Thund3rbolt
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Engineering Student Designs a "Mobile Airbag" that Deploys When your Device is Dropped
The German Society for Mechatronics recently awarded outstanding work in the field of mechatronics. All over Germany, universities were invited to submit their best bachelor theses. The "number one" comes from Aalen: Philip Frenzel has won first place with his thesis. His clever idea to develop a kind of "mobile phone airbag" convinced the judges - and it is already registered for a patent.
Ameatyloaf
I've never broken a phone dropping it on flat ground. Mine always break from hitting a rock or the edge of a flat surface.
CldWsky
Neat!
Spocky730
And then you forget it in your pocket while on a roller coaster...
jonnyban
No bag, check. No air, check... Must be an airbag.
tandynor
like hoverboards
minicolossus
He keeps dropping it flat, how week does it work from all angles?
icookfoodandfightfire
it would work fine...the legs stretch past the corners on all sides
[deleted]
[deleted]
icookfoodandfightfire
the points on this kind of design are the weakest part. The corners are gonna be the most stable
henryvoll
Hello! Your eye, and to of your teeth are gone.
Smart83
Gute Arbeit Philip..!
TheSaucyCrumpet
Ah yes, the fabled airless, bagless airbag!
Piepersonsmom
What happens if it malfunctions and deploys in my pocket?
stopbeingakissass
he just made his lottery ticket
GauchoGordo
Magnets
peekingthroughagapinthefence
Do you get violently stabbed in the leg in 4 places if you bump hard against a table, or slap your thigh with your phone in your pocket?!?
peekingthroughagapinthefence
;) ... otherwise this is a genius product.
hungitalianohwaitthisisntgrindr
a phone case that thick would pretty much have the same protection. also, corners.
TweakerTheBarbarian
Won't save your screen when it hits a sharp rock right in the center.
notkvothethebloodless
Neither will a flak jacket if you get shot in the leg. It's better nothing but doesn't mean it's perfect
FartingDragon
I would legit pay for this.
Byakkodom
AGreaterDane
This is really neat, but wouldn't a better solution be phones that don't break so easy?
HOOMANGUY
How long till it claws into my leg?
Paradysis
Let's hope you are on a flat surface
GrizzlyBeer26
For as often as I drop my phone on my face while laying in bed, I can confidently say, this technology is not for me
hoofbeatsandsnowflakes
once the make the technology to glue my phone to my hand, then we can talk!
MesmerHSDE
You could always get a pop socket
hoofbeatsandsnowflakes
I use to have an elastic handle on my phone that worked great, but I switches cases and it's stuck on my old case
Nize426
The elastic bands are great. Not the most visually appealing device, but much more useful than the rings.
hoofbeatsandsnowflakes
super useful! I need to get another one asap
zephyrbell
Dude, same.
notmichealCera77
What if the airbag was a cushion for your face rather than an airbag for the phone?
OmegaZen
As a Mech E., it's a cool little fun project, but I really don't see it taking off practically since it's completely unecessary.
PeteButtigieg
If they are sold for less than 20 dollars then this is a gold mine.
notmichealCera77
My thoughts exactly. It has to be cheap to make, adaptable for all different types of phones, and not be a giant thing in the back of a phon
MADFOX
The original should be $35-$40. He will make even more money by licensing to others who make cheaper knockoff versions that sell for <$20
PeteButtigieg
There'd only be knock off versions if it catches on. And for 40 bucks a pop I don't think it will catch on.
Styrofoampanda
But what if it falls on an edge?
TheSubWoofer
What if what if what if. What if you are sitting too close to the airbags on a car when they go off? You could die.
Leevalleyoftheshadowofdeath
Might work better if the legs angled out with the corners of the phone?
HitlersArtCritic
Looks like less protection on edge, but more likely to fall face down or on bottom. But it is still protected and fall will be reduced.
pacman74
My question as well. Gif only shows it being dropped from a flat horizontal orientation.
