Representatives from the UAE University and IBM Middle East have demonstrated the prototype of the world’s first car safety device that can send alerts to the driver via voice technology whenever the vehicle is passing the speed limit of a particular street. With advanced tracking and monitoring capabilities, the new “Smart Box” can also be integrated with the local traffic department to issue speeding tickets after several “voice” warnings.
The Smart Box project is a venture between the UAE University and IBM’s Engineering and Technology Services organizations. Similar to the so-called black box found in aircraft, the device can capture, analyze and deliver data via a wireless network. It is equipped with embedded computing power and integrates GSM/GPRS functionality, combined with GPS and voice recognition systems into the vehicle’s systems and environment for intelligent connectivity.
Since the announcement of the Smart Box project in May this year, the team from IBM and the UAE University ’s College of IT has been working on the first prototype which incorporates the speed control mechanism. Other aspects of development include:
• Safety Zone: These applications will increase the safety of the driver and the vehicle. They include tracking and monitoring speeding violations, driving violations, reckless driving, car theft, as well as providing emergency services and anti-theft measures.
• Comfort Zone: These applications will enhance the driver and passenger’s experience. They include route finder, traffic control, infotainment and location-based services.
• Maintenance Zone: These applications will improve vehicle maintenance through advanced automobile diagnostics capabilities, technical updates, vehicle maintenance, as well as remote monitoring and repair.
• Efficiency Zone: These applications will optimize resources such as integrating vehicle location with job requirements, fuel consumption, mileage information, driving hours and vehicle condition to maximize efficiency.
SanDisk Pumps Up Capacity
SanDisk has quadrupled the capacity of its high-speed SanDisk Ultra II line of flash memory cards that includes the development of a new 8GB CompactFlash Type I card. The top-end SanDisk Ultra II Memory Stick PRO and SD cards now boast 4GB and 2GB of capacity respectively. Each SanDisk Ultra II card features a minimum write speed of 9MB per second (MB/sec) and a minimum read speed of 10MB/sec. The Ultra II cards are primarily targeted at serious photographers with 4-megapixel or higher resolution digital cameras that require fast, high capacity digital film cards to quickly shoot many high resolution images.
The SanDisk Ultra II product line is available in CompactFlash, Memory Stick PRO and SD formats. Suggested retail prices and availability are: Ultra II CF 256MB-2GB $49.99-$249.99; 4GB-$479.99; 8GB (November) $959.99. Ultra II MS PRO 256MB-1GB $74.99-$249.99; 2GB-4GB (November) $479.99-$959.99. Ultra II SD 256MB-512MB $64.99-$89.99; 1GB-2GB (November) $119.99-$239.99.
Western Digital Introduces WD Scorpio
Addressing a large and fast-growing segment of the storage industry and demand for notebook-class hard drives from independent, high-volume suppliers, Western Digital (WD) has introduced its WD Scorpio high-performance, low-power 2.5-inch hard drive for notebooks and other portable digital devices.
The WD Scorpio delivers fast 5,400 RPM spin speed and 12 ms seek time, yet operates with power requirements comparable to 4,200 RPM drives, yielding lower power consumption for longer battery life and increased long-term reliability.
WD’s exclusive WhisperDrive technology with SoftSeek algorithms helps make WD Scorpio the quietest 2.5 inch drive available on the market regardless of spin speed. Leading-edge ShockGuard technology combines firmware and hardware advancements to protect the drive mechanics and delicate platter surface to meet the highest combined shock tolerance specifications (250 Gs while in operation, 900 Gs while idle) of any 2.5-inch drive its class.
Additional shock protection by locking the heads of the disk is provided with DuraStep Ramp, which uses the most technologically advanced material available on the market to allow the drive to execute a minimum of 600,000 load/unload cycles without contamination. A rigid stainless steel cover withstands greater than 5 pounds of pressure — nearly 1.5 times the industry average without pinching the motor hub or other internal components.
WD Scorpio mobile hard drives are offered in capacities of 40, 60 and 80 GB and feature standard 2MB cache and optional 8MB cache, EIDE interface, and a three-year warranty.