Tag Archive for: How To Kill An Hour

CUE3: RECORD-BREAKING BASKETBALL ROBOT

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Well, looks like Steph Curry better watch out! A record breaking basketball playing robot named CUE3, has been birthed by a team of Toyota Engineers. How good is it? Well it can land a free shot, perfectly hitting the target, more than 2,000 times in a row.

It originally was a spare time project, designed to demonstrate the potential of robotics and artificial intelligence. It may display some incredible sporting ability and accuracy. However, the same technical innovation is being applied to Toyota to create robots which help. Helping the injured and disabled rehab in their day to day lives at home.

CUE3, is as the name suggests, the teams third iteration of the concept. It was revealed at a pro-basketball match in Japan earlier this year. It stands 6ft 10″ tall and wears the #93 vest.  A simple video of the robot landing a centre line, took the web by storm. As it was so popular online, the team bidded to set a Guinness World Record. A record for the most consecutive basketball free throws by a humanoid robot.

Earlier versions of CUE3 were unsuitable for such record attempts. Mainly due to the fact it took up to 3mins to reset the machine after each shot. The team got to work and 5months later CUE3 made the record bid a realistic possibility.

Not settling for 5 successive shots that were needed to set the record, the team wanted more! However, they were a little unsure of how much repeated movement would affect the robot. Plus the air pressure in the balls and the angle of the hoop also needed to be accounted for. Plus they also had to retrieve the ball and place it accurately in CUE3’s hands for the robot to be able to pot successfully.

CUE3 Completing The Task

CUE3 landed 5 shots with easy. Then 200. 3 hours later that number was set at 1,000. That’s 1 every 12 seconds. The team stopped at 2,020 shots. The same number of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics date. It accomplished this feat in 6hrs and 35mins.

“For the record attempt, we remained members of Toyota, but also collaborated with a professional sports team to embark on a challenge no one else had undertaken. We would be delighted if as many people as possible developed an interest in basketball, robots and manufacturing as a result of watching our efforts.” – Project leader Tomohiro Nomi

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The CUE team are now looking to take part in an all-stars match in January 2020, which could see CUE3 evolving yet again.

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The Switch – LaunchPod 2019

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Launched by podcasting heavyweights Acast and audio production giants WiseBuddah, Launchpod aims to find the UK’s next hottest podcast! Our very own Marcus Bronzy is on the LaunchPod shortlist for his Podcast ‘The Switch”

For all those who were eagerly awaiting hearing something from new from our Marcus, can do so RIGHT NOW! The pilot has been released for all you to get into your ear holes. Open your ears and mind to the people behind the tech that we all know and love!

Listen by clicking here!

Please review, rate 5* and subscribe, we’d love for him to win!

The Switch – Marcus Bronzy

Marcus’ podcast finds human stories in the world of technology, focusing on the people who are using tech to “switch things up” in the world we live in, and the way tech affects our everyday lives. Marcus is a TV, radio and podcast presenter and producer.

(LaunchPod)

LaunchPod’s a super cool initiative which gives people the chance to create podcasts and share them with a much wider audience with Acast/WiseBuddahs help!

So, What was the competition?

Each semi-finalist will work with Wisebuddah and Acast to produce a pilot episode.

These three pilots will be made available on Apple Podcasts, the Acast app and other podcast platforms. While listeners will vote for their favourite. The listener vote will be considered by the judges and a winner will be announced.

The winning podcaster will work with Wisebuddah to bring the first series of their production to life! They will host their podcast on Acast and receive launch, content, artwork and promotional support from the Acast team.

(LaunchPod)

Click here to read the previous post on LaunchPod

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Episode 332 Alex Manzi

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This your favourite Stranger Things Character?

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An How To Kill An Hour favorite, Stranger Things is back for a 3rd season very very soon. Our friends at musicMagpie have compiled and analysed over 64 MILLION tweets based on Stranger Things. Why? Well to discover the internet’s most favoured characters!

Stranger Things’ most talked about characters

Eleven topped the list that of characters that fans couldn’t stop talking about with a total of 1,018,636 tweets discussing the young hero. Whilst Will Byers came in second place with 794,083 mentions.

  1. Eleven – 1,018,636 mentions
  2. Will Byers – 784,083 mentions
  3. Steve Harrington – 465,510 mentions
  4. Dustin Henderson – 385,663 mentions
  5. Mike Wheeler – 358,450 mentions

Stranger Things’ most loved characters

Lucas Sinclair came out on top here with 86% of tweets about him being joyous. Closely followed by Jim Hopper with 83% joyous tweets.

  1. Lucas Sinclair – 86% joy
  2. Jim Hopper – 83% joy
  3. Steve Harrington – 81% joy
  4. Jonathan Byers – 80% joy
  5. Joyce Byers – 78% joy

Stranger Things’ most popular power couples

In the first two seasons, a number of different couples, both romantic and platonic emerged and fans were quick off the mark to get behind their favourites.

