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TITAN robotic arm from PIAP Area goals to automate in-orbit inspection

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TITAN robotic arm from PIAP Area goals to automate in-orbit inspection


TITAN robotic arm from PIAP Area goals to automate in-orbit inspection

PIAP stated it expects programs like TITAN to be deployed earlier than the top of this decade. | Supply: PIAP Area

PIAP Area Sp. z o. o., a Polish developer of robotics for house functions, goals to make use of robotics to chop down the time and price of sustaining multimillion-dollar satellites. The corporate yesterday launched its TITAN robotic arm, which may carry out in-orbit inspections, repairs, and satellite tv for pc upgrades.

With the exponential development of the satellite tv for pc business, Earth’s orbit is more and more crowded with lively and inactive spacecraft, famous PIAP. This congested setting raises the chance of malfunctions, collisions, and misplaced investments. Many satellites are nonetheless operational when it comes to {hardware} however turn into unusable as a consequence of failure in only one part, the corporate stated.

With out robotics, the one method to repair a satellite tv for pc is to deorbit it and substitute it with a wholly new one. This provides to house particles and skyrocketing mission prices. That’s why autonomous in-orbit servicing (IOS) is quickly turning into a strategic precedence for the European Area Company (ESA) and the worldwide house sector.

TITAN is PIAP Area’s response to those challenges. The corporate designed the robotic particularly for on-orbit functions.

“TITAN is probably the most superior of this sort of robotic manipulator ever developed in Poland and certain one of the succesful in its class throughout Europe,” stated Paweł Paśko, head of the mechatronics part at PIAP Area. “We designed it to be scalable, modular, and versatile sufficient for orbital and planetary missions. With correct sealing, it could possibly additionally function in dusty environments — together with the lunar floor coated in regolith.”

PIAP is prepared for future servicing missions

PIAP developed the high-precision robotic arm for orbital operations akin to satellite tv for pc inspection, part alternative, docking help, and module set up. TITAN has a 2 m (6.5 ft.) attain and 7 levels of freedom, permitting for sub-millimeter accuracy — 0.5 mm in positioning and 0.1° in orientation.

The corporate geared up it with a redundant structure to make sure uninterrupted efficiency. Every joint options unbiased energy strains, information buses, and thermal management to stop system-wide failure.

TITAN’s modular design additionally permits the arm to be geared up with numerous customized finish effectors, together with multipurpose grippers, sensors, and power interfaces. Its common electrical-mechanical interface allows fast configuration for satellite tv for pc seize, cable dealing with, refueling, or orbital meeting. PIAP stated this flexibility makes it appropriate for numerous use instances — from important servicing to complicated building operations in orbit.

The Warsaw-based firm, performing as prime contractor and consortium chief, introduced the profitable completion of the engineering mannequin and remaining testing. Funded by ESA with a €2.6 million ($2.9 million U.S.) contract, TITAN has achieved Expertise Readiness Stage 6 (TRL 6), proving its performance in a simulated orbital setting. This implies the system is now prepared for integration into future servicing missions.

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TITAN to be tailored for IOSHEX initiative

PIAP can also be adapting TITAN for the IOSHEX initiative — a joint undertaking between ESA and SAB Aerospace. The undertaking’s purpose is to ascertain a long-term, in-orbit servicing platform in low Earth orbit (LEO), the place robotic arms like TITAN will carry out upkeep and refurbishment duties.

The IOSHEX module will stay in orbit for as much as 5 years as a robotic service station, whereas the ESA Area Rider car will ship alternative elements and return out of date gear to Earth for recycling. PIAP Area is liable for offering a robotic arm able to conducting exact operations in microgravity — together with on-orbit half alternative and {hardware} disassembly.

PIAP Area has already developed superior options for planetary exploration, together with the robotic arm for the ESA ARGONAUT lunar lander beneath the MANUS program. The corporate has additionally delivered a collection of modular robotic grippers developed beneath the ORBITA undertaking, contributed to satellite tv for pc refueling ideas, and took part in growing the In-Area Transportation Car (ISTV).

PIAP will formally current the TITAN prototype on April 14 and 15 in the course of the ESA Area Safety Convention in Warsaw.

‘Some bugs are declining however what’s occurring to the opposite 99%?’

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‘Some bugs are declining however what’s occurring to the opposite 99%?’