FungusForge
If it lands on the edge of the phone it should be fine, but if it say, landed on a curb or the corner of a table, I'd be much less confident
jaehoony
Are you blind?
notkvothethebloodless
Given how they deploy slightly diagonal to the corners, I would say that was taken into consideration.
ASongOfPissAndFarts
Bu they didn't demonstrate it. Therefore an assumption can not be made.
notkvothethebloodless
It's more that it seems likely, if a bunch of monkeys with keyboards on the internet can point that out, presumably a college of engies can
ASongOfPissAndFarts
Exactly, as someone who has worked on the consumer side of food products. People don't know what you don't show them.
shadetee
Yet they only demonstrate dropping from a horizontal plane. Which suggests to me they know there is a flaw with a vertical drop.
theguy5621
The springs do expand in all directions, but either way, the original comment was asking about the edge of like a table, or stairs.
MrFluffles
Took phone skydiving, deployed in pocket, most exhilarating vasectomy ever!
TimeFoDat
Cool, now I can gouge my eyes out when I inevitably drop my phone on my face while reading in bed. Insult + Injury here I come!
FsImgur
The TSA will love this.
neonoptic
Unless your resting position has your arms 4 feet up into the air, I doubt that will happen.
TimeFoDat
Are you making fun of my farsightedness and 5-foot-long arms?!
foesmono
it looks like it needs more than a foot for the sensors to deploy, you should be good for just getting the glass to the face
[deleted]
[deleted]
FirstAidPoetry
Yeah I’ve never done that....several times.
SupermassiveZebra
Haha, yes, I have never had that happen... Who is that stupid, right...?
TheHumanCentipanzer
I too have never done this good one my dude
AdmJota
Why not just get a sturdy rubber case? I've dropped mine plenty of times with no problem.
theguy5621
Less bulky
AdmJota
How is the mechanism to automatically project these prongs any *less* bulky than a rubber case?
Heavyoak
Mines in a leather + soft silicone case and zero dmg from drops.
codegrayjay
When and where can I get one?
Ctanpharon
.
Txtcat
These are not the replies your are looking for,.
MorfoPorky
.
Madmiller37
.
pubbers
Full stop
notmyrealnamelol
.
Lethous
.
SquanchingonImgur
.
bananaflavoredcandyishorrible
.
black3beard
.
hubbablubba
.
ApexIzzy
.
carrionstorm
I would be willing to give multiple dollars for this product as well
WalkerLillard
.
TheSubWoofer
.
Tito72611
.
hairyharris09
Dott
Sublime101
.
foesmono
He only *just* released a first prototype for the contest... At least a year or two before it could go into high volume production
HyperionRisingWasAlreadyTaken
.
IrishSkillet
.
LivingCactus
I got you dude. In July (this year I've read) Philip is starting a Kickstarter to fund the development. I don't have a link to a site though
ApexIzzy
.
IrishSkillet
.
TheIronWolf
Obligatory dot
LivingCactus
https://www.hs-aalen.de/en/news/2223 is where I got the information.
PianoMan2112
Google Translate converted that web page to English surprisingly well.
MacPB
.
BuzzardsGottaEat
.
THRAWN18
Apple or Google will buy the patent and then never release it
MillenniumFalcon
Accurate
lovehandlesmessiah
THRAWN18
I agree. Boo
DrJigglePhysics
That would make sense for apple certainly. They don't want their products lasting once purchased.
Sage042000
I've been convinced for a while that companies will tell you they cant track a stolen phone, simply cuz if its locked to them, they get
THRAWN18
Neither company does. If the phone breaks and there isn't a warranty they are excited. Phones with warranties would get this included
Sage042000
/2 another customer while keeping you, and getting your money fir a new phone. Glad there are apps for that now tho.
DoughSlayer
Phone air bag when
FrozenFoodGuy
So how you like them autodots notifications?
Raxcu
.
supremeemperordalek
.
MeantoChildren
.
RedRoosta
.
KasualKeith
Making engineers proud across the world! Hair cut - check, Showered - check, Shaved - check... you are now Public ready!
