Are Old Cars Really a Good Choice for Young Drivers?

Safety First - There’s a certain charm to vintage cars that captivates young people. These vehicles, often associated with a sense of nostalgia and individuality, are admired for their classic designs and the uniqueness they bring to the road. In particular, many drivers in their 20s find old cars appealing because they stand out in a crowd. However, beneath their aesthetic appeal lies a question worth exploring: Are old cars truly suitable for young people?

(This image is for illustration purposes) Are old cars really a good choice for young drivers? (Picture from: iStockPhoto)

Research suggests that the allure of old cars may come at a price. A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2014 revealed concerning statistics about the safety of vintage cars for teenage drivers. According to the study, nearly half of the teenage drivers aged 15 to 17 who died in car crashes between 2008 and 2012 were behind the wheel of cars at least 11 years old. These findings highlight a critical issue—older vehicles often lack modern safety features that can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.

One major factor contributing to the problem is the absence of advanced safety technologies in older cars. Features such as electronic stability control, airbags, and collision-avoidance systems are commonplace in modern vehicles but were either absent or less effective in cars manufactured over a decade ago. This gap in safety features becomes even more alarming when paired with the fact that many young drivers are unaware of these technologies or their importance. In fact, the IIHS study found that only a small fraction of teenage drivers, just 3%, were familiar with electronic stability control.

Beyond safety concerns, the preference for older cars among young people is often driven by financial considerations. For many teenagers and their families, affordability is a significant factor when choosing a vehicle. New cars, while equipped with the latest safety features, often come with a price tag that is out of reach for most young drivers. As a result, older cars become a more practical option, despite their potential safety shortcomings.

(This image is for illustration purposes) A variety of vintage and classic cars are displayed at the Newport Car Museum in Portsmouth. (Picture from: Liputan6)

This issue is not exclusive to the United States. Similar findings were reported in the United Kingdom. Research conducted by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) in 2011 showed that half of the accidents resulting in death or serious injury to young drivers involved vehicles more than a decade old. These parallels across different regions underscore a universal challenge: balancing affordability and safety for young drivers.

 

While the data paints a concerning picture, the situation also highlights the need for better education and awareness about vehicle safety. Young drivers and their families can benefit from understanding the risks associated with older vehicles and prioritizing safety features when selecting a car. Governments, manufacturers, and insurance companies also have a role to play in making safer vehicles more accessible to young drivers through subsidies, incentives, or affordable financing options.

Ultimately, the choice between a vintage car and a newer model goes beyond aesthetics or budget. It’s a decision that can have profound implications for the safety and well-being of young drivers. For those enamored by the charm of old cars, it’s worth considering whether the trade-offs in safety are worth the risk. By prioritizing education, accessibility, and awareness, we can help young drivers make informed choices that align with both their aspirations and their safety.

 

In the end, every journey matters. Whether it’s the thrill of owning a classic car or the practicality of a safer, newer vehicle, what truly stands out is the value of protecting lives. For young drivers, the road ahead is full of possibilities—and making wise choices today can pave the way for countless safe and fulfilling adventures tomorrow. *** [EKA | FROM VRIOUS SOURCES | LIPUTAN6 ]

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The modern "Noah's Ark" was built to find solutions Our Earth's climate change

Safe FUTURE Reportedly, there's a giant vessel was being built and even some parties dubbed it as the incarnation of Noah's Ark. Why is that? Perhaps they saw the purpose of this vessel being built to save lives as the real Noah's Ark did.

A proposed ship aims to merge luxury and scientific research, by crewing it with climate scientists and the wealthy in a daring quest to save the planet called the Earth 300. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)

This giant vessel is and called the Earth 300 and planned to be a research ship used by scientists to find solutions to climate change that can threaten life on Earth. This vessel designed to accommodate up to 160 scientists whose gathered from all over the world to conduct joint research by utilizing the advanced technology attached on the ship.

