Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2016 i Popular Mechanics South Africa

POPULAR MECHANICS: The show’s over, and the last episode is airing this month. How does it feel? ADAM SAVAGE: I can’t speak for Jamie, but for me it’s been a very intense year. I didn’t even work in special effects as long as I’ve been making MythBusters. We did the show for 13 years. I’ve gone through all the Kübler-Ross stages of grief. JAMIE HYNEMAN: I don’t feel that way so much. It’s funny. I’m relieved that it’s over. And I’m looking forward to what’s next. At the same time, doing something for so long, I’ve found myself almost tearing up at times when we go out on stage [for the final national tour]. There’s something emotional lurking there, but it was time for us to move on. PM: It’s…

ARROW KEY Vapour Waste Methanol 1 The fermented liquid created from the mash, called distiller’s beer, is pumped into the system at a rate of 8 litres per minute. This keeps approximately 150 litres in the still at any moment. 2 A heat source at the bottom of the column heats the distiller’s beer to 100 degrees. The alcohol and water vaporise and rise to the top of the first column, where they are transferred to the second. Any grains or impurities from the distiller’s beer (called tails) remain at the bottom of the column and are removed. 3 The lower temperature in the second column allows impurities to liquefy and fall to the bottom as the alcohol vapour rises and is transferred to the third column. 4 The process…

COMPILED BY LINDSEY SCHUTTERS lindsey.schutters@ramsaymedia.co.za SAMSUNG GEAR S2 Power ranger You wake up at five, out the door for 30 minutes of hard play with your energetic puppy. Out the shower at just before six, get the kid to school, skipping music on your wrist. Now you’re fielding speakerphone calls in traffic with your phone plugged into the car radio via 3,5 mm audio cable. You blink and you’re at the office, but your flight is soon and you keep checking the time. It’s a digital display, so this is done with a hand raise gesture. It works well. Your watch buzzes with a calendar reminder. Your wife sent you a Whatsapp to check if you made your flight and you reply with a blowing kiss emoji – the list…

Urban air pollution generated by vehicles, industries and energy production kills approximately 800 000 people a year, according to a World Health Organisation report on environment and health in developing countries. It’s fair to infer from this that an uncomfortable proportion of those occurs in Johannesburg, the home to 4,5 million souls – and Africa’s most polluted air. But moves are under way to address that. A pilot project driven by a partnership between Johannesburg, IBM and the CSIR aims to combine Big Data, the Internet of Things and learning technologies to help the city deliver on its air quality management plan. This forms part of the global rollout of IBM’s Green Horizons initiative. That kicked off a year ago in China, whose meteoric, relentless growth in the past two…

TO SAY THAT Robert Vicino has thought of everything would be a colossal understatement. The website of his apocalypse-shelter company, Vivos, contains links about pets, social hierarchy, clothing, and religion. He’s created a free vault for human DNA to which anyone can submit a sample. The following sentence appears in the advertising copy for his 30-hectare bunker somewhere under Europe: “If you believe in the prophecies and predictions of the Bible, Nostradamus, the Third Secret of Fatima, the visions of Edgar Cayce, and all of the current signs of an economic collapse, future nuclear war, WW3, a pandemic, an EMP power outage, a Yellowstone eruption, a potential asteroid collision, Nibiru, Planet X, Fukushima’s eventual meltdown and widespread global radiation, the coming pole shift and/or major Earth changes, it is time…

On a modest 50 hectares in the sleepy farmlands around Marble Hall in Limpopo, a quiet revolution in air travel is under way. That’s where a leafy plant sprouting from the red clay soil is being hailed as the answer to the challenge of creating sustainable aviation biofuel. The plant in question is Solaris, a member of the tobacco family (nicotinefree, for what it’s worth). Oil from Solaris seeds is converted into bio-jet fuel in a process developed and patented by the Italian company Sunchem Holding. What’s more, in time to come, emerging technologies are expected to exploit the leaves and stems to increase biofuel production. With the first harvest barely in, already there’s talk of an imminent test flight. That flight is planned for this year, in collaboration with…

You know you’re at McLaren when the trees change. At the roundabout exit for the factory and world headquarters, the forest next to the road isn’t like the surrounding countryside. On McLaren property, the trees are in rows, the hedges are square, and the grass has been recently mowed. Order replaces chaos. Before you’re even through the gate, you have a sense of the McLaren worldview, a perspective that accounts for the main criticism of its first real production car, the MP4-12C: it was too perfect. Excessive competence is not a typical problem for startup car companies, but McLaren isn’t a typical startup. It’s a Formula One race team with decades of history that’s learning the road-car business. I wanted to visit while it’s still in the ramp-up phase. A…

