Zübeyde Hanım - museum ship

In the Izmir harbor, we discovered this floating museum, Zübeyde Hanım, with a focus on rescue ships and some of the earlier technology used on them.

Model of a rescue ship

Zübeyde Hanım 

Zübeyde Hanım Training and Exhibition Vessel

Tube radio

Ohmmeter

Amp meter

The helm

Engine order telegraph

Typewriter - note the most worn keys are AZERI. This is not the standard Turkish Q or Turkish F keyboard layout.

Lanterns and compasses

Lanterns, compasses, and megaphones

Calipers

Flare guns

Admiral Piri Reis Map (1531)

Electron lamps

Medical instruments

Impressive braking system

Volvo Trucks is introducing a collision warning with emergency brake system.

If the system detects an imminent collision situation it will alert the driver and if there is no response automatically apply the emergency brakes to avoid a crash. It combines a radar and a camera that work together to identify and monitor vehicles in front. The system is designed to deal with both stationary and moving vehicles and can prevent a collision with a moving target at relative speeds of up to 70 km/h. When the system detects a vehicle that the truck will hit at its current speed, the warning system activates a constant red light in the windscreen in order to bring the driver's attention back to the road.

If the truck fails to detect any reaction from the driver, such as steering or braking, the system upgrades to a flashing red light and a beeping sound. If there is still no reaction, the system applies the brakes gently. When all this fails, the system activates the emergency braking system and does everything possible to bring the truck to a complete stop.



Further info on Volvo Trucks website.

Live Flight Tracking

A Massey University alumnus, James McCarthy has invented an aircraft locator system that tracks flights in real-time. Called Spider, the portable device that plugs into a lighter socket, relays the aircraft’s GPS position to the internet through an Iridium satellite network modem.

In the event of crash, the impact can cause standard locator devices to fail, minimizing the chances of rescue. Powering on at take-off, the Spider sends its location every two minutes - a more effective system for not just aircraft, but usable in vehicles and boats too.

See the SpiderTracks website for more info.

Electric Extinguisher

Zapping out a fire with blasts of electricity is one of the latest discoveries in firefighting. Scientists at Harvard University observing how electric fields interact with flames have discovered a way to direct an amplified electrical "beam" to snuff out fires. Read the full story at ACS Chemistry for Life.

HeroRat

An amazing project that uses the incredible sense of smell that rats have for mine and tuberculosis detection.

Learn more about the awesome sniffer rats at HeroRat.

Emergency rope

If you are ever stuck in a MacGyver situation where you need a rope and your shoelaces are just not long enough, here are some handy wearable gadgets that might help your survival.

Survival Straps - Paracord Survival Bracelets, Lanyards, Belts and Accessories... Be Prepared!

As seen on Springwise: Promising new business ideas for entrepreneurial minds

Cloudburst - aerial firefighting gadget

IMS Ltd » Cloudburst
One of the MuzGadget brothers recently did some video work for the company making this helicopter fire fighting gadget.

[Edit 13 April 2019. Images and video freshened to replace broken links]

Personal locator beacon next must-have gadget

NZPA reported today about a Hastings, New Zealand man who was rescued from a tramping accident after activating a personal locator beacon (PLB). The 406 MHz PLB cost a few hundred dollars and is a "pretty cheap form of life insurance". When one of these beacons are activated, they send a signal to the Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCCNZ) with the owners location and identification.

See our earlier post about Gadgets to the rescue.

Random gadget

There is a gadget on my desk I've not used all that much but is is quite useful and cleverly designed. It is a NeoBeam torch. I got it free with some diskettes years ago.

It looks like an ordinary penlite torch but what makes this especially clever is the spare bulb that is included inside the bottom of the torch and that you switch it on by twisting the top, which also changes the angle of the beam. It has a rugged metal construction and is the sort of torch that will probably last forever. There is a big clip on it for connecting to belt loops etc.

Gadgets to the rescue

iPod saves a soldier's life
Lost hikers saved when sun revived their mobile phone