BMW techs using Google Glass in pre-series vehicle tests

Google Glass is being used in a pilot program to evaluate pre-series vehicles

Google Glass has had some bad press of late, with users called some very unkind names and some industry analysts calling it this decade's Segway, but BMW has some love for the wearable head-mounted display. At its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, BMW is running a pilot program to see how Google Glass can improve the quality control of its pre-series vehicles as they make the transition from prototype to full production.

Pre-series cars are a vital link in modern car manufacturing. Cars that begin life as eye-catching concepts and then go on to become working prototypes still have a major hurdle before they're ready to be sold to the public. That's where pre-series cars come in. These are essentially production prototypes that are put together in a production-like setting to see if the design is capable of being reliably and economically mass produced instead of handmade in a machine shop.

It's a vital step because building the pre-series cars can uncover all manner of flaws that wouldn't have been apparent until the car went into production. The problem is, evaluating the pre-series cars requires a lot of communication between the quality testers and the design engineers to determine how the cars are deviating from plan. This is especially tricky because the problems are often vague and difficult to explain. As a result, BMW says written reports and photographs are less than adequate in roughly one out of four cases.

What BMW hopes is that by using a wearable technology like Google Glass, it will be possible to show rather than tell what is wrong. The idea is that the device will use a background video mode to record video feeds in two-minute segments, which can be permanently stored at the press of a button for later reference and discussion between the quality testers and design engineers instead of relying on handwritten notes or similar methods. In addition, the technology allows testers to remain with the vehicle and to sign off on a test using voice control.

The pilot program is part of BMW's 4.0 campaign to introduce new technologies to support planning and production. The company says that so far the trial, which can involve between 10 and 25 individual tests for each car depending on its equipment package, have proven so promising that it is considering using the system in the final assembly of series vehicles.

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LG G Watch R vs. Asus ZenWatch: In pictures

Gizmag takes a hands-on look at the LG G Watch R (left) and Asus ZenWatch (Photo: Will Shanklin/Gizmag.com)

LG and Asus made two of the best-looking smartwatches of 2014. Let's take a quick look at the two fashionable Android Wear watches, the LG G Watch R and Asus ZenWatch.

If you want a smartwatch that hits a nice balance between fashion and function, then we recommend these two, along with the Moto 360, as your best picks this year. We've already talked at length about these three, but we have a few more thoughts, as well as plenty of shots in our image gallery, about how these two specifically compare.

Both watches have luxury watch-inspired designs and could, from a distance, pass for standard timepieces. The G Watch R is still the only Android Wear watch you can buy with a fully round screen (the Moto 360 has a little sliver cut-out at the bottom), and it's one of the LG watch's biggest draws. The diving watch-inspired dial around its bezels might draw some polarizing reactions, but it's grown on me. It also helps that some of LG's clock faces are tailor-made to complement it.

Screen shape is a big part of your decision, but screen size shouldn't be. Though the watches have different diagonal measurements, never mind that: screen area, a more telling measurement, has them at pretty much the exact same size.

Both watches ship with leather bands, and are swappable with standard 22 mm bands. The G Watch R's default black band is more neutral, while the tan-colored band on the ZenWatch becomes a more eye-catching part of its aesthetic.

Apart from the stark contrast in styles, these two are very close to being the same watch. Both have long battery life, and you can leave their always-on clock face settings on and still last a full day with room to spare. Both have smooth performance, and run the exact same Android Wear software (you can check out Gizmag's Android Wear review for more on that).

Asus threw in a couple of optional companion apps that give you a few extra features. Most of these are easily duplicated by third-party Play Store apps, like a flashlight, compass and "leave my phone unlocked when the watch is near" feature (don't turn that on: it kills the ZenWatch's otherwise great battery life). The ZenWatch Wellness app does add a useful nudge feature, inspired by Jawbone trackers: you can set it to vibrate your wrist if you've been sitting still for too long.

The ZenWatch's heart rate sensor is also (oddly) located on its front bezels. The G Watch R measures your pulse using your wrist, so you don't have to do anything but try to hold still. On the ZenWatch, you have to put two fingers on the watch's bezels (like you're making a peace sign) to get a reading. The ZenWatch can also use your heart rate to assign a "relaxation score." I didn't find this to be any more useful than a straightforward heart rate measurement, but your mileage could vary.