High expectations surround the all-new Toyota Hilux after a long wait. Competitors have been eating into the decades-long advantage the vehicle has built up. The consensus: Toyota needed to come up with something special to continue its victory march. Progress is not to be denied. So, when the phrase “artificial intelligence” in driving was mentioned, our imagination went into overdrive, so to speak. The Hilux indeed has a world first for the segment: the fitment of what Toyota calls intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) on selected models. iMT effectively incorporates revmatching technology on up- and downshifts to provide an ultra-smooth drive. This i-system is available on two models in the range. Those who prefer to avoid shifting gears themselves have gear smartness, too. That comes in the form of the 6-speed…

The downsizing wars are in full swing and the European manufacturers are at the forefront of the trend, as epitomised by Ford having won International Engine of the Year for three consecutive years with the Eurocentric 1,0-litre turbopetrol three-cylinder Ecoboost. Not to be outdone, La Régie has introduced a new engine to the bestselling Clio range. Now, bear in mind that Renault already has a small engine in that end of the market – the 0,9-litre three-cylinder turbopetrol also available in the Clio bodyshell. With just 66 kW and 135 N.m of torque, there’s no doubt that this motor is the eco flagship of the line-up. But the brand was missing some joie de vivre. The new engine gets an extra cylinder, taking total capacity to 1,2 litres. Power output…

THE BOOM IN WEARABLES – particularly devices such as FitWatches that track your activity – has predictably attracted attention in the automotive world. Scientists and engineers at Ford’s new wearables research laboratory are working to integrate wearable devices and vehicles to enable driver-assist technologies to be more aware of the driver behind the wheel – particularly when that driver is stressed or sleepy. The company has just opened an Automotive Wearables Experience Lab at its Research and Innovation Centre in Dearborn, Michigan, US. “As more consumers embrace smartwatches, glasses and fitness bands, we hope to develop future applications that work with those devices to enhance in-car functionality and driver awareness,” says Gary Strumolo, global manager for vehicle design and infotronics, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. There’s potential, they believe, in…

Human beings haven’t been around for a very long time. Our greatest technological contribution thus far is the wheel. Controlled explosions are too destructive to be considered a contribution and fire occurs naturally. The wheel is integral to our existence and there isn’t another creature on the planet that can harness its mighty power. Think about it: if you were a lion and could steal one technology from another species, wouldn’t you take the wheel? Tharalelo Mokgokong is a part-time lecturer at the Tshwane University of Technology, industrial engineer and lifelong fan of biomimicry; he wants us to learn from lions. “Don’t you find it strange that lions can organise themselves on a hunt?” he probes. “They have different strategies for different kinds of prey. Then they arrange themselves. It’s…

SOME PEOPLE LOOK for the nearest exit when they enter a room. I look for the nearest window. It’s a habit I developed after surviving three fires in my apartment – right after buying more fire extinguishers. Since I can’t carry a fire extinguisher with me, I need another means to reassure myself I can escape. The only way to know that for sure is to locate a window. And to wear my belt. The belt, which I wear every day, was inspired by my friend Dr Marvin Minsky, the MIT professor widely regarded as the father of artificial intelligence. Many years ago, he knitted a rescue belt out of 250 kilogram test military-grade paracord. If there’s ever an emergency – and there have been at least two: once when…

More people, in more countries, are travelling by air. But we’re on the brink of an unprecedented boom. Data provided by Boeing show that, a little more than 20 years ago, about 1,5 trillion revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) were flown. Of that, nearly three-quarters was undertaken in Europe and North America. By 2014, total RPK had soared to six trillion. What’s noteworthy is that the Europe/North America travel more or less equally combined to make up only half the total. The other half was dominated by Asia (excluding China), with China next at about one-eighth of the total. By 2034, air travel will stand at 16 trillion RPK. Europe and North America’s share of that is estimated at 38 per cent, equal to China and the rest of Asia combined.…