QotU
In Germany, regular people are perfectly happy to become engineers
UrAvgItalian
Nails! always remember to clip your nails.
instanoodles
Just wait till we develop social skills, then we will take over the world.
Dedeurmetdebaard
I'm pretty sure German engineers have that covered from early childhood. Including the shaving part.
Desertwanderer
Especially the shaved part.
IAmMelonLordMwahahahaha
this is my favorite comment ever
soithascometothiswasalreadytaken
Most engineers enter adulthood at 25. So shaving is mostly unnecessary
krauraurgg
That's what they all seem to think, but they often have that teenager stubble. The "I can't grow a beard so why do I have to shave?" look.
veedubfreak
As someone blessed with the Joe Dirt facial hair, its both a blessing and a curse to only "need" to shave once a week.
krauraurgg
It could be worse. I can grow a decent beard but it doesn't fit my face at all so I have to shave all the time or look stupid.
Sumdumguy42
When you don’t have to worry about a $200k loan to get a degree..yeah you can enjoy the things in life...like a shower every now and then :)
gjm147
German.
epoke
An incredibly important set of qualities that are rarely engrained in our hard-science students. You want that money? Look worthy.
StarrryNight
Your work dictates if you're worthy. Not your appearance.
ElbowDeepInAHeadlessHorseman
How are the real estate prices these days in Fantasy Land?
StarrryNight
Pretty sad that my land of being able to do your job is more important than how you look is the fantasy one
QotU
No. You have to look professional in the real world. Source: I worked 18 years at a software company.
StarrryNight
Says who? The real world needs to change its delusions
jghaverty8888
presentation matters in this world, sorry!
StarrryNight
Not in the world I'm going to create! All you attractive people will rue the day you ... became attractive!
veedubfreak
Being clean and wearing clean clothing isn't "being attractive" its not looking homeless
applesforjuice
The students at my school literally packed bags and pillows for the week projects were due so normal clothes prob feels like a 3 piece suit
physicsisalwaysrelevant
On two occasions I slept in the lab on a series of hard plastic chairs because I needed data measurements every 2 hours.
Madethisusernameforonereason
The struggle is real.
asmallcat
And plain black shirt w/ company logo. This guy learned his lessons lol.
CraftyCait
Perfect advertising opportunity taken.
malbec
Definitely better than one with half naked women all over it, a gift from a female friend...
GuardsmanMiku
who gives a fuck
1Plebian
Depends on what you're selling
malbec
There was an engineer working for Nasa(IIRC), feminists lost their shit over it
malbec
after he appeared in the news wearing the above mentioned shirt
almightyjoshy
In at least three of my engineering classes, I had this classmate who wore the exact same hat, t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops everyday.
veedubfreak
It was a trillby wasn't it
danielfrost114
My son just graduated in computer science. At Cub Scout camp he came home after 1 week wearing the same clothes. He never changed.
almightyjoshy
Sounds like a perfect fit.
FrozenFoodGuy
I’m not an engineer, but i wear the same clothes almost every day as well... granted i own multiple pairs of the same shirt. But i wash my
krauraurgg
Just make sure that the shirts are the same model but in different colors and you can get away with it. Boring forgettable pants also help.
FrozenFoodGuy
pants in the weekend and put them on fresh again for the rest of the week.
damiandarko
why tho
kindofaprick
Would the legs pop out every time I casually toss my phone into my bed?
WolnyLogin
iShuriken, think different
DoughSlayer
Asking the real questions
DahPrincess
It looks like it has to drop for a long time before the sensors activate. I'd say normal phone toss would be fine, too high would trigger it
WittyNameThatIsTaken
If it uses the phones accelerometer and the systems used for locating itself in space (xyz), making the legs extend after the phone 1/2
WulfMaster
Pretty sure it would actually respond to a lack of acceleration since that is equivalent to free fall. Then just time the free fall.
krizzizle
Free fall is acceleration at a rate of 9.8m/s^2
5volt
It is But accelerometer will read 0 while falling and. 9.8 down when stationary.
