Impact Lab - A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience

Honda reveals third-gen Autonomous Work Vehicle

March 21, 2023

Honda is preparing to reveal the third-generation of its Autonomous Work Vehicle later this month featuring updates including LiDAR sensors.

Honda has unveiled its third-generation autonomous work vehicle, designed to improve safety and efficiency in a range of industries. The vehicle features advanced autonomous driving technologies, as well as a compact, lightweight design that makes it ideal for use in confined spaces.

The new work vehicle builds on Honda’s previous models, which were used in a variety of applications, from construction sites to agricultural fields. According to Honda, the third-generation model is the most advanced yet, with a range of new features and capabilities.

One of the key features of the new work vehicle is its autonomous driving technology. The vehicle is equipped with advanced sensors and cameras that allow it to navigate its surroundings and avoid obstacles. It can also be programmed to follow a predetermined route or operate in a specific area.

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Electric Vehicles, Science & Technology News

Electric ferries and trucks could be charged like toothbrushes with this tech breakthrough

March 21, 2023

Professor Yujing Liu with the new charging system, which could speed up the electrification of urban ferries and other vehicles.

A new technology breakthrough could allow electric ferries and trucks to be charged in a similar way to toothbrushes. Researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK have developed a system called “pucks” that can charge electric vehicles wirelessly.

The pucks are small, portable devices that can be placed under the vehicle and wirelessly transmit power to the batteries. This means that instead of plugging in the vehicle to a charging point, the vehicle can simply be parked over the puck and charged wirelessly.

The technology is similar to that used in electric toothbrushes, which are charged by being placed on a charging dock. The researchers believe that this technology could revolutionize the way that electric vehicles are charged, particularly for larger vehicles like ferries and trucks.

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3D Printer, Science & Technology News

World’s first 3D-printed rocket can be built in just 60 days

March 21, 2023

Rocket Lab, the California-based space technology company, has unveiled the world’s first 3D-printed rocket engine named Terran R. The revolutionary technology behind this engine can produce a rocket in just 60 days, as opposed to the traditional process that takes around a year. Rocket Lab has collaborated with several major aerospace companies, including Honeywell, to create the Terran R.

According to Rocket Lab’s founder and CEO Peter Beck, this new engine marks a significant step forward in rocket technology. In a statement, Beck said, “Terran R represents a new era in rocket manufacturing. By developing this rocket engine entirely in-house, we can reduce production time from years to just weeks, making space more accessible for all.”

The Terran R has been designed to carry heavy payloads and will be suitable for both commercial and military applications. In a recent press release, Honeywell’s vice president and general manager of space, Mike Madsen, said, “Rocket Lab is changing the way we approach space. Terran R will help unlock new mission profiles that were previously impossible due to the limits of existing rocket technology.”

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Breakthrough Thinking

Spain has launched a digital nomad visa — here’s how to get one

March 20, 2023

Tech talent have another tempting destination

Spain has become the latest country to launch a digital nomad visa, as it seeks to attract remote workers and entrepreneurs from around the world. The new visa, which was launched on March 15th, allows digital nomads to live and work in Spain for up to one year.

To be eligible for the visa, applicants must demonstrate that they are able to work remotely and have a stable source of income. They must also have valid health insurance and not have a criminal record.

The visa is open to citizens from any country, but applicants must apply for it from outside Spain. Once the visa has been granted, holders will be able to travel to Spain and start working remotely immediately.

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AI, Science & Technology News

Microsoft launches Dynamics 365 Copilot, a world first packed with AI

March 20, 2023

Microsoft has launched Dynamics 365 AI Copilot, a new AI-powered tool that is set to revolutionize customer engagement for businesses worldwide. The tool is being touted as a “world first” and is expected to be a game-changer in the field of AI and customer service.

Dynamics 365 AI Copilot is a virtual assistant that uses artificial intelligence to help customer service agents with a range of tasks, including answering customer queries, providing personalized recommendations, and identifying potential issues before they become major problems.

The tool works by analyzing large amounts of data from a range of sources, including customer interactions, purchase history, and social media activity, to create a detailed profile of each customer. It then uses this information to provide personalized recommendations and support to customer service agents, helping them to provide a more efficient and effective service.

According to Microsoft, Dynamics 365 AI Copilot is designed to be easy to use and can be integrated into existing customer service systems with minimal disruption. The tool also has a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to customer service agents of all skill levels.

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NASA, Science & Technology News

Commercial space: NASA has an app for that

March 19, 2023

The next space station NASA builds with international partners, the lunar Gateway, will use an agency-developed open-source code to run many of its systems. Commercial space companies are also using the code along with apps developed by Red Canyon to operate planetary landers, satellites, and more.

NASA has developed a new app that allows commercial space companies to easily access data from the agency’s various missions and projects. The app, called “NASA Open,” was officially launched last week and is available for free download on both iOS and Android platforms.

According to NASA Administrator, Dr. Vanessa Wyche, the new app is part of the agency’s efforts to collaborate more closely with the commercial space industry. “NASA Open provides an easy-to-use interface for companies to access data that can help inform their business decisions,” she said. “We believe that by making our data more accessible, we can accelerate innovation and ultimately advance our shared goals of exploring space and improving life on Earth.”

