DARPA's new 1.8-gigapixel camera is a super high-resolution eye in the sky

Welcome to the newsletter for Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine. These are the headlines for February the 12th, 2013. DARPA's new 1.8-gigapixel camera is a super high-resolution eye in the sky DARPA recently revealed information on its ARGUS-IS (Autonomous Real-Time Ground Ubiquitous Surveillance Imaging System), a surveillance camera that uses hundreds of smartphone image sensors to record a 1.8 gigapixel image. Designed for use in an unmanned drone (probably an MQ-1 Predator), from an altitude of 20,000 ft (6,100 m) ARGUS can keep a real-time video eye on an area 4.5 miles (7.2 km) across down to a resolution of about six inches (15 cm). Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Snowboard with built-in brake gives novice riders Kontrol For years, snowboarding novices have been forced to meet the sport with a combination of terror and pain. Even the smallest bunny hill is horrifying to look at when your legs are locked into a device that you have no idea how to use. One wrong move and you're eating an unpleasant mix of snow, ice and pride. The new Streetboardz Boarder Kontrol takes some of the intimidation out of learning by giving beginners something they've always wanted: instant braking. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Cantilevered residential heliostat takes shape in Sydney A major urban redevelopment is taking place in Sydney, Australia, as it attempts to become one of the word's most liveable green cities within a 20-year time-frame as part of the "Sustainable Sydney 2030" vision. One remarkable inner city project passed a major milestone this month as part of its contribution to the eco plan. The development, named "One Central Park," had its 110-tonne steel heliostat frame hoisted into place during the early hours of February 1st. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Chevrolet announces 2014 Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel Chevrolet will be rolling out a new diesel variant of its Chevrolet Cruze for the 2014 model year. The Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel will come with a 2.0l turbocharged engine, which delivers 148 hp (110.36 kW) and 258 lb-ft (347 Nm) of torque. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Human embryonic stem cells arranged using 3D printing technique Already revolutionizing manufacturing, 3D printing technology also promises to revolutionize the field of biotechnology. While scientists have previously had success in 3D printing a range of human stem cell cultures developed from bone marrow or skin cells, a team from Scotland's Heriot-Watt University claims to be the first to print the more delicate, yet more flexible, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). As well as allowing the use of stem cells grown from established cell lines, the technology could enable the creation of improved human tissue models for drug testing and potentially even purpose-built replacement organs. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Pressure-sensing surgical handle lights up like a real-life game of Operation New technology may be ushering in the age of robotic surgery, but there is still a role for cutting-edge electronics to play in augmenting a surgeon's natural talents. The latest example of this comes from Germany, where researchers have proposed a way for doctors to operate using their own standard instruments by developing a special handle that fits on most surgical tools and lights up to indicate when enough pressure has been used during a procedure. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile VuPackPole gives actioncam-users new perspectives Although it may seem like it was just yesterday that actioncams came into common use, already people are getting frustrated with the limitations of the "here's what I was looking at" viewpoint. Thanks to innovations such as the 3rd Person View, BoomPro and GO360, however, adventurous videographers can now include themselves in their self-shot videos. One of the latest such camera-on-a-stick gadgets is the backpack-mounted VuPackPole. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Rollersafe rollerskis incorporate wireless disc brakes A Norwegian designer has come up with a way of making asphalt-based exercise a little safer. His RollerSafe street skis use a wireless disc-braking system that makes it easier to control speed and come to a safe stop. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile PureMadi filters clean water and create jobs in the third world Silver is known for its antibacterial qualities, and has thus found its way into water filters created at institutions such as Stanford and McGill universities. Given that these filters are often used in developing nations, however, it would be nice if they could also contribute to the local economy – instead of being just one more thing that's brought in from outside. Well, that's just the idea behind the University of Virginia's PureMadi filters and MadiDrops. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Wingman bag keeps bike commuters' work clothes neat and wrinkle-free Bicycle commuting is one of those things that sounds like a universally great idea up until you actually try it. Nothing will start the day off on the wrong foot like showing up 20 minutes late (you may not be in as good of shape as you thought), dripping in sweat and pothole water. But, hey, at least you get to brag about being green. The Henty Wingman aims to make the practice of bicycle commuting as great as the concept, by keeping your suit dry, free from sweat and road grit, and looking like it just popped out of the dry cleaning plastic. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Barbie is on tech/fashion trend with LED dress Say what you like about Barbie, but she knows her gadgets almost as well as she knows fashion. She's been a computer engineer, had a video camera implant and worn a T-shirt with a built-in LCD screen. Now with the launch of Barbie Digital Dress, she's shown she's once again on-trend (in both technology and fashion) by showing off an LED touch-sensitive dress. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Wayki combines two of your favorite things – a toothbrush and an alarm clock Whether it's smartphones, cameras or MP3 players, it probably goes without saying that most consumer electronics are designed for maximum user convenience ... that doesn't always end up being the case, but it is at least the intention. The Wayki is somewhat unique, however, in that it's specifically designed to force the user into doing two things that they'd rather put off: getting out of bed, and brushing their teeth. That's right, it's a combination alarm clock and toothbrush. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Terrarium Desk brings the outdoors indoors Working exclusively indoors obviously has its advantages, but it isn't completely free of annoying issues. During the winter months especially, the lack of sunlight and absence of nature can have a depressing effect. One solution may be to bring the outdoors indoors, which is exactly what Daniel Zeller has tried to achieve with his Terrarium Desk. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Simple, portable test developed for detecting mercury content in water Researchers at the University of Burgos in Spain have developed a portable and inexpensive new method of detecting levels of mercury in water. The simple test uses a sheet that changes color when inserted into mercury-contaminated water, with results visible to the naked eye. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile Pop-Up Office re-invents the workplace with reclaimed pallets Thanks to the prevalence of powerful laptops and cloud-based infrastructure, dreary office cubicles can increasingly be jettisoned in favor of dynamic spaces which encourage collaboration and innovation. The Pop-Up Office installation by Dubbeldam Architecture and Design is an example of this, delivering an office space concept which seeks to re-invent the workspace for the Post-PC era using reclaimed wooden pallets. Read on Desktop or Read on Mobile You are receiving this email because you signed up for our daily newsletter at http://www.gizmag.com. If you would like to switch to our weekly newsletter, click here If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter please click here to unsubscribe. COPYRIGHT GIZMAG (C) 2013