The Low-Tech Times

Engadget reports today that Honda will be showcasing a robotic walking assist device next week:

Apparently employing some of the same technology developed by Honda for its ASIMO robot, the walking assistant is able to obtain information from hip angle sensors to help keep its wearer upright, with the device’s motors also able to increase the wearer’s natural stride.

While apparently the target market will be elderly people and those with leg problems, I suppose that lazy, hi-tech gadget crazy people might also pay a lot of money for this ridiculous looking device. If I ever require assistance walking when I’m older, I plan on simply using a hickory cane or two.

Mistakenly thought of by some people as an antiquated form of transportation, railroading has continued to thrive in the 21st century. With rising fuel prices, the efficiency advantage of hauling freight long distances by rail instead of truck is becoming more important. Steel wheels rolling over steel rails is a low rolling resistance formula for success; trains over a mile in length are frequently handled by just two employees (an engineer and a conductor).

One of the best bets for railroad growth is multi-modal (aka intermodal) transportation, where freight is loaded onto trains at a port or plant, travels by rail most of the way, and is finally transported by truck to the final destination where the tracks may not lead all of the way up to. In railroad terminology, these trains are often referred to as COFC (for container on a flatcar) or TOFC (trailer on a flatcar).

Today, the Washington Post published an article and a video by Frank Ahrens elaborating on the economic advantages of railroads and reporting on the fact that railroads are increasing their clearances to allow for double-stack COFC trains:

A train can haul a ton of freight 423 miles on one gallon of diesel fuel, about a 3-to-1 fuel efficiency advantage over 18-wheelers, and the railroad industry is increasingly touting itself as an eco-friendly alternative. Trucking firms also use the rail lines; UPS is the railroad industry’s biggest customer.

Rail traffic, revenue and profit began to soar in 2002-03 and seem largely immune to the economic downturn…

Thanks to Mike, Kevin, and Kristy for referring The Low-Tech Times to the Washington Post article.

Railroads have a rich past in playing a role in presidential politics. This year, candidates have taken numerous bus and plane trips. Now, presidential contender Barack Obama is taking an old-fashioned whistle stop tour while campaigning through Pennsylvania.

The New York Times reports:

”I’m really excited about this,” Obama said. ”This is great! Everybody, get on board now.”

And, with that, the candidate clambered aboard the Georgia 300 train car, pulled the whistle and set off.

Plush and upholstered, the coach is named General Polk and was built by Pullman Standard for the Southern Railway in 1930. It contains a kitchen, two living areas and a small bedroom, and it has been used by other politicians before, including Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, the former president and husband of Obama’s rival.