Mike and Eleven generated the most talk online, with 143,931 tweets. However, it was a bromance between Dustin and Steve in season 2 which made fans the happiest. With an incredible 94% of the tweets sent about them being joyous.

Other points….

Fans were talking about Eleven’s snack of choice a lot too. Eggos got 70,592 mentions online, Steven’s hair got a lot of talk online too, in both season 1 and 2. It got a total of 17,061 tweets whilst 82% of which were joyous.

For the full set of results click here!

Listen to the guys chatting about this by clicking here!

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Lexus Jet

Men In Black: Lexus QZ 618 Galactic Enforcer jet

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Sony Pictures’ highly anticipated Men In Black has recently premiered in New York. However, something else caught our eye, the world debut of the Lexus QZ 619 Galactic Enforcer Jet. It’s a first in Lexus’ new jet-class fleet.

Although, for now, it’s only available to Men In Black agents unfortunately. This super cool jet is powered by hybrid transformer technology. We don’t know what that is here at How To Kill An Hour, but whatever it is, it sounds cool and it sounds FAST!

So, with the push of a button the QZ 619 Galactic Enforcer Jet transforms from a 2020 Lexus RC F Sport Coupe into the worlds most powerful Identified Flying Object, an IFO. So it doesn’t get shot down, duh! However, currently it is the only Lexus available in the darkest black in the universe: Umbra Black.

“The Lexus jet reflects the future of the Lexus brand – the far, far distant future. With the most advanced alien-fighting technology, performance and sophisticated styling, it’s in a class of its own.”  Lisa Materazzo, vice president of Lexus marketing.

“The Agency” was able broker a top secret exchange of knowledge with an undisclosed alien partner. Lexus was able to secure Quasar Power Source2 Technology (QPST). That uses the power of the nearest Active Galactic Nucleus3 (AGN). To travel anywhere in the universe in seconds. Quasi-Stellar Objects4 (QSOs) are found in every galaxy that has a supermassive central black hole. So, all QPST-powered Lexus vehicles are named after black holes.5

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Men In Black, Lexus QZ 619 Galactic Enforcer Jet

Technology

  • IGPS (Inter-Galactic Positioning System)
  • Amazon Alexa* understands all seven trillion alien languages
  • Gamma ray headlamps
  • Infinite scaling technology

Performance

  • Lexus’ very latest Quasar Power Source Technology (QPST)
  • Propulsion system named after Black Hole TON 618
  • 122 MPG (Millennia Per Gallon)
  • Three driving modes: EcoDrive, SportDrive, QuantumDrive
  • 0-60 in 0.0000000000001 nanoseconds
  • Light-speed-matching capability

Comfort & Design

  • Intergalactically sourced, ethically spawned Adorian leather

Safety

  • Lexus’ latest transforming seats with a 31-point harnesses. Accommodating every body type in the universe
  • Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) with available force field technology

Styles & Packages

  • Enforcer Package
  • Everything you need to protect the earth from the scum of the universe
  • Also available in six other colors, but naturally, Lexus recommends UmbraBlack

Lexus vehicles are the official fleet of Men in Black agents globally in the film. The Lexus RC F (the US 2020 model) stars as the Men in Black agents’ vehicle of choice for their high velocity pursuits. The luxury sport coupe recently underwent an exciting change, making it faster, lighter and even more ready to transport the Men in Black as they save the universe.”The Lexus RC F sports coupe and QZ 618 Galactic Enforcer jet provide the perfect vehicles for our team of Men in Black agents as they protect the galaxy,” Jeffrey Godsick, EVP, Brand Management and Global Partnerships, Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group.

Learn more about Men In Black by clicking here!

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Maneater Shark Game

Maneater

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This game, as you’d expect, doesn’t take itself seriously and follows players as they level up a shark. Yes a shark. It’s called Maneater and it’s like a cross between Jaws and GTA.

You play as a large Bull Shark who has to fight off other sharks in the waters of the Gulf Coast. Simply eat everything in sight. You also have to look for the evil human who slayed your father. Much like in the movie JAWS, you have to terrorise coastal waterways and eat many different humans. Until you find the right on of course. The game is also open world, explore sunken wrecks, lurk in swamps and even cruise the open ocean. The game has deep stats to drive your path through the game, customise your shark and evolve different parts of your body.

We don’t know about you but this looks like tons of fun!

The game developers (TripWire) president John Gibson compared Maneater to GRA when fans were treated to some footage of this crazy RPG at E3 this year.

The Maneater Devs Explain

He explained the game as follows:

“The three words that we think sum up the game best are: eat, explore, and evolve. Pete is the best fisherman in the gulf, [and] he’ll tell you he’s the best shark fisherman. He disfigures our baby shark at the beginning of the game, and he does some really nasty things, so he’s not a very nice guy.

The story of Maneater is told through the lens of a reality show called ‘Sharkhunters versus Maneaters’. It’s like GTA if you were a shark.”

