Inside one of the world's most advanced supercomputers
The Swiss city of Lugano is home to one of the world's most advanced supercomputers. BBC Tech Now visits a centre with the latest generation of high-performance computing to understand how the technology stays cool.
This video is from Tech Now, the BBC's flagship technology programme.
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Daily Mail
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
TSA reveals futuristic virtual reality technology for airport security checkpoints
The TSA is developing a high-tech tool that could revolutionize airport security: pat-downs using virtual reality gear that let agents 'feel' for threats - without ever laying a finger on passengers. The concept, called the Wearable Sensor for Contactless Physical Assessment (WSCPA), is still in early development. If approved, it would allow officers to employ VR headsets, haptic gloves, and touchless sensors to simulate the feeling of touch - helping them identify hidden objects without intruding on a passenger's personal space. 'The innovation uses touchless sensors to register the object's contours and generate feedback to physically replicate the target object,' according to a Department of Homeland Security overview of the project. 'It enables physical sensation and assessment without direct contact.' Here's how it works: The WSCPA system scans the body using advanced imaging methods like millimeter wave, LiDAR, or backscatter X-ray. That information is turned into a 'contour map' of the object or body part being examined. This map is relayed to the glove, where haptic feedback - subtle vibrations or pressure - mimics the sensation of touching the mapped area in real time. 'A user fits the device over their hand. When the touchless sensors in the device are within range of the targeted object, the sensors in the pad detect the target object's contours to produce sensor data,' the DHS said. The TSA is developing a futuristic screening device called the Wearable Sensor for Contactless Physical Assessment (WSCPA) that would allow agents to perform virtual pat-downs without physical contact Pictured: Sketch of the proposed product found in its' US Patent Application 'The contour detection data runs through a mapping algorithm... then relayed to the back surface that contacts the user's hand through haptic feedback.' The result is a virtual pat-down that still allows for a physical assessment - but one that's private, contactless, and more dignified for passengers. DHS describes several key advantages to the system, including the ability to 'preserve privacy during body scanning and pat-down screening,' 'elevate user safety when assessing a potentially dangerous object,' and 'enhance situational awareness for visually impaired individuals.' Beyond transportation security, DHS suggests the device could eventually be adapted for medical exams, visual assistance tools, and immersive educational programs. The project is being led by TSA researcher William Hastings, and the DHS's Office of Industry Partnerships is currently seeking commercial partners to help advance the technology. It's being offered for licensing through the agency's Technology Transfer and Commercialization Branch (T2C). The technology is currently in the 'conceptual' phase, according to DHS, but it is protected under a U.S. Patent Application. Illustrations included in the patent show a user strapping the device to their hand and holding it near a body part or object to conduct a contactless assessment - a process that could one day replace the standard pat-down at TSA checkpoints. The device is still in the conceptual stage but is being offered for commercial licensing If fully realized, the WSCPA system could offer a more respectful and streamlined experience for passengers while maintaining the effectiveness of airport security protocols. Instead of being physically searched, travelers might one day be assessed by an officer using what amounts to virtual fingertips - all powered by sensors and simulation. While it may sound futuristic, the TSA is actively exploring ways to bring this technology to life, signaling a broader shift toward noninvasive, tech-driven screening methods. As DHS puts it, the WSCPA could provide 'realistic virtual reality immersion' while remaining 'handheld and portable for use in small spaces.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Sky Q replacement update as new £6 a month TV service is launched to lure satellite viewers
