Speranza IIT Delhi

Annual socio-welfare fest of IIT Delhi.
For more info visit:- Speranza IIT Delhi or
www.speranza-iitd.com

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Honda demonstrates new technology to prevent cars hitting pedestrians

(Phys.org) —Honda Motor Company Ltd has
posted a video on its website demonstrating
new technology it's developing to help prevent
cars from running into pedestrians. Based on
already existing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V)
network technology, the system called by
Honda an advanced vehicle-to-pedestrian
(V2P) safety system aims to warn both drivers
and pedestrians carrying smartphones of a
possible collision.
V2P, like V2V uses the Dedicated Short Range
Communications (DSRC) protocol as a means
of communication. It's implemented in
hardware being developed by Honda. In
essence it's an automatic system of broadcast
and receiving of information pertinent to
drivers and pedestrians. The hardware carried
by the pedestrian is embedded in a
smartphone and constantly monitors the
position of the person holding the phone
(using already embedded GPS and
accelerometer) and the direction they are
heading. Similarly, technology embedded in a
car notes the location of the car, its direction
and speed—all while continuously listening for
broadcast information from devices held by
pedestrians. A computer in the car
constantly analyses all of the available
information and constructs virtual scenarios
in real-time. When the system projects that a
pedestrian is about to cross the path of the
moving vehicle, a warning is flashed on a
heads-up display device in the vehicle—a
message is also sent to the pedestrian—that
message information is converted to a sound
similar to the noise a truck makes when
backing up and a warning message that is
displayed on the phone's screen.
Honda says that the technology can also let
drivers know if the pedestrian is listening to
music, talking on their phone or texting—all
indications that the person is likely not paying
full attention to his or her real-world
surroundings. Also, they say the technology
can be useful in multiple scenarios such as
when an approaching pedestrian is hidden by
other vehicles or when a car is backing up.
They also report that they are developing
similar technology for cars and motorcycles,
warning both of the possibility of a collision.
Honda Demonstrates Advanced Vehicle-to-
Pedestrian and Vehicle-to-Motorcycle Safety
Technologies. Credit: Honda
Other companies such as General Motors have
also announced plans for implementing such
systems in cars in the near future. Most such
ventures are a part of single initiative being
driven by the U.S. Department of
Transportation. If the technology proves
capable of saving lives, the DoT might insist
that all cars sold in this country be equipped
with such a system, provided they can get
smartphone makers to opt in as well.

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Intel readying to take on Kinect with 3D depth cameras

(Phys.org) —Anil Nanduri, director of
perceptual products and solutions at Intel has
revealed to IDG News that the company is
hard at work developing camera systems that
will not only replicate what users have come
to expect from products like Microsoft Kinect,
but will surpass them in ways that until now
have only been seen in science fiction movies.
He says new 3D camera systems will be
geared towards people and objects that are
much closer, and because of that will be able
to recognize much more detailed
characteristics of objects they see.
One example, Nanduri mentions is the ability
to track eye movements as someone reads a
page. A camera would be mounted on a
computer, for example, or handheld device
and operate while someone—such as a child—
reads, which could be useful in helping them
learn to read. Perhaps more eerie would be
the ability to match facial expressions while
a person is looking at their computer with a
database of known expressions, allowing the
device to recognize mood. Mood recognition
could of course be handy in helping people
communicate better online, or more
insidiously, by marketers looking to take
advantage of particular yearnings. Less
ominous, Nanduri says, would be software to
monitor mood while people watch movies,
engage with immersive video games or
interact with other entertainment systems
to help suggest options in the future. He also
said that the devices being developed by Intel
will provide far more 3D data than current
cameras systems which means they could also
be used to create virtual objects for use in
3D printing.
Intel doesn't have such a camera ready just
yet, but Nanduri says some stand-alone
models should be ready over the next few
quarters and then be embedded in other
devices shortly thereafter. Thus, unlike
Microsoft with its Kinect device, Intel is
clearly looking to create futuristic cameras
for general use in virtually any and all
devices, hopefully making them as ubiquitous
as webcams.
To reach that goal, it appears as though Intel
is planning to team up with already
established peripheral makers—
representatives from Intel have already
announced partnerships with other companies
such as the soon to be released Senz3D
external webcam that was jointly developed
with Logitech.

