Technology
Ready to unleash your inner maverick with thrilling Airwolf hoverbike
Can you imagine soaring through the skies like a modern-day Maverick, leaving the constraints of the road behind? Well, get ready to unleash your inner daredevil because the UDX Airwolf hoverbike could soon make that dream a reality.
GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE
The Maverick’s ride
The UDX Airwolf hoverbike is no ordinary quadcopter. We’re talking about a 430-hp eVTOL motorcycle-esque vehicle that seats two and features “hummingbird-like” agility. It has four fan units that can tilt independently. With a weight of 639 pounds, the Airwolf promises a 0-60 mph acceleration in just three seconds and a blistering top speed of 142 mph.
THE BEST TRAVEL GEAR FOR 2024
The price of admission
To fly the UDX Airwolf, you’ll need a sports pilot license in the U.S., which requires 20 hours of flight training (five of which can be solo) and passing a couple of tests. While not as expensive as a private pilot license, the real barrier to entry is the Airwolf’s price tag of $350,000, a sum that only the well-heeled can afford.
We reached out to UDX, and the company’s CEO, Jiri Madeja, tells us, “Lately, we’ve seen a huge spike in excitement around our Airwolf and other VTOLs, and it’s honestly so rewarding. It’s a dream come true for us to finally have the technology to make these machines a reality. Big thanks to CyberGuy, for getting the word out.”
BEST TRAVEL ADAPTERS OF 2024
The reality check
While the dream is tantalizing, the reality is still in development. UDX has built working prototypes at small and quarter-scale, incorporating the thrust-vectoring propulsion system. These prototypes demonstrate reasonable stability and agility in flight testing, but a production-ready model is still a few years off.
However, with battery and electric motor technology advancing rapidly, these compact personal eVTOLs are no longer just retro-futurist dreams; they’re already here, albeit expensive and in small numbers. Some are pitched as fun machines while others aspire to be practical transport options for commuting, search and rescue operations, or quick responses to accidents.
HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET
REVOLUTIONARY FLYING SPORTS CAR COMPLETES ITS MAIDEN FLIGHT
Kurt’s key takeaways
While the Airwolf hoverbike may seem like a pipe dream, it represents the cutting edge of personal aviation technology. As battery and electric motor advancements continue, we may see these compact eVTOLs become more accessible and practical. For now, the Airwolf offers a tantalizing glimpse into a future where we can unleash our inner mavericks and take to the skies with the freedom and exhilaration of a fighter pilot.
If the UDX Airwolf hoverbike becomes available in the future, would you dare to take flight on it and experience it firsthand? Why or why not? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.
Follow Kurt on his social channels:
Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Threads now lets you tag your location
Meta is rolling out the ability to tag your location on your Threads posts. If you have the feature, you’ll see a pin in the post composer that you can tap so you can include where you are.
Note that adding your location to a Threads post doesn’t share an exact pin on a map. Instead, the feature lets you give your users an approximate idea of your location by sharing things like a city name, a neighborhood, or a restaurant. And if you see a Threads post that includes a location, you can tap that location to see other posts from the same place.
I have the feature, and I’ve been messing around with it. When I tap the pin in the post composer, Threads shows me a range of options: I can stay broad by tagging myself in Portland, OR, which is where I live, or I can pick from some more specific locations. If you’ve tagged your location in an Instagram post, Threads’ approach should feel pretty familiar.
Threads’ location-tagging feature only appears to be available on the mobile app right now; I have it on iOS, but I’m not seeing it on the web. Hopefully, it won’t be too long until it shows up in desktop browsers.
Technology
360-degree throwable tactical cameras are changing the game for the military and law enforcement
A cool new gadget is shaking things up in the world of tactical operations. Bounce Imaging just unveiled an innovative tool at a recent conference, and it’s got everyone talking. It has developed this nifty little device called the Pit Viper 360.
Named after the heat-sensing abilities of certain snakes, it is the world’s first 360-degree panoramic thermal-imaging tactical throwable camera.
The Pit Viper 360 is set to change how tactical teams approach dangerous scenarios, allowing them to gather critical intelligence without exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.
GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE
A rugged design for high-stakes situations
The Pit Viper 360 is built to withstand the rigors of tactical operations. Its robust construction allows it to be rolled across floors, thrown downstairs and launched through windows, even if they are closed. This versatility makes it invaluable in armed standoffs, hostage situations and other high-risk scenarios where direct visual reconnaissance is too dangerous. Additionally, it can be lowered on tethers or mounted on poles for strategic placement.