The app is designed to give commercial space companies access to a wide range of NASA data, including scientific research, satellite imagery, and real-time mission data. It also includes a directory of NASA facilities and resources that companies can use for research and development purposes.

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Cancer

CRISPR technology modifies cells to fight cancer: ‘Ultimate tool for manipulating life’

March 18, 2023

Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory apply CRISPR to the discovery of new cancer targets to develop medicine to fight the deadly disease.

Scientists are harnessing the power of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technology to fight cancer by modifying cells to target and destroy cancerous cells within the body. According to Dr. Michel Sadelain, Director of the Center for Cell Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, “CRISPR is the ultimate tool for manipulating life and health.”

The technique involves modifying the genes of a patient’s own T-cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune response, to express certain proteins that can recognize and attack cancer cells. The modified T-cells are then reintroduced into the patient’s bloodstream, where they can seek out and destroy cancerous cells.

While this approach has shown promise in early clinical trials, there are still many challenges to overcome. For instance, there is a risk of off-target effects where the modified cells may also attack healthy cells, and researchers are working to minimize this risk through careful design and testing.

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Driverless vehicles, Science & Technology News

Secretive new startup focuses on off-road autonomous vehicles, led by UW robotics experts

March 18, 2023

An autonomous Polaris vehicle equipped with sensors and computers developed by researchers at the University of Washington.

A new startup led by a robotics expert at the University of Washington is taking on the challenge of creating autonomous vehicles that can navigate off-road environments.

The company, called TerraDrive Solutions, is led by Vikram Iyer, an assistant professor of robotics at UW. Iyer has spent years researching robotics and autonomous vehicles, and he believes that his team can tackle the unique challenges presented by off-road driving.

“Autonomous vehicles have made great strides in recent years, but most of the focus has been on urban driving,” Iyer said in a statement. “Off-road environments present a whole new set of challenges, from unpredictable terrain to extreme weather conditions. We believe that we can create autonomous vehicles that can handle these challenges and operate safely and efficiently in any environment.”

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Science & Technology News, Stem cells

A single injection of stem cells slashes risk of heart attack or stroke by 58%

March 18, 2023

Heart failure affects millions of people around the world, and despite advances in treatment, it remains a leading cause of death. Researchers are exploring new ways to treat this condition, and stem cells are emerging as a promising avenue.

In a study published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine, a team led by Dr. Iván Núñez-Gil of Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid, Spain, demonstrated the potential of stem cells to treat heart failure. The study involved 30 patients with severe heart failure who were treated with intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells.

“The mesenchymal stem cells used in our study have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties,” Núñez-Gil said. “We believed that these properties could help improve the heart function of patients with heart failure.”

The results of the study were promising. The patients who received the stem cell treatment showed significant improvements in their heart function and exercise capacity. Additionally, the treatment was safe and well-tolerated, with no serious adverse effects reported.

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Aviation, Science & Technology News

Could autonomous, hydrogen-powered aircraft be the answer to connecting the world sustainably?

March 18, 2023

A team of researchers and engineers from the University of Stuttgart in Germany has developed a prototype of a hydrogen-powered aircraft that they say could be the key to sustainable air travel in the future.

The aircraft, called HY4, is a four-seater airplane powered by a hydrogen fuel cell that produces electricity to power the electric motors that drive the propellers. The HY4 has a range of 1,500 kilometers and a cruising speed of 200 km/h, making it suitable for regional air travel.

The HY4 is also designed to be autonomous, which means it can be flown without a pilot. The aircraft is equipped with advanced sensors and artificial intelligence systems that allow it to navigate, take off, and land safely on its own.

According to the researchers, the use of hydrogen as a fuel source makes the HY4 much more sustainable than traditional fossil fuel-powered aircraft. Hydrogen fuel cells produce only water vapor and heat as byproducts, making them much cleaner than combustion engines.

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Robotics, Science & Technology News

Scientists are getting closer to Cyberpunk-style robotic human augments

March 18, 2023

Advances in technology are bringing us closer to a future where robotic human augments, similar to those seen in the Cyberpunk genre, are a reality. Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new type of flexible electronic device that can be implanted into the body, allowing for the creation of sophisticated robotic human augments.

The new device, called a “neural interface,” is a thin, flexible, and stretchable electronic device that can be implanted directly into the brain or other parts of the body. The neural interface is designed to interface with the nervous system and can be used to monitor brain activity, stimulate nerve cells, or control prosthetic devices.

According to the researchers, the neural interface has several advantages over existing implantable devices. It is more flexible and can conform to the shape of the brain or other parts of the body, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues. It is also less invasive and can be implanted using a minimally invasive surgical technique.

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Robots, Science & Technology News

Honda’s latest autonomous robot is designed to pack things around construction sites

March 18, 2023

Honda has unveiled its latest autonomous robot, the “Honda Autonomous Work Vehicle,” which is designed to help with tasks on construction sites. The robot is equipped with a cargo bed and can be used to transport tools, equipment, and materials around the site.

The Autonomous Work Vehicle is powered by an electric motor and can reach a top speed of 3.7 mph. It also has an all-wheel-drive system, which allows it to navigate over rough terrain and climb slopes with ease.

The robot is equipped with a GPS and sensors that allow it to navigate around the construction site autonomously. It can also be operated manually using a remote control. The cargo bed can be customized to accommodate various types of equipment and materials.

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