‘Some bugs are declining however what’s occurring to the opposite 99%?’
Analysis has principally centered on butterflies, bumblebees and dragonflies in elements of Europe and North America (picture: A white-tailed bumble bee, a typical UK species)

Regardless of fears over ‘insectageddon’, there’s a lack of knowledge about nearly all insect species globally, in line with a examine led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and ZSL (Zoological Society of London)

Bugs are the dominant type of animal life on our planet, offering people and wildlife with pollination, meals, and recycling companies however, regardless of considerations about inhabitants declines, little is thought about how 99% of species globally are faring.

A brand new strategy is required to raised monitor species and shield them from the impacts of local weather and land use change, air pollution and invasive non-native species as quickly as doable.

The researchers, whose work has been printed within the journal Science, level on the market are a million identified insect species globally however there have been IUCN assessments for simply 1% –12,100 species, with round 20% of those thought-about threatened.

Monitoring is essentially confined to butterflies, bumblebees and dragonflies in elements of Europe and North America, with little identified about bugs in elements of Asia and South America and nearly no information on species in Africa.

Incomplete image
Regardless of stories of catastrophic insect declines, the examine authors say the worldwide state of insect biodiversity stays unclear as a result of sheer complexity of bugs’ existence and fluctuating inhabitants tendencies, in addition to an enormous lack of knowledge.

Of their examine, they suggest a brand new framework for monitoring populations and analysing the influence of threats that integrates all accessible strategies for finding out bugs. These are: evaluating variety and abundance over time and throughout completely different habitats, and thru gathering knowledgeable opinion and finishing up experiments.

Dr Rob Cooke, an ecological modeller at UKCEH and joint lead creator of the examine, defined: “We have to discover out whether or not insect declines are widespread and what’s inflicting them. The problem is sort of a large jigsaw puzzle the place there are literally thousands of lacking items, however we don’t have many years to attend to fill these gaps after which act.

“There’s a variety of curiosity in monitoring charismatic species akin to bees and butterflies, however few individuals care in regards to the supposedly disagreeable bugs, regardless that they too present advantages for us. For instance, earwigs feed on aphids and different backyard pests whereas cockroaches eat decaying materials and preserve soils wholesome.”

Undervalued and understudied
Dr Charlotte Outhwaite of ZSL’s Institute of Zoology, joint lead creator of the examine, added: “Bugs are an extremely essential a part of our ecosystems, pollinating round 80% of flowering plant species and very important for 35% of worldwide meals manufacturing, but they’re undervalued and understudied.

“With one million described species it will take too lengthy to determine what works greatest for every species. As an alternative we need to discover large-scale actions that profit essentially the most bugs. For this, we have to use all of the accessible data we now have.”

The examine authors clarify which means that, when there’s a lack of knowledge, consultants would make judgments about how local weather, land use, air pollution or invasive non-native species are affecting sure species based mostly on the identified impacts on comparable varieties of bugs. Their proposed framework would combine 4 varieties of analysis strategies:

  • Time collection tendencies, for instance a decline within the variety of butterflies over a 10-year interval.
  • Spatial comparisons, akin to taking a look at variations in species numbers or abundance throughout completely different habitats or areas.
  • Experiments to analyze the response of bugs to completely different threats, akin to evaluating a subject sprayed with pesticides to 1 with out, or eradicating invasive non-native species from one space however not one other.
  • Skilled opinion on the response of bugs to threats, for instance, a scientist declaring that butterfly counts are usually increased in hotter fairly than colder forests.

Future research
By combining information from a spread of sources, scientists can acquire a extra full image of how bugs reply to drivers of change whereas permitting transparency in uncertainty and information gaps.

The subsequent step for the researchers is to implement their strategy through the use of the vary of analysis strategies to mannequin insect responses to key threats. Consolidating all accessible information will present an up to date overview of the state of the world’s insect populations.

The work is a part of a mission funded by the Pure Atmosphere Analysis Council (NERC), which is bringing collectively numerous sources of knowledge together with knowledgeable data to evaluate the influence of particular person threats.

The World Insect Menace-Response Synthesis (GLiTRS) mission includes UKCEH, the Pure Historical past Museum, College School London, the Zoological Society of London, the College of Cambridge, Queen Mary College of London, the College of Stellenbosch, the College of Studying, the College of Exeter and Imperial School London.

ios – UIScrollView in UIViewControllerRepresentable – UI freezes when content material touches backside SafeArea

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ios – UIScrollView in UIViewControllerRepresentable – UI freezes when content material touches backside SafeArea


The SwiftUI ScrollView lacks some options I would like and so I created a customized MyScrollView primarily based on UIScrollView wrapped inside a UIViewControllerRepresentable. Whereas this works nice typically I do know got here throughout a really unusual drawback:

When MyScrollView is utilized in a sheet and its content material touches backside SafeArea, the UI freezes as quickly because the ought to be displayed.

