World`s Wealthiest people and the cars they drive

Carlos Slim Helu
First on the list is Carlos Slim Helu, currently ranked by Forbes as the richest man in the world and worth about $69 billion. When the Mexican telecom tycoon needs to get from point A to point B he hops inside his Bentley Continental Flying Spur, worth a measly $300,000.

 

Bill Gates

What about American billionaire Bill Gates? While the one-time world’s richest man has been seen driving to and from the Microsoft offices in a Ford Focus, it’s his other ride that has gathered more attention.
Back in 1999, then-president Bill Clinton signed into law the “Show and Display” rule, which made certain highly collectible cars exempt from government safety and crash regulations. Gearhead Gates and other car nuts were more than influential in getting the law passed. This allowed Gates the freedom to drive his $225,000 Porsche 959 on the road.

 

Ingvar Kamprad

Of course you could always take the frugal road like Ingvar Kamprad, founder of furniture giant Ikea — and source of our endless frustration because let’s face it putting together a coffee table shouldn’t be this difficult — and drive something a little more unassuming like a 1993 Volvo 240. We highly doubt he had to put it together himself.

Alice Walton

Alice Walton, daughter of Wal-Mart Founder Sam Walton, and heiress to the Wal-Mart fortune might be the second richest woman in the world, but you wouldn’t know it based on what she drives. Instead of an expensive ride, Alice rolls around in 2006 Ford F-150 King Ranch with a modest value of $40,000.

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud

What would a member of the Saudi royal family such as Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud drive? We think a $246,000 Rolls-Royce Phantom is more than adequate.

Michael Bloomberg

Speed is essential in the financial world, which is why data mogul Michael Bloomberg drives around in the ultra-fast Audi R8. The German supercar is able to hit a top speed of just under 200 mph and can sprint from a 0-62 in 3.6 seconds.

Larry Ellison

Oracle founder Larry Ellison is known for being quite the car collector. One of his more rare (read: expensive) cars is the McLaren F1. The center-seated former world’s fastest car can hit a top speed of 231 mph and is one of the most expensive cars on this list at $4.1 million.

Warren Buffet

Warren Buffet is one of the richest men in the world, but he didn’t get there by throwing away all his money. His ride of choice: a $45,000 Cadillac DTS, which he purchased in a show of support for General Motors during the American automakers recent financial crisis and subsequent government bailout.

Mark Zuckerberg

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is one of the wealthiest young men in the world, but the social media magnate drives around in one of the cheapest rides on this list with his $30,000 Acura TSX.

Michael Dell

Michael Dell hasn’t done too badly for himself. With a net worth of $15.5 billion, the 47-year old founder of Dell Inc can be seen driving around a 2004 Porsche Boxster. While new Boxter’s can go for as much as $80,000, Dell’s 2004 model can be had for as little as $20,000. It might be time for an upgrade Mike.

Steve Ballmer

Microsoft man, Steve Ballmer is another of the world’s richest men, thanks to Microsoft. But like fellow colleague Bill Gates, opted for a more modest set of wheels. Instead of an ultra-luxurious Bentley or Benz, Ballmer drives around in an environmentally friendy $19,000 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Sir Richard Branson

Yet another media magnate that enjoys splashing his cash around is Richard Branson. The eccentric British businessman is the founder of the Virgin Group and whose total fortune is worth an estimated $4.2 billion according to Forbes. Never one afraid of operating outside the box, Branson’s eccentricity is perhaps best witness in his choice of vehicle: a $125,000 + Gibbs Aquada amphibious car which he often uses to zip across the English Channel.

Five wacky cars from around the world

Davis Devan
   
A three-wheeler that looks more like a boat on wheels than a conventional automobile, 13 of these absolutely unique cars were produced. The two-door design incorporates a 4-cylinder 60PS engine. 


BMW Isetta:

 
Between 1956 and 1962, German car manufacturer BMW produced the Isetta, based on an Italian design created by a refrigerator manufacturing company. This miniscule single-seater boasted a fridge-type outward opening front end, so the car had to be literally entered through the front! This car came in multiple variations across this six-year period, including 3- and 4-wheeler variants, and sold a whopping 161,360 units. 




Peel P-50

 
Another design sporting three wheels, the Peel P-50 has the exclusive distinction of being the world’s smallest production car. Equipped with a DKW 49cc 4.2PS engine, this car barely accommodates a single person, and doesn’t even have a reverse gear.


Stout Scarab

 
Left of field designs though aren’t unique to small cars as the Stout Scarab clearly illustrates. Created at the Stout Motor Company in the US in the 1930s, this vehicle is cited as the first ever mass produced MINI van in the world
 
Citroen 2 CV Cogolin

 
Named after the French city where it was utilised, this absolutely astounding piece of engineering was the brainchild of a French fireman. It is said that looks can be deceptive, but in this instance that doesn’t hold true as the Cogolin is indeed the front ends of two Citroen 2 CVs welded through the middle, and yes, the car can be driven as normal in either direction.

