Reborg-Q to keep the peace at shopping malls
On November 27, Sohgo Security Services (ALSOK) unveiled a new security system that relies on teamwork between robots and human security guards. The system, called Reborg-Q, will be put into action at AquaCity shopping mall in Odaiba (Tokyo) in mid-December.
The Reborg-Q security robot, which is an upgraded version of ALSOK's Guardrobo D1, weighs 90 kilograms (200 lbs) and measures 130 x 65 x 70 cm. It can be programmed to automatically patrol a preset course, or a joystick can be used to control it remotely. The robot can also be equipped with a function to control elevators, enabling it to move from floor to floor while making its rounds.
While on patrol, four cameras mounted in the robot's head and shoulders record video, and its sensors detect the presence of humans, water leaks and fire. When the robot encounters something suspicious, it alerts a computer in the security room and sends video. Human security guards view the video footage sent by the robot and determine how to respond.
Equipped with communication functions, the robot can also provide services to the people it is watching. A touch-screen embedded in the robot's chest can be used to display information about lost children and other data about the surroundings, and a voice synthesizer enables the robot to tell the time, provide weather data and make promotional announcements.
In addition, a contactless FeliCa card reader embedded in the robot's right shoulder means it can be used to check company IDs and verify the identity of employees at company entranceways. And like Guardrobo D1, Reborg-Q can also be equipped with a fire extinguisher.
Each robot costs about 380,000 yen ($3,200), so the initial cost of a system is in the 1 to 2 million yen ($8,500 to $17,000) range. The company plans to deploy the Reborg-Q system at 10 locations around Japan in 2007.
[Source: Robot Watch]
Deutsche robots protect Beijing Olympics
Not Japanese but German robots have been leased by the Chinese government to uphold the law during the Beijing Olympics. Berlin-based Robowatch Technologies has sent a total of 16 security robots to China. Two years ago, they were successfully deployed in German stadiums during the soccer world cup.
The robots are protecting the national stadium in Beijing and are able to say: "Please identify yourself!" in both Chinese and English. The Germans claim that customers can save up to 75% in costs of labor for security personnel.
Robot Technologies has developed two different models.
The Ofro (pictured above), which is the world's first outdoor mobile security robot according to the manufacturer, is able to run 12 hours with one charge (top speed: 7km/h). The robot weighs 50kg and stands 1.4 meters tall. It's equipped with a thermal camera, GSM/GPS antennas, WLAN, and two ultrasonic distance sensors.
Mosro (who came up with these names?), the second model, looks like a pipe with a red warning light on top of it. This robot is much lighter and smaller (25kg, 1.2m) and designed for general surveillance purposes. Mosro is able to detect gas, nuclear and chemical weapons and can overlook an area of up to 2km with its movable thermal camera system.
Via Der Spiegel [GER]
Battery-powered Skateboard!!
XERO has introduced an electronic skateboard that is battery powered and is uniquely remote controlled by a gun. The remote control that controls the movements of the skateboard is itself in the form of a radio gun. The XERO electronic skateboard accelerates up to 14 miles per hour and has a total battery endurance of up to 13.5 hours.
The occupant of the this marvelous skateboard can experience burst of speed on the device that, propels the skateboard from 0 to 20 miles an hour in just 4 seconds, a claim that is in complete contradiction with the maximum speed of the skateboard.
The XERO electronic skateboard consumes about three to four hours for a complete recharge of its batteries and is available for $360 for the high end model. However, the eBoard Junior and eBoard Flow models of the electronic skateboard have been priced at $199 and $249 respectively. The all new skateboard is made from environmental friendly materials and uses rubber tires for maximum traction on road.
This latest addition to the long list of electronic or battery powered skateboards is unique in itself due to its technology and the velocity that can be achieved from an electronic skateboard.
