Use the Noise of Cars and Streets to Improve Life in the City.

Spanish explorers introduced the draft environmental Ear-IT, in which we tried to understand what can be said of urban noise about how logically and conveniently organized traffic, is there in seclusion with nature and, finally, how the person is healthy and happy.

1. Count the number of machines

The sensor can detect how many cars moving along a particular route to be able to discharge the densest streams. To do this, use the cable already embedded under the asphalt, but the sensor will cover more roads.

2. Help ambulances

The study author’s sensor is located near a hospital in the city, and he was able to show the movement of ambulances. Thus it will be possible to control the lights and regulate traffic to the approaching ambulance, fire or emergency services could not stay at the intersections.

3. Determine where the shooting occurred

In some American cities, use speakers ShotSpotter, which not only defines the place where there were shots, but also recognizes what type of weapon was used.

4. To explore the nature of
Analysis of the sounds of nature can give an idea of ​​what is happening to the environment and how much it is exposed to external interference.

5. Measure the welfare of the people in the city

For further studies, the project plans to create sound maps, using its technology. In the future, a sound analysis could assist in addressing issues related to human health and its interaction with the environment.

Sadko in Japanese Shimizu Corporation Wants to Build an Underwater City.

Japanese corporation Shimizu unveiled plan underwater city in the ocean. Like many of the company's plans, such as the base on the moon and the space hotel, this project is more fantasy, but no less interesting.

According to the plan corporations in can live about 5000 people? The city will take the form of a 15-kilometer spiral ending in a sphere with a radius of 500 meters. At the bottom of the ocean should stay resource center. At the top of the field, the floating dome, according to the authors of the project should accommodate residential and business premises, and the lower base - Research Centre, where scientists will find ways of energy extraction from the seabed.

Developer’s corporations argue that the project is realistic and within 15 years there will be technology that will make it a reality. However, it will cost about $ 25 billion. Japan has been looking for a place to expand: the area of ​​the country is not so great. The same corporation Shimizu, for example, has developed a draft development of underground space beneath Tokyo.

Power House: A Game that will Teach Less to Pay the Bills.

The game creators Power House, which is available on Facebook, warned: it is addictive, but your time will be held for the benefit because, after going through all the levels, you can learn how to reduce utility bill from next month.

In the story of a virtual family of four daily solves a number of household tasks such as laundry, cleaning and cooking. The player must plan these things in such a way as to spend as little electricity. If he forgets to turn off the light at the same time or run too many devices, there is a short circuit. With each new level the game becomes more complicated task: for example, the characters cannot be in the dark room, then you need to turn on the light and abandon the use of technology.

Project scientists at Stanford University have developed together with the British Department of Energy specifically to teach people how to spend less energy and responsible attitude to the environment. Studies have shown that people who have played in Power House, began to spend significantly less resources and, consequently, reduced their pay bills.

How to Avoid Congestion at Traffic Lights with LEDs.

In Copenhagen, use LED technology that allows cyclists trucks help reduce fuel consumption.

Wireless network blinking green helps cyclists will pass through the traffic lights without stopping at a red light. Traffic lights are equipped with special sensors that show the truck drivers when the light will change with the help of an application on a smartphone. This allows them to spend less time on stopping and starting the car on street corners and, as a consequence, to save on fuel. This illumination system may also warn drivers in the right lane that is approaching cyclist.

With this system it is possible to obtain data on fight congestion, predict street cleaning even before the storm happen, and be aware of how people behave on busy streets to avoid unpleasant incidents.

In the future, developers plan to increase the chances of LED sensors, for example, suggest cyclists in the right direction, or to report to the health services that a particular waste container is full.

This technology is also used in Chicago, Barcelona and Stockholm. It is expected that over the next three years, cities around the world will replace the old lamps to LEDs.

5 theses Katherine Bracey of Lectures How Hackers Develop Urban Projects.

Catherine Brace, director of Code for America, in a lecture to TED told how hacking can help cities grow and improve, and most non-obvious ways.

1. Hacking - is not a crime, and the way to solve problems

Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross and Steve Jobs were hackers. Hacking can embody both good and evil. Some hackers sit and think about how to steal information from computers, and others - develop innovative tools that change the world. Hacking - a search for new ways to solve problems.

