Science and Technology News

Month: October 2024

  • Smart City Expo aims for ‘ethical urban future together’

    Smart City Expo aims for ‘ethical urban future together’

    Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), the leading international event on cities and smart urban solutions, will host its largest edition yet from November 5-7, 2024, at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue.

    With a 30 percent growth in the exhibition floorspace and under the theme “Live Better,” the 2024 edition will delve into the strategies needed to transform metropolises into sustainable, efficient, and livable spaces and will gather 1,100 exhibitors representatives of 850 cities and over 600 experts to outline “a more ethical urban future together”.

    The event will gather over 600 speakers and international experts in its congress to share the latest experiences, strategies, and breakthroughs in urban transformation.

    The conference program is structured around eight main tracks enabling technologies, energy and environment, mobility, governance, living and inclusion, economy, infrastructure & buildings, and safety & security.

    The event will bring together metropolises from all over the globe to share their latest projects and experiences and promote the technologies developed to deploy them.

    With representatives from over 850 cities in attendances, among the countries and cities exhibiting are Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, and USA. 

    Ugo Valenti, director of Smart City Expo World Congress, stated, “Smart City Expo 2024 aims to set a common target for urban innovation worldwide improve welfare, create opportunities, and foster a better relationship with our planet and communities.

    “If we want to live better, we must rethink our way of life, leveraging technology, innovation, and collaboration. We want to offer a meeting point for all actors in this field to get together and draft a roadmap to a better tomorrow.”

    Leading companies from around the world will showcase the latest solutions and technologies enabling cities to improve mobility, public services, utilities and citizen engagement such as saudi aramco, Axis Communications, Dahua Technology, Dassault Systèmes, Dell Nvidia, FCC Medio Ambiente, Hail City, KHNP, KPMG, Madinah City, MDEC, Microsoft, New Murabba, Nova Cidade, PNY, PWC, Roshn Group, Smart Ports Piers of the Future, and Veolia.  

    Moreover, in 2024 SCEWC will delve deeper into the role that start-ups have in their developing process of new technologies. To do so, the event will debut the Innovation playground, a space to connect the main players of the global innovation ecosystem including startups, investors, governments, corporations, and research centers.

    In addition, SCEWC will also hold the third edition of the barcelona Deep Tech Summit, an event by Barcelona Activa focused on scientific tech entrepreneurship and university spin-offs.

    Keynote speaker lineup

    The 2024 edition of SCEWC will feature some of the leading thinkers in the urban sphere. Among the 600 speakers Ruha Benjamin, Majora Carter, Stephanie Hare, and Melati Wijsen stand out.

    Benjamin is a renowned expert in technology-based inequity who has focused her work on the intersection of race, technology, and society. Professor of african american studies at princeton university, benjamin has studied how emerging technologies and scientific advancements impact social justice and inequality.

    Majora Carter is an awarded urban revitalization strategist and environmental advocate known for her efforts to transform the South Bronx, her hometown, by promoting green spaces, sustainable economic development, and equitable community engagement. 

    How technology impacts public policy, human rights, and social justice is the domain of stephanie Hare. With a background in both academia and industry, Hare has worked on issues related to data privacy, surveillance, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence.

    Melati wijsen is an environmental activist and co-founder of Bye Bye Plastic bags, a youth-led movement aimed at reducing plastic waste. She started the organization at age 12 and has since become a prominent advocate for sustainability and youth empowerment.

    Melati has been recognized globally for her efforts, including being featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and speaking at international forums such as the United Nations.

    World Smart City Awards

    SCEWC will also host a new edition of the world smart city awards to acknowledge the most outstanding initiatives and projects in the innovation and urban transformation industry. With a total of 429 entries from 64 countries, the 13th edition of these accolades is the biggest to date.

    The winners of the 9 categories featured – City, Leadership, Innovation, enabling technologies project, energy and environment project, mobility project, governance and economy project, living and Inclusion project, and infrastructure and buildings project will be announced during a special gala hosted on the evening of Wednesday, November 6th.

    Largest showcase of Urban Innovation

    Fira de barcelona will strengthen its role a global hub for urban innovation by holding SCEWC 2024 together with Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, Tomorrow Building World Congress, and tomorrow.Blue economy.

    Tomorrow mobility world Congress, jointly organized by fira de barcelona and EIT urban mobility, an initiative of the european Institute of Innovation and Technology, a body of the european union, aims to speed up the adoption of new sustainable urban mobility paradigms.

    Focusing on topics as New mobility services, public transport, autonomous mobility, last mile logistics, data for mobility, Mobility Infrastructure, zero and low-emission mobility, active and Inclusive mobility.

    In addition, tomorrow.building world congress will bring together the construction sector to showcase the most innovative solutions, projects and strategies for transforming the industry.

