RobiNZ Personal Blog

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner gets assembled quickly for Air India

via Boeing's 787 Dreamliner gets assembled quickly for Air India | @scoopit sco.lt/7W34xl — Joao Greno Brogueira (@topcadexperts) September 8, 2012 Interesting to see the 787 uses conventional looking frame/stringer fuselage reinforcement in spite of it’s advanced carbon construction. Read more →

Pat Metheny’s ultimate one man band — Orchestrion

Pat Metheny makes the ultimate one man band — Orchestrion. I own the CD but hadn’t seen this before, how amazing technology and talent makes amazing music. Read more →

Flashback? The 1984 Sony D50 Discman after 28 years

My first thought when I saw the “Friday Flashback” post on the Sony Blog was: “What do they mean, Flashback?”. My first CD Player is still in regular use, as good as the day it left the factory! Flashback Friday: The Sony Discman (1984) « SONY make.believe 1984: Ghostbusters made its ways onto the big screen, Los Angeles hosted athletes from around the globe and the first ever flight in space by a human untethered using jet back packs happened. What better way to rock out to all these 80’s milestones than by pulling out a Sony Walkman® CD player.... Read more →

A nano technology energy solution, no grid required?

The Red Bull Formula 1 Car Owners' Workshop Manual

Want to build, or maintain, a 2010 Formula 1 Championship winning car? This Haynes Manual would be a good start. The last/only Haynes Manual I owned was for a 1973 Fiat 127. Although the technology in this one is rather different the format is familiar. There are lots of cutaway illustrations, assembly diagrams and info on all the car components, systems and the technical rule requirements which drive the design. There is enough detail to satisfy a F1 fan, especially those who love the techo and design aspects of the sport, although not detailed enough to have McLaren heading for... Read more →

The Ferrari Pinin Sedan Concept Car for sale (without my interior)

I was interested to see reports that the 1980 Ferrari Pinin Sedan concept is going to be sold. Ferrari Pinin Concept to be auctioned in London - www.eurocarblog.com 1980 Ferrari Pinin Concept, the one and only sedan with a Ferrari badge ever made, will soon be up for auction. This outstanding one-off was built to celebrate designer Pininfarina 50th anniversary… (continues with Ferrari Pinin Concept photo gallery) 1980 Ferrari Pinin Four-Door Sedan Concept up for Grabs – Carscoop The 1980 Ferrari Pinin will go under the hammer at the forthcoming RM Auction in London, England on October 26, where it... Read more →

How they keep F1 engines healthy

James Allen on the life and times of a F1 engine. Interesting to see the Shell V Power Fuel I run the Flying Spaghetti Machine on (simply because Shell/Z Station is conveniently located on my commute) really might be keeping its valves clean… How to keep F1 engines healthy as they do their 3rd race of the season Read more →

Fiat 500 wins the Compasso D’Oro Award

Cute, now design award winner… Fiat 500 wins the Compasso D’Oro Award - Car Body Design The Fiat 500 has won the XXII edition of the “Compasso d’Oro ADI” (ADI Golden Compass), Europe’s oldest design award. The prize was presented to Fiat Design Director Roberto Giolito during the ceremony held at the Macro Museum in Rome Read more →

Technology reinforced sedentary lifestyle guilt

It’s winter and, apart from doggy walks & very occasional bike rides, I tend to hibernate a bit. It’s a chance to catch up with the MySky recording back log (like all the Dr Whos since David Tennant left) and other inside stuff. However our amazingly technological world reminds me what others are up to and makes me think I should be doing more. From my inbox today… Via Twitter I discover AKSitP friends who are “sailing from Mexico to New Zealand on their Lagoon 380 catamaran.” are now “Anchor down Papeete, Tahiti” (green arrow). @toastfloats are using a combination... Read more →

Fiat and Ferrari dominate 2011 Engine Awards

In my experience Fiat engines have always been great. It’s the bits surrounding them which usually account for the demise of the car! The images below are two I’ve owned, Uno Fire & Bravo HGT, but the awards went to the amazing 875-cc TwinAir mill in the “500” and the Ferrari 458's 4.5-litre V8. One day I’d like to own those two! Fiat and Ferrari dominate 2011 International Engine of the Year Awards Read more →