The code under exhibits the issue as properly in preview as on the simulator and on units. Please observe that the code is tuned do the show measurement of an iPhone 16 Professional. When working on totally different units one would possibly want to regulate top of the Shade.yellow.

Within the demo code the UI freezes if the Shade.yellow has a top between 738 to 771 pixels. Each different top is ok.

Is there one thing fallacious with my implementation of MyScrollView? When utilizing ScrollView as a substitute, all the things works nice.

Code:

struct ContentView: View {
    @State non-public var showSheet: Bool = false
    
    var physique: some View {
        ZStack {
            Button("Present Sheet") {
                showSheet = true
            }
        }
        .sheet(isPresented: $showSheet) {
            VStack {
                Textual content("Some Header Content material")
                
                MyScrollView {
                    VStack {
                        Shade.yellow
                            //.body(top: 737)   // works
                            .body(top: 738)     // does NOT works
                            // ...
                            //.body(top: 771)   // does NOT works
                            //.body(top: 772)   // works
                    }
                }
                .ignoresSafeArea()
            }
        }
    }
}


struct MyScrollView: UIViewControllerRepresentable {
    let content material: Content material
    
    init(@ViewBuilder content material: () -> Content material) {
        self.content material = content material()
    }
    
    func makeUIViewController(context: Context) -> UIViewController {
        let scrollViewVC = UIViewController()
        scrollViewVC.view.backgroundColor = .clear
        
        let scrollView = UIScrollView()
        scrollView.backgroundColor = .clear
        
        let contentVC = UIHostingController(rootView: self.content material)
        contentVC.view.backgroundColor = .clear
        
        context.coordinator.contentVC = contentVC
        context.coordinator.scrollView = scrollView
        
        scrollView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        scrollViewVC.view.addSubview(scrollView)
        
        NSLayoutConstraint.activate([
            scrollView.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: scrollViewVC.view.topAnchor),
            scrollView.bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: scrollViewVC.view.bottomAnchor),
            scrollView.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: scrollViewVC.view.leadingAnchor),
            scrollView.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: scrollViewVC.view.trailingAnchor)
        ])
        
        
        contentVC.willMove(toParent: scrollViewVC)
        scrollViewVC.addChild(contentVC)
        
        contentVC.view.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        scrollView.addSubview(contentVC.view)
        NSLayoutConstraint.activate([
            contentVC.view.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: scrollView.contentLayoutGuide.topAnchor),
            contentVC.view.bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: scrollView.contentLayoutGuide.bottomAnchor),
            contentVC.view.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: scrollView.contentLayoutGuide.leadingAnchor),
            contentVC.view.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: scrollView.contentLayoutGuide.trailingAnchor),
            contentVC.view.widthAnchor.constraint(equalTo: scrollView.frameLayoutGuide.widthAnchor)
        ])
        
        contentVC.didMove(toParent: scrollViewVC)
        
        return scrollViewVC
    }
    
    func updateUIViewController(_ uiViewController: UIViewController, context: Context) {
        context.coordinator.contentVC?.rootView = content material
    }
    
    
    func makeCoordinator() -> Coordinator {
        return Coordinator()
    }
    
    class Coordinator {
        var contentVC: UIHostingController?
        var scrollView: UIScrollView?
        
        init() {
            //...
        }
    }
}


#Preview {
    ContentView()
}

Robotic gripper makes use of measuring tape fingers for delicate object dealing with

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Robotic gripper makes use of measuring tape fingers for delicate object dealing with


Metal measuring tape is an attention-grabbing materials, in that it is inflexible sufficient to carry its form when prolonged, however versatile sufficient that it provides approach underneath stress. Scientists have taken benefit of that twin nature in a intelligent new robotic gripper designed for dealing with fragile gadgets.

Created by Assoc. Prof. Nick Gravish and colleagues at UC San Diego, the mechanical appendage is called “GRIP-tape,” the phrase GRIP standing for “Greedy and Rolling In-Aircraft.” It grasps objects of varied sizes and shapes between two grippy however compliant triangular fingers.