    To do so, the event will focus on five major challenges urban planning and landscaping, construction technology, design technology, decarbonised building and sustainable transformation of buildings.

    With over 100 experts and 30 conference sessions, the congress will give special relevance to women in the construction industry featuring architects melike altinisik and liselott stenfeldt as keynote speakers.

    Tomorrow blue economy will hold its third edition with the goal of promoting the huge potential of the seas and oceans as a source of sustainable economic growth.

    Organized with the support of the Barcelona City Council, Port de Barcelona, World Ocean Council and Smart Ports Piers of the Future, the event will gather experts, companies, institutions and community leaders to showcase innovative solutions, programs and best practices carried out in recent years with the aim of advancing an interdisciplinary approach in this field, including public-private collaboration.

    Among the topics discussed feature climate change, finance, offshore energy, water management, biodiversity, green shipping, smart ports, and recreational boating.

  • Dryad Networks raises €6.3 million to develop drone-based system for detecting wildfires

    Dryad Networks raises €6.3 million to develop drone-based system for detecting wildfires

    Dryad Networks, a pioneer in ultra-early wildfire detection technology, has received a major financial boost to advance its wildfire prevention solutions.

    The company has been awarded a €3.8 million grant from the European Regional Development fund ERDF, via Investitionsbank des Landes Brandenburg ILB, to accelerate the development of its revolutionary  wildfire suppression project, codenamed Florian.

    This significant grant will drive the development of an autonomous drone-based system designed to combat wildfires at their inception.

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  • Cobod builds homes ‘faster’ with its latest 3D construction printer

    Cobod builds homes ‘faster’ with its latest 3D construction printer

    Cobod International, a specialist in 3D construction printing technology, proudly introduces the BOD3 3D construction printer for 3D printing of real concrete.

    Equipped with an extendable ground-based track system, the BOD3 advances the construction process by eliminating printer downtime between multiple buildings on the same site, setting anew benchmark for productivity and efficiency.

    The BOD3 is the most advanced solution for high-volume low-rise construction and a very effective alternative to conventional construction methods.  

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  • Kiro Race debuts striking new livery ahead of new Formula E season

    Kiro Race debuts striking new livery ahead of new Formula E season

    Kiro Race Co has unveiled its vibrant new livery for Season 11 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Anchored by a fluorescent yellow base, Kiro Race Co has designed its livery for instant recognition and lasting visual impact.

    This bold new design is more than cosmetic. It’s the centrepiece of Kiro Race Co’s philosophy. It’s a declaration of our team’s unwavering determination to defy conventions and excite fans. We want fans and competitors to know without a doubt who we are when they see our cars on track.
     
    We set out to create a design that is not only cool but also impossible to miss whether on the track or in the paddock, said Alex Hui, team principal of Kiro Race Co.

    It’s more than just aesthetics this livery is a bold declaration of our identity as daring upstarts, ready to redefine the rules. We want this design to spark excitement, inspire our fans, and attract partners who share our drive for bold innovation and fearless competition.
     
    Commercial director Jon wilde adds, designed to be the most visible car on the Formula E grid, our livery is a powerful tool to connect with our audiences. It is a visual statement that will capture attention, attract like-minded partners, and deepen our connection with fans – all critical to achieving our ambitious targets as a sports franchise.
     
    The design embodies our innovative approach to Formula e, fusing cutting-edge technology with our passion for racing. We’re dedicated to driving eMobility forward and setting new sustainability standards. It is a testament to our commitment to positively impact the future of motorsport.
     
    We will be announcing our driver line up for Season 11 in the coming weeks. With our dedicated team of engineers and mechanics, updated cars, and driver lineup, we’re positioned to leave a lasting mark on the upcoming season and establish ourselves as the dynamic underdogs in formula e.

  • Infovista launches new partner program to align with delivery of 5G

    Infovista launches new partner program to align with delivery of 5G

    Infovista has launched Infovista Synergy, a transformative partner program designed to enhance collaboration with Value Added Resellers (VARs), driving growth and innovation in the deployment of the latest RAN technologies, automated network performance solutions and proven qoe optimization tools.

    The launch represents a pivotal shift in how Infovista engages with its partners, enabling a streamlined, proactive approach to delivering next-gen telecom solutions.

    The synergy program is designed to empower partners by fostering deeper cooperation and providing them with the tools, training and resources they need to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving telecom landscape.

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  • Hitachi Digital Services launches R2O2.ai framework to build, scale and operate ‘trustworthy AI’

    Hitachi Digital Services launches R2O2.ai framework to build, scale and operate ‘trustworthy AI’

    Hitachi Digital Services, the digital consultancy and technology services subsidiary of Hitachi, has launched its generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) offering: Reliable, Responsible, Observable and Optimal AI or R2O2.ai.

