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Must do better: Japan eyes AI robots in class to boost English![]() Tokyo (AFP) Aug 21, 2018 English-speaking AI robots will be helping out in some 500 Japanese classrooms from next year as the country seeks to improve its English skills among both children and teachers. The education ministry plans a pilot project costing around 250 million yen ($227,000) to improve Japanese students' notoriously weak oral and written English, an official told AFP. "AI robots already on the market have various functions. For example, they can check the pronunciation of each student's English, which i ... read more |
Robotic payload for RSGS mission moves to next phase of developmentWashington DC (SPX) Aug 20, 2018 DARPA has completed a major review milestone for its Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites, or RSGS, program. Results from a recently completed preliminary design review showed that the rob ... more
Nanobot pumps destroy nerve agentsWashington DC (SPX) Aug 22, 2018 Once in the territory of science fiction, "nanobots" are closer than ever to becoming a reality, with possible applications in medicine, manufacturing, robotics and fluidics. Today, scientists repor ... more
Robot wars: China shows off automated doctors, teachers and combat starsBeijing (AFP) Aug 19, 2018 Robots that can diagnose diseases, play badminton and wow audiences with their musical skills are among the machines China hopes could revolutionise its economy, with visitors to a Beijing exhibition offered a glimpse of an automated future. ... more
DIY robots help marine biologists discover new deep-sea dwellersNew York NY (SPX) Aug 10, 2018 While the cold and airless deep sea is inhabitable for humans, it is filled with delicate organisms that thrive in its harsh environment. Studying those organisms requires specialized equipment moun ... more |
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A kernel of promise in popcorn-powered robotsIthaca NY (SPX) Aug 07, 2018 Cornell University researchers have discovered how to power simple robots with a novel substance that, when heated, can expand more than 10 times in size, change its viscosity by a factor of 10 and ... more
Chip labour: Robots replace waiters in China restaurantShanghai (AFP) Aug 5, 2018 The little robotic waiter wheels up to the table, raises its glass lid to reveal a steaming plate of local Shanghai-style crayfish and announces in low, mechanical tones, "Enjoy your meal." ... more
Research identifies key weakness in modern computer vision systemsProvidence RI (SPX) Aug 03, 2018 Computer vision algorithms have come a long way in the past decade. They've been shown to be as good or better than people at tasks like categorizing dog or cat breeds, and they have the remarkable ... more
Optical fibers that can feel the materials around themLausanne, Switzerland (SPX) Aug 02, 2018 In recent years optical fibers have served as sensors to detect changes in temperature, like a thermometer, and pressure, like an artificial nerve. This technique is particularly useful in structure ... more
An insect-inspired drone deforms upon impactLausanne, Switzerland (SPX) Jul 26, 2018 In recent years, robotics experts have taken a page from the traditional Japanese practice of origami and come up with light and flexible - and highly innovative - robots and drones. Two types of or ... more |
![]() Students can now build their own rover model
US Army selects Lockheed Martin as integrated systems developer for autonomous convoy programDallas TX (SPX) Jul 31, 2018 Lockheed Martin was selected by the U.S. Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) as the Integrated Systems Developer for its Expedient Leader Follower (ExLF) pro ... more |
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Cell-sized robots can sense their environmentBoston MA (SPX) Jul 25, 2018 Researchers at MIT have created what may be the smallest robots yet that can sense their environment, store data, and even carry out computational tasks. These devices, which are about the size of a ... more
If only AI had a brainPittsburgh PA (SPX) Jul 24, 2018 Digital computation has rendered nearly all forms of analog computation obsolete since as far back as the 1950s. However, there is one major exception that rivals the computational power of the most ... more
Army researchers teaching robots to be more reliable teammates for soldiersAdelphi MD (SPX) Jul 24, 2018 Researchers at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University developed a new technique to quickly teach robots novel traversal behaviors with minimal hum ... more
US Army Looking Away From Counter-Insurgency Warfare to High-Tech Future BattlesWashington DC (Sputnik) Jul 24, 2018 On Saturday, US Army Secretary Mark Esper said that the military branch's renewed emphasis on technology - like killer robots, laser weapons and hypersonic missiles - is directly linked to competiti ... more
Russia Mulls Sending Two of Its FEDOR Humanoid Robots Into Space Next YearMoscow (Sputnik) Jul 23, 2018 The ambitious FEDOR project has received a number of upgrades in recent years, with plans to make the robots self-learning and even to use them to create colonies on the moon and fly solo space miss ... more |
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General Dynamics contracted for advanced MQ-9 Reaper sensors Washington (UPI) Aug 21, 2018
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems has received a $134.million contract to flight test advanced sensors for the MQ-9 series of unmanned aerial vehicles.
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency contract covers the development and integration of sensor systems into an MQ-9 for realistic testing in the continental U.S. and elsewhere.
Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is ... more |
Novel research optimizes both elasticity and rigidity in the same material Santa Barbara CA (SPX) Aug 22, 2018
In the world of materials, rigidity and elasticity are usually on opposite ends of the continuum. Typically, the more elastic a material, the less able it is to bear loads and resist forces. The more rigid it is, the more prone it is to rupture at lower strains when the load or force exceeds its capacity. A goal for many materials scientists is to create a material that brings together the best ... more |
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Multi-purpose silicon chip created for quantum information processing Bristol UK (SPX) Aug 22, 2018 |
Framatome supports its customers with a solution to increase plant efficiency Paris (SPX) Aug 22, 2018
Over the last weeks, a heat wave has broken temperature records notably in Scandinavia and the British Isles. As a consequence, conventional and nuclear power plants (NPPs) in Europe have been forced to reduce electricity generation because of an increase in cooling water temperatures.