Stingray: a fast small unmanned ground vehicle for urban combat
Small unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) such as the iRobot PackBot have revolutionized the way soldiers deal with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These man-portable UGVs allow soldiers to inspect and destroy suspected IEDs from a safe distance. A typical UGV transmits video from an onboard camera back to the operator control unit (OCU) that displays the video on a computer screen. In a manner similar to playing a first-person shooter video game, the operator teleoperates the UGV using a joystick, gamepad, or other input device to control vehicle motion. While this teleoperation method works well at slow speeds in simple environments, viewing the world through a fixed camera limits the operator's situational awareness about the surroundings.
Even joystick-controlled cameras that pan and tilt can be distracting to work while driving the vehicle. This is one of the reasons why small UGVs have been limited to traveling at slow speeds (typically less than 8kph) and missions like IED inspection, where these speeds are tolerable.
Faster small UGVs would be useful in a wide range of military operations. When an infantry squad storms a building held by insurgents, speed is essential to maintain the advantage of surprise. When a dismounted infantry unit patrols a city on foot, the soldiers need a UGV that can keep up. However, driving at high speeds through complex urban environments is difficult for any vehicle, and small UGVs face additional challenges. They need to steer around obstacles that a larger vehicle could drive over. A bump that would be absorbed by a large vehicle's suspension can send a small, fast-moving UGV flying into the air.
For the Stingray Project,1 funded by the US Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), iRobot Corporation and Chatten Associates are developing technologies that will enable teleoperation of small UGVs at high speeds through urban terrain. Our approach combines immersive telepresence, which gives the operator the impression of being in the vehicle, along with semiautonomous driver-assist behaviors, which command the vehicle to safely maneuver according to the driver's intent. These behaviors are similar to modern fighter aircraft, which are designed to be dynamically unstable and can only be controlled through software that interprets the pilot's control inputs.
In phase 1 of the Stingray Project, we mounted a Chatten Head-Aimed Remote Viewer (HARV) on an iRobot Warrior UGV prototype (see Figure 1) and a surrogate small UGV based on a high-speed, gas-powered, radio-controlled car platform (see Figure 2). The operator wears a head-mounted display and a head tracker (see Figure 3). The display shows the video from the HARV's camera, which is mounted on a pan/tilt/roll gimbal. The HARV tracks the operator's head position and turns the camera to face in the same direction. This provides a fully immersive experience, which studies have shown can improve mission performance by 200–400%.2 Using the HARV, we teleoperated the Warrior through urban and wooded terrain at the prototype's current top speed, 10kph, and the surrogate UGV through a slalom course at speeds of up to 30–45kph (see video3).
For phase 2 of Stingray, we will increase the Warrior UGV's top speed by developing a high-speed, wheeled version of the vehicle (see Figure 4) with a top speed of 32kph. To assist the driver in controlling this speed, we will reuse the street-following and perimeter-following behaviors developed for the TARDEC-funded Wayfarer Project. These behaviors employ light detection and ranging (LIDAR) to determine the orientation of features such as street boundaries, building walls, and tree lines. During Wayfarer, we demonstrated that the performance of this system is robust to irregularities in both urban and rural terrain.4
Small vehicles driving rapidly over rough terrain will spend much of their time in the air. To assist in vehicle control, we will develop behaviors to autonomously maintain an operator-specified heading, despite perturbations caused by intermittent contact with the underlying terrain. This will free the operator from having to make constant steering adjustments to keep the vehicle driving in a straight line. We will also enhance situational awareness by adding a panoramic view inset, a rear-view inset, and haptic feedback to the HARV. These devices will provide constant awareness of obstacles and threats in all directions. Haptic feedback will allow the operator to feel collisions and sense terrain characteristics (e.g., smooth, rough, slippery) through the steering wheel controller.
Stingray technology can be applied to both military and civilian vehicles. For mainstream consumers, driver-assist behaviors will make driving safer and more convenient: the car will become the driver. For driving enthusiasts, technology will allow the driver to become fully immersed in the driving experience with unobstructed 360-degree views and enhanced haptic and force feedback: the driver will become the car.
