Washington, D.C. - The X-47B is an unmanned combat air system carrier (UCAS) being developed by Northrop Grumman for the United States Navy (USN). By the end of March 2015, the USN will have picked a winner from among the four defense contractors currently being asked to design a version of the aircraft, including DARPA /(Defense Advanced Research Agency), Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman. In August 2014 the USN successfully tested its X-47B (UCAS) on an aircraft carrier flight deck.
Alongside a USN F/A-18F, the unmanned Northrop Grumman X-47B completed a series of tests, which included a catapult launch and an aircraft carrier landing. This demonstrated the X-47B's ability to fly safely with manned aircraft. After an eight-minute flight, the X-47B performed an aircraft carrier landing, folded its wings, and drove itself out of the landing area. This proved the X-47B's ability to land and vacate the landing area in time for the next aircraft following closely behind it, in this case, the USN F/A-18F. See full story, www.popularscience.com.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Asia Region to Soon Receive HOOQ
Singapore - Singapore Telecommunications Limited, Sony Pictures Television, and Warner Bros. Entertainment have combined in a joint venture start-up ( two or more companies starting a new business adventure). HOOQ will offer over 10,000 Hollywood films and television programmes. HOOQ will compete with Netflix in Asia. By March 2015 HOOQ will also be offering movies and television programmes that were originally produced in Asia. HOOQ will be streamed directly to a screen of ones choice. HOOQ will be the largest online video service in the region. HOOQ will be rolled out progressively in Singapore Telecommunication Ltd's. Asia region including, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and Thailand. See whole story, www.variety.com.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Federal Aviation Administration Will Allow Some Film and Television Companies to Use Drones
Washington, D.C. - The companies may not fly the drones at night, the companies may only use the drones on sets that closed to the public, and operators must inspect the aircraft before each flight. The film and television industry seems comfortable and able to comply with the new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules. Allowing motion picture companies to use drones shows the FAA is working to approve new uses of drones.
The FAA is still making proposed rules for integrating commercial drones into the national airspace. In 2013, the United States government created six sites for testing broader commercial uses, in Alaska, Nevada, North Dakota Texas, and Virginia. The drones must not weigh more than 55 pounds, they must be used within sight of the remote pilot (who must hold a private pilot's license), and they must be flown under 400 feet in altitude, among other restrictions. The FAA currently bans most commercial drone flights, but is required by Congress to integrate drones into the United States airspace.
Drones have been used in other countries to film scenes in such movies as the James Bond film "Skyfall" and in the "Harry Potter" series of novels. Drones that can carry cameras and other equipment make them useful for a wide range of uses, from inspecting oil pipelines to crop dusting to rescuing people lost in the wilderness. Amazon has said it plans to use drones to make home deliveries. See whole story, www.aviationweek.com.
The FAA is still making proposed rules for integrating commercial drones into the national airspace. In 2013, the United States government created six sites for testing broader commercial uses, in Alaska, Nevada, North Dakota Texas, and Virginia. The drones must not weigh more than 55 pounds, they must be used within sight of the remote pilot (who must hold a private pilot's license), and they must be flown under 400 feet in altitude, among other restrictions. The FAA currently bans most commercial drone flights, but is required by Congress to integrate drones into the United States airspace.
Drones have been used in other countries to film scenes in such movies as the James Bond film "Skyfall" and in the "Harry Potter" series of novels. Drones that can carry cameras and other equipment make them useful for a wide range of uses, from inspecting oil pipelines to crop dusting to rescuing people lost in the wilderness. Amazon has said it plans to use drones to make home deliveries. See whole story, www.aviationweek.com.
YaYa DaCosta Making It Seem Real In 'Whitney'
New York - YaYa DaCosta had to study work long hours to find what would be the essence of Whitney Houston's on stage performances. To make Whitney Houston's concert performances seem real YaYa DaCosta studied hours and hours of Whitney Houston music videos. When asked to single out one big discovery YaYa DaCosta got from watching the music videos, she said, she was surprised at how well Whitney Houston was as a dancer. YaYa Dacosta says, I got to see videos of her performing on tour and she was full of energy and dance moves, she was doing a lot of the choreography (making up dance moves) right along with her back-up dancers. See also, www.variety.com.
No Flying Between Countries
Washington, D.C. - SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. develops and manufactures unmanned aerial systems for recreation and business use.
Now, in response to a drone crash that happened on the White House lawn on Monday, January 26th, the Chinese drown manufacturer, says it will update its drones so that they will not be able to fly over much over Washington, D.C. When downloaded the firmware (software that updates computerized devices) will prevent SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. drones from taking off within the restricted flight zones that cover much of Washington, D.C., company spokesman Michael Perry says. Mr. Perry also says, SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. will update its firmware to disable drone flights across national borders. The national border update will prevent SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. drones from flying from one country into another country. SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. already prevents its drones from flying near most airports, in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd.'s planned update will prevent ANY flying inside the most restricted airspace above Washington, D.C., which has an approximately 15.5 mile radius. The altitude of flights in a larger zone around Washington, D.C., outside of the 15.5 mile radius will also be limited. See also, www.popularmechanics.com.
