Whether you’re in the construction trades industry, a weekend warrior or just an engineer wannabe, WVE has some new and interesting technology to share with you.  Check out these five fun—and possibly life-saving toys…

Extreme Endeavors

Extreme Endeavors, a company based in Phillipi, West Virginia is leading the way in a new technology that could help rescuers in case of a disaster either natural or man-made.  The Incident Command Communications system is designed to allow communications between rescue workers using a low frequency radio signal—which penetrates through virtually any barrier.  Possible uses include terrorist attacks, mine disasters, mountain rescues. For more information visit: www.extreme-endeavors.com

Geo-Imaging Camera

This is not your father’s camera!  The Ricoh Pro G3 geo-codes images as they are captured.  In addition to storing GPS coordinates the camera has a user friendly menu to allow additional ‘meta-data’ to be embedded in the image.  When the images are sent to a PC (using ArcMap), the GPS data can be extracted and the program will generate a standard ESRI shape layer file.  The files are then hyper-linked to their respective points for immediate access.  For more info call 800-887-8445 or visit www.evsgps.com

Pump Displacement Controls

With new emissions policies and rising fuel costs always creating hardships for large machinery operators, Bosch Rexroth has been working in overdrive developing new technology to minimize emissions and increase fuel efficiency. By implementing a new power controller the new system has created nonstop control without additional piping, while decreasing temperature sensitivity. The new hydraulic system can be retrofitted to systems already in use making this an easy upgrade for backhoe loaders, skid steer loaders and wheel loaders. For more information, please visit www.boschrexroth.com.

Wind ‘n Go

This clever little light could use the Boy Scout motto ‘Always be prepared!’  Like the Wind n’Go flashlight the new Wind’n Go britelight never requires batteries!  Simply wind it for a minute and receive 30 minutes of light on one of two settings: 1 LED or 3 LED.   The light which is about the size of a cell phone and comes in a carrying case, may be ‘charged’ up to 500 times and used up to 10 years. For more info visit LL Bean at www.llbean.com and go to the outdoor gear and apparel section. 

Wannabe Engineers

Now for all those wannabe engineers, or those who would rather procrastinate instead of finish those needed tasks around the office, comes the Rollerscape, desktop roller coaster construction set.  ThinkGeek, makers of the set claim “(the set) allows you to create your own twisting, turning, looping mini coaster. Simply design and build your desktop roller coaster using the included construction pieces, snap on the tracks wherever you like and then begin the testing phase by taking one of the included marbles for a joy ride.”  For more information visit www.thinkgeek.com