Gibson went on to explain that there are  ‘three facets’ to this shark version of an RPG game, growth, life phases and evolutions.

“Growth comes about through eating things – nutrients, people, whatever you can find. And that’s kinda like your XP in the game; that allows you to level up, your shark will grow a little bit, he’ll get more powerful. Then at key phases we call ‘life phases’, you’ll make a big jump.

As you reach these life phases, you unlock evolutions, which can be applied to parts of the shark’s body. For example, you could get metallic teeth that’ll allow you to shred boats, or a powerful tail that allows you to jump to incredible heights.

Or you could get mutated lungs that allow you to spend a little more time on the beach getting those afternoon snacks.”

The E3 2019 trailer takes players through the Gulf Coast, you’ll progress from a small baby bull shark to a full grown beast. The story? Well Scaly Pete is a Fisherman who is seeking revenge for the death of his father. You guessed it. By a HUGE shark!

(Comic Book  / LAD Bible)

Pre-Order Maneater by clicking here!

Episode 331 Ahir Shah

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Blood & Truth

Blood and Truth PSVR – Worth An Hour?

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Blood & Truth VR – Worth An Hour?

PlayStation's Blood and Truth is the PSVR all fans of the Getaway (remember that?) have been waiting for. It's an explosive action movie blockbuster esque game, set in London. Mr Midas asks is it Worth An Hour?PlayStation London Studio

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Thursday, 20 June 2019

Blood and Truth is the PSVR all fans of the Getaway (remember that?) have been waiting for. It’s an explosive action movie blockbuster esque game, set in London.

A crime-ridden London underworld. You play as an elite soldier called Ryan Marks. Your mission? To save your family from a ruthless criminal empire! Sign us up! (Only in video game world though!)

The action is breathless and a little over the top, but that’s what makes it so much fun! You can drive, parachute and even rappel across the city! The story is packed with twists and turns, guaranteed to keep you interested for hours! What makes it all that much better? You get a unique soundtrack that’s like a classical movie soundtrack! Not only that Grime music is also a sound bed in this game.

You can play with either a Dualshock 4 controller or two Playstation Move Motion Controllers. Our reviewer, Mr Midas, played it with a Dualshock 4 and found it a little hard. So we’re suggesting using the Motion Controllers if you have them. Overall we found this game to definitely be worth an hour of your time. Just make sure your VR legs are well and truly worn in. You’re going to need them!

(Playstation)

Purchase Blood & Truth by clicking here!

Listen to the guys chatting about this by clicking here! 

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Audi How To Kill An Hour.jpg

Audio How To Kill An Hour

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Car buff or not, there’s something so exciting about buying a new car and investigating all of the technology that’s packed inside it, not to mention opening up the engine and seeing how powerful your new motor is. This is especially exciting when you’ve bought your car either outright or on finance through a company such as Motor Mill because you just know that the technology is going to blow your mind. However, when your car is a little outdated, the technology simply isn’t going to be as good. Luckily, there are a plethora of ways that you can turn your drab car into a fab technology-packed car! Check it out!

 

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Speaker system

There’s something so exhilarating about turning up the radio station and belting out your favourite tunes, especially on a long journey. However, many older cars don’t come with speakers that can handle loud volumes, thus sacrificing your listening quality. Why not install a speaker system into your car so that you can enjoy music, whether it’s a quick trip to the store or a long road trip, your journeys will be much more enjoyable! Your local car part retailer will stock speaker systems, and may be able to install them for you for a small fee!

No aux cable? No problem!

One of the biggest problems with older cars is not being able to plug in your own music and enjoy some advert-free listening and most importantly, be able to pick all of the songs you listen to. The easiest way of doing this is through an auxiliary cable, but if your car doesn’t cater to think, what’s the solution? If your car has a cigarette lighter (and let’s face it, most cars do), then you can simply buy an FM transmitter for your car, match it with an unused radio station, and you’ll be able to plug your phone into the transmitter either via aux cable or Bluetooth! They’re super cheap to buy and last for many years!

Driver safety and protecting your no claims

Being safe on the road is imperative, and so is building up your no claims. As you’re aware, the more years you have without claiming on your car insurance policy, the cheaper it’s going to be with each renewal. However, no matter how safely you drive there’s one thing you can’t count on – other drivers! One thing you learn quickly when you start driving is that the only person you can trust on the road is yourself. Do yourself a favour and buy a dash and rear camera for your car so that if you’re ever in an incident, you can prove that you were driving safely. This can also help bring the cost of your insurance down too, so it’s a win-win situation!

Footwell lighting

Finally, technology doesn’t always have to do something spectacular to impress, it simply needs to look good! Why not jazz up the interior of your car with some LED footwell lighting? Many taxi services do this to entertain and invite customers back time and time again, and it’s a great way of turning your motor from drab to fab.

330 E3 Special Part 2 w/Louise Blane

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