WulfMaster
To the people downvoting me, gravity is not a normal force. Acceleration due to gravity is due to warping of spacetime and isn’t felt ...
WulfMaster
... locally. The only thing you “feel” is the force of the ground pushing you up when not in free fall. Look it up if you don’t believe me.
MornieAlantie
You see gravity causes things to move in a direction we generally refer to as down. This is also generally called "a fall" or "falling."
Nize426
I have to say, your explanation is confusing, and the burden of proof lies with you, BUT I did look it up, and what you're saying is true.
WittyNameThatIsTaken
Starts falling at a certain speed and in a certain direction, etc. then yes.
notmichealCera77
But not if you wear smart watch and measured distance to the floor relative to the watch, ensuring that the phone would have to pass 1/2
notmichealCera77
2/2 below the level of the watch for the airbag to deploy. Not perfect but it's a step in the right direction.
PickIeRick
jatene
I understood nothing you said. But I trust you.
hideyomama
Falling down in 1 direction (floor): legs get deployed. Throwing=moving in 2 or 3 directions: no legs
MattDerKomponist
I wondered the same thing.
NotAmused1001
y u do that?
kindofaprick
LokeGroundrunner
How often do you drop your phone? If not very, then this product is a waste of money for you.
FranticCosmonaut
That's the equivalent of saying car insurance is useless because you're a safe driver. Accidents happen and phones are expensive nowadays
perfectbosom
feels like a small inconvenience for the fact that it'll save your phone from getting cracked when you actually drop it
Gaidenninjacat
I have never had a case on my phone, drop it at LEAST once a day, and have never once cracked a phone I own. Buy better phones.
ChugMonkey2
You just, don't drop it. That works too.
Phelpysan
Was gonna say. Even if they did, so what?
Pcakester
Just like real airbags lol
Diplominator
Except this one looks reusable, so even better.
causality
Or just use a normal damn case. Little rubber bumper will keep your phone just as safe as that monstrosity.
avavilina
Yeah, but those cases double the size of the phone. Something slimmer that still protects would probably find plenty of buyers.
causality
A nice slim case will protect it from anything that airbag will.
avavilina
I have one like that. It didn't.
TheBestRussian
I have a tech21 case on my phone that has saved my phone regularly. Like multiple times a day.Why bother with potentially breakable springs?
sammyj
My thoughts exactly
Reinkhen
One way to look at it is that cases with protection being the goal tend to add some real bulk to your phone. This design is more subtle--
Reinkhen
Allowing you to retain the compact design of your phone without the bulky shell of a tough case.
avavilina
Are you a man? Women's pants pockets are barely big enough for a phone, even without a case bulky enough to offer substantial protection.
TheBestRussian
I am not a man. And I either don’t have pockets, or the pockets are ridiculously small even for my keys. I’ve given up and have a purse.
avavilina
But you can't carry your purse everywhere with you when you're at work....
TojS
Wouldn't you want it to?
ylac
Not when dropping it to my face?
justanotherwhiteman
That could become an annoyance
notkvothethebloodless
Just like all those pesky ambulances and firefighters always forcing us off the roads. Such a bother.
colopctech
what triggers the legs to deploy?
SirCaveJohnson
Can't upvote. 666
PleaseDisperseNothingToSeeHere
Sentience
anSSLerrorhasoccuredandasecureconnectiontotheservercannotbemade
Assuming its gender
theyar
Panic
derekmatters2
When your face gets within 3" of the phone
soapydux
NgeruiscatinMaori
Damn it beat me to it
teflonted
Foreplay
DriverIRQnotlessOrEqual
Hopes and dreams
IWonderIfICanUseThisMeme
Not my hopes and dreams or the phone would be in pieces with the "airbag" laughing
InTheDistanceAPlaintiveEnglishHorn
Injustice
r333
OPs mom
mrpumbaa
I dont know let me ask your mom what trigger her legs to deploy.....