This material is based upon work supported by the US Army Tankautomotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) under contract W56HZV-08-C-0079. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US Army TACOM LCMC.
Brian Yamauchi is a lead roboticist with iRobot Corporation's Research Group and the principal investigator for the Stingray Project. His research interests include mobile robot navigation and mapping, autonomous vehicle control, and multirobot coordination. Prior to joining iRobot, he conducted robotics research at the Naval Research Laboratory, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, and the Institute for the Study of Learning and Expertise.
Kent Massey is the chief operating officer for Chatten Associates and leads the company's Robotics Development Group. Previously, at GE Aerospace, he was the chief systems engineer on the NASA Space Station science laboratory module. He is the principal investigator for a US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center-funded project to develop a ruggedized HARV.
DUT SRC Elections Final Results 2010
| 1. MFANAFUTHI NGCOBO | 3185 |
| 2. NHLANHLA NGUBANE | 2981 |
| 3. NTUTHUKO NTSHANGASE | 2880 |
| 4. NOLWAZI DLAMINI | 2843 |
| 5. THEMBELANI SHONGWE | 2812 |
| 6. MZAMO KHANYILE | 2642 |
| 7. NOMKHOSI KHUZWAYO | 2416 |
| 8. NTOMIZODIDI MSHWESWE | 2286 |
| 9. PORTIA NGCOBO | 2203 |
| 10. PHILILE DLADLA | 480 |
| 11. PHUMLANI TSHALISI | 389 |
| 12. ZOLA JOZANA | 372 |
| 13. SANELE NDABA | 269 |
| 14. TSHIDISO MOLEKO | 234 |
| 15. MLUNGISI TASE | 230 |
| 16. KHAYALETHU TYHOBA | 204 |
| 17. VUKANI MTHEMBU | 195 |
| 18. SIYABONGA NDLOVU | 174 |
| 19. QINISO SIBIYA | 166 |
| 20. THAMSANQA PHAKATHI | 146 |
| 21. MBUYISENI MDLALOSE | 134 |
Innovative approach to challenges at DUT
| 21 September 2010 |
| |
As a University of Technology (UoT) that has survived the transition through colonialism, the post apartheid policy process and a merger, DUT has its roots firmly embedded in South Africa's history. It is an institution with a complex character and an interesting yet troubled history which has shaped its role in society. In an interview with DUT Vice Chancellor, Professor Ahmed Bawa outlined areas which he will focus on during his five year term, to enhance the university's academic and socio-economic profile. Professor Bawa said: "I am really happy to be here, I see this opportunity as a great challenge as there is much to be achieved as an institution that is in development. The most exciting aspect is how to embark on developing the capacity of the institution to find solutions in a knowledge intensive manner that are of direct benefit to the society in which the institution is embedded. A part of this is engaging in a process of defining the role of a university of technology in contemporary society. This is indeed exciting. "We embark on a path to address economic growth and reconstruction, simultaneously creating a vibrant culture of collegial unity, research capacity building and academic freedom. These endeavours will strengthen our approach to learning and teaching through the innovative use and implementation of technology. A key element of the challenge is to consolidate and strengthen existing partnerships and to develop new ones. " He said during his stint as VC, he will focus on ways to improve the culture of learning and teaching, by understanding the academic needs required to cultivate high quality education that is nationally competitive and globally recognized for its contribution to South Africa's need for highly educated people. Enhancing the quality of student experience will be central to the project of developing quality learning. Other key challenges include fostering the growth of an enabling research culture while further developing the qualification profile of academic staff through the suitable provision of necessary support mechanisms. It is important to ensure a culture of openness and transparency in building academic freedom at the institution and within its structures, to foster the growth of free enquiry and the development of teaching excellence. He said DUT has a number of productive research enterprises underway and it is important to note the extent to which these projects are driven by local imperatives, such as water and food security. In order for the institution to impact on a local and regional level, DUT will have to develop strategic