Suitably futuristic, Earth 300 features a contemporary shape with a pared-down conceptual language and an aerodynamic form. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)

Then who's the man behind this enermous giant vessel building project? The originator of the idea as well as the shipbuilder is the Gibraltarian-born, Singapore-based entrepreneur named Aaron Oliviera is assisted by many parties with various backgrounds from all over the world and hopes that the Earth 300 giant vessel can attract public attention to science and especially about climate change."This ship is designed to capture people's attention as well as their hearts and imaginations. If we want to make big changes, we need the help of people of all ages, ages, backgrounds and all kinds of intelligence," he said.

The Earth 300 vessel’s most striking feature, however, is its “science sphere”, chosen to resemble Earth. (Picture from: DesignWanted)

Furthermore, this research vessel run by a multinational company under the same name of the Earth300 with goals as an historical environmental initiative to ring the ecological alarm on a global scale and inspire a new brand of planetary vanguard. As written on its official sites; "We love life and want to ensure that humanity survives in the future."

 

As seen as the appearance, the Earth 300 is an enermous giant emission-free nuclear powered vessel with 22 state-of-the-art laboratories. It is almost 500 meters long and consists of 13 levels, and has futuristic design with a unique rounded building in the middle.

The Earth 300 vessel includes an observation deck that appears delicately balanced on the ship’s top, a 46-metre beam and a helicopter pad. (Picture from: DesignWanted)

As quoted of the ScienceFocus, the Earth 300 vessel is also equipped with a quantum computer featured with built-in sensors, artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning to direct data processing to handle the massive data it collects, and Aaron Oliviera calls it a floating computer.

Set for launch in 2025, the Earth 300 boasts 500 meters in length and will be packed full of green technology. (Picture from: DesignWanted)

Of course with all that sophistication, the cost of manufacture is not cheap. It is estimated, the vessel building will cost between 350 and 500 million pounds. If nothing goes wrong, the plan is that the giant vessel scheduled to lift its anchor and start sailing in 2025.

Later in addition to scientists who research climate change on board, it can also be boarded by VIP guests, and said will be charged a fairly high accommodation fee. For example, a VIP single trip for 10-days will cost you around US. $3 million. Wow!! *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | EARTH300 | SCIENCEFOCUS | AUTOEVOLUTION | DESIGNWANTED ]

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Here are FIVE of the world's most expensive jewelry

Precious Blink Today, we're not talking about the motorized vehicle, this time we would be out a moment of comfort zone and tried talking about something new. So, on this occasion, we will try to discuss about very beautiful jewelry which sometimes has a fantastic price tag beyond the price of a hypercar or even a private jet.

The Pink Star Diamond is an 59.60-carat natural Fancy Vivid Pink colored diamond. (Picture from: Coster Diamonds)

Nowadays jewelry is not only means of supporting style, but for some people it is also a symbol of wealth and power. Because some jewelries that uses diamonds or certain gemstones is priced at a high. There are several factors that make jewelry priced at a high. It ranging from the color, design, history to the rarity of diamonds or gemstones used in the jewelry. It could be said that the rarer the diamond or gemstone used, more higher its price.

Here it is five of the world's most expensive jewelry ever made, which is interesting to know, as quoted of Luxatic;

5. Pink Emerald-Cut Graff Diamond

The one off 'Fancy Intense Pink' diamond ring, which is rated by the Gemological Institute of America is made of 24.78 carat emerald. The ring was auctioned by its owner, Laurence Graff, who described the jewelery as 'the most amazing diamond have ever seen in his career'.

The Pink Emerald-Cut Graff Diamond ring is rated by by the Gemological Institute of America has a Fancy Intense Pink color and made of 24.78 carat emerald. (Picture from: Pinterest)

This jewelry is also priced at the US $46 million or equivalent to Rp. 658 billion. What makes this piece of jewelry priced at such a fantastic price? It's because the combination of color and the purity and elegance of the emerald cut. Usually the cut is only made for white diamonds. So do not be surprised if this diamond has a great allure and is priced at a very high price.

4. L’Incomparable Necklace

This very very expensive L'Incomparable diamond necklace was unveiled by the internationally acclaimed by Mouawad jewelery company. This diamond stone also still has the honor of being the most valuable piece of its kind in the world of jewelry.

