Open Source Hardware

When we hear about the open source movement we only think of software, but what about hardware? Well, in the last few years a growing community has been working in applying the open source’s principles to hardware. In February 2011, the official Statement of Principles and Definition (version 1.0) of the Open Source Hardware (OSHW) was released. This definition states that “Open Source Hardware (OSHW) is a term for tangible artifacts – machines, devices, or other physical things – whose design has been released to the public in such a way that anyone can make, modify, distribute, and use those things.”

Microchip and Texas Instrument's Development kits for Android

Texas Instrument and Microchip offer two different options for those who are interested in developing electronic solutions based on Android OS.

Texas Instrument has launched the AM/DM37x Evaluation module which allows developers to start evaluating AM37x or DM37x processors. The evaluation module includes a DM3730 processor, 800-MHz DSP processor with IVA video accelerator, 256MB MDDR/512 MB NAND, onboard chip antenna, 3.7” LCD touch screen, Ethernet, Wireless, Bluetooth, USB ports, keyboard, and SD card reader. The kit also includes a universal power supply, and 4GB SD card.

Evolta’s Challenge 2011: The Hawaii Ironman Triathlon

Panasonic has recently announced the new challenge for its batteries’ mascot Evolta robot. This is the fourth challenge for the small robot. The first took place in 2008, when the robot climbed a 530-meters high cliff in Grand Canyon. In 2009, it ran the LeMans Circuit in France during 24 hours, and in 2010, it walked throughout the Tokaido road in 49 days. This year, Evolta will race the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon.

GRAIL mission will map Moon's gravitational field

The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory better known as GRAIL is the next lunar exploration mission. The objective of this mission is to obtain a very precise map of the Moon's gravitational field, and based on this information determine the Moon's interior structure, composition, and understand its thermal evolution. To achieve this goal two spacecraft will be placed in the same orbit around the Moon. The probes will sense the relative distance between them, while they fly over the satellite's surface. The variations in measurements will be caused by the different levels of gravity. This data will be transmitted to Earth were scientists will translate all this information into a “high-resolution map”.