It’s called the UK Connected Intelligent Transport Environment (UK-CITE) and it will be the first dedicated route to test vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicleto-infrastructure technology systems in real-life driving conditions. The CAV test corridor, to be constructed around and between Coventry and Solihull. Coventry is where the headquarters of both brands are located and Solihull is the site of the original Land Rover production plant. The R120-million project will include sophisticated roadside communications equipment that will be installed over the three-year construction process. This will enable the testing of a 100-strong fleet of connected and automated vehicles, including products from Jaguar Land Rover, as well as four main connectivity technologies crucial in the development of the project: Local Wi-Fi hot spots Dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) 4G-based LTE LTE-V. Put simply, the different…

When the H1 was originally launched in South Africa in 2009, I recall that the only thing I thought lacking from the line-up was a turbodiesel engine. That motor arrived a year later and the Panel Van and Multicab offerings have only added to the immense popularity of this Korean van over the past six years. Instead of messing with a proven formula, Hyundai has wisely decided that simple updates to the range are sufficient for the H1 to continue taking on the likes of Ford’s Tourneo Custom and VW’s recently launched Kombi. To keep the H1 attractive, the company has tweaked the front grille and bumper styling, in addition to redesigning the 16-inch alloy wheels. Making tracks for the range-topping model, which is obviously the best equipped, I was…

Mazda is doing its utmost to attract local consumers: you need look no further than the television advertisement campaign featuring anime characters driving its products. One model that I believe has flown under the radar a bit too long is the CX-5. And that’s despite punching way above its weight when it comes to price, build quality, performance and overall refinement. Facelifted last year, the CX-5 benefits from the latest evolution of Mazda’s KODO design philosophy, with a new front grille and 19-inch alloys. Particularly noticeable are the new adaptive LED headlamps – the first on a Mazda model in South Africa. They’re narrower and slightly more aggressive-looking than those of its predecessor’s. In Akera specification, occupants aren’t left wondering if they will be completely at ease. The CX-5 is…

We’ve seen the shocking videos on YouTube: compilations every year of the absolutely atrocious driving in Russia. But the reality is that unfortunate events on the motorways are not restricted to one part of the planet. And, fortunately, we have dash cams to thank for bringing bad behaviour to light, whether for insurance purposes or assisting law enforcement. Step 1: It’s crucial to locate a suitable place to mount the Dash Cam 35 from the very beginning, as the adhesive surface of the mount that attaches to the windshield is very sticky. You can’t just move it around. You also have to consider a location for the camera that won’t obstruct your view of the road ahead. * PRO TIP* follow the advice to attach the mount to the windscreen…

PROJECT OF THE MONTH When Ray Hulse built this vehicle for his four-year-old grandson, he built it to last. Which explains the body made of solid recycled oak and redwood and the copper and brass bushings. The steering knuckles and wheel are from an old lawn tractor, and the pedal rod is made of iron. Altogether this child’s toy weighs more than 45 kg, which means, unless Hulse’s grandson is Paul Bunyan, the toy is heavier than the child. Hulse first got the idea from a newspaper article he came across 30 years ago. At the time he’d planned to build the car for his then-young son, but life got in the way. Last year he decided if he didn’t make it now he never would. Using more than 50…

Drones have an effective role in military operations and can provide protection for many government assets and national safety, but what about privatising their use? Your article “The drones are coming” in the February 2016 issue inspired me to think about the use of virtual reality controlled drones in the private security industry. We live in a country where security has become a necessity for most and a danger for those providing the service. Through my involvement in various fields within the security industry, I have experienced the latest and greatest ways of securing and monitoring premises. One of these ways entails off-site video surveillance combined with on-site guards or armed reaction nearby. The challenge with this is that there are lives at risk because the guards do not know…

The first time I learnt about Leica was from a legendary camera dealer in New York City. I wanted to see one of his cameras, and he said, “You’re not ready yet.” All my heroes used a Leica – Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank. I got my first one in 1982. It’s how I learnt to be a photographer. Leica’s reputation for being the best you can get is well deserved. It always has the best lenses. The glass is ground to the finest specifications, which means that colours are very, very accurate. The photos don’t have the same overbrightness as photos from Japanese cameras. When I set the new Leica SL to high ISO, so the sensor is taking in a lot of light, there’s no visual noise or pixellation as…

FOR SOME PEOPLE, voice recognition is too weird, too complicated, or just not good enough. I get it. My friend Matthew Berry, a fantasy football guy on ESPN, is in my phone as Berry. My wife’s name is Mary. I’ll hit the button on the steering wheel in my car to activate voice recognition and say, “Call Mary.” “Call Berry?” the car usually responds. “No, call Mary.” “Call Berry?” “No!” Now I’m yelling at my car, looking like an idiot to anyone who happens to see me. It’s frustrating. The most dialled numbers in my phone are my office, my sons and my wife. The car should know that. Considering how amazing the technology is, this is a crazy complaint, but these innovations are so incredible that you just want…