Now, in response to a drone crash that happened on the White House lawn on Monday, January 26th, the Chinese drown manufacturer, says it will update its drones so that they will not be able to fly over much over Washington, D.C. When downloaded the firmware (software that updates computerized devices) will prevent SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. drones from taking off within the restricted flight zones that cover much of Washington, D.C., company spokesman Michael Perry says. Mr. Perry also says, SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. will update its firmware to disable drone flights across national borders. The national border update will prevent SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. drones from flying from one country into another country. SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. already prevents its drones from flying near most airports, in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd.'s planned update will prevent ANY flying inside the most restricted airspace above Washington, D.C., which has an approximately 15.5 mile radius. The altitude of flights in a larger zone around Washington, D.C., outside of the 15.5 mile radius will also be limited. See also, www.popularmechanics.com.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
These Japanese Machines Are Not Human Yet
Osaka - Four robots recently chatted with each other at a news conference full of microphones. The robots seem to understand each other, but "Voice recognition has always been very difficult for robots," Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University says. Ishiguro says, an often frustrating drawback for robots is trying to understand human speech. Sota ('social talker' $850) and the more elaborate CommU (communications unity $4,300) are designed to mainly talk to a fellow robot. To fully enjoy their features one would have to buy at least two of the robots, although people can buy just one.
Robot maker Vstone simplified Professor Ishiguro's research. Vstone expects to sell 3,000 Sota robots in 2015, mostly to businesses that will use them to do such things as draw attention to, and verbally give information to customers about any product that can fit on a display shelf (Sota is only 11 inches tall).
Softbank will start selling Pepper, a humanoid (shape, appearance, and character of a human) it claims is programmed to read human emotions. Pepper will go on sale in Japan in February 2015 for $1,700.
Robots are not human yet, but they can do more than vacuum the floor. See also, www.popularmechanics.com.
Robot maker Vstone simplified Professor Ishiguro's research. Vstone expects to sell 3,000 Sota robots in 2015, mostly to businesses that will use them to do such things as draw attention to, and verbally give information to customers about any product that can fit on a display shelf (Sota is only 11 inches tall).
Softbank will start selling Pepper, a humanoid (shape, appearance, and character of a human) it claims is programmed to read human emotions. Pepper will go on sale in Japan in February 2015 for $1,700.
Robots are not human yet, but they can do more than vacuum the floor. See also, www.popularmechanics.com.
Monday, January 26, 2015
If It Weighs Less Than 55 Pounds It Soon May Be Delivered To You By Drone
Washington, D.C. - Those high definition personal cameras often used in extreme-action video photography are just the beginning. In the near future we may see everything from brooms to vacuum cleaners delivered by way of drone. Its a matter of time before drone applications (apps) become normal, or at least commonplace to us. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) will be attempting to integrate drones into United States airspace, if they can safely do so away from commercial airline flights. The FAA's next major step is expected later this year, when the agency says it will publish rules and requirements for drones weighing less than 55 pounds.
Drone flights are controlled automatically by on-board computers or by the remote control of a pilot on the ground. Historically, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) were simply remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). Now, autonomous (independent with the ability to make its own decisions) control is becoming more popular.
The concept of a UAV dates back to the mid-1800s when Austrians ( a country next door to Germany) sent unmanned bomb-filled balloons to attack Venice, Italy. The UAVs we see today started innovation in the early 1900s and were originally used for target practice to train military personnel. One of the best known and widely used drones (called drone for the bee-like buzzing sound the engine made) was the 1940s Nazi-German V-1 that flew autonomously by jet power. The V-1's successor was the V-2. The V-2 was rocket powered and could travel substantial more distance than the V-1. See also, www.aviationweek.com.
Drone flights are controlled automatically by on-board computers or by the remote control of a pilot on the ground. Historically, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) were simply remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). Now, autonomous (independent with the ability to make its own decisions) control is becoming more popular.
The concept of a UAV dates back to the mid-1800s when Austrians ( a country next door to Germany) sent unmanned bomb-filled balloons to attack Venice, Italy. The UAVs we see today started innovation in the early 1900s and were originally used for target practice to train military personnel. One of the best known and widely used drones (called drone for the bee-like buzzing sound the engine made) was the 1940s Nazi-German V-1 that flew autonomously by jet power. The V-1's successor was the V-2. The V-2 was rocket powered and could travel substantial more distance than the V-1. See also, www.aviationweek.com.
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