The L’Incomparable Necklace was unveiled by the internationally acclaimed by Mouawad jewelery company and known as the most expensive necklace in the world. (Picture from: Al Rasub)

Interestingly, this gemstone was discovered by chance by a young girl in Congo three decades ago in a pile of kimberlite (is an igneous rock, which sometimes contains diamonds that are a by-product of diamond mining). The centerpiece is the world's largest internally flawless diamond, which is a massive 407.48 carats. What makes this necklace even more charming due to it also features 102 smaller gemstones. This L'Incomparable necklace is priced at US$55 million or equivalent to Rp. 787 billion.

3. The Pink Star

In late 2013, the Sotheby's had ever auctioned the 59.60-carat diamond, called The Pink Star, for the first time. And it led to many wealthy people lining up to get their hands on the gorgeous piece of jewelry.

The Pink Star is composed of 59.6 carats diamond belonging to the “fancy vivid pink” and “internally flawless” categories. (Picture from: TheMilliardAire)

At the time of the auction procession, interest in acquiring the diamond was so great that the final bid far exceeded the estimated US $61 million or equivalent to Rp. 873 billion. The price numbers rose to more than 83 million US dollars or equivalent to Rp. 1.1 trillion. However, the buyer was unable to meet the costs in time, so Sotheby's kept the stone at a price of US $72 millions.

2. Peacock Brooch by Graff

In the world of jewelry, Graff Diamonds is the largest and most trusted diamond company. Sometime ago the London-based company had ever created a beautiful and very expensive peacock-shaped brooch, is estimated its prices beyond a private jet.

In total, the Peacock Brooch by London-based Graff boasts 1,305 diamonds weighing a total of 120.81 carats coupled with a rare 20-carat deep Blue diamond at the centre. (Picture from: Pinterest)

The such beautiful jewelery features 1,305 gemstones, weighing 120.81 carats coupled with a dark blue diamond in the center weighing over 20 carats. The such beautiful brooch has a fantastically priced, which is Rp. 1.4 trillion (approx US $100 millions).

1. The Hope Diamond

One of the most famous jewels in history, the Hope Diamond, became a highly legendary piece of jewelery not only because of its extraordinary beauty, but also because it is thought to have been cursed. For centuries those jewelry was owned by Louis XIV then Harry Winston, the last of which was donated to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958. Since then, it has continued to be on display today.

The Hope Diamond is a highly legendary piece of jewelery not only because of its extraordinary beauty, but also because it is thought to have been cursed, and now sat on display at the Smithsonian Institution. (Picture from: Liputan6)

The stunning 45.52 carat dark blue diamond has been valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. However, according to the Smithsonian, its rarity, extremely high profile, and extraordinary cultural value make this piece of jewelry priceless in terms of money.

Those are five of the world's most expensive jewelry with beautiful colors, rare stones to interesting background stories. So which jewelry do you think is the most beautiful? Write your opinion in the comments column below this article.😎 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LUXATIC ]

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Prepared Yourself, Doomsday are near!

DoomsDays Be prepared doomsday are near! Maybe that's the thought that became the basis as well as the idea of the creator of this unique building. Who is he? Larry Hall, a former US government contractor, recently built an unusual and unique residence in the form of an earth scraper building called Survival Condo in a former Atlas missile silo.

The Survival Condo is an inverted skyscraper located somewhere in Central Kansas that seeks to provide shelter for the rich and famous amid a world-ending disaster. (Picture from: SurvivalCondo)

As quoted of The Sun, he came up with the idea in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Currently Larry Hall has built this unique below surface building somewhere in Central Kansas, United States. And according to the Survival Condo site, they are currently working on the second silo building, after the first one was completed some time ago.

Larry Hall (pictured) came up with the idea in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. (Picture from: Sains.Sindonews)

The mentioned building is like the opposite of a skyscraper, if the skyscrapers that soar high into the sky. This Survival Condo is built by utilizing a silo bunker which is then converted into a building that is embedded into the bowels of the earth, as if clawing at the earth's crust. In addition, the Survival Condo is also made with 9 feet of concrete thicks that's believed to be able to withstand very large shocks caused by blast thermonuclear weapons and even earthquakes.