NickFil
Gravity
VancoD
Marvin Gaye and muscatel
pfsar
Saying “Avengers Assemble!”, “Autobots transform!”, “I have the power!”, Power Extreme!”, or “Piss off, ghost!”
TurangaLeelaIsMyMom
You forgot, “Go go gadget phone!”
pfsar
ToddBonzalezYo
Science
TheGreatPeru
GOOD DICK
PleaseDisperseNothingToSeeHere
I'm on the shitter trying not to lol at this right now
reluctanthumanitarian
lazysombrero
Magnets
ChunkyFart
How do they work?
iwishjtmoneywasstillavailableitsmyoldvideogamemoniker
You have to scream "oh mother fucking shit I dropped my phone" while it's in air.
chbarts
Structural inequalities in the gravitational field causing the phone to privilege one direction for increasing velocity... aka, falling.
MuslimChillDrape
Jews
ackackackackackackackackackackackackackackack
Zero g sensor deployment of armature when .05 milliseconds detected
Cananadamn
Accelerometers
NgeruiscatinMaori
SatoriEnlightenment
Money. A steady job. Kindness. And a steak dinner.
colopctech
do I get potatoes with the steak?
SatoriEnlightenment
Yes.
Fistytheclown
Mean-spirited comments that offend them.
thiscommentwillselfdestruct
Wine and chocolate
MemeStealingSkeleton
The patriarchy
CampEvill
Memes
LarryTesler
Fear
OverlordEd
Fear
Appel99
Reposts
PaleChixAreMyFetish
Giggidy.
Gr8tgOoglymoOgly
when I tell your mom she smells nice
gabrielcrowe
Fear.
ScrooblyDoobles
Men saying there is no wage gap.
chickadeedeedeedee
Ohhhhh are we playing the game where we intentionally trigger one of Imgur’s circle jerks????
JakeFromFarmers
Lemme try: it activates when someone reposts an anti-anti-vax post after getting an erection from their own mental superiority.
SatoriEnlightenment
Or anti-anti-feminist post.
LivingCactus
There is no wage gap.
silentwolf1999
Chute deployed.
chickadeedeedeedee
Found one!
Mockturtlesoop
Sproing!
gmoney88
Spiders
pdp1
Hentai
Displicentlickeroflittlethings
When you scream. For best results, just say ...FUCK...!!
BklynPunisher
Supahai91
But it's german, try Scheiße!
SunAnvil
IGoogledThat
Mine would be deployed constantly in that case!
DrasticMatt
Man that would suck. "FUCK!" *airbag deploys in pocket* "FUUUUUCK!"
[deleted]
[deleted]
DrasticMatt
*pants explode*
HiredMind
Make sure you say "fuck" with anger, or something else will deploy, IYKWIM.
Thund3rbolt
Sensors that detect the free fall of the object and then use a spring to deploy
browncheez
"Could throw me my phone!"
chickadeedeedeedee
Death knife conversion in midair.
CommentProvider
So now I can turn my phone into a shuriken in mid air when I whip it at someone.
Cereaza
I'm sure it's real fun if you like to toss your phone up and down.
SufferingSuffatags
What if your phone is in your pocket and you're on a roller coaster? Shank in your thighs
chickadeedeedeedee
Or one of those bungle rides at the fair.
PokoOnoandtheJamJams
Looks like he's using flexible 3d printed filament like TPE so probably not a concern. The good stuff is surprisingly pliable
GoliathSkittles
Everyone in the comments are acting like these are flick knives and not small pieces of plastic.
Joker65
On the other hand your phone won't drop out of your pocket! Always stay positive!
WhatIfTho
Jab to the balls!
RemainsspacebarUnknown
perfect, so now it can deploy those sharp objects when i drop it on my face in bed.
VodkaReindeer
Wouldn't want to accidentally fall asleep when you actually want to keep browsing imgur.
ApexWarrior848
BigCatDerek
Yeah, didn't think of that.