Every of these fingers is product of a few lengths of measuring tape that are laid lengthwise one on high of the opposite, and adhesive-taped collectively in that configuration … in order that they type a single two-layered ribbon that is bent/buckled on the tip of the finger. Two motorized reels – one at both finish of that ribbon – roll it in and spool it out as wanted.

A New Robotic Gripper Primarily based on Measuring Tape is Sizing Up Fruit and Veggie Selecting

By various the path through which every of the 4 reels (two per finger) rotate relative to at least one one other, the fingers could be made longer or shorter, they will rotate an merchandise grasped between them, or they will draw that merchandise in or out, conveyor-belt-style. Your entire gripper may roll back and forth and tilt up and down, swiveling on its robotic wrist.

It’s hoped that after the expertise is developed additional, it could possibly be utilized in fields corresponding to agriculture, for choosing vegatables and fruits with out damaging them. In actual fact, UCLA’s EEWOC (Prolonged-reach Enhanced Wheeled Orb for Climbing) robotic already makes use of a measuring-tape-based magnetic limb for climbing metallic buildings.

A closer look at the GRIP-tape gripper
A better have a look at the GRIP-tape gripper

UC San Diego

”We prefer to search for non-traditional, non-intuitive robotic mechanisms,” says Gravish. “The tape measure is such a beautiful construction due to its mixed softness and stiffness collectively.”

A paper on the research was not too long ago printed within the journal Science Advances.

Supply: College of California, San Diego



Evan Brown, Govt Director of EDGE on the Oklahoma Division of Commerce

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Evan Brown, Govt Director of EDGE on the Oklahoma Division of Commerce


Evan Brown serves because the Govt Director of EDGE (Financial Growth Development and Growth) on the Oklahoma Division of Commerce. With earlier roles as Deputy Secretary of State and Deputy Director of Enterprise Growth and Legislative Director on the Division of Commerce, Evan brings a wealth of expertise in public service and financial technique. At EDGE, he leads initiatives to drive enterprise progress and develop financial alternatives statewide, with a powerful emphasis on attracting expertise firms to Oklahoma.
Evan has helped advance Oklahoma’s place as a aggressive hub for tech funding—highlighted by Google’s latest land buy for a future information middle, a key milestone within the state’s ongoing push to draw innovation and high-tech trade progress.

Let’s begin with the large information—Google has acquired land in Stillwater, Oklahoma for a future information middle campus. Are you able to inform us how this undertaking got here to life and what it means for the native and state financial system?

Google has known as Oklahoma house for over a decade, investing $4.4 billion in its information middle at MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor, Oklahoma. The corporate has been a improbable associate with the state, each using lots of of Oklahomans and giving again to the area people the place it’s positioned. Google has additionally continued to put money into STEM training by awarding grants to varsities and different organizations, which additionally helps guarantee a gradual workforce pipeline for years to come back.

Oklahoma was particularly named as a beneficiary of the $20 billion overseas funding geared toward boosting AI and cloud expertise. What makes Oklahoma such a strategic location for this sort of improvement?

Oklahoma’s central location, inexpensive power prices and dedication to being probably the most business-friendly state within the nation make it good for any important funding. Our state is all the time open for enterprise, providing incentives and state-of-the-art infrastructure for brand new and increasing firms. Companies solely must name us, and we are going to present them precisely why Oklahoma is the fitting state for them to develop or develop.

In 2023, Oklahoma noticed 71 bulletins for brand new and increasing firms. What developments are you seeing within the varieties of companies selecting Oklahoma, and what’s driving this momentum?

Not solely is Oklahoma the right location for brand new expertise firms, however it is usually changing into a hub for nationwide protection. We’ve got 5 navy installations that the Division of Protection continues to put money into, and our workforce can also be engaged on a number of protection manufacturing initiatives that would deliver greater than 1,000 jobs and $1 billion in funding. We’ve got Lengthy Wave, an Oklahoma Metropolis-based firm, which was lately awarded a subcontract to assist develop the Navy’s new plane. The contract is for lots of of thousands and thousands of {dollars} over six years, and they’re including 150 new jobs. We’re additionally taking steps to onshore vital mineral manufacturing within the U.S., lowering the nation’s dependence on different international locations. In Stillwater, we now have USA Uncommon Earth, America’s first uncommon earth metallic manufacturing facility. They produced their first batch of magnets earlier this yr. There’s additionally Stardust Energy, a lithium refining firm, that broke floor on a $1.2 billion refinery in Muskogee earlier this yr.