The only other big difference is price. The G Watch R is going to cost you an extra US$100 (LG's watch costs $300, next to $200 for the ZenWatch), so even if you like the G Watch's look a little better, you'll want to ask yourself if you like it "$100 better."

For a closer look at these two, we invite you to thumb through our image gallery. And for more on the watches themselves, you can hit up Gizmag's individual reviews of the G Watch R and Asus ZenWatch.

Top 10 cycling innovations of 2014

Bygen's Hank Direct Bike features a one-of-a-kind drivetrain along with a telescoping frame, and it was one of our picks for this year's list

Bicycle historians, take note – it's time once again to look back at 10 of the bike-related products that most caught our attention over the past year! As with our lists from 2012 and 2013, these aren't necessarily things that we think are destined to be big sellers. In fact, it's entirely possible that this might be the last you hear of many of them. We like 'em, though, because they're examples of what happens when people dare to try something different ... and that sort of spirit is the reason why we're not still all riding penny farthings.

Schwalbe Procore tire system

Setting a mountain bike's tire pressure is a bit of a balancing act ... too hard, and the tires won't provide decent traction – too soft, and they're likely to get pinch flats, plus they might not stay seated on the rim. As a result, cyclists usually compromise and keep them at a "somewhere-in-between" air pressure.

The Procore system, however, allows for the best of both extremes. A high-pressure tube within the tire helps protect against flats and keeps everything in place, while an air space between that tube and the inside wall of the tire can be kept at a very low pressure, allowing for excellent traction.

Price: Approx. US$230/pair

Zackees turn-signaling gloves

If you want to let motorists know where you're heading on the road, it definitely helps to use hand signals. Zackees are designed to make sure that those signals get noticed.

The back of each glove contains a waterproof array of high-intensity LEDs arranged to form a blinking directional arrow. The lights are activated by touching a pair of metal contacts together – one on the inside of the glove's thumb, and one on the inside of its index finger.

Price: $75

Calfee Design tandem/single convertible bikes

Some couples like to bring a tandem bike along on their travels, so they can ride together without having to lug around two complete bikes. Should one of those people want to go out on a solo ride, however, they're stuck using that big ol' tandem. That's why Calfee Design started building tandems that can temporarily be converted to singles.

The back end of the carbon fiber frame is simply removed by hand via two couplers, the rear wheel is transferred over, and the bicycle-built-for-two becomes a single-seater. Calfee has only made a couple of the bikes so far – both custom orders for the same client – which was reflected in their cost.

Price: Approx. $25,000

Skylock solar-powered lock

Mechanical key-activated locks are so 2013. The Skylock instead communicates with the user's smartphone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, unlocking either once they press an onscreen button, or even just when their phone gets within close proximity of the lock. Users can additionally grant access to friends who wish to borrow their bike, allowing their smartphones to also unlock the Skylock.

The lock's battery can be charged via USB, although the built-in solar panel reportedly requires just one hour of exposure to sunlight to deliver enough of a charge to provide one week's worth of use. As an added bonus, an integrated accelerometer detects movements associated with both crashes and theft attempts, and responds by contacting the user's phone to check that everything's OK.

Price: $159

Bygen Hank Direct Bike

When it comes to converting pedaling power into wheel revolutions, belt drives are certainly a cleaner, smoother alternative to chains – but they're not the only other way to go. In its Hank Direct Bike, Korean manufacturer Bygen utilizes levers that run from the pedals to the rear hub via an articulated linkage. Although it's a direct-drive system, riders don't need to constantly keep pedaling like they do on a fixie, plus they can switch between three gears.

Another one of the Hank's unique features is its carbon fiber frame, the cockpit length of which can be adjusted by sliding the rear end towards the front. This design also allows the bike to be tipped back and stored vertically.

Price: $5,000

Shimano XTR Di2 electronic shifting

This was the year that Shimano took its existing Di2 electronic shifting system for road bikes and adapted it for use in the company's XTR mountain bike group. As with the road version, this one electronically relays signals from the shifters to motors in the front and rear derailleurs. This means that shifts are consistently quick and smooth, as they aren't affected by the slackening of stretched steel cables or by contaminants within the cable housings.

Additionally, using the Shimano Synchronized Shift function, the system can shift both the front and rear derailleurs at once via a single shifter. Similar functionality is offered by IXOW's Synchrobox.