partnerships with industry and businesses, local and provincial government, communities and other knowledge intensive institutions nationally and internationally. Research and technology will be required to address local challenges and it is, therefore, best for these enterprises to be shaped in partnership with the aforementioned institutions. Being a UoT, special emphasis will be given to innovation, technology development and technology transfer. He emphasised that these could only be achieved if there is a strong research base. This collective approach will enable DUT to differentiate itself from more traditional universities. In addressing issues of resource mobilization, Prof Bawa said: "Universities around the world are experiencing declines in financial resources and it is therefore imperative that DUT begins to loosen its dependence on state subsidy and student fees. Resource mobilisation will be achieved by income generation through entrepreneurial activities and by engaging in research and teaching activities that meet specific needs of the business sector and industry. Activities will be intensified to build entrepreneurial skills among students and staff. Attempts will also be made to raise funding from global philanthropic foundations and development agencies including USAID and SIDA-SAREC". "Over the next three months I will be visiting departments to learn as much as possible about DUT and to gauge their understanding of how their role and contribution to the institution may be enhanced and to listen to staff suggestions about how to improve the quality of their work experience", he said. "Improving communication within the institution is an area which requires focus in order for us to establish a common understanding of the challenges we face so that an aligned approach might emerge which will have all DUT stakeholders moving in the same direction. It is fundamental that students understand the university exists to ensure we produce people who are active and productive members of society. "It is extremely important that students work hard and make the most of opportunities presented to them. They must see themselves as privileged, since just 18% of 18-24 year-olds in South Africa have access to higher education", said Prof Bawa. The DUT community is welcome to put forward their concerns, opinions and ideas to Prof Bawa via e-mail at vicechancellor@dut.ac.za - Karishma Ganpath |
ANC 'lucky people don't read papers'
Nzimande said that suppressing the media would be "dangerous" and that journalists should be allowed to write what they like. The SACP and its alliance partner, the ANC, wanted a more "transparent" media that gave credit "where it is due". "In the SACP, we don't want the suppression of the media. That is dangerous. It is absolutely dangerous," Nzimande said. "But what we are saying, is that the media should have used this opportunity to look at itself.
"Playing a positive role doesn't mean supporting the ANC or SACP, but give due where it is due." Nzimande said the ANC did not want a tribunal "that will register or deregister parties" or one that will "tell the media what to write or what not to write". "The media can write whatever it likes," he said.
"We do not want a tribunal that punishes journalists. We want a tribunal that punishes media houses. "We are not saying punish or jail journalists. All we are saying is that we need a more transparent media." Nzimande said it was unfair that when a complaint was laid with the press ombudsman "you waive your right to take this matter further". "I would like to challenge this some day," he said.
"How can you have a self-regulating body taking away my right to go to court. It is unconstitutional." Part of the problem was that the media was monopolised by a few media houses. Nzimande said there was concern about the "juniorisation" of newsrooms, which was having a negative impact on investigative journalism. "The commercial pressures of the media lead to a number of unintended consequences," he said. "Part of what is causing consternation in the SACP and ANC is that stories (are) written that are highly damaging to people, with no ways and means available to ensure appropriate measures to try and deal with instances of transgression."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/ANC-lucky-people-dont-read-papers-20100916
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rubric (noun)
