Navy – Impact Lab

Automation, Coronavirus, Driverless vehicles, Healthcare, Science & Technology News

Self-driving startups Beep and Navya explore driverless transport for coronavirus lab specimens

April 25, 2020

Most Consumers Believe They’ll Prefer Riding In Self Driving Cars In Ten Years

Autonomous vehicle startups Beep and Navya are using four driverless shuttles to transport coronavirus tests around the Mayo Clinic campus in Jacksonville, Florida.

Because the routes are isolated from public traffic, the shuttles can be operated without a human safety driver, which limits human exposure to the lab samples. Though even the most advanced self-driving companies require much more testing before the technology can be scaled, this example from Beep and Navya highlights a near-term upside of autonomous vehicles: minimizing human-to-human contact.

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Analysis, government, Robots, Science & Technology News

U.S. Navy develops robot boats that can swarm enemy forces

October 13, 2014

The swarm detects the enemy vessel with radar and infrared sensors.

The U.S. Navy has been testing a large-scale swarm of autonomous boats designed to overwhelm enemies according to reports from Jeremy Hsu. In the test, a large ship that the Navy sometimes calls a high-value unit, HVU, is making its way down the river’s thalweg, escorted by 13 small guard boats. Between them, they carry a variety of payloads, loud speakers and flashing lights, a .50-caliber machine gun and a microwave direct energy weapon or heat ray.

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government, Science & Technology News, Weapons

South Korea launches its 5th 1,800 ton 214-class submarine

July 11, 2014

The submarine was named after famous independence fighter Yun Bong-gil (1908-1932).

South Korea has launched its fifth 1,800-ton-class attack submarine last week as part of efforts to boost its underwater warfare capabilities against North Korean submarines, the Navy said.The 214-class submarine, named after famous independence fighter Yun Bong-gil (1908-1932) and manufactured by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., will be delivered to the Navy in late 2015 and commissioned the next year, a Navy officer said.

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government, Great Videos, New Discoveries, Science & Technology News

U.S. Navy develops technology to turn seawater into fuel

April 12, 2014

The U.S. Navy hopes to power all non-nuclear powered ships through seawater.

The U.S. Navy scientists believe they may have solved one of the world’s great challenges after decades of experiments. They know how to turn seawater into fuel. (Video)

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government, Science & Technology News

U.S. Navy’s newest warship is a drone

April 3, 2014

USS Zumwalt

The U.S. Navy will christen its newest class of destroyers this month. The USS Zumwalt will be the first ship with a brain of its own.

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government, Great Videos, Science & Technology News, Weapons

U.S. Navy to add futuristic laser weapon to its arsenal this summer

February 24, 2014

Laser Weapon System

The U.S. Navy will turn fiction into reality when it deploys its first laser weapon aboard one of its ships this summer. The solid-state Laser Weapons System promises to be able to incinerate aerial drones and speedboats quickly and less expensive that today’s weapons, which typically relies on a finite supply of interceptor missiles that cost roughly $1.4 million a shot. The laser, on the other hand, can be fired continuously and costs just a few bucks per shot. A prototype will be deployed this summer on board the USS Ponce in the Persian Gulf.

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government, Latest Trend, Science & Technology News

Navy prepares submarines for first female officers breaking one of the last gender barriers in the U.S. military

July 25, 2011

U.S. Navy prepares women for submarine duty.

The biggest concern about serving on a submarine for Ensign Peggy LeGrand is not spending weeks at a time in tight quarters with an entirely male crew. What really worries her is the scrutiny that comes with breaking one of the last gender barriers in the U.S. military.

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Analysis, Culture, government, Health & Fitness, Historical Perspectives, Hot Issues, Human Behavior, New Viewpoints

Should Men in Uniform be Forced to Shave?

March 24, 2011

Several US organisations ban beards, including the military and police forces.

A rabbi is suing the US Army for refusing to let him serve unless he removes his beard. The US military, as well as many police forces across America, require recruits to be clean shaven. But what is wrong with sporting a beard in the line of duty?

Chin straps, goatees, stubble, soul patches, mutton chops or just the old-fashioned full version.

There are many ways to grow a beard, but if you’re serving in the US military, getting creative with your chin furniture is not an option.

The different branches of the US insist that recruits are clean shaven. Those later in their career are permitted to go as far as growing a moustache. But even that facial freedom comes with caveats…

Continue reading… “Should Men in Uniform be Forced to Shave?”