IT'S taking Sky "much longer" than the company originally expected to shift satellite fans to streaming, a TV expert has revealed. Sky has been pushing ahead with TV that relies on the internet instead of a satellite dish since 2021. 1 Next week, yet another Sky Glass model goes on sale, while the beloved Sky Q satellite box hasn't seen a hardware update since 2016. Sky Glass Air is a thinner model without the built in soundbar that's cheaper than the previous models, in a bid to win people over. The firm says 90 per cent of new customers opt for Sky Glass or Sky Stream - but winning over Sky Q loyalists seems to be tricky. Paolo Pescatore, an expert for PP Foresight, previously told The Sun it is "highly unlikely" Sky will ever release a new satellite box. In an update, he says the arrival of a more affordable slimmer model "should strongly resonate with customers" but it "does show a clear razor sharp focus on new sales". "The majority of its existing subscribers are still on the tried and trusted Sky Q platform which relies on a satellite dish," he explained. "Converting this base is taking the company much longer than it originally expected. "On this basis Sky Glass has not been as successful as the company had anticipated. "Despite this, the move in general made sense given the direction of travel with what I'm calling the big TV switch off; likely to happen now in the 2030s and to defend against the rise and threat of streamers by allowing Sky to control the experience and manage customer relationships which it has successfully been able to do. "Also and more importantly, it has allowed Sky to secure retail distribution agreements for products like Sky Stream with others." Discover new features on Sky TV that make it even easier to find favourite shows He warned Sky is still "hugely reliant" on its core and lucrative Sky Q base which it "must avoid upsetting as there are a slew of cheaper alternative TV platforms and services in the market". Last year, Sky signed a contract extension with satellite operator SES that takes the service up to 2029. Sky Q's biggest difference is its ability to record on a box, whereas on Sky Glass it's recorded to the cloud. This means on Sky Q you will always have something to watch if there's ever an outage. And a limited number of programmes and movies can't be recorded to the cloud because of rights issues - whereas on Sky Q you can record what you want. The upside of Sky Glass and Sky Stream recording is that there is no storage limit unlike Sky Q. MY THOUGHTS ON SKY GLASS GEN 2 By Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun Sky Glass Gen 2 successfully improves from the previous model in three key areas: visuals, audio and set-up (I can't tell you enough how much easier it is to assemble that stand plate). The same wonderfully easy user interface continues to get better and better - not to mention Sky's unmatched content. But it's really not necessary or enough for users of the first Sky Glass to upgrade to this new model. Instead, this is very much aimed at those new to Sky Glass. I can't see many Sky Q subscribers being swayed due to the recording storage differences, among other things. Make no mistake - while Sky has assured that it is still committed to Sky Q, streaming is very much the future and will get the lion's share of new features in the years to come.
Auto Blog
2 hours ago
- Auto Blog
Mate Rimac Plans BMW E30 V10 Restomod, But Not Anytime Soon
It all started with an E30 BMW, and now the electric entrepreneur wants to shove a gas V10 into it. Electric Hypercar CEO Still Has a Soft Spot for the E30 Mate Rimac's path to fame and electric hypercardom started as a teenager racing an E30 BMW 3 Series, and it's been quite the story to follow. His Concept One electric supercar first put him into the international spotlight, and the current-day Nevera hypercar has set many records in its wake. But his love for the E30 has remained strong, and his ultimate E30 restomod isn't an electric one, but a V10-powered beast. All Roads Lead To E30 When the engine of the E30 BMW he raced blew up, he converted the gas powertrain to an electric one in 2008 when he was barely 20 years old. He founded the Rimac Group, and now he's also the CEO of Bugatti Rimac. His meteoric rise to stardom makes him one of the preeminent people in the automotive industry at only 37 years of age. Yet, it seems, his love affair with the E30 has not dimmed one bit. Why Rimac's Personal E30 M3 Is Too Rare to Modify Mate owns a 1990 E30 M3 Evolution III, one of only 600 cars made, and one of the rarest and most special E30s ever, right up there with the highly collectible M30-powered South African 333i, of which only a little over 200 were ever made. The Rimac boss is unlikely to molest his pristine M3, so his V10 engine will likely be shoved into a dedicated project car. He's been tight-lipped about exactly what engine the V10 will be, though. Surely the high-revving S85B50 found in the E60 M5 and E63 M6 will satisfy the requirements for a lightweight NA V10, while keeping it all nicely BMW in the process? We can't be sure, but it would make the most sense. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Rimac Says Restomod Will Have to Wait While the internet is getting all riled up about Mate Rimac's V10 E30, let us remind you that it's just an idea in his mind right now. He is preoccupied with running his automotive empire and possibly expanding into robotaxis, so there's hardly a spare minute to spend on painstakingly constructing an epic BMW restomod. He sees it as little more than a retirement project at the moment, so we might be in for a long wait. About the Author Cobus F. Potgieter View Profile
