In the wake of Hitachi’s announcement of creating the world’s smallest and thinnest RFID tag, Malaysia’s FEC International (a company owned and backed by the Malaysian Government) announced its own RFID achievement yesterday.

They have launched the MM Chip, The World’s Smallest multi band Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) microchip with in-built antennas. Manufactured at an estimated US$50 Million, it was developed under the 2 year old ‘Malaysia Microchip Project’.

The RFID tag is not as small as Hitachi’s latest chip but has the functionality of running at 4 multi band frequencies making it viable internationally. While Hitachi’s chip is expected to launch in 2 years, the MM chip is readily available for commercialization now.

Full Specifications

FEC International Sdn. Bhd.
MMC Chip Brochure Download

+ Dell launches Ideastorm, a suggestion board for their products and services with a digg like voting system.

+ Adobe Labs introduces Myfeedz beta, a new “RSS Social Newspaper” that intelligently finds and tracks news according to you preferences and interests. Is this the next generation RSS reader?

+ Happy Birthday AJAX, you are two years old today and look forward to seeing you for many years to come.

+ Hong Kong Startup TnC has launched EditGrid, a new online spreadsheet was launched yesterday. Likened to Google Spreadsheets, it boasts real-time editing and extensive collaboration.

+ Digital Inspiration shows you how to burn YouTube Videos to DVDs.

+ Inside Google’s New York Headquarters. A look at the Googleplex for the curious mind.

+ Peekface.com, enables you to rate companies related to your job experience and allows job seekers to get the inside scoop on any company.

+ Joost (formerly the Venice Project) has just released a beta version of its client for Mac OS X. Joost? is a new way of watching TV on the internet, which uses new and established technologies to provide the best of both the internet and TV worlds.

+ Lockheed Martin and Supersonic Aerospace International has joined forces to make the Quiet Supersonic Transport (QSST), a high speed luxury jet that flies coast to coast in 2 hours at Mach 1.6 to 1.8 (approx. 1,056 mph to 1,188 mph) quietly without the eardrum-blistering sonic booms.

Manufactured by Autonomous Solutions Inc., Chaos is a mobile robot that allows a user to haul gear, dispose of explosives, carry out surveillance, search and rescue and other dangerous tasks.

Designed with 4 configurable and independently controlled tracks, it’s a robot platform like no other i.e. it can handle stairs, train tracks, rubble, gravel, steep gradients and other difficult terrains.

Weighing a mere 150 pounds (with its robotic manipulator) with a 27″ x 53″ x 8″ dimensional size, it has an onboard video/ camera, 802.11 wireless ethernet, GPS navigational sensors and two way audio hook ups. Modularly designed, all its components (tracks, arms, drive modules, electronics module, battery, and chassis) are held together by velcros and straps for easy replacement.

The video below shows the Chaos hauling a H2 Hummer and 2 of the designers, which works out to be about 2200 lbs or so. Pretty impressive for a robotic machine of that nature. Thanks to them, governmental and private agencies can carry out dangerous tasks with more ease.

Site [Autonomous Solutions]

Florida’s Didrick Medical Inc. has engineered the world’s first active-function artificial finger, the X-Finger?. Designed for partial finger amputees and to be a self-contained device, the silicon sheath device allows the user to regain “complete control of the flexion and extension movements” of the artificial finger in a realistic manner.

Feature and benefits:

- Body-Powered
The device is body powered, there is no need for external power supplies.

- Easy To Use
The replaced phalanges articulate in a natural pattern when the residual finger moves. This allows users to immediately utilize the device successfully without having to learn to use the device.

- Realistic Articulation
The components of the X-Finger have been designed to not only look realistic during articulation, but to also bend a silicone finger sheath in a realistic manner as well.

- Low Profile Design
The device has been designed to offer strength in the lowest profile design possible.

- Light Weight
While each X-Finger’s size is slightly different, an average adults index finger will weigh less than 10 grams for the entire assembly, excluding a silicone sheath.

- Independent Control of Each Finger
The X-Finger? will allow the user to regain complete control of the articulation of the device simply by moving their residual finger. Benefits will include typing; playing a musical instrument or anything that requires the full dexterity of a hand.

Each X-Finger is custom made to fit the amputee and is comparably prices to a non-functional equivalent. Very impressive indeed and thumbs up to these guys who will create a better life for the many amputees out there in the world.

Product Page [Didrick Medical]