Nuclear power plants in France, Finland, Sweden and Germany have also been affected by this situation, wh ... more |
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Nanobot pumps destroy nerve agents Washington DC (SPX) Aug 22, 2018
Once in the territory of science fiction, "nanobots" are closer than ever to becoming a reality, with possible applications in medicine, manufacturing, robotics and fluidics. Today, scientists report progress in developing the tiny machines: They have made nanobot pumps that destroy nerve agents, while simultaneously administering an antidote.
The researchers will present their results at ... more |
Electricity crisis leaves Iraqis gasping for cool air Baghdad (AFP) Aug 1, 2018
As the stultifying summer heat sends Iraqis in search of cool spots, restaurateur Ali Hussein provides sanctuary - even though it means hooking up to an expensive generator.
"The clients must be comfortable when they eat," said Hussein, who stakes his reputation on ensuring customers are constantly blasted by air conditioning.
Outside, temperatures at this time of year can reach 50 degr ... more |
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Juelich researchers are developing fast-charging solid-state batteries Juelich, Germany (SPX) Aug 22, 2018
The low current is considered one of the biggest hurdles in the development of solid-state batteries. It is the reason why the batteries take a relatively long time to charge. It usually takes about 10 to 12 hours for a solid-state battery to fully charge. The new cell type that Julich scientists have designed, however, takes less than an hour to recharge.
"With the concepts described to d ... more |
China unveils Chang'e-4 rover to explore Moon's far side Beijing (XNA) Aug 17, 2018
China's moon lander and rover for the Chang'e-4 lunar probe, which is expected to land on the far side of the moon this year, was unveiled Wednesday.
Images displayed at Wednesday's press conference showed the rover was a rectangular box with two foldable solar panels and six wheels. It is 1.5 meters long, 1 meter wide and 1.1 meters high.
Wu Weiren, the chief designer of China's lun ... more |
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What is NASA's Heat Melt Compactor? Moffett Field CA (SPX) Aug 20, 2018
Dealing with trash is a challenge wherever people work and live, and space is no exception. Astronauts produce a couple of pounds of trash per crew member per day. To better manage this, NASA is developing a new trash processing system to demonstrate on the International Space Station.
This work is critical for potential future missions traveling farther from Earth, to the Moon and Mars, a ... more |
NASA's InSight passes halfway to Mars, instruments check in Pasadena CA (JPL) Aug 21, 2018
NASA's InSight spacecraft, en route to a Nov. 26 landing on Mars, passed the halfway mark on Aug. 6. All of its instruments have been tested and are working well.
As of Aug. 20, the spacecraft had covered 172 million miles (277 million kilometers) since its launch 107 days ago. In another 98 days, it will travel another 129 million miles (208 million kilometers) and touch down in Mars' Ely ... more |
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Stratolaunch announces new launch vehicles Seattle WA (SPX) Aug 22, 2018
Stratolaunch has announced its new family of launch vehicles that will enter regular service starting in 2020.
The company's unique air-launch system will use the world's largest aircraft as a mobile launch platform, capable of deploying launch vehicles that will carry satellites to multiple orbits and inclinations on a single mission.
With these new vehicles, Stratolaunch is poised ... more |
The Australians putting the brakes on fast fashion, fearing for environment Sydney (AFP) Aug 22, 2018
In a small shop along one of Sydney's busiest streets, Sarah Freeman is encouraging Australians to slow down and break their addiction to fast fashion.
Shocked by the speed at which Australians buy and throw away cheap garments, she is trying to harness an ancient concept - libraries - to persuade shoppers to rent instead of purchase clothes.
"Today's society just seem to wear clothes ... more |
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Tesla sues Ontario over scrapped electric car rebate Montreal (AFP) Aug 17, 2018
US electric automaker Tesla has sued the government of Ontario, Canada, after the province scrapped a rebate initiative for purchases of electric cars, Canadian media reported Thursday.
Upon assuming power last July, Premier Doug Ford's conservative government announced the end of several green energy programs, including several thousands of dollars in rebates for electric car buyers.
Cu ... more |
Hybrid nanomaterials bristle with potential Thuwal, Saudi Arabia (SPX) Aug 14, 2018
By combining multiple nanomaterials into a single structure, scientists can create hybrid materials that incorporate the best properties of each component and outperform any single substance. A controlled method for making triple-layered hollow nanostructures has now been developed at KAUST. The hybrid structures consist of a conductive organic core sandwiched between layers of electrocatalytica ... more |
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Novel research optimizes both elasticity and rigidity in the same material Santa Barbara CA (SPX) Aug 22, 2018
In the world of materials, rigidity and elasticity are usually on opposite ends of the continuum. Typically, the more elastic a material, the less able it is to bear loads and resist forces. The more rigid it is, the more prone it is to rupture at lower strains when the load or force exceeds its capacity. A goal for many materials scientists is to create a material that brings together the best ... more |
How do plants rest photosynthetic activity at night? Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Aug 21, 2018
Photosynthesis, the process by which plants generate food, is a powerful piece of molecular machinery that needs sunlight to run. The proteins involved in photosynthesis need to be 'on' when they have the sunlight they need to function, but need to idle, like the engine of a car at a traffic light, in the dark, when photosynthesis is not possible.
They do this by a process called 'redox re ... more |
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