The original Survival Condo is pictured under construction somewhere in Central Kansas, currently they are building the second building. (Picture from: Sains.Sindonews)

The building was built as deep as 210 feet or 64 meters into the earth. Later the building will be used as a shelter from chaos and mass destruction that occurred on earth as a result of nuclear war, pandemics and others. As Larry Hall told The Sun, "The aim (of this building) is to protect the occupants from various events that have the potential to destroy the earth, from nuclear war, pandemics, meteor attacks to major public chaos."

The original Survival Condo is pictured under construction  somewhere in Central Kansas, currently they are building the second building. (Picture from: SurvivalCondo)

The Survival Condo's withstand is claimed by Larry Hall to be very capable. "This is a luxurious residence building. Resistant to nuclear attack and able to protect its occupants physically and mentally," he continued.

The Survival Condo is an engineering marvel designed for comfortable long-term survival in a former Atlas missile silo. (Picture from: SurvivalCondo)

The building, which is embedded in the bowels of the earth, is able to withstand a 20 kiloton nuclear explosion and those number were that size is equivalent to the nuclear that was dropped by the United States on the Nagasaki region, Japan in 1945 which killed thousands of people.

The Survival Condo goes 210 feet into the Earth's crust and spans 15 stories. (Picture from: Sains.Sindonews)

He said that currently the anti-apocalypse building is equipped with various public facilities, ranging from swimming pools, cinemas, gyms and saunas, to restaurants with the food stocks, he claims to be available for the next 5 years. "Residents are very welcome if they want to bring their own food," he said. 

The Survival Condo provided a huge pool facility to keep occupants amused and healthy. (Picture from: SurvivalCondo)

Currently Larry Hall has sold the Survival Condo to the public. One residential unit is sold at a price of US $ 500,000 or Rp. 7.1 billion. For the most luxurious residences or penthouses, he set the price of US $4.5 million or the equivalent of Rp. 64.4 billion. Wow!

The Survival Condo Penthouse units are state of the art in both security and luxury. (Picture from: SurvivalCondo)

The price tags can also be higher for potential residents who want to customize their residence. For example, one Arabian customer chose to install an underground mosque as well as a hidden underground helicopter hanger connected by a tunnel to the unit they live in.

Larry Hall said the demand for the Survival Condo's unit always increases every time a disaster occurs. Including the Covid-19 pandemic which is still ongoing today. "Their awareness to get a safe place to live is very high after Covid-19," he explained. So, are you interested in purchasing a unit at this Survival Condo?  *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SURVIVAL CONDO | THE SUN  ]

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The Manta, a super-trimaran vessel will be swept the ocean trash in 2024

Clean The OCEAN Today we're going to talk about something the Trussty team isn't used to. Because this time we will discuss about an extraordinary ship that is trying to be developed in such a way that it can become a reliable ocean waste sweeper.

The Manta, a  56 meter (184 ft) long catamaran sailing vessel's use of electricity, along with solar cells and wind turbines will make it 70% self-sufficient in energy. (Picture from: WEForum)

Well, for many people in the world the existence of garbage, trash or waste (whatever is the name) are indeed very annoying. Yes, wherever the waste is located, whether on land, sea (and if it is also existed in the air) it can be ascertained that it becomes something contradictory, especially when it is related to the issue of ecosystem and environmental conservations.

Maybe this is how a French professional yacht racer named Yves Bourgnon feels who is disturbed and annoyed by constant sighting of floating plastic wastes in coastal waters, even in the open ocean over the years. This is understandable because he has spent his career racing sailing vessels around the globe as a competitive yachtsmen. Therefore, he and other environmental activists incorporated in the 'SeaCleaners' then initiated a project to design an ocean-cleaning sailboat that is powered by the waste it collects. That's a pretty brilliant idea.

Yvan Bourgnon, a French professional yacht racer who is initiated a project to design an ocean-cleaning sailboat that is powered by the waste it collects. (Picture from: Assises-Dechets)

The outcome of the project initiated by Yves Bourgnon and his colleagues will be a 56 meter (184 ft) long catamaran sailing vessel named the 'Manta,' which according to Reuters is one of the largest waste-collecting vessels on the seas. As mentioned before, the Manta uses waste to drive electric motor that works in conjuction with the sails to propel the large catamaran.

