World’s fastest running two-legged robot

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MABEL is a robot in a University of Michigan lab can run like a human.  That is  a feat that represents the height of agility and efficiency for a two-legged machine. MABEL is believed to be the world’s fastest bipedal robot with knees with a peak pace of 6.8 miles per hour.

 

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Top 10 best small towns in America 2011

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Louisville, Colorado, home of the DaVinci Institute, has been
ranked No. 1 as the best small city in America.

In the minds of most people the phrase “small town” conjures up images of happier times.When the economy wasn’t in the current state it is now. When unemployment wasn’t above 9%. When people didn’t stress out about home values. When school budgets weren’t under siege. Those were the days, right?

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Renewable Energy consumption tops nuclear for first time

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According to a new report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the consumption of engery from renewable sources recently topped both the current and the historical consumption levels for nuclear energy. The shift was immediately caused by nuclear outages that coincided with the high-water season for hydropower generation.

But there’s a long-term upward trend in renewables which can be seen here, too, thanks to the increased consumption of biofuels and wind capacity additions…

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Five little-known inventions from deceased robot maker George C. Devol

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How many of his inventions can you name?

George Devol (above right) died last week at his home in Connecticut. He invented the Unimate, the first programmable Industrial Robot. But his creative genius did not stop there. Check out these five little-known inventions developed during his long career…

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China’s one-child policy a boon for Chinese girls

Girls in China

Two girls practice handstands before a diving training session at the centre of China’s State Physical Training Administration.

Mia Wang, a freshman at Tsinghua University has confidence to spare.  Asked what her home city of Benxi in China’s far northeastern tip is famous for, she flashes a cool smile and says: “Producing excellence. Like me.”

 

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83% of American adults own cell phones

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A third of American adults own smartphones.

83% of American adults own some kind of cell phone.  Cell phones have become a near-ubiquitous tool for information seeking and communicating and these devices have an impact on many aspects of their owners’ daily lives. In a nationally representative telephone survey, the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project found that, during the 30 days preceding the interview:

 

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Discover the Hidden Patterns of Tomorrow with Futurist Thomas Frey
Unlock Your Potential, Ignite Your Success.

By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.

Learn More about this exciting program.