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PRODUCT SHOWCASE LEDs on surfboards a shark attack deterrent? OK, so it’s not a new product – yet – but it could be within a couple of years if research being conducted by Sydney’s Macquarie University proves to be as successful as first thought. Researchers have been conducting extensive research in the world capital of great white shark attacks, South Africa, where they report that putting LEDs on the bottom of surfboards has so far proved to be “100% successful” in preventing great white attacks. The theory is that the flashing LEDs on the surfboard break up the tell-tale silouhette of the board from underneath, convincing the shark that the board (and its rider, who is more of- ten than not clad in a “seal” coloured wetsuit) is not their next meal. However, the researchers warn that it is not simply a matter of putting flashing LEDs on the board – both the light pattern and brightness were important – some patterns simply did not work in deterring shark attacks. However, when the team’s seal shaped boards were towed into sharkrich waters, without the lights the great whites did not hesitate to attack. With the lights, no attacks occurred. Professor Nathan Hart, who lead the research, said that the correct configuration of lights changes the appearance of the board and the shark no longer recognises it as prey. He maintains that the LED-equipped boards worked better than the currently available electronic shark repellant systems. Furbo remote dog camera keeps you in touch . . . and even feeds it! It’s one thing to remotely monitor your pooch on your smartphone • Barking Alerts – uses AIwhile you’re away . . . but now the Furbo goes even further. It lets you recognition to deliver talk to your dog and remotely feed your dog treats if it is behaving! push notifications to Features include: your smartphone letting • Uses AI recognition technology you know if your dog is • 1080p HD camera features a 160° wide-angle lens, 4x digital zoom barking and infrared LED night vision for monitoring and clear pictures • Mobile App Connectivity – and videos WiFi and Bluetooth ca• Two-way audio – both hear and speak to your dog and give them pabilities, compatible with both iOS and Android, provides access the comfort of a familiar voice throughout the day from your smart- Contact: • Treat Tossing System – With the touch of a button on your app you phone, tablet, or Furbo.com can play with, and reward, your furry friend Apple Watch. Web: shopau.furbo.com/ New MPLAB PICkit4 Development Tool The new low-cost PICkit4 incircuit programming and debugging development tool replaces the popular PICkit3 programmer, offering five times faster programming, a wider voltage range (1.2-5V), improved USB connectivity and more debugging interface options. In addition to supporting Microchip’s PIC MCUs and dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs), it also supports debugging and programming for the CEC1702 family of hardware cryptographyenabled devices. It is ideal for those designing in the 8-bit space, but it is also suited for 16- and 32-bit development, due in part to its 300 MHz, high-performance ATSAME70Q21B microcontroller. Faster programming time means better productivity during development. This is especially imContact: portant when designMicrochip Technology Australia ing with 32-bit micro32/41 Rawson Street, Epping, NSW 2121 controllers with larger Tel: (02) 9868 6733 memory capacities. Web: www.microchipdirect.com 96 Silicon Chip Caterpillar’s first solar plant in action on Australian soil In a first-of-its-kind project combining solar and methane gas in an energy production farm, Energy Power Systems Australia (EPSA) has mounted 11,040 Cat PV solar modules on fixed-axis steel frames in the Adelaide foothills. EPSA engineered, designed, constructed and commissioned the 1.15MW (AC) PV solar plant, which is utilising an unused portion of land next to the Uleybury Landfill site as a solar farm. The PV solar modules are arranged Contact: into 46 power blocks Energy Power Systems (Aust) each feeding a dedi- 227 Wellington Road, Mulgrave Vic 3170 cated 25kW (SMA) Tel: (03) 8562 4100 inverter. Web: www.energypower.com.au Celebrating 30 Years siliconchip.com.au