The Manta is one of the largest waste-collecting vessels on the seas and is powered by the waste it collects. (Picture from: SeaCleaners)

The mechanism for collecting waste up to become the vessel's fuel is carried out when the Manta glides on the sea, in between its three pontoons there're conveyor belts scoops up trash as small as 10 millimeters, while the three trawl nets drift behind (to a depth of 1 meter, thereby avoiding marine life) to be added to the onboard collection.

The Manta provides the conveyor belts scoops up trash then fed into processing machines where the vessel's crew members sort it before transferring it to an incinerator to drive turbines to creates electric power. (Picture from: SeaCleaners)

This waste is then fed into processing machines where the vessel's crew members sort it before transferring it to an incinerator that shreds and melts the plastic (and even uses heat and gases) to drive turbines to creates electric power.

The Manta is said able to sail non-stop by sucking 3 tons of garbage per hour, without the need to return to nearest port to refuel or unload plastic. (Picture from: Assises-Dechets)

Another ways o generates electric power is also done by harvesting solar heat by lining the deck with solar panels and installing wind turbines to harvest power from the wind coming from the sails, so that Manta can be said to be 70% independent in terms of energy, and allows it to sail non-stop by sucking 3 tons of garbage per hour, without the need to return to nearest port to refuel or unload plastic.

In addition to having a primary function as a sea waste collector, this vessel also provides room onboard that functions as a scientific laboratory, which allows marine biologists and chemists to study the effects of plastics on ecosystems and many other studies.

Although initially launched purely as a concept, but the SeaCleaners intends to put it as a fully operational prototype that can be work collecting waste on the oceans by 2024. Furthermore Bourgnon believes that if 400 vessels such this are successfully built, and they can eventually eliminate as much as 33% of the plastic waste on the sea. 

It's a noble effort that can make our environment clean from waste, and make life better and healthier. Let's support so that it can be realized soon! *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE SEACLEANER | ASSISES-DECHETS | GOODNEWSNETWORK | WEFORUM ]

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The orangutan population is increasingly critical

We haven't included the discussion on nature conservation for a long time, especially after knowing about the latest condition of orangutan habitat on the island of Borneo. 

There was something intriguing, so we on this occasion again made an article with the nature conservation-themed, in the hope that it could spark empathy for the orangutan conservation efforts. Thus the existence of orangutans in the wild can continue to be preserved.

A mobile library of Yayorin (Yayasan Orangutan Indonesia/Indonesian' Orangutan Foundation) to support its education efforts, in areas close to orangutan habitat, in Central Kalimantan Indonesian Borneo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2RRHfzQ)

The year 2019 has been passed, the population of orangutans on the island of Borneo is increasing decreased. If previously the status of its population was critical, now the existence of orangutans in Kalimantan has entered an endangered critical stage.

"In the past, we could say the orangutan conditions on the island of Borneo are still safe. The population is between 35,000 and 55,000. But after the survey increased again (the severity levels), now it is the same as Sumatra, in very critical stage," said Rondang Siregar, an orangutan expert at the University of Indonesia some time ago.

This critically endangered status is determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. And the Sumatra orangutans have assumed this status in advance.

A mature male Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2O7KJgC)

Rondang further said, the reason for the increasingly falling down the population of orangutans still revolves around the classic problem, namely the orangutan lives increasingly threatened because their habitats were taken for human use. For example, in 2017 alone, the deforestation rate is still around 97,000 hectares, especially now that the numbers are getting bigger. 

As a result of deforestation makes the orangutan habitat fragmented. "Because their habitat was chopped up eventually they came out and conflicted with humans," said Rondang. 

Pongo pygmaeus morio or the Black Bornean Orangutan. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2O7KJgC)

On the island of Borneo alone, poaching and trade in wildlife are also still rife. In fact, orangutans are clearly protected by the Indonesian's Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Ecosystems. 

"In the past, the price was Rp.500,000 (approx US $37) when left the forest. When it came to the port, the station, the terminal, it could reach millions rupiah. Surely it is always there," said Rondang. Due to habitat loss and poaching, the orangutan population has declined dramatically by 50 percent over the past 20 years. How tragic, isn't? 

