2016-05-16

Notes.

First, some changes to my section headings to be a bit more descriptive. And second, I'm adding a "Credits" section for attributing people who send me links. As always: If you read something good, send it over.

Oh! And I'll be at RAPID (the big 3D printing conference) this week, and am giving a talk on Wednesday. Holler if you'll be there; I'd love to meet in person.

Wayfinding & Strategy.

Kickstarter's PBC status is pretty rad.
Andy Dunn on Digitally Native Vertical Brands.
Motivate, the biggest bike share company in the US, is now contracting frame manufacturing to a company in Detroit.
The MTA released (harmless) perfluorocarbon tracer gases in a few subway stations to see how they travel through the subway system.
Marco Arment on Apple's role in the podcast ecosystem.

Building.

Hyperloop One (formerly Hyperloop Technologies) did a bunch of shit this week, including raising a bunch of money, announcing they were using passive levitation, and testing an open sled. Start here, then explore.
These Proxxon micro machines look pretty nice.
How ink is made.
Velo3D's patent.
Panasonic has apparently created a very good weather model.
A short but good video of Apple's "Liam" robot.
A 1934 video of how tires are made. See also my 2014 notes from a Taiwanese bike tire factory.
A nice quick method of finding the center of a piece of round stock.
Photos from the Gigafactory.

Distribution & Logistics.

A video explaining how the new expanded Panama Canal will work. Somewhat sadly, they're getting rid of the cute trains that guided ships through the locks - opting for tugboats instead.
GM (fresh off of their acquisition of Cruise and after investing $500M in Lyft) and Lyft will test a driverless taxi service within a year.
Claude Shannon demoing a maze solving machine in the early 50s.