    The R2O2.ai framework is designed to bridge the gap between conceptualizing AI workloads and deploying them at scale, delivering reliable, responsible and observable AI models at unprecedented speed and efficiency – ideal for enterprises aiming to scale their AI projects responsibly and optimally.

    The R2O2.ai framework will further expand our proprietary HARC (Hitachi Application Reliability Centers) offering, a suite of engineering services that helps our customers build and manage systems with reliability, resiliency, security and cost efficiency. (more…)

  • ABB’s updated Freelance distributed control system ‘enhances plant connectivity’

    ABB’s updated Freelance distributed control system ‘enhances plant connectivity’

    Leveraging 30 years of continuous innovation and reliability, ABB’s updated Freelance 2024 distributed control system (DCS) offers greater plant adaptability, faster and more reliable device communication, improved system security, and seamless data exchange. The updated version ensures future-proof upgrades for existing projects and easy implementation in new projects.

    “Today more than ever process industry plants need to be able to adapt quickly to stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape with unpredictable market demands and increasing regulations,” said Stefan basenach, senior vice president, process automation Technology ABB.

    “Freelance 2024 is designed to help plant managers focus on strategic initiatives by simplifying operations and improving system flexibility. It meets current industrial demands and prepares plants for future technological advancements.”

    Freelance 2024 facilitates enhanced connectivity, faster data transfer, more precise control and monitoring of data together with an improved network performance, leveraging the new profinet integration and support of Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (APL).

    With its scalability and integration capabilities, Freelance 2024 is designed to help plant operators reduce downtime while simplifying tasks.

    NAMUR Open Architecture support via OPC UA ensures secure and more standardized data exchange across various systems and devices, increasing interoperability and simplifying the integration of new technologies. Plant agility is further enhanced thanks to Freelance 2024 controllers, which support Module Type Packages (MTP) for ‘plug and play’ Modular Automation.

    As plant owners prepare for the next-generation workforce, Freelance 2024 helps bridge the skills gap with an intuitive, user-friendly interface that reduces training time and simplifies engineering, operations and maintenance.

    ABB’s Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its 20,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps customers in process, hybrid and maritime industries improve performance and safety of operations, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.

  • CorTec gains IRB approval for brain interchange system

    CorTec gains IRB approval for brain interchange system

    CorTec has announced today that Institutional Review Board from University of Washington (IRB) has approved the Feasibility study for stroke rehabilitation using the Brain Interchange System.

    This marks a significant milestone and paves the way for the system’s clinical investigation in the United States.

    The IRB approval follows the recent Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), setting the stage for the study to proceed to participant recruitment.

    IRB approval is a critical step in the clinical research process, especially for studies involving human subjects. While FDA approval ensures the safety and technical readiness of the device being studied, the IRB provides an essential layer of oversight to safeguard the ethical conduct of the research.

    The IRB’s review takes into account the specific local context of the research site, including the population being studied and the resources available, to ensure participant safety. This local oversight is crucial, as it tailors the ethical review process to the unique circumstances of each study, beyond the federal standards.

    Securing FDA approval for our IDE study was a thorough process that involved the submission of extensive documentation from both our team at the University of Washington and the device manufacturer, Cortec, said Dr. Jeffrey Herron, Assistant Professor at the University of Washington and co-investigator on the NIH-funded study.

    The FDA’s evaluation focused on the study protocol, hazard analysis, and the device design to ensure readiness for human implantation. Achieving this IDE approval was a critical milestone, and with the following IRB approval, we are now prepared to move forward with participant recruitment.”

    According to Dr. Martin Schuettler, CorTec’s CTO, the Brain Interchange System’s closed-loop functionality is a groundbreaking achievement that opens new avenues for highly individualized treatments. “I am incredibly proud of this milestone, Dr.Schuettler expressed.

    Our system enables a seamless exchange of information between biology and technology, which is why we named it the cortec brain Interchange. With this system, we are not only providing the critical technological tools needed to advance new therapies but also shaping the future of brain-computer interfaces and paving the way for future therapy discoveries.

    CorTec is collaborating with leading experts in the U.S. to further the development of innovative therapies using the Brain Interchange System. The first Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study will be conducted in collaboration with Professor Jeffrey G.

    Ojemann from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle and Professor Steven C. Cramer from the University of California, Los Angeles.

    Funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), this consortium aims to gather initial safety data and develop novel therapeutic rehabilitation approaches for upper limb impairment in stroke patients through direct cortical electrical stimulation delivered by the Brain Interchange System(2).

    Patient enrollment and the first implantation of the neural interfacing system are scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024, marking the beginning of a new chapter in stroke rehabilitation research.