Thus the orangutan preservations need to be done immediately and You can actively participate in this effort by making a donation through Orangutan Foundation. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ORANGUTAN FOUNDATION | SAINS KOMPAS]

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Did You know what is the Point Nemo?

The area on Earth that is spread out by a vast cluster of islands and oceans, but apparently still holds many certain areas to be still a mystery. One of them is a place that is named "Point Nemo" aka "no one" if translated into Latin. So-called because there's no one who has ever openly touched or arrived at the place because it is located far from the mainland. The name of Nemo is derived from the fictional submarine captain name of Jules Verne's novel entitled "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea."

Point Nemo, a mysterious and remote place on Earth that has not been touched by humans. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2G2mOLb)

As quoted from the Bombastis, when viewed from the map, the place was seen flanked by three continents namely Australia, America (southern part), and Antarctica, so that it seemed very remote and rarely noticed. No wonder the existence of Point Nemo is then used as a convenient "graveyard" for many retired spacecraft or defunct satellites after orbiting in outer space. So, what's the location like?

Point Nemo has become a deserted area that is rarely considered by most humans in the world. As quoted from Allthatsinteresting, the area located at 48°52.6′ South and 123°23.6′ West, even said to be the middle of nowhere because of the characteristic location that is surrounded by more than 1,000 nautical miles in each direction, can arguably the starting point as a place in the ocean far from the mainland. Then, if seen from the facts, there're no one lives close together in the area.

Because it was devoid of human life, then it was made into an unofficial "graveyard" of many defunct satellites and other retired spacecraft. At least 260 spacecraft mostly Russian's have been drowned in peace there. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2G2mOLb)

Because it was devoid of human life, Point Nemo was made into an unofficial "graveyard" of many defunct satellites and other retired spacecraft. For example, Russia's space laboratory, Mir with a weight more of 120 tons was once directed to land in this place in 2001. Then followed by China which also chose the north direction of Point Nemo is the location of the fall of its Tiangong-1 in 2018. In fact, the International Space Station (ISS), which weighs over 420 tons, is also planned to be buried at Nemo Point if it retires in the next 2024.

In the future, Point Nemo will probably no longer be a "graveyard" for retired spacecraft or satellites due to the future space rides will be designed completely burn in the atmosphere. So that Point Nemo will remain as it is, one of the world's most mysterious places. Strange but true is the fitted sentence pinned to give a glance picture of the existence of those mysterious Point Nemo.

Vehicles break up into thousands of pieces before hitting the water. Pictured is the European Space Agency craft Jules Verne during re-entry before landing in Point Nemo in 2008. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2sqaSzz)

The Point Nemo discovered in 1992 by a survey engineer named Hrvoje Lukatela by using a geographic's computer software, which calculates the greatest distance coordinates of three land coordinates that are the same distance. It is very likely that no human has ever crossed those coordinates at all. Even, the inventor had never visited the location of Point Nemo. This remote ocean location is 2,688 kilometers from the nearest mainland - Ducie Island, part of the Pitcairn Islands, to the north; Motu Nui, one of the Easter Islands, to the northeast; and Maher Island, part of Antarctica, to the south.

The Point Nemo discovered in 1992 by a survey engineer named Hrvoje Lukatela by using a geographic's computer software. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2sqaSzz)

Then, one of the mysterious unsolved events to date that has ever taken place in the area around Point Nemo is the mysterious sound of bubbles. At that time in 1997, the world's scientists were surprised when they detected one of the loudest underwater sounds ever recorded near the poles.

The sound later called "The Bloop" was caught by an underwater microphone that was more than 3,000 miles apart. Until now, there has been no further explanation about the sound. Given, the location of Point Nemo which is also remote and rarely visited by humans. As it turns out, some said the Bloop was actually the sound of ice breaking off of Antarctica and not the call of Cthulhu, a kind of sea monster.