GoliathSkittles
"sharp"
RemainsspacebarUnknown
anything is sharp when your eye is the target.
tivvybrixx
Ohh or a as a weapon
Asking
Mobile shuriken
itsaburneraccountdummies
INeedAllTheNaps
Could always deploy them on purpose and use it to hold it better while over your face. Unless it would mess with it, not sure but an idea.
kubi
How does it tell that it is in freefall alone and that it's not you who are in freefall with it in your pocket?
WarTortilla
There may be some sensor to detect if the phone itself is weightless as opposed to the vessel.
SteamingTheCat
Do the ' sensors' use the phones battery? If so that's a minor limitation but I might still get it.
The605
The sensors use the phones battery, but they are already running without the device, I'd guess. Probably piggybacks off of the phones sensor
flyingdutchfrenchman
I'm not sure those sensors would be active when the phone is locked to save battery, might be wrong though.
The605
Fair point
Remmon1
They generally are, so the phone knows if it's upside down, being held, etc.
Leadfoot
Perfect for a themepark pocket deploy.
DocBrown88
My exact thoughts
SexuallyAwkwardDonkey
Or what if you bring your hand down quickly? Unless it also has a sensor to check someone is gripping it
krauraurgg
You probably don't bring your hand down in a freefall while holding the phone all that often.
SexuallyAwkwardDonkey
How does the sensor detect the difference between free fall and just losing altitude (bringing you're hand down), does that clear it up?
eggmuffin
Why would you not want that?
xanius
He means deploy in your pocket from a ride free fall
eggmuffin
Yes, I got that. I see no way that can end badly. If anything, it secures the phone against falling out.
MacDaddySmitt
Or my beyblade arena
TeenageMutantNinjaAbortedFetuses
originalnamedonotsteal1
That's where you're add a light sensor.
nerdyvet
If its detecting actual free-fall somehow (vs just downward descent), the support/friction of the pocket may prevent deployment?
Damod
I missed your meaning ! but here goes : why not build big one for themepark so ppl sit in, get dropped boom the springs deploy.
KinkySwan
Because you’ll snap your neck on impact.
iliketoanswerwithreactions
djentleman14
Unless they employ a HANS device
Leadfoot
We will call it, the superman ride.
EhIsForCanehdians
It looks like they reset and are pretty flexible. I doubt it would be that great of an inconvenience. depending on the tightness of your
EmperorWonton
...butthole.
NamelessFacelessAverageJoe
EhIsForCanehdians
Kinda walked into that one
DumbBr0ad
Sesseth
You smooth ninja, you!
Hanasakke
ApexIzzy
I laughed audibly in an otherwise quiet public and populated area. You deserve a thousand more points
SendMeOxygen
Easrwood
Thank you
EhIsForCanehdians
Pockets, I doubt the legs would even deploy as there wouldn't be room for them to expand.
Mobius96
Even if it did deploy, now you have something snagging in your pocket, not slipping out
TomZarekVP
so is that an "airbag" in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
GamingRooster
They would move a little but would not move much, if it was a jacket pocket or baggage pants, then it might
n8wishim
Haha, spot the QA engineer!
monkeyslotsofthem
Shit why are there so many on imgur? Oh right, cause it's we're bored as fuck. Hi from Hillsboro OR
Kopar
I don't mean to be rude but this doesn't really answer the question. Maybe it's proprietary but which sensors and how? Sensors in the case?
LurkerLurky
So it wont deploy if the phone is hurled across the room
XxxAziexxX
I can't wait to drop it on my face in bed and stab myself in the eye with one of the legs!
huckitchuckit
If i just off a small ledge with it in my pocket am i going to get stabbed in the balls
TobyKweef
So take my phone with me when I’m skydiving? Check.
ItsTime4it
lack of gravity
PaintedLady5519
Is the safety measure reusable or is one and done?