US MILITARY JET FLOWN BY AI FOR 17 HOURS – SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED?
Advanced imaging capabilities
What sets the Pit Viper 360 apart from other throwable cameras is its comprehensive imaging suite that includes color video, infrared imaging and thermal imaging. The thermal imaging capability is particularly noteworthy because it can detect heat signatures from humans and machinery, providing crucial intelligence in low-visibility environments.
AI APOCALYPSE TEAM FORMED TO FEND OFF CATASTROPHIC NUCLEAR AND BIOCHEMICAL SCENARIOS
Innovative panoramic technology
Instead of relying on traditional pan/tilt motors or expensive camera arrays, the Pit Viper 360 uses six thermal imaging cores to generate a real-time, stabilized 360° panoramic view. This innovative approach offers several advantages, such as low latency, reduced size and weight and lower power requirements. Sietse Dijkstra, Bounce Imaging’s chief technology officer, explains that this design allows for stabilized thermal panoramic video with very low size, weight and power requirements.
HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET
NEW BREED OF AI ROBO-DOGS COULD BE THE MARINES’ SECRET WEAPON
Practical applications
The capabilities of the Pit Viper 360 make it an ideal tool for military operations, law enforcement tactical teams, search and rescue missions and industrial inspections. Its ability to be deployed by robotic systems, such as Boston Dynamics’ quadruped robots like SPOT, further expands its potential uses in various scenarios. At a recent conference where the Pit Viper 360 was unveiled, Bounce Imaging highlighted how their technology can work alongside SPOT to enhance safety for first responders in complex environments.
Collaboration with robotics
Bounce Imaging’s collaboration with Boston Dynamics showcases the future of unmanned systems. By integrating their respective technologies, they aim to create a powerful tool for clearing hazardous environments. The combination of SPOT’s navigation capabilities and Bounce Imaging’s panoramic situational awareness can significantly improve operational efficiency and safety during missions.
Mark Fargason, Bounce Imaging’s COO, emphasizes that teaming across platforms is essential to leverage each technology’s strengths effectively. This partnership not only enhances mission success but also prioritizes the safety of personnel involved in high-risk operations.
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?
What’s next for the Pit Viper 360?
Now, if you’re itching to get your hands on one, you’ll have to hang tight until early 2025. They haven’t released details on the price yet, but you can bet it’ll be a hot item for elite teams worldwide.
Kurt’s key takeaways
By combining rugged design with advanced thermal imaging and innovative panoramic capabilities, Bounce Imaging has created a tool that could revolutionize how military and law enforcement personnel approach high-risk situations. The Pit Viper 360 is set to be a game-changer in keeping our brave men and women in uniform (and the civilians they protect) safer in those nail-biting situations.
What do you think about the potential impact of advanced technologies like the Pit Viper 360 on the safety and effectiveness of military and law enforcement operations in high-risk situations? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.
Follow Kurt on his social channels:
Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:
New from Kurt:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Gemini is making Gmail’s smart replies smarter
Google is rolling out a Gemini-powered update to Gmail for Android and iOS that will tailor smart replies more specifically to emails. First announced back in May, Google says its new contextual Smart Replies will “offer more detailed responses to fully capture the intent of your message” by taking the entire content of the email thread into consideration.
Users can hover over each of the suggested contextual smart replies to preview the text, and select the option that best matches their needs or writing style. Suggested replies can be edited or sent immediately. The idea is that this will both save time (especially if you’re often buried in your Gmail inbox) and improve the variety of automated responses available beyond a simple “Yes, I’m working on it” or “No worries, thanks for the heads up!” — even adding an initial greeting and a signoff message.
The new contextual Smart Replies are now rolling out for Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium, and Google One AI Premium subscribers. The feature is currently only available in English and builds on the original Smart Replies added to Gmail in 2017.
-
News1 week ago
Toplines: September 2024 Inquirer/Times/Siena Poll of Pennsylvania Registered Voters
-
Politics1 week ago
New House Freedom Caucus chair reveals GOP rebel group's next 'big fight'
-
Business1 week ago
Cheaper Mortgages and Car Loans: Lower Rates Are on the Horizon
-
Business1 week ago
Video: Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates for the First Time in Four Years
-
Politics1 week ago
House committee to demand 'stonewalled' memo detailing Biden agency's 'curious' voter registration work
-
Politics1 week ago
Dem lawmakers push bill to restore funding to UN agency with alleged ties to Hamas: 'So necessary'
-
World1 week ago
What’s South Africa’s new school language law and why is it controversial?
-
News6 days ago
Video: Who Are the Black Swing Voters?