2. A direction for the conduct of divine service.
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UJ Calendar 2010 - September
| S E P T E M B E R |
| Day | Date | Campus | Time | |
| WED | 01 | | | Academic recess |
| | | APK | 15:00 | Faculty of Science: Scientiae@UJ - Practical |
| THUR | 02 | | | Academic recess |
| | | | 16:00 | Management Executive Committee agenda closes |
| | | | | Honorary Degrees Committee agenda closes |
| | | | | Ellen Kuzwayo Committee agenda closes |
| FRI | 03 | | | Academic recess |
| | | | 07:00 | Prim’s Training Camp |
| SAT | 04 | | 07:00 | Prim’s Training Camp |
| SUN | 05 | | | End of spring Recess |
| | | | 07:00 | Prim’s Training Camp |
| MON | 06 | | | COMMENCEMENT OF FOURTH TERM |
| | | SWC APK | 08:00-10:00 17:30 | SWC Campus Coordinators meeting Sundowner Concert: UJ Art Centre Theatre |
| TUES | 07 | DFC | 09:00-15:00 | Management Executive Committee |
| WED | 08 | | 09:00-11:00 | Welcoming of newly appointed employees |
| | | | | MEC: Risk Management Committee agenda closes |
| | | | | SENATE agenda closes |
| | | APK | 11:00 | Faculty of Humanities: Humanities Academic Quality * Curriculum Committee |
S E P T E M B E R |
| Day | Date | Campus | Time | |
| THUR | 09 | | | Jewish Religious |
| | | | 10:00-12:00 | MEC BIS Committee Meeting |
| | | | 13:00 | Management Executive Committee Academic agenda closes |
| | | APK | 13:00 | Faculty of Science: Workshop for teachers: Scientiae@UJ – Practical |
| | | APK | 14:00 | Residence and Day-house Consultation Committee |
| | | | | |
| | | APK | 14:00 | Tender Committee Meeting |
| | | APK | 16:00 | Residence and Day-house Care Committee |
| | | | 16:00 | Council |
| | | | 19:00 | NP van Wyk Louw memorial lecture |
| FRI | 10 | | | Muslim Religious |
| | | | | Jewish Religious |
| | | | 09:00-13:00 | Campus Visit: APK: ELG |
| | | | 12:30 | Function for Top Achievers |
| SAT | 11 | | | Nursing Science contact opportunity |
| SUN | 12 | | | |
| MON | 13 | | | Discussion Group: Religion/University |
| | | | | MEC: Committee for People with Disabilities agenda closes |
| | | | 11:00 | Faculty of Education: Ethics Committee Meeting |
| | | | 11:00 | Faculty of Humanities: Tuition Committee |
| | | | 13:00 | Research Committee: Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture |
| | | DFC | 13:00-15:00 | Faculty of Health Sciences: T, L & A Committee |
| | | APK | 17:30 | Sundowner Concert: UJ Art Centre Theatre |
| TUES | 14 | DFC DFC | 08:00-12:00 13:00 | MEC Academic Committee MEC Operations Committee |
| WED | 15 | | 10:00 | Faculty Board: Faculty of Management |
| | | | 11:00-13:00 | CAGA Exco meeting |
| | | | 13:00 | Faculty of Humanities: Dean’s Committee |
| | | DFC | 13:00 | Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment: Faculty Exco |
| | | APK | 13:00 | Faculty of Science: Dean’s Committee |
| | | | 15:00 | Faculty of Science: Excursion: Scientiae@UJ - Practical |
S E P T E M B E R | ||||
| Day | Date | Campus | Time | |
| THUR | 16 | APK | 08:00 | Faculty of Health Sciences: Faculty Management Committee | ||
| | | APK | 09:00 | Higher Degrees Committee: Faculty of Education | ||
| | | | 09:00 | Higher Degrees Committee: Faculty of Humanities | ||
| | | DFC | 10:00 11:00 | Occupational Safety Committee Meeting DFC Campus Forum | ||
| | | | 13:00 | Faculty of Humanities: Higher Degree Committee (Humanities) | ||
| | | | 13:00 | Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment: Higher Degrees Committee | ||
| | | | 13:00 | Faculty of Health Sciences: Higher Degrees and Ethics Committee | ||
| | | | 14:00 | Council Honorary Degrees Committee | ||