Obeyyourmaster
Ok so if you have a very large fart will it go off on your pocket?
pookieeatworld
What if you yourself are falling, say from the top of your roof or down some stairs? Will it deploy in your pocket?
anjorni
That thing deploying is probably the least of your worries at that point
WulfMaster
Yes.
thingifound
Check for constant acceleration towards terminal velocity I assume?
viila
On the contrary. You detect free fall from absence of acceleration. When the phone is sitting on a table, it sees gravity pulling on it…
viila
…constantly because the table is opposing that pull. In free fall there is no opposing force, every part of the sensor is pulled equally…
viila
…and it detects nothing, no force vector.
PokoOnoandtheJamJams
More specifically an inertial measurement unit (IMU). Probably gryo + accel + magnetometer. Usually 9-axis (3-axis per input method)
totalytryingtobeniceroninternets
Where do the Allies come in?
harasroop
commenting only to be able to reference in preparation some obscure trivia game in the future
WarTortilla
Will they deploy while traveling on a plane then? Or if you go underwater?
MusterTheRohirrim
You can probably cut the magnetometer for this application.
PokoOnoandtheJamJams
Difference in IMU cost is super minimal compared to probable manufacturing difficulty at this scale. Maybe 15 cents USD less
valen00
Itd hopefully be using the one already in the phone.
DYLANLEE79
I would guess an accelerometer?
DougDeNasty
...or a precognitive decelerometer.
MerToo
what's nice is that an accelerometer used to be the size of a small car, cost a fortune and only a battleship would have one.
ItsCaptain0bvious
Correct, but the usable, small version of the technology has been in use for almost a decade. Dell/HP laptops were using them to stop the 1
ItsCaptain0bvious
hard drive from spinning, when a fall was detected 2
MerToo
Ha, that's a nice application. When I were a lad we didn't even dare bump the desk for fear of a head-crash...
tinyfootprints
Why would a battleship need an accelerometer?
MerToo
what villa said & also it's nice to know how the ship is moving when you are trying to land a 1.3 tonne shell accurately nine miles away =)
putzcommander
Computers!
viila
Inertial navigation, knowing where the ship is.
tinyfootprints
I would have thought that GPS would suffice. Military GPS is good to less than 1 cm. More info is better though. ;)
[deleted]
[deleted]
danzoid
Easier to embed a tiny microcontroller and accelerometer into the case.Faster, less power, works while the phone is off, low e, list goes on
0fficerDoofy
But then it needs a battery... And the battery needs to be charged
danzoid
You can steal the TINY amount of power from the phone itself.
DYLANLEE79
Yup. The trick would be getting the data from the phone to the case. And to make it only read verticle acceleration.
DavidBrooker
Total acceleration is zero in free-fall. Direction wouldn't matter.
denglish5
I don't know if the phone could possibly discern verticle direction in your FOR since can fall under any rotation and should still deploy.
cvnk
The accelerometer is always measuring a signal (gravity) except when it's in free fall. Orientation won't matter.
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AllTheCoolKidsPeeTheirPants
The accelerometer is always running anyways
icookfoodandfightfire
which wouldnt be too bad, if they just kept it to monitor acceleration. i already have apps that monitor data usage and power draw >
IndefinetelyTired
Why not BlueTooth?
killerfirefly
it's all fine and good til one of those opens in your pants pocket
aussiecarnt
https://imgur.com/dgkJc69
Spikelf
Slip on ice, And there goes my nut sac.
s0bere
Yeah it's a sexy piece of engineering but I don't think it will ever become widely used
Assfullofbread
Even if they do open in your pocket, they look like soft rubber legs. Oh no mild inconvenience
FsImgur
Soft rubber in your pants? Sounds good to me.
Assfullofbread
therealtexan
Or when you drop it on your face
Dankatello
Yea or in your ass amirite guys???
killerfirefly
to infinity and BEYOND!
Echo18
...while you're driving.
PaleChixAreMyFetish
...during road head.
RoovyRoo
Off a cliff
37PiecesOfFlair
When your phones claws digging into your leg is probably not that big of a deal.
IronMagnus
Or skydriving.. I mean diving..
665NeighborOfTheBeast
Do NOT start skydriving!
