Relatively amazing. Relatively because when I read the title I thought it was some kind of solar sailing spaceship. That would have been way too cool, though.
By the way, the page ends with "Here's to the explorers". That phrase kind of reminds me of something different.
I had to double check wikipedia but I am pretty sure Google isn't involved in any Solar Impulse R&D or financing.
I had the chance to discuss for a few minutes with one of the founder (don't think it was the one who went from Bxl to Paris in 16hrs). Really nice guys. They are lean and high-tech.
They were the first to be able to fly the plane a whole night without refuel (obviously).
At the time they were still operating the first version of the plane. The next (or current one) should have a pressurized cabin.
Seems to me to be a partnership for the streaming of the Solar Impulse guys' flight, not Google (substantially) financing it. Their website doesn't seem to mention Google: http://www.solarimpulse.com
Please note that this is not a Google project. The title misleadingly seems to state that. [1]
Google seems to be doing these campaigns more often recently, to promote Google+, Hangouts, YouTube livestreams and other products of theirs. (Also see RSC's "A Midsummer Night's Dream2 [2] for another project to showcase Google+.)
Very interesting. I wonder if it's a new service by Google. Neat projects like Solar Impulse get exposure via Google platform. And Google, in turn, gets positive publicity and compelling event to recruit more data for NSA :)
Actually this is not a google project, Google's just doing the live coverage for the cross-US flight. I learned about solar impulse in 2009 because my former employer is one the partners.
This project was initiated by Bertrand Piccard in 2003. He is better know for the first balloon flight around the world in 1999. cf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Impulse
I saw the plane when they came through St Louis last month, and snapped a few pictures. It's really impressive how big it was; at 208 feet the wingspan is a few feet shy of a 747-400.
The title needs changed. As has been mentioned in other comments Google is just streaming the live coverage of this and doesn't have much (if anything) to do with the project.
He is obviously a big-time asshole; but
He is not completely wrong
It is easy to dismiss total morons (like the employee-book guy.) It is also easy to argue with nice, intelligent, articulate people (like all of us on eng-misc.)
19 comments
[ 2.1 ms ] story [ 39.2 ms ] threadBy the way, the page ends with "Here's to the explorers". That phrase kind of reminds me of something different.
Can someone more knowledgeable please comment on how big is this? Is this something revolutionary, or is there some catch?
I had the chance to discuss for a few minutes with one of the founder (don't think it was the one who went from Bxl to Paris in 16hrs). Really nice guys. They are lean and high-tech.
They were the first to be able to fly the plane a whole night without refuel (obviously).
At the time they were still operating the first version of the plane. The next (or current one) should have a pressurized cabin.
[edit: like a cigarette company sponsoring sports events]
Google seems to be doing these campaigns more often recently, to promote Google+, Hangouts, YouTube livestreams and other products of theirs. (Also see RSC's "A Midsummer Night's Dream2 [2] for another project to showcase Google+.)
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Impulse
[2] http://dreaming.dream40.org/
And their list of partners: http://www.solarimpulse.com/en/team/partners/
Google is not listed as a partner neither as investor!
This project was initiated by Bertrand Piccard in 2003. He is better know for the first balloon flight around the world in 1999. cf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Impulse
http://imgur.com/a/wXLUI
He is obviously a big-time asshole; but He is not completely wrong It is easy to dismiss total morons (like the employee-book guy.) It is also easy to argue with nice, intelligent, articulate people (like all of us on eng-misc.)
But Michael Church is a problem.
(See also the ingenious http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117318/ on the topic.)
Joseph Janos - Condescending asshole at Google
http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ap2yUubnw4c?rel=0&fs=1&showinfo...