2. Civil hackers - those whose concept is based on the action

Internet and democracy are based on the same values: cooperation, participation, entrepreneurship, empowerment opportunities. Even in the XXI century to create a tool of hacking, do not need to be a programmer. You just need to think differently.

3. To make changes, we need acts of participation

It is important to involve citizens in solving problems. On the basis of the principle of "Code of America" ​​has created projects such as "Answers Honolulu" and "Answers Auckland": residents participated in "vraytatone" - a day for yourself to answer questions about the city life, which appears on the site. In the spirit of such projects are important opportunities and responsibilities.

4. Hacking solutions into the hands of the municipal authorities

City authorities (at least in America) welcome such approaches. Cities are constantly looking for innovative solutions to old problems, and when residents are involved in this process, the potential is realized much more active communities.

5. Hacking - an ecosystem participation of the XXI century

Citizens see that they can do something better, and do it. For example, in Mexico City has been allocated $ 9.3 million for the development of applications for legislators. This outraged townspeople, and they made a public contest with prizes in 9300 dollars, 10 thousand times cheaper. 10 days received 173 applications. Thus was born the organization "Code of Mexico."

Crowd-Funding Week An application that Measures the Level of Dirt in the Air.

On Kickstarter is a fundraiser for the development of sensor TZOA, which synchronizes with the gadget can determine the level of air pollution and the effect of UV rays.

Canadian invention TZOA detects even the smallest particles in the air, which adversely affect the operation of the heart and lungs, and helps to ensure that there is sufficient light in the house. It can be measured when using the fireplace, candles or the oven makes the air in the room harmful to health.

If something is wrong, the app will give useful advice: open a window for ventilation, to choose the least gas polluted route to work, and at the same time supporting, whether you receive enough sunlight in the winter and do not abuse you tan in the summer.

The developers also plan to map the cities with the dirtiest and clean area. The application will be available for the iPhone and Android-smartphone. Output sensors and applications are expected by fall 2015.
You can support the project on his page on Kickstarter.

How to Turn a Bicycle into a Computer on Wheels.

German developers are working on a device for cyclists who even while driving cannot break away from the mobile phone. COBI invention is synchronized with the gadget and can not only be in constant communication, but also keep an eye on what is happening on the road.

This sensor offers the rider everything you might need on the road. On the one hand, this navigator with maps and route calculation, on the other - similar social network with the ability to search for friends who are close by. All the necessary tabs and pages in the phone can be opened with a single button, without taking your hands off the wheel, so for the safety cannot be afraid.

The application also integrates with taillights bicycle: they warn other drivers of the left or right turn, or automatically light up during hard braking. In addition, a system for protection against thieves. Exit the application is expected in 2015, and until the Kickstarter.com can donate money to the project.

Camodelny chemical Navigator as an alternative to GPS.

Often there are situations when on the way to an unfamiliar place stops working GPS-navigator. Scientists from universities in Japan, the UK, Switzerland and Hungary have found alternatives based chemistry for the law, which offers the shortest route to your destination.

Researchers have created a maze, which repeats the map, pointed it at the start and end point of the route and completely filled with an alkaline fluid. At the destination, scientists put the gel mixed with acid, which spread throughout the maze, and the starting point add another alkaline solution with colored paint. The solution from the starting point is automatically moved to a place with the highest acidity, i.e. the point of termination of the route.

In Budapest, this alternative has already tested on one of the pizzerias of the city and thus were able to find the shortest path to it. Looks like the process is not too practical, but it works clearly faster than traditional satellite navigation.

The study's authors explain what the advantage of this alternative chemical system: the movement acid immediately shows all possible routes and, unlike a computer program makes it much faster.

App of the week: Mere.

The new format of the application for tourists - to-do-list, which tells you where you do not forget to go and do not forget to do this or that city.

Mere - minimalistic guide who gives the job to explore the city. Annex no pictures or descriptions of monuments or other encyclopedic knowledge. Author’s mere want tourists to enjoy the journey, and did not look in the phone.

Instead turns mere walk around the city in the Challenge aimed to explore the city. The app does not offer a rigorous routes and sorts assignments distance from the user. Among these tasks - puzzles, quests and small ideas for photos.

Now mere works in St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Paris, Helsinki, Prague, Berlin, Vladimir and Suzdal; list of cities will be expanded. The app is available for users of iPhone.