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SICK develops first IP69K incremental encoder with added ingress protection

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Encoder delivers hygienic, long-lasting reliability in demanding food and beverage environments, says SICK

Developed for long-lasting reliability despite frequent high-pressure chemical washdowns in demanding food and beverage applications, SICK’s DBS60I-W is the first IP69K incremental encoder with added ingress protection thanks to a new, patented deflector shield, according to the company.

The SICK DBS60I-W washdown encoder delivers all the high-resolution performance of SICK’s popular DBS60 incremental encoder but in a robust IP69K-rated, 316L (V4A) stainless steel housing.

The specially developed deflector shield is designed to protect the shaft seal from ingress of water and caustic chemicals during high-pressure washdown. As a result, the washdown encoder promises a long product life, protecting machine reliability and availability on food processing, bottling, and packaging lines. [Read more…] about SICK develops first IP69K incremental encoder with added ingress protection

Scientists have found more water in space than they ever knew possible

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We’ve known for a long time that there is water in space. But an international team of scientists has found a cloud of water vapor 12 billion light-years away – and it’s bigger than you could possibly imagine.

You Will Not Believe How Much Water Has Been Found Floating in Space

The aerospace industry is as big today as it has ever been. Whether you’re an independent space company looking to put innovative satellites into low orbit, or a major government agency, it’s an exciting time to be alive. [Read more…] about Scientists have found more water in space than they ever knew possible

ABB helps Indian district manage its water amid drought

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Global industrial giant ABB is supporting India’s Koppal district to ease water shortages with its digital water management solutions.

In a unique project led by L&T Construction Water & Effluent Treatment IC for the Government of Kartanaka, ABB’s solutions will help the local water authority to track, measure and optimize water use in this drought-stricken region of southwest India, as well as pump and distribute clean treated river water to village homes.

The solution includes 635 digital flowmeters and technologies to improve control at pumping stations and reservoirs. [Read more…] about ABB helps Indian district manage its water amid drought

Blockchain-based environmental drones ‘can help fight water pollution’, say scientists

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According to the World Health Organization, almost a third of the world’s population does not have access to fresh water.

As evidenced by the 2020 UN report on water supply and climate change in the world, water consumption will experience a 20-30 percent increase by 2050, fuelled by the constant population growth and industrial development throughout the world.

Water pollution is a serious threat to both people and water inhabitants, greatly evidenced by the ecological disaster that took place on the coast of Kamchatka in September 2020. [Read more…] about Blockchain-based environmental drones ‘can help fight water pollution’, say scientists

Autonomous boats could be your next ride

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Five years in the making, MIT’s autonomous floating vessels get an upgrade in size and learn a new way to communicate aboard the waters

The feverish race to produce the shiniest, safest, speediest self-driving car has spilled over into our wheelchairs, scooters, and even golf carts.

Moreover, recently, there’s been movement from land to sea, as marine autonomy stands to change the canals of our cities, with the potential to deliver goods and services and collect waste across our waterways.

In an update to a five-year project from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and the Senseable City Lab, researchers have been developing the world’s first fleet of autonomous boats for the city of Amsterdam, and have recently added a new, larger vessel to the group: “Roboat II”. (See video below.) [Read more…] about Autonomous boats could be your next ride

Blendid opens fourth kiosk location at Walmart in Bay Area

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​Blendid​ is opening the company’s fourth food robotics kiosk at Walmart in Fremont, California.

Bay Area–based Blendid offers an innovative, autonomous, and contactless food automation platform that leverages machine learning, robotics, and artificial intelligence to create nutrient-dense and delicious smoothies, made on-demand, and customized to meet the unique health and taste preferences of individual consumers.

Vipin Jain, CEO and co-founder of Blendid, says: “The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the focus on food safety globally. At Blendid, we’re working with many essential businesses to help integrate a solution for safe, contactless food preparation and delivery. [Read more…] about Blendid opens fourth kiosk location at Walmart in Bay Area

How to select the best rugged external drive

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If you are someone who does their work on the go, you will find it necessary to have a portable storage device that can handle rough conditions like random drops, high temperatures, and minor water spills.

External drives (mainly HDDs) are so vulnerable if not handled with care. This is because they are mechanical, and a small distortion in the orientation of the plates and the head can lead to failure.

As a traveler, you may have to consider a couple of factors before deciding which external storage device to buy. [Read more…] about How to select the best rugged external drive

The Damage to Machinery You Don’t Always Notice

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When someone talks about technology being damaged, what are some of the first things you imagine in your head? Maybe a smartphone being dropped screen first onto asphalt. A car crash, maybe. How about those videos of people throwing laptops off of stairs.

But there are other types of damage that you don’t always notice, as they’re not as visible and seem to fly right under people’s radar. Things like dust, the weather, even the Sun can cause serious harm to machinery without anyone even realizing it. So then, what is this damage, and how to avoid it? [Read more…] about The Damage to Machinery You Don’t Always Notice

Pittsburgh looks to ‘infinity and beyond’ with $200 million NASA contract win

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Pittsburgh local authorities say they are looking to “infinity and beyond” after NASA awarded a local company, Astrobotic Technology, a $200 million contract to build and send the first-ever US rover to the Moon by 2023.

Specialising in the development of space robotics technology for lunar and planetary missions, Astrobotic was founded in 2007 by Carnegie Mellon University professor Red Whittaker and his associates.

Whittaker is considered the “father of field robotics” for his pioneering work and the company was designed with the specific goal of putting a rover on the Moon. [Read more…] about Pittsburgh looks to ‘infinity and beyond’ with $200 million NASA contract win

How Robots Repair Aging Water Pipes

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Robots are incredibly useful when working in hard-to-reach areas, such as the cramped confines of the municipal water pipes.

But robots can perform the tasks of accessing and repairing these water pipes without facing the challenges that humans usually do.

Many companies are already building robots that can function in areas that are not easily accessible to humans. [Read more…] about How Robots Repair Aging Water Pipes