Google’s resolution displays confidence in Oklahoma’s infrastructure. May you elaborate on what makes the state’s infrastructure notably well-suited for large-scale information facilities?

All of it comes all the way down to our inexpensive power and business-friendly insurance policies. Information facilities require a considerable amount of power, and proper now, we produce 60% extra power than we eat in Oklahoma. Communities even have the power to work instantly with these firms to give you designated energy era for information middle improvement or different initiatives.

With power prices practically 20% under the nationwide common and a #1 rating from CNBC for price of doing enterprise, Oklahoma is clearly aggressive. How are you leveraging these strengths in your financial improvement technique?

In Oklahoma, we produce 60% extra power than we eat, and that’s an enormous benefit when recruiting information facilities or different comparable high-energy-consuming companies. Our grid is dependable as a result of we’re members of the Southwest Energy Pull, so we don’t expertise the rolling blackouts you see in some elements of the nation. Our purpose is to be probably the most business-friendly state within the nation. We’re centrally positioned, we now have the furthest inland port within the nation, state management is dedicated to reducing pink tape, we now have inexpensive power, and we provide direct entry to state management.

The SITES Program has been instrumental in figuring out industrial and mega websites throughout the state. How does this program work, and the way has it helped entice initiatives like Google’s?

SITES stands for Supporting Industrial Transformation and Financial Success. It’s our manner of partnering with communities throughout the state to proactively deal with infrastructure wants to fulfill the demand of present companies and firms seeking to set up operations in Oklahoma. Communities can apply if they’ve a website with infrastructure wants, and if chosen, we associate with the neighborhood to assist cowl a number of the prices of these enhancements. This reveals firms seeking to develop or transfer to Oklahoma that the state is dedicated to having a website prepared for them to get operations up and operating as rapidly as attainable. It additionally reveals Oklahoma communities that the state is dedicated to investing of their neighborhood and getting ready them for financial progress. It’s like if you’re searching for a brand new house. We would like the enterprise to see its potential spot, fall in love with the positioning and neighborhood, and be enthusiastic about transferring in.

How is Oklahoma getting ready its expertise pipeline—particularly in areas like tech and superior manufacturing—to fulfill the calls for of those new investments?

We’re dedicated to making sure each scholar who graduates highschool is college-ready or career-ready. We’ve got colleges just like the Aviation Academy in Norman, the place excessive schoolers can work in direction of their pilot license or technical certificates in aviation upkeep. We’re taking steps to develop internships and apprenticeship packages whereas additionally constructing partnerships between colleges and companies. Oklahoma has a terrific CareerTech system, which helps firms perceive the abilities they want and incorporates that info within the classroom.

Stillwater’s collaboration with a number of native companions was important to securing this undertaking. What classes can different cities or states study from this profitable public-private partnership?

We perceive the worth of private and non-private partnerships. Financial improvement isn’t carried out in a silo. It’s not state or neighborhood; it’s state partnering with communities to grasp their wants and needs for progress. We should deliberately put money into sturdy relationships throughout our state by means of elected officers and neighborhood companions to make sure we completely perceive the belongings. If we’re out pitching to an organization that Oklahoma is the place to be, we now have to grasp all of our belongings so we will help join a enterprise to the neighborhood that most closely fits their wants.

How do you see this Google funding shaping the way forward for financial improvement in Oklahoma? May it pave the best way for comparable tech-focused initiatives or firms to observe?

We perceive that the free market creates jobs, not the federal government. We don’t need to put our thumb on the dimensions and decide winners and losers. Due to our business-friendly insurance policies and benefits in power and different areas, we’ve created an setting the place entrepreneurs and companies can thrive. We get weekly calls from information facilities, uncommon earth companies, and different tech-focused firms fascinated about Oklahoma and probably discovering a neighborhood associate that may finest match their wants.

Trying forward, what’s your imaginative and prescient for Oklahoma’s function within the nationwide financial system, particularly as AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure proceed to develop?

Governor Kevin Stitt all the time says he needs to take Oklahoma to the world and convey the world again to Oklahoma. In 2024 alone, our workforce hosted 19 consulate representatives, two ambassadors, and a Crown Prince. We coordinated eight worldwide outbound missions to international locations like South Korea and Japan and assisted with six worldwide MOU agreements. We’re working to construct relationships instantly between Oklahoma and different international locations.

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