It would be great to have an accurate backup system.

Vehicle #2: Olds Cutlass 8/10

April 17, 2025 / Richard Nestoff / 2 Comments

After the Pinto, I bought a 1976 Cutlass from a private owner in 1982 for $2400. That’s $7900 in today’s money.

What a great car. It had the 350 cu. in. Rocket V8 engine with a four barrel carburetor. In modern terms, that was a 5.7 liter engine. When I stomped on the gas, the car would kind of kneel down, then take off.

Vehicle #1: Ford Pinto 2/10

April 16, 2025 / Richard Nestoff / 0 Comments

My first car was a blue Pinto wagon. I think it was a 1974. This isn’t my car, but is pretty much what it looked like. What a junk box.

The Buick Sports Wagon

April 15, 2025 / Richard Nestoff / 3 Comments

Photographs used to cost money, but now they are free. Doesn’t matter, people still neglect to take photos of everyday things, and that’s where most of life happens.

NHTSA rule will make cars worse.

April 11, 2025 / Richard Nestoff / 0 Comments

How Proposed Pedestrian-Impact Safety Standards Will Soften Automotive Design

This is the type of over-regulation I talked about in the Modern life should be better post.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants new regulations so that pedestrians don’t get hurt when they get hit by a car.

Imagine how difficult it will be to implement this rule without limiting the driver’s field-of-view or reducing the car’s efficiency.

Proposed lunar rover

April 10, 2025 / Richard Nestoff / 0 Comments

Lunar Outpost unveils sleek new ‘Eagle’ moon rover (photos)

This sweet looking lunar rover was built by Lunar Outpost, and is one of three designs proposed for the Artemis 5 Moon mission set to launch by the end of the decade.

It’s not clear why the rover has no roof. Cosmic rays are a big hazard on the Moon. Polyethylene, a very common plastic, is the material recommended for cosmic ray shielding.

Modern life should be better.

April 10, 2025 / Richard Nestoff / 0 Comments

Donald Trump’s Energy Department Saved Your Appliances

With the internet and smart phones, we are living in the future. It’s fantastic. At the same time, many appliances and other mundane technology is getting worse. Regulations put in place by government bureaucrats make our lives worse.

President Clinton’s vice president, Al Gore, was directed to reduce federal regulations. Every president has tried to deregulate, but President Trump may get it done. Eventually, this will be a big deal.

FAA is slow to adopt drone taxis.

April 3, 2025 / Richard Nestoff / 0 Comments

Flying Taxis Officially Lift Off – But Only In China, Thank Biden’s FAA

China has approved the use of large drones as commercial taxis. A passenger gets in the cabin, mashes a button, and the drone flies to the destination. It’s completely automatic.

The article sarcastically thanks the FAA under President Biden for not approving this technology in the US. The FAA should sincerely be thanked for their caution.

The Space Force wants a space bunker.

March 27, 2025 / Richard Nestoff / 0 Comments

Firm wins Space Force funding to provide an “aircraft carrier” in orbit.

Such a module would isolate the satellites from the space environment, sparing their batteries and sensitive electronics from harsh thermal cycles every 90 minutes, and provide some shielding from radiation. In addition, the orbital carrier would obfuscate the satellites inside from observation by other nations or hostile actors in space. Then, when a satellite is needed, it can be deployed into multiple orbits by the carrier.

This reminds me of the comedy/science fiction/action movie, Iron Sky (2012).

Sparky saves the day.

March 26, 2025 / Richard Nestoff / 2 Comments

I didn’t take this photo because I don’t have a stripper, truck or water.