| | | | 15:00 | HIV/AIDS Committee | ||
| | | | 15:00 | Ellen Kuzwayo Council Awards Committee | ||
| THUR | 16 | | 16:00 | Management Executive Committee agenda closes | ||
| | | | 19:00 | Sports colours function | ||
| | | | | University Research Committee agenda closes | ||
| FRI | 17 | | 09:00-13:00 | Campus Visit: APB: ELG | ||
| | | | | UJ World AIDS Day | ||
| SAT | 18 | | | Faculty of Education: contact opportunity | ||
| | | | | Jewish Religious | ||
| SUN | 19 | | | | ||
| MON | 20 | APK SWC | 08:00-17:00 08:00-10:00 | ELG/Senior Group Strategy/Budget SWC Campus Coordinators meeting | ||
| | | | 13:00 | Faculty of Humanities: Research Committee | ||
| TUES | 21 | | | | ||
| | | APB | 09:00-15:00 | Management Executive Committee | ||
| WED | 22 | | 09:00 | UJ HIV and AIDS DAY: EXHIBITION MEC Risk Management | ||
| | | | | | ||
| | | | 12:00-13:00 | Worker mediator meeting (C3) | ||
| | | | 13:00 | Faculty of Humanities: Faculty Board | ||
S E P T E M B E R |
| Day | Date | Campus | Time | |
| WED | 22 | | 13:00 | Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment: Research Committee |
| | | | 13:00 | Management Executive Committee Academic agenda closes |
| | | APK | 15:00 | Tender Committee Meeting |
| | | | | Last day for submission of applications to Central Academic Administration to use venues during the October/November study week and examination period for lectures or other activities |
| | | | | Last day for submission by the relevant dean’s office of examination papers for printing for the October/November examinations |
| THUR | 23 | | | Jewish Religious |
| | | | | Institutional Forum agenda closes |
| | | APK | 08:00-16:30 | ELG Development |
| FRI | 24 | | | HERITAGE DAY |
| | | | | Jewish Religious |
| SAT | 25 | | | |
| SUN | 26 | | | |
| MON | 27 | | | |
| | | | 09:00-12:00 | Academic Administration Coordination Committee |
| | | | 11:00-12:00 | ABET Advisory meeting |
| | | APK | 14:00 | Management Executive Committee: |
| | | DFC | 14:00-15:30 | MEC People with Disabilities Committee |
| | | APK | 17:30 | Sundowner Concert: UJ Art Centre Theatre |
| | | | | Senate Quality Committee agenda closes |
| | | | | Senate Teaching and Learning Committee agenda closes |
| TUES | 28 | | | |
| | | DFC | 08:00-12:00 | MEC Academic Committee |
| | | | 13:00 | Graduation Ceremony |
| | | | 17:00 | Graduation Ceremony |
| | | | | Management Executive Committee Operations agenda closes |
| | | | | Senate Language Committee agenda closes |
S E P T E M B E R |
| Day | Date | Campus | Time | |
| WED | 29 | | | Closing date for all NSFAS & Wizzit card purchases |
| | | | 09:00-10:00 | Employee Assistance Programme |
| | | | 09:00 | Graduation Ceremony |
| | | | 13:30 | Research Committee: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment |
| | | | 13:30 | SENATE |
| | | | 14:00 | Research Committee: Faculty of Management |
| | | | 14:15 | Cultural Council |
| | | | | Senate Higher Degrees Committee agenda closes |
| THUR | 30 | | | Jewish Religious |
| | | | 11:00 | University Research Committee |
| | | | 11:00-12:00 | Admission’s Committee meeting |
| | | | 16:00 | Management Executive Committee agenda closes |
| | | | 18:30 | Sports gala function |
| | | | 19:30 | Music theatre, UJ Arts Theatre |
| | | | | Audit and Risk Committee of Council agenda closes |
| | | | | SENEX agenda closes |
| | | | | Council EXCO agenda closes |
09:00
Graduation Ceremony
09:00
MEC People with Disabilities Committee
11:00-13:00
Timetable Committee
13:00
13:30
Research Committee: Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
Senate
17:00
Graduation Ceremony