Price: TBA

patchnride flat-patching tool

Ordinarily, fixing flat tires is quite the hassle ... you have to remove the wheel, unseat the tire, pull out the tube, find and patch the hole, and then put everything back together. With patchnride, however, the wheel and tire can be left in place. You just inject a patch onto the tube, right through the hole in the tire – the whole process reportedly takes less than one minute.

Price: $30

Fluent suspension wheel

Although commuter bikes generally don't have suspension forks or frames, it's still nice if they're able to smooth out the ride a little. Tel Aviv-based manufacturer SoftWheel wants to help them do so, via their wheels. The company's Fluent wheel features three cylindrical shock absorbers that radiate out from the hub to the rim, taking the place of spokes. They remain rigid when going over smooth surfaces, but compress when the wheel takes particularly big hits.

Price: Approx. $2,000/pair

Imprint moldable grips

Handlebar grips probably aren't something that you give a lot of thought to. They're just tubes of rubber that make it easier to hold onto the bar – how much room for improvement could there be? Well, more than you might think.

TMR Designs' Imprint Grips are custom-molded to the shape of the user's hands, ensuring an even contact area with a minimum of uncomfortable pressure points.

We tried them out for ourselves, and can definitely attest to the fact that they do make a difference.

Price: Approx. $40 and up

Nuseti sealed-drivetrain mountain bike

As we mentioned earlier, belt drives are certainly a cleaner, smoother alternative to chains. According to Polish mountain biking medalist Gregory Zielinski, however, chains are still a sturdier, more efficient way to go. In order to address their shortcomings, he created the Nuseti – it has a chain, but it's sealed within an oil bath that keeps it continuously lubricated and protected from contaminants.

Additionally, due to the inclusion of a 16-speed planetary gearbox, the chain never has to move sideways between chainrings or cassette sprockets. This greatly lessens the chances of it breaking, as it minimizes the amount of mechanical stress to which the chain is subjected.

Zielinski was raising production funds for the Nuseti on Kickstarter, and unfortunately was unable to meet his project goal. It's still an intriguing concept, however, and one that we may yet see reach the market in one form or another.

Honorable mentions

This was a Top 10 list, but what if it had been a Top 15? Well, we probably would have included things like ...

• IDSG Engineering and Trading's MC2 bike, that can be set into eight different frame configurations
• Cycliq's Fly6 tail light, which also continuously shoots and records video that can be used as evidence against hostile drivers
• Vanhawk's sensor-laden carbon fiber Valour "smart" bike, the navigation system of which guides riders via LED indicators on the handlebars
• The linear-drive MaynoothBike, that replaces the crankset with pedals that slide up and down the sides of the fork, powering the front wheel
• Inspired Cycle Engineering's Full Fat trike, modeled after the fat-trike that British adventurer Maria Leijerstam used to cycle to the South Pole

Raise shields: Protective invisible barrier found surrounding Earth

A natural shield has been found to protect the Earth from 'killer electrons'

The idea of putting a Star Trek-like force field around the entire Earth seems like the fodder for a fairly silly science fiction epic out of the 1930s, but according to space scientists, such a barrier already exists. Discovered by a pair of NASA space probes, the natural shield protects the Earth and near-Earth satellites from so-called "killer electrons" with a precision that cuts it off like a wall of glass.

The barrier was found within the Van Allen Belts, which are two distinct zones of radiation that are shaped like a pair of distended donuts that grow, shrink, shift, and even split or merge under the impact of radiation from the Sun. Formed by charged particles captured by the Earth's magnetic field, they were discovered by America's first space probe, Explorer I in 1958. The inner belt spans from 400 to 6,000 mi (650 to 9,500 km) above the Earth and the outer belt is between 7,200 and 36,000 mi (12,00 to 58,000 km).

The belts are of more than academic importance. The radiation from the particles are a serious hazard to satellites and astronauts, and scientists pay close attention to the belts' activity because a sudden expansion could end up damaging satellites in low Earth orbit and even pose a hazard to manned space missions.

The most dangerous of these charged particles are the ultrafast, ultrarelativistic, or "killer" electrons. These are moving so fast that they pack a massive punch and damage electronic circuits and living tissue.

