electronics and gadgets

Researchers at Chiba University, Japan, have developed a flying robot that flap its wings 30 times a second, just like a real humming bird.

Hiroshi Ryu, one of the researchers at the University, said the humming bird robot is equipped with a micro motor and four wings, which enable it to freely in mid-air with rapid wing movements. The 2.6gm robot is controlled with an infrared sensor and can turn up, down, right or left. Developed at a cost of $2.1 million, it could be used to rescue people trapped in destroyed buildings, search for criminals or even probe in mars. The researchers also plans to equip the robot with a mini camera by march 2011.

Electronic security for homes is fast catching up in India. With either the elderly or kids alone at home while you are away at work, it is essential for you to have proper surveillance system in place at home. A variety of security systems are available right from simple intrusion detector panels to intelligent remote monitoring systems. These include intruder alarm systems, auto dialers, doorphones, electronic looks, remote panic alarms and video surveillance systems.

Security systems can also be integrated with home automation features. Various residential builders are already offering home automation and security together as an add-on feature for their clients. If you are planning to install, you can choose between wired and wireless security systems. Both types can be further divided into user friendly and high end programmable systems. Here’s the way to go for an ideal security system for your home.

Home security systems can be centered around an alarm, a system of intercoms, locking systems or video cameras. Determine the needs of your home depending on the surrounding environment.

Intrusion alarm system. Alarms can be either silent or very loud. A loud alarm will either frighten the intruder away or alert the neighbours that someone is trying to invade your house. Alarms fitted into the door sound right at the point of entry. Others can be connected to a central control pad, which sounds if any point of entry is breached.

Generally an intrusion alarm systems has different sensors, magnetic contacts, hooters etc,.. linked to a control panel. An auto dialer with prerecorded message can also be integrated, which will automatically dial the fed numbers and leave emergency message. With this feature, if someone intrudes your home the security systems will call the police directly to inform them.

While selecting a warning alarm system, ensure that,
1. It doesn’t produce false alarm.
2. It has enough battery backup to meet unpredictable power conditions.
3. It is user friendly with minimal and easy controls.
4. If sensors like PIR are used, it must be EMI/RFI protected.
5. Magnetic sensors are easy to align.
6. The sound output is above 105dB at 1 metre.