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Jan 30, 2020
These solar-powered barges can scoop up 50 tons of plastic from rivers each day
Posted by Omuterema Akhahenda in categories: robotics/AI, sustainability
While removing the plastic waste that currently contaminates the ocean today will be crucial for protecting marine ecosystems, it is arguably more important that we stop any more plastic trash from entering the ocean. Fortunately for humanity, The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit taking on plastic waste in the ocean today, also has a novel solution for stopping plastic from entering it via rivers.
The solution comes in the form of a solar-powered barge named the “Interceptor”. The 24-meter-long (78 feet) vessel resembles a large houseboat and uses a curved barrier to catch waste floating downstream. The trash, much of it plastic, is directed to the “mouth” of the barge — which operates autonomously and silently — from where it rolls up a conveyor belt and is dropped into dumpsters. Apparently, the Interceptor is capable of collecting up to 50 tons of waste a day.
Currently the Klang River in Malaysia is home to one of these Interceptors where it can be seen quietly scooping up trash. The Klang river alone sends more than 15,000 tons annually into the sea, making it one of the 50 most-polluting rivers across the globe. As well as the barge in Malaysia, one has been stationed in Jakarta, the overcrowded capital of neighboring Indonesia, while two others will be sent to Vietnam and the Dominican Republic.
Jan 30, 2020
Archaeology Places Humans in Australia 120,000-Years-Ago
Posted by Prem Vijaywargi in category: futurism
Shell middens and a potential ancient hearth add to growing evidence of a much deeper human occupation period in Australasia (prehistoric Sahul).
A meticulously detailed 11 years research program has concluded that there is compelling evidence for a human presence 120,000 years at Moyjil, Point Richie, on the far south coast of Victoria.
Excavation in basal calcrete at Moyjil containing burnt stones and charcoal. Image credit – Ian J. McNiven.
Circa 2017
Artificial intelligence has been used crack one of the codes originally deciphered in the 1940s at Bletchley Park.
It took just 13 minutes and cost £10.
Jan 30, 2020
Pininfarina inkless metal pen will write forever
Posted by Quinn Sena in category: transportation
Car design firm Pininfarina has designed an inkless pen with a metal nib that will write without ever running out.
Jan 30, 2020
Underwater robot reveals hidden base of Antarctica’s ‘doomsday’ glacier
Posted by Genevieve Klien in categories: existential risks, robotics/AI
Jan 30, 2020
Another shot at bringing a SpaceX rocket plant to San Pedro is in the works
Posted by Genevieve Klien in category: space travel
Talks center around quickly erecting a SpaceX plant across the channel from what will be San Pedro’s new waterfront development opening in 2021.
Jan 30, 2020
Google Says Its Chatbot Is Capable of Near-Human Conversation
Posted by Brent Ellman in category: robotics/AI
Jan 30, 2020
Coronavirus — 7,000 on lockdown on cruise ship after Chinese couple fall ill
Posted by Prem Vijaywargi in category: futurism
Jan 30, 2020
‘Immortality, Inc.’ Review: Birthdays Without End
Posted by Derick Lee in categories: mobile phones, robotics/AI
Amid today’s technological wizardry, it’s easy to forget that several decades have passed since a single innovation has dramatically raised the quality of life for millions of people. Summoning a car with one’s phone is nifty, but it pales in comparison with discovering penicillin or electrifying cities. Artificial intelligence is being heralded as the next big thing, but a cluster of scientists, technologists and investors are aiming higher. In the vernacular of Silicon Valley, where many of them are based, their goal is nothing less than disrupting death, and their story is at the center of “Immortality, Inc.” by science journalist Chip Walter.
The efforts of scientists and investors to defy the aging process—and extend the human life span—are still in their infancy.