Top 10 Robots of 2012

Space and military robots

1. Robonaut 2 begins operations on the ISS 

Built by NASA and General Motors, the Robonaut 2 (R2) finally began doing some work aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2012, having arrived there in early 2011. The R2 is the first humanoid robot in space, but will be joined later this year by a Japanese communication robot that will keep the astronauts company. Currently the R2 isn't doing anything too mind-blowing, but the project is paving the way towards permanent robotic helpers in space.

2. Boston Dynamics' Cheetah robot breaks speed record for legged robots

The team at Boston Dynamics, known for their BigDog quadruped, is hard at work on multiple challenges set forth by DARPA. The Maximum Mobility and Manipulation (M3) program seeks a legged robot that can run at least 25 mph (40 km/h), and the Cheetah robot is well on its way there. So far the robot has been clocked at 28.3 mph (45.5 km/h), but it's currently powered by an off-board hydraulic pump and requires a boom to stay steady. We should find out how the latest version fares without these conveniences later this year.

3. Boston Dynamics' LS3 quadruped plays follow the leader

The LS3 is much slower than the Cheetah, but it can carry 400 pounds (181 kg) of gear for up to 20 miles (32 km) without stopping. This Northern Hemisphere autumn Boston Dynamics took it out into the woods, where it was able to follow a leading human through treacherous terrain. And unlike a real pack mule, which may not always behave the way you want it to, this one can follow verbal commands and find its way to GPS coordinates on its own. In 2013 it will be put through further tests with a real squad.

4. Japan gets serious about nuclear clean-up robots 

A number of Japanese companies and institutions revealed robots aimed at cleaning up the damage done by 2011's earthquake and tsunami. Among them were a handful of remotely-operated robots from Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and Hitachi that can perform inspection and rubble removal tasks in a variety of conditions. However, by far our favorite of the bunch was the reconfigured HAL exoskeleton developed by University of Tsukuba spin-off Cybe rdyne. The robotic suit carries the burden of heavy radiation shielding, and should see deployment later this year.

 

Humanoids

5. DARPA Robotics Challenge contenders revealed 

The DARPA Robotics Challenge asks teams to build and program a robot that can drive a car, open doors, use tools, negotiate uneven terrain and stairs, and find and shut valves in a smoky environment. Some of the teams will get a bipedal robot built by Boston Dynamics while others will have to build their own from scratch. In late 2012 we got a glimpse of what those robots will look like, but we'll have to keep watch over the next two years to see how they come together and fare in the challenge itself.

6. RoboCup's TeenSize League gets two open-source competitors

Just five teams managed to qualify for RoboCup's TeenSize League in 2012, mainly because building a bipedal humanoid robot that stands over three feet tall (95 cm) is a difficult proposition for most universities. However, a pair of commercial options may lead to bigger and better robotic soccer matches. The first one, from the University of Bonn, builds on the success of their award-winning platform. The second option from hobby kit maker RoboBuilder, which is something of the new kid on the block, may prove to be a worthy competitor.

 

Industrial robots

7. Rethink Robotics unveils inexpensive and user-friendly Baxter robot

Industrial robots aren't nearly as glamorous as the other robots on this list, but they remain some of the most productive and practical examples of robotics technology today. Rethink Robotics, led by iRobot founder and former MIT professor Rodney Brooks, unveiled their solution: a pick-and-place robot called Baxter. This robot costs a fraction of its competition, and can be programmed in hours rather than days or weeks. This makes it ideal for smaller companies that normally couldn't afford to use this sort of technology.

 

Avatars and health care

8. Miniature robot avatar goes with you everywhere

The MH-2, a tiny robot that you wear on your shoulder, has to be one of the most bizarre telepresence robots ever devised. The idea – from researchers at Yamagata University, Japan – is that you would take it with you all the time, allowing your friends to tag along over an internet connection. They see the world through its cameras, hold conversations, and even get the robot to make a move its limbs using motion capture technology. It's a bit cumbersome at this stage, but its developers say they're still working on it.

9.Toyota reveals Human Support Robot 

Toyota has been working on helpful "partner" robots for about a decade now, and while they began with extravagant technological showpieces, such as their robot band, they're now looking towards the health care sector. A prototype currently being tested in Japan called the Human Support Robot (HSR) ditches the expensive legs of its predecessors for the simplicity of wheeled locomotion. A bedridden patient would control the robot with a tablet PC to retrieve items in their room. We've seen many examples of this kind of robot in the past, but this one seems especially promising.

 

Just for fun

10. Japanese artist Kogoro Kurata fulfills boyhood dreams 

This is one of those projects that, while not necessarily a true robot, still warrants an entry on the list. It's not every day that you see a real-life working giant robot inspired by those seen in Japanese animated TV shows and video games. The Kuratas is mainly an art project, but it does contain its share of real robotics technology, such as its V-Sido (pronounced like "Bushido") software – that can be used to program and control hobby robots. And it can be yours – all 9,900 lbs (4,490 kg) of it – if you've got US$1.5 million dollars to spare.

Working of Magnetic Train

Working of Magnetic Train:



A new transportation mode has occurred that can clearly compete with planes in both speed and safety. They are called MAGLEV trains. The full form and the basic working principle of MAGLEV is called Magnetic Levitation.

