Beats a suit and tie! Telecoms worker storms office wearing Iron Man costume

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Ready for anything: Telecoms worker Wang Kang wears his Iron Man armour to his workplace in Shanghai, China. The foam costume took three months and $450 to make and weighs 50kg


Well it's certainly one way to get your boss to notice you.

A telecoms worker has become an internet sensation in China after ditching his shirt and tie and wearing this home-made Iron Man costume to work instead.

Wang Kang left his colleagues stunned when he strolled through the Shanghai office entrance unannounced and began strutting along the corridors in the formidable ensemble.


Making a statement: Wang's costume attracts a quizzical stare from a co-worker. Others were frightened when he turned up wearing it announced, and some even screamed


'No colleagues knew my mission, and some of them froze there in seeing me approach,' he said.

'Some were even screaming for being scared.'

The 25-year-old came up with the idea after seeing the 2008 hit movie starring Robert Downey Junior.

He began building the costume at the end of February and it took him around three months to complete, at a cost of around $450.


Hot property: Wang's costume has attracted praise from his boss and compliments from women


But Wang said the effort had been well worth it - with his costume drawing praise from his bosses and compliments from women.

He claimed some had even 'fallen in love' with him because of it.

'They said I am a happy and creative man, and they wanted to know me,' he said.

The main material he used was EVA foam, which was glued onto an aluminium frame.
Soldering irons were used to create the effect of rough iron plates and the whole armour was then painted the colour of aged iron.


Inspiration: Robert Downey Jr in costume for the 2008 film Iron man


After the frame and plates were completed, installed wires, pipes and circuits.
He said: 'I sometimes thought of quitting it, as the project was very time and energy-consuming and I had to do it during my free time.

'I just wanted to share the happiness with friends.

'Life needs passion, and I hoped my armour could trigger their passion for life.'

Wang is determined the first costume - the Mk1 - will be the start of many, and hopes to improve the design so it is lighter and more user-friendly.

The current model weighs 50kg and takes ten minutes to put on.

'I want to accumulate more experience via making the MK1 so I can make the MK2 armour really well,' he said.

IRON MAN - MARK 1 - COMPLETE - Foam Armor Costume - Artist - Wang Kang - ( Shanghai, CHINA)



source :dailymail

Flying high: Jetpack invention reaches 5,000ft as futuristic transport gets ever-closer to commercial use

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Previous test: The Martin Jetpack has already completed a seven-minute test flight, which saw it climb to an altitude of 100ft


Travelling by jetpack used to be something only seen in science fiction.

But the first commercial suit could soon be on sale following another successful step on the flight towards production.

Over the weekend, a team of New Zealand inventors behind the Martin rocketman suit conducted a test flight that saw them soar to 5,000 feet.


Flying high: The jetpack soars above the New Zealand countryside as it reached heights of 5,000 feet during its ten minute test flight


In the test, carried out over the Canterbury region of the country, a dummy took the place of a passenger as it was flown by remote control from a helicopter.

And in another first, the suit then descended to 2,000 feet before deploying a parachute and landing, albeit with rather a large bump.

The flight lasted around ten minutes, making it the longest ever recorded.


On the way down: The jetpack is the first to deploy a parachute to help it land - even if on this occasion it was a bumpy one


The successful test brings the reality of flight by jetpack another step closer after 40 years of development by inventor Glenn Martin.

Mr Martin has spent NZ$12million on the venture, but now hopes to bring in more investment and possibly even start mass production.

This weekend's flight follows on from a test which took place in April that saw the invention reach 100ft and fly for seven minutes.


Take off: With a dummy as a pilot, the jetpack, which was flown by radio control from a helicopter, lifts off for its journey


The engine, fuel tank and pilot are positioned between and below the lift-fans to lower the centre of gravity and prevent the machine turning upside down.

While the tests are a huge advancement in bringing the device to the shelves, it is still unclear how aviation authorities will treat the jetpack.

Weighing just 250lbs, users in many European countries, including Britain, should not need to be licensed. However, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is still considering an official response.

Either way, Martin Aircraft Company said any attempt to fly the jetpack without professional instruction would be ‘extremely foolhardy’.

The company will require all owners to undertake an approved training programme before flying the aircraft with personal users taking delivery in around 18 months.


Sean Connery uses a Belt Rocket Belt jetpack in the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball. It could carry a man over 30ft-high obstacles and reached speeds of up to 10mph but had a limited flying time of just 20-30 seconds and huge fuel consumption


Martin Jetpack 5000ft flight - highlights


source: dailymail

Is it a unicycle? Is it a motorbike? Unveiled: The transforming 'dicycle' that can fit in a lift

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Transformers: The electric-powered Uno III Streetbike - or U3 - can convert itself with the push of a button from a conventional motorbike to unicycle-style machine


Dispatch riders and couriers know the fastest way to weave through heavy traffic is on a motorbike.

But for those jams even two wheels can't navigate, a new solution has been developed.

Just like a Transformer, the Uno III Streetbike - or U3 - can convert itself with the push of a button from a conventional motorbike to unicycle-style machine.


Robots in disguise: The Tron style motorcycle leathers are optional


The electric-powered machine balances on two parallel rear wheels, the front retracting between them to allow it to manoeuvre through spaces so tight it can be driven into a building - and even fit in the lift.

Then, when it's time to zoom off into the sunset, the front wheel slides forward as the rear pair move back, giving the vehicle the stability to pick up speeds of up to 30mph.

It can travel between 30 to 35 miles on a single three to four hour charge.


Through the evil eye: This diagram shows the mechanism which allows the U3's transformation


Now the remarkable vehicle is being produced by his own motor design company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, called BPG Motors.

Small enough to fit in indoors, but powerful enough to tackle the road, the makers hope the cutting edge $7,500 (£4,600) ride will revolutionise the morning commute.


BPG Motors: Transforming UNO Video


source: dailymail