Although there is a lot of speculation, there hasn't been any empirical research and visitation yet to gather information about the area. Until now, Point Nemo has only been known as a deserted water area and has not been touched by any human hands. No doubt, Point Nemo has become a mysterious remote place waiting to be revealed. Perhaps, it could be revealed by You someday. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE SUN | ALLTHATSINTERESTING]

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EarEcho uses your ear to unlock the phone

Usually, to unlock a smartphone, we use several ways such as entering a password / PIN, fingerprint scan to face our face in front of the smartphone (face recognition). In the near future, it is likely that there will be a new way to unlock smartphones, which is enough via the earphones we are using.

The new gadget called EarEcho, boasts modified earbuds that use sound waves to identify the unique geometry of the ear canal. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Y9kxG2)

All beginning from seeing most students using earphones while on campus, a computer scientist and professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University at Buffalo named Zhanpeng Jin intrigued to add the functionality of an earphone to unlock a smartphone. Together with his team, he finally made a prototype of EarEcho is described in a paper in Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies.

The EarEcho is a wireless earphone that is able to authenticate identity through the unique shape of the ear canal geometry of each smartphone user. When a sound enters the user's ear via EarEcho, the small microphone contained in this earphone will record the reflection of the sound received from the user's ear canal.

When a sound is played into someone’s ear, the sound propagates through and the ear canal reflects and absorbs it—all of which produce a unique signature that a microphone attached to the earbud can record, which then sends the info via Bluetooth to the user’s smartphone for verification. (Credit: U. Buffalo). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2P6tX0X)

This sound reflection is then analyzed by the program contained in the user's smartphone and becomes the identity of each user. Researchers have also developed acoustic signal processing techniques to reduce the noise that occurs during the process of sound reflection in the user's ear canal to increase the accuracy of the authentication process.

The researchers have tested this prototype in a variety of environmental conditions and various user positions and claimed accuracy of up to 95 percent for the user authentication process within 1 second. Even, The level of accuracy is claimed to increase to 97.5 percent when the user authentication process is made to 3 seconds.

Jin revealed that this technology has the potential to be realized because users do not need to take any action to unlock their smartphones, just by wearing EarEcho. In addition to unlocking smartphones, according to Jin, EarEcho might also be used to simplify the authentication process for mobile payments and others.

Here's Original Study DOI: 10.1145/3351239. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FUTURITY | SCIENCEDAILY]

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Do you want to have a classic scooter-shaped ring?

Indeed as we've been knew, the scooters made by Italian manufacturer Piaggio named Vespa have many fans in all over the world. This makes everything related to those legendary Italian scooters always attracts a lot of attention and is liked by many of its enthusiasts.

The Vespa Scooter Ring by Paul Michael Design is a must-have for motorcycle enthusiasts (especially for those Italian scooter fans). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IuLvl2)

Recently, Paul Michael Design, a jewelry designer known for their expertise in making unique-shaped rings, again made the latest innovation. Unlike the most rings that have a standard model such as a circle and others.

There's an artificial diamond is designed as the headlight of the Paul Michael Design Vespa scooter ring. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IuLvl2)

This time, they made a classic Vespa-shaped ring. Perhaps for some people, this classic Vespa-shaped rings are not as special to the Vespa fans. Yes, for the Italian scooter lovers, this unique ring is an interesting piece of jewelry that they must be collected and lets them wear it on their finger.

This Paul Michael Design Vespa scooter ring made of 22K gold and inspired by the famous Vespa's classic scooter models. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IuLvl2)

As presented on the custommade.com page, the Vespa-shaped ring also looked unique and amazing with the distinctive details of those classic scooter. Starting from the shape of the front of the scooter, its round lights, handlebars complete with brake handle and clutch, up to the footrest and scooter seats are made in a tiny ring. And while the wheel parts are discarded. Then its footrest made in curvature becomes the inside of the ring.

There're artificial rubies form the taillight of Paul Michael Design Vespa scooter ring. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MzFPYf)

This unique shaped rings are offered with several choices of materials, there some are made from precious metals such as silver, 22 carat gold, 14 carat gold, 14 carat white gold up to platinum. And for the price, you have to pay as much as US $495 or around Rp.7 million for silver. While the platinum ring, the price reaches US $2,195 or Rp.31.1 million. 

Are You interested in buying it? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NOVELTY STREET |  WEB URBANIST]
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