Magnetic Levitation

The principle of magnetic levitation is that a vehicle can be suspended and propelled on a guidance track made with magnets. The vehicle on top of the track may be propelled with the help of a linear induction motor. Although the vehicle does not use steel wheels on a steel rail they are still referred to as trains as by definition they are a long chain of vehicles which travel in the same direction. This is the definition of a MAGLEV train.

MAGLEV Train

As the frictional parts are minimum in this type of technology, the MAGLEV trains are known to have more speed, smoothness and less sound.

Working of MAGLEV Train

The train will be floating about 10mm above the magnetic guiding track. The train will be propelled to move by the guide way itself. Thus, there is no need of any engine inside he train. The detailed working of MAGLEV train is shown in the figure below. The train is propelled by the changing in magnetic fields. As soon as the train starts to move, the magnetic field changes sections by switching method and thus the train is again pulled forward. The whole guide way is run by electromagnets so as to provide the magnetic effect.

Working of MAGLEV Train

Thus the power needed for the whole process is less when compared to a conventional electric train. Amongst the power used, only a little is used for the levitation process. But a higher percentage of power is needed to overcome air friction.

MAGLEV v/s Conventional Train

The main difference between both the trains is that conventional trains need steel wheels and a steel track for their movement and MAGLEV does not need wheels. They travel under the principle of electromagnetic suspension.

Another difference is in the engine used. MAGLEV trains do not need engines like conventional trains. The engine used for conventional trains provide power to pull a chain of compartments along steel tracks. In MAGLEV trains, the power to propel the train is provided by the magnetic fields created by the electric coils kept in the guidance tracks which are added together to provide huge power.

MAGLEV Track

The track along which the train moves is called the guide way. Both the guide way as well as the train’s undercarriage also have magnets which repel each other. Thus the train is said to levitate about 0.39 inches on top of the guide way. After the levitation is complete, enough power has to be produced so as to move the train through the guide way. This power is given to the coils within the guide way, which in turn produces magnetic fields, which pulls and pushes the train through the guide way.

MAGLEV Track

The current that is given to the electric coils of the guide way will be alternating in nature. Thus the polarity of the coils will be changing in period. Thus the change causes a pull force for the train in the front and to add to this force, the magnetic field behind the train adds more forward thrust.

Commercial use of MAGLEV Trains

• The first known commercial use of MAGLEV train was in the year 1984 in Birmingham, England, and the train was named MAGLEV itself. But due to less reliability, the train was stopped by 1994.
• The most famous commercial MAGLEV train is the Shanghai MAGLEV train in Shanghai, China. The train can go in a top speed of 270 miles/hour with an average speed of 160 miles/hour.
• Since these trains move on a cushion of air, there is no friction at all [except air friction]. The trains are also aerodynamically designed which enables them to reach great speeds like 300 miles/hour and so on. At 300 miles/hour you can travel from Rome to Paris in about 2 hours.

EMS and EDS Systems

Some of the greatest developers of the MAGLEV trains are Germany and Japan. Although the basic concepts used for the construction are the same, the prototypes used are different. German trains use electromagnetic suspension (EMS) system so as the bottom of the train is wrapped to a steel guide way. Thus levitation occurs between the electromagnets that are attached underneath the train and the guide way to about 1 centimetre. It also helps in keeping the train in levitation, when it is standing still. Such trains were tested to go on a maximum speed of about 300 miles/hour with passengers on-board.


In Japan, MAGLEV trains use a technology called electro-dynamic suspension (EDS) system, which causes the trains to move due to the repelling force of magnets. The main difference with EMS is that, the electromagnets used will be super cooled and superconducting. Such magnets are prone to conduct current even if there is no power supply. Thus EDS system helps to save more power than EMS system. But the cooling mechanism and thus the initial cost will be expensive.


In EDS systems, the levitation distance is almost 10 centimetres above the guide way. This distance will need the use of rubber tires for the initial lift-off speed of the train [up to 62 miles/hour]. Since the EDS system produces superconducting magnetic field, people having pacemakers will have to be guarded from magnetic fields.

Advantages of MAGLEV

• The main advantage is maintenance. There is no contact between the guide way and the train which lessens the number of moving parts. Thus the components that wear out is little.                  
• Another advantage is the reduction in noise. As there are no wheels running along there is no wheel noise. However noise due to air disturbance will still be there.                                             
• The next advantage is high speed. As there are no frictional contacts, the train is prone to have more speed.                                                                                                                                       
• Another advantage is that the guide way can be made a lot thicker in uphill places, after stations and so on. This will help in increasing the speed of the train further.

Disadvantages of MAGLEV

The initial cost of MAGLEV trains are highly costly. The guide paths are also supposed to be more costly than conventional steel railways.

Environmental Friendliness of MAGLEV Trains

MAGLEV trains are more environmentally friendly than other types of trains.  In terms of energy consumption maglev trains are slightly better off than conventional trains. As there is no wheel friction with the ground, the resistive force gradually increases in the air friction. Thus the energy efficiency difference between a MAGLEV train and a conventional train is of very small margin.