The curious thing is, the belts are better behaved than originally thought. Instead of drifting down toward Earth's atmosphere, the inner edge of the outer belt has a very sharp edge at 7,200 mi from Earth, leaving a space between the inner and outer belts, and in this this gap there are no ultrafast electrons. This cutoff is so pronounced that scientists studying it compare it to a glass wall that the electrons can't penetrate.

The barrier was discovered using 20 months of data from NASA's pair of Van Allen probes, which were launched in August 2012 and, as the name suggests, work in tandem to study the belts.

A team of scientists led by the University of Colorado Boulder looked through the Van Allen probes' data in hopes of finding the cause of the barrier. After eliminating human activity, such as radio transmissions, and the Earth's magnetic field, they found the most likely candidate in the form of the plasmasphere, which is a cloud of cool charged particles that extends from the upper regions of the Earth's atmosphere from 600 mi (965 km) up to near the edge of the outer Van Allen belt.

According to the team, the ultrafast electrons interact with the plasmasphere and are repelled. Although the electrons' energy is so high that they could easily penetrate the cloud, the electrons instead move around the Earth in huge circles at 100,000 mps (160,000 km/s), grazing the plasmasphere. The allows the plasmasphere to nudge the electrons away in much the same manner as a relatively flimsy traffic barrier deflecting a speeding car back onto the road when the car could have crashed through the barrier if it had hit it dead on. This interaction is called the plasmaspheric “hiss,” because it makes a sound over radio receivers that can be compared to static.

Another piece of evidence for the barrier is when it fails under extreme conditions, such as a massive solar flare, which can erode the plasmasphere and push the electrons through and into the gap. However, such a breach would only last a short time, which scientists say demonstrates the strength of the "hard, fast" barrier.

The team's results were published in the journal Nature.

First known official Batmobile up for auction

The 1963 Batmobile goes on auction next month

Everyone knows what the original Batmobile was, right? It was the redesigned Lincoln Futura concept that Adam West drove in the 1966 Batman television series – or was it? It turns out that the earliest known officially licensed Batmobile was built in 1963 and is going to auction at Heritage Auctions next month after receiving extensive restoration.

Determining which was the first Batmobile is tricky. The first one in the comic books was a red convertible that graced the pages of Detective Comics in February 1941 and the first "real" Batmobile was a painfully ordinary off-the-peg 1939 Cadillac convertible used by the Caped Crusader in the 1943 serial. But it was in 1963 that the first known Batmobile that looked like something that Batman would drive was built and later given official approval by DC comics.

The 1963 Batmobile began life as a 1956 Oldsmobile 88 frame with a 324 Rocket engine. In 1960, 23-year old Batman fan Forrest Robinson along with his friend Len Perham decided to replace the body with something a bit more Batmanesque. It took until 1963 to complete the job, which turned out to be an open-top two-seater complete with a "bat nose," pocket side doors, and a single rear fin that made it look very much like the Batmobile seen in the comics, despite its silver paint job.

According to Heritage, Robinson used the car for his personal transport until the 1966 series and its Futura-derived Batmobile caught the public imagination. That was when All Star Dairies stepped in and leased Robinson's car as a promotional device for its New Hampshire affiliate, Green Acres Ice Cream, which was selling Batman-themed ice cream under a DC Comics license. The silver Batmobile was repainted in a Batman livery and decked out in official Batman badges. It may not have looked like the Futura and it didn't have a Bat Ray or Batcomputer, but it was close enough to the comic's version to be dubbed "Batman's Batmobile" as it traveled around the eastern United States until late 1966, when it was returned to Robinson.

Unfortunately, like a lot of movie & TV cars and other pop culture material, no one realized what the first Batmobile would mean to later collectors. It spent the next fifty years in neglect as it was sold by Robinson for US$200, then ended up rusting quietly in a field. Rediscovered in 2008, it was sold to a rare car dealer and swapped hands several times before being bought by Toy Car Exchange LLC, which commissioned Borbon Fabrications in Sacramento, California to restore it to its former glory right down to the frame and engine. It was exhibited at the Sacramento Autorama earlier this year, where it took first place in the hand-built sports car class.

The 1963 Batmobile goes on the block on December 6 at 11: am CST at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas, though internet bids will be accepted the night before. Bidding will start at US$90,000 – a figure well short of the US$4,620,000 fetched by the more familiar 1966 Batmobile in 2013, and not quite enough to make it onto our most expensive movie & TV cars and motorcycles list. We'll find out when the hammer falls.