A10pilotedbyaHoneyBadger
Only if you drive a Camaro
stevetehpirate
I've had worse.
killerfirefly
get back here, I'll bite yer kneecaps off!
aluminumfedora
Is that an airbag in your pocket or are you happy to see me?
themajor77
Victim appears to have fallen off of a 6 story building... and has a boner?
IWonderIfICanUseThisMeme
Wouldn't the phone save him too?
DancingPanther
Actually it's an airbag on my phone. Wait.
lochnessmonsterr
Conversation starters for the win. Also this would be a hit at the bar
PokoOnoandtheJamJams
It won't if the embedded systems code for differentiating between free-fall and other movement is decent
SlowerDwightYouIgnorantSlut
And if you’re on a slide or a rollercoaster?
dread0not
“It’s just a prototype!”
ThePiniestApple
It doesn’t appear to be part of the phone but rather a clip on case type thing, so you could take it off for a day of rollercoasters
BeendrinkingComebacklater
You shouldn't have your phone on a roller coaster
PokoOnoandtheJamJams
You could potentially also include a cheap light-dependent resistor (LDR) to check if it's in a pocket or not
whyexactly
But then it won't work at night, when it's more likely to be needed
SlowerDwightYouIgnorantSlut
That may cause it not to deploy in the dark as well. I’d rather have it sense if it’s compressed, indicating a pocket.
PokoOnoandtheJamJams
You're thinking too linearly. The LDR only needs to help solve when input seems to match an error-prone edge-case. You'd just increase....
flarflarf
then it deploys and you are slightly inconvenienced
flyingmonkeystick
Unless you are going on one of those big water slides, you won’t be moving fast enough for it to deploy. As for roller coasters, I think (1)
flyingmonkeystick
It will probably deploy in a free fall section so plan accordingly. The mechanism might be such that it won’t fully open if there isn’t (2)
flyingmonkeystick
Enough space. But don’t people usually remove items like phones and wallets before going on roller coasters?(3)
jmulderr
Personal injury lawyers everywhere are cuming over an accelerometer triggered plastic hook for your pocket.
Sakkura
Whereas dozens of guys will no longer be able to cum because of the Samsung Galaxy Nut Nein.
Overcucumbered
Yeah I'm sure those thin plastic legs would do a lot of damage...
Nize426
Yeah and don't forget they're deployed by super powerful springs that can be pushed in with two fingers.
PaleChixAreMyFetish
Or even while you're on the phone. *schylork!!!*
DickPicEnthusiast
Or in the middle of a call, while it's pressed to your face.
ButterfaceTaintClown
Don't worry, the phone will still be ok.
avavilina
Why would your phone accelerate like it was falling in the middle of a call?
ButterfaceTaintClown
Epilepsy
ButterfaceTaintClown
His girlfriend dumps him, over the phone
ButterfaceTaintClown
He misses a step
ButterfaceTaintClown
There was a bull in the field after all
ButterfaceTaintClown
He gets surprise tasered
redwolf698
That's cool and all, but I've never seen a flat fall. It's always the.side corner or cartwheel that's messed my phone up.
TinyRocktopus
It extends out around the edge so it will never hit the ground
NKato
My phones have landed *perfectly* flat for the last two fatalities. The second one had a screen protector and case, and that failed to work.
NKato
The second time happened in a clinic, and it landed squarely on its screen face, causing the LCD screen to puncture itself.
RavenousBugblatterBeast
I agree, most of the shock protection seems to be directed at a flat landing. Although a fall on the top/bottom/sides would not result in a
RavenousBugblatterBeast
direct impact, there is much less springiness when compared to the front and back faces. I feel like damage is much more likely than is
RavenousBugblatterBeast
being portrayed in this "hold in a certain orientation and drop from 2 feet" business.
icookfoodandfightfire
this covers all of that...
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icookfoodandfightfire
the way the phone falls most likely wont matter, itll probably use the accelerometer in your phone which works for any direction
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icookfoodandfightfire
which goes back to my original comment in that this covers any direct...the only weak spot is if you drop it on something pointed