  • Rimac completes campus phase one with production already under way

    Rimac completes campus phase one with production already under way

    Phase one of the Rimac campus – new home of the Rimac Group in Croatia – has now completed construction, representing around 70% of the total Campus site. Encompassing the 75,000 m2 production facility, out of a total construction space of 100,000 m2 for the whole site, phase one provides the Rimac Group with critical production capacity, in addition to the existing 25,000 m2 production facility located a short distance away.   

    Total investment into the Campus to-date has been 120M EUR, with the final figure expected to surpass 300M EUR when phase two is completed – which houses the majority of office space and additional amenities. It is one of the largest industrial construction projects ever undertaken in this part in Europe.

    The Campus is the home for Bugatti Rimac’s hypercar development and for Rimac Technology’s R&D and production. It will house hypercar assembly, including of the Nevera and Nevera R, as well as facilities for prototype assembly, composite manufacturing, CNC machining, upholstery, and a state-of-the-art paint shop. In addition, the campus will accommodate three new high-volume battery projects for premium European car makers.

    Construction of the Campus first commenced in 2021 to deliver a vision laid out by Croatian architecture firm 3LHD. Utilizing industrial building technology with prefabricated concrete and steel elements, the construction has progressed rapidly, allowing flexibility and adaptability for future changes.  

    The production building incorporates “houses within a house” design, featuring six-meter-high ceilings and green atriums that provide natural light and fresh air.

    The main design element, a continuous aluminum facade, reflects light while dematerializing the massive volume of the production area, integrating the facility seamlessly with its natural surroundings. Inside, clear communication pathways serve as streets for easy navigation, complemented by shared spaces such as restrooms and kitchens.

    At the building’s heart is a central atrium with a large kitchen and communal dining area, serving as a gathering space for employees.

    The move-in to the Campus started this summer, and currently, 400 employees are working there, out of over 1,500 Rimac employees in Croatia. More will gradually transition to the new Campus over time. Once the project is fully completed, the Campus will have the capacity to accommodate 2.500 employees.

  • Nidec Machine Tool adds to its product lineup

    Nidec Machine Tool adds to its product lineup

    Nidec Machine Tool has added ZI25A, an internal gear grinding machine, to its product lineup.

    The company will launch this high-speed, high-precision equipment that can machine internal gears used for the planetary gear mechanisms of automobile drive units, reducers, robots’ joints, and other products.

    The market debut of this product is in response to the rising demand for larger gears amid the growing needs for better durability, transmission efficiency, and NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) performance of gears.

    Nidec Machine Tool will exhibit ZI25A and perform demonstration with gears that are 250mm in external diameter at this year’s Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF2024) to be held from November 5 – 10, 2024.

    At this event, the company will also showcase achievements from the “internal mass-production gear polishing processing method,” a joint research with Germany’s RWTH Aachen University.

    Featuring the high-precision, high-efficiency, and low-cost-production characteristics of ZI20A, the world’s first mass-production-type internal gear grinder launched in 2009, ZI25A boasts a maximum external diameter of 250mm, up from 200mm, to accommodate larger gears.

    To remove thermal treatment-caused distortion of ring gears (internal gears) used in cars, robots, and so on, ZI25A can grind thermally processed internal teeth with high precision, high efficiency, and at low cost. In high-precision and high-efficiency machining, ZI25A is capable of performing generating grinding work based on a high-speed and high-precision synchronization with a grinding stone spindle (maximum rotating speed: 15,000min-1) and a work table (maximum rotating speed: 6,000 min-1).

    In addition, to avoid an axis-flank (tooth surface) interference, which impedes the flank-grinding process, ZI25A has a wide axis-crossing angle (the main axis’s tilt against the grinding work axis) of 20º – 35º, to achieve a better sliding grinding speed.

    Furthermore, with a screw-type grinding stone whose teeth’s central diameter enlarged to form a barrel-like shape, ZI25A can enjoy a wide axis-crossing angle between its grinding stone axis and work axis, enabling high-efficiency machining.

    Additionally, to realize an easy precision management in the dress process to shape a grinding stone, ZI25A adopts an on-board dressing system, which enables a high-precision dressing and mass production without removing the grinding stone from the machine.

    To realize low-cost production, Nidec Machine Tool is in a joint research with Germany’s RWTH Aachen University to extend the lives of grinding stones. For ZI25A, the Company adopted general, clean-cutting and durable grinding stones that meet the high-load conditions of large-diameter work-pieces, to reduce tool costs from those for conventional grinding machines.

    As the needs for high-precision gears spreads globally, Nidec Machine Tool stays committed to developing systems that perform crude and finish processing, and that can machine a variety of gears such as large-diameter and small-diameter gears and internal and external gear teeth; and automatic systems, to offer gear-machining solutions that meet the needs of the times.