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Japan's maglev train runs test at over 310 mph

(Phys.org) —Moving toward its goal of
building a high-speed magnetic levitation
(maglev) train line between Tokyo and Osaka,
Central Japan Railway Co has resumed testing
of its L0 (L Zero) train—demonstrating speeds
just above 310 miles per hour (500 km per
hour). That makes it the longest and fastest
maglev train in the world.
Maglev trains are able to travel very fast all
while using less energy than conventional
trains because they allow the train to ride on
a cushion of air—friction from the wheels on
the track is eliminated. Most in the field
expect they will require less maintenance
costs as well. But what's still not clear is if
the lower operating costs will make up for the
dramatically greater installation cost. The line
between Tokyo and Osaka is expected to cost
approximately $90 billion and it won't be
completed until 2045 (an initial line is
expected to begin operating between Tokyo
and Nagoya in 2027 reducing travel time from
95 to 40 minutes).
In the test, a five car train carrying reporters
made its way around a 26.6-mile track in
approximately nine minutes. Riders were able
to track their speed via overhead video
screens. Those onboard reported a smooth,
reasonably quiet ride. Those witnessing the
test standing near the track, on the other
hand, reported feeling a shockwave and a
deafening noise as the train passed. It's that
second group that has the train developers
worried—before track can be laid, the train
must pass environmental impact studies.
The train does have wheels—it rides on them
when the train is at low speed—then rises up
above the track when it reaches
approximately 93 mph. On the test run, the
train reached its peak speed just three miles
into the trip, which would suggest riders
would feel pushed back into their seats, but
those on board reported no such sensation.
The test run also marked the resumption of
testing after the track was made longer. Also,
by bringing reporters aboard for the initial
trial, the train's developers expressed their
confidence in the train's performance, it's
suitability as a mode of mass transportation
and it's safety. Passengers were allowed to
move about the rail cars during all parts of
the trip. And though much of the trip
occurred underground, they also reported
that looking out the window when
aboveground offered little more than blurs
for landscapes near the train, but beautiful
imagery of more distant objects as the train
sped along.

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Restoration of GSLV-D5 Mission

The launch of GSLV-D5 (with Indian Cryogenic
Stage), scheduled for 1650 hrs on August 19,
2013, had to be called off due to a leak
observed in the UH25 Fuel system of the
Liquid Second Stage, during the last lap of the
countdown. At the time of calling off the
Countdown, the GSLV Vehicle was loaded with
210 tons of liquid and cryogenic propellants.
About 750 kg of UH25 Fuel had leaked out,
leading to contamination of the area around
the launch pad. It took 6 days of round-the-
clock operations before the contamination
could be reduced to the safe level to enable
movement of the GSLV-D5 back to the Vehicle
Assembly Building. The GSLV-D5 Launch

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India's Advanced Communication Satellite GSAT-7 Launched Successfully

India's advanced multi-band communication
satellite, GSAT-7, was successfully launched at
0200 hrs IST today (August 30, 2013) by the
Ariane-5 launch vehicle of Arianespace from
Kourou, French Guiana. Ariane-5 precisely
placed GSAT-7 into the intended
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) after a
flight of 34 minutes 25 seconds duration.
As planned, ISRO's Master Control Facility
(MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka started acquiring
the signals five minutes prior to the separation
of GSAT-7 from Ariane-5 launch vehicle. The
solar panels of the satellite have been

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IIT Delhi Director R K Shevgaonkar & his students' proud moment

battery-operated wheelchair that helps the
physically-challenged use western toilets, a
biochip that tests milk for pesticide residue,
nanotechnology that keeps garments fresh and
anti-microbial even when one is sweating. The
unique models that the students of IIT-Delhi
showcased at their annual innovation fest,
i2Tech 2013 Open House, in April this year are
ample proof of the innovation encouraged at
the premier institute that has given it a sharp
edge over others. As the IITS monopolise the
top five positions in the India Today-Nielsen
Best Colleges survey this year, IITDelhi
wrenches the first spot from IITKanpur after
three years.
While IIT-Delhi has always been known for its
B.Tech courses, the major focus now is on
research, development and innovation. Last
year, the institute gave close to Rs. 45 crore to
the faculty through internal funding for
advanced research."We want our institute to
be just as famous for its research as it is for
undergraduate studies," says IIT-Delhi Director
R.K. Shevgaonkar. "We awarded 200 PhD
degrees and produced 2,000 research papers
in the last year."
A centre for design and innovation is also
being set up and the institute has plans to start
a policy study programme from the next
academic year. "The course will focus on
research related to policies in different sectors
such as telecom, energy and so on," says S.K.
Kaul, deputy director, strategy and planning.
IIT Delhi is also planning to introduce a core
programme for all engineering students from
this year. Under this, all students irrespective
of their branch of study, would learn the same
subjects in the first year, some of which would
spill into the second year. Not only would a
common grounding in basic subjects provide
for a broad-based education, it would also
help the college implement a more ambitious
plan in a year's time-to allow students to
change their branches, if they want to, at the
end of first year. So far, the branches have
been strictly defined on the basis of JEE
rankings, which may not match a student's
interest. When it comes to placements, few can
beat IIT-Delhi. "Close to 324 companies
offered jobs to 770 students in 2012-13," says
Kaul.
The average salary package was Rs.8.5 lakh per
annum. The remaining 81 students either went
off to pursue higher studies or bagged jobs off
the campus. For an institute that places such a
high premium on the holistic development of
students, it is not surprising that IIT-Delhi
graduates are much in demand.

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