DO YOU STAY WHERE YOU ARE? OR DO YOU RUN? THE DECISION To have any chance of saving his friend, a hiker has to leave him behind. BY KEVIN DUPZYK JUST HOURS EARLIER, they had thought the night in the boulder field worth it. Chris Scruggs and Zach McCutchen had finally crested a ridge in the Alaska Range that they’d nearly killed themselves trying to reach. Mt McKinley, North America’s mightiest peak, was only 50 kilometres away. The clouds that had dumped rain on them all night cleared. Looking into the valley on the other side of the ridge they could see glacial melt gathering into streams, streams gathering into rivers, rivers draining the imposing landscape of Denali National Park. The scene was majestic, worthy of their hard work. But…

Thought F1 was fast-paced? The speed of innovation in the automotive industry makes it look like a donkey-cart race. The last few years have seen the development of disruptive new technologies that are set to change the face of society forever. Ever since the first Ford Model T hit markets around the world, people have been obsessing about what the car of the future might look like. While the century since the Model T’s invention has brought plenty of changes to the automobile industry, the current crop of innovations represents a massive shift. At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, it became clear that the future of cars is less about horsepower and more about empowering drivers. Major motor manufacturers are seeking out ways to do this…

1 HONDA CIVIC TYPE R The perfect car is a unicorn. A unique intersection between go-to-the-shops practicality and comfort and pants-wetting mid-corner thrills used to be called the Golf GTI. While this is still a great way to label the do-it-all car, Volkswagen’s competitors have closed the gap and Honda’s new (in South Africa at least) Civic Type R is right on the GTI’s six. It’s the combination of family hatchback space and a trick suspension that automatically adjusts damping that makes this a prime contender for the front-wheel-drive throne. It sure looks the part thanks to a gaping front airdam, sculpted wheel arches, extrovert rear wing and quad tailpipes. But it is let down by a few irritating oversights. On the one hand, it’s a track demon with grip…

When it comes to the world of compact executive transport in South Africa, you need to come to the game with more than just a great product and a brand name. You need to appeal to enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. To address that, the likes of BMW’s 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class offer a massive line-up. But, there’s something to be said for the fringe players like Lexus packing a whole lot of specification and features into a limited model range. Except that Lexus kinda shot itself in the foot when the IS350 was launched here as the sole representative of the IS portfolio. Although the IS350’s mighty, normally aspirated V6 remains quite entertaining, it fell behind rivals equipped with turbo engines. Now, Lexus is ready to make amends…

A guy, let’s call him me, decides to buy a solar array for his home. The solar technician tells me, you gotta get rid of those two trees because they shade the roof where the panels will go. I call the tree guy, who comes to take a look. The tree guy says he needs to get a bucket truck into the yard to take out the trees and to make it fit, he’d need to remove a section of my fence. But next to the fence sits an unforeseen obstacle to glorious, renewable solar power: my boat trailer. As you’ve probably seen on cars, iron brake rotors rust. But then you start driving and every tap of the brake pedal scours the rotors clean. Motion keeps brakes healthy and,…

A cheap, easy and clever alternative to jacking Renovations often require replacing load-bearing posts, which means rigging up a wooden beam or post as a temporary support. If a jack is not readily available, use felling wedges. Cut the temporary support about 5 centimetres shorter than the floorto-ceiling distance. Set it on top of a piece of scrap timber, which protects the floor and facilitates setting the wedges. Now position wedges on opposite sides of the support and hammer them into place, raising it and the load. For extra security, stop blocks can be screwed into the scrap timber to keep the wedges in position. When the permanent post has been installed, remove the wedges by tapping them from the side. FOOD PREP WITH LESS BROWNING Whether you’re packing a…

CORNICE MAGIC If, like me, you live in an older house with older cornices around your ceilings, here’s a decorating solution that saves time and makes them look better than they probably ever did. When painting the ceiling and walls, it’s time-consuming painting the edges of the walls where they meet the cornice. Even with a steady hand this can look rough because of old cornices cracking away from the wall, cables glued into the corner, or just many layers of old paint. I discovered a “lazier” way to do this, which turned out to be a better looking way, too. First fill in any cracks along the cornice edges with a PVA filler in a sealant gun. Then paint the ceiling and the cornice too (or just the cornice),…