Category: The Future

Tesla Model 3 – Safe, Autonomous Electric Vehicle

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

More than 400, 000 people have signed up to be eligible to pre-order the Tesla Model 3. This demonstrates how highly anticipated its release has been. Company CEO, Elon Musk, has recently announced that the car will finally become available on the market, in July of this year. Tesla Inc. has been incredibly successful with its production of electric vehicles and the company continues to forge a path towards a ‘solar electric economy,’ by manufacturing products that operate exclusively on sustainable energy sources.

Tesla Inc. unveiled its first electric sedan, Model S, in 2009. Musk describes the Model 3 as ‘a smaller, more affordable version of Model S, with less range and power and fewer features.’ Even though Model S is equipped with more technology, Model 3 is the first step towards fulfilling Tesla’s mission of making their electric vehicles more affordable.

In 2014, Tesla constructed their Gigafactory which allowed them to begin manufacturing batteries which were up to the 30% cheaper. This helped them to develop the Model 3 at a lower price, than previous products. It has also been easier to manufacture than other Tesla models which are more high-end cars. The vehicle is expected to enter the market at a price of $35,000 before tax incentives, and will have a range of at least 215 miles (346 kilometres) per charge. Tesla has set high production targets in response to the public enthusiastic reception of the Model 3. They plan to produce 500, 000 cars per year by 2018, doubling this to 1 million in 2020.

Previously unused technology has been applied to the vehicle’s design and manufacturing process, but Musk says consumers are unlikely to notice the changes. In 2014, Tesla introduced their semi-autonomous driving system, Autopilot, which will also be included in the Model 3’s features. Self-driving vehicles increase road safety, and Tesla has plans to include this it in all their productions. Due to its Autopilot capabilities, the Model 3 will be equipped with a single dashboard, since the driver will need to view less information.

In response to consumers’ questions about the vehicle’s size, Musk has said that a large cooler can fit in its trunk. It also has a shorter wheelbase which can only accommodate a 75-kilowatt battery-pack. Even so, its range is still comparable to the Chevy Bolt EV, which can travel up to 238 miles on a single charge.

Tesla plans to release other versions of the Model 3, including a ‘performance’ model which will be able to accelerate faster than the original as well as a four-wheel drive (dual motor) option. The company has postponed the introduction of other versions until after the original has been released, to minimise the product’s initial complexity. Tesla has estimated that the other types of Model 3 will be available between six and nine months after the original. The right-handed version (for countries that drive on the left) is expected for release in summer 2018.

Solar Power – The Future Looks Bright

Researchers are constantly trying to find ways of creating more efficient natural energy sources, as this would make a positive impact worldwide. Harvesting solar energy has become easier, and this has increased its use and decreased its cost. French energy company, Engie SA, believes that the future of energy is now. The company has made significant renewable energy advancements and its head of research, technology and innovation, Theirry Lepercq, says that the age of free and quasi-infinite energy is upon us. He bases his claim on the affordability of new solar panels, and the ease with which they can be installed.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has also published a report, stating that renewable energy sources have become more efficient. It states that many of them are now able to compete with the price of fossil fuels, and are even cheaper in many cases. Large companies, as well as entire countries, have begun investing in wind and solar technology. Infrastructure for major organisations and projects now includes solar panels, that have been installed to save on energy costs.

Previously solar panel systems used cells that were only able to convert about 20% of the energy they absorbed. The development of more efficient cells has taken place, and uses a technique like photosynthesis to harvest the sun’s energy. In addition, other technological advances show where it is possible to find 100% renewable energy sources. The price reduction for renewable sources is expected to cause oil prices to decrease significantly, especially after the next decade.

With increased use of renewable energy being a part of the global plan to monitor climate change, governments are doing their part in making these changes. Many countries are working with car manufacturers to create a transportation system that lowers the use of vehicles that burn fuel. The manufacturers are making more electric vehicles, and governments have approved the installation of more charging stations. In addition to this, solar panels are also being provided at lower costs for use in homes, and many new buildings come with them pre-installed.

Energy from the sun is also being used to help power a large variety of activities around the globe. The farming industry expands regularly, and a combination of solar power and sea water has been applied to the growth of 18000 tomato plants. Desalination is the removal of salt from ocean water, and one of the world’s largest plants has been opened in Israel and runs on solar energy. The Hikari super computer system has been run by the sun during the day since August 2016, and provides the company with an energy savings of approximately 15%.

Autonomous Farming – The Future of Food Production

Having technology which can run itself makes production quicker and easier in all areas, including farming. The autonomous tractor has recently been displayed by Case IH, and is designed with safety features that make it possible for the vehicle to be operated remotely. The world’s population is constantly increasing and with it the need for more food. The autonomous tractor would be able to maximise the efficiency of fields and growing produce, by working 24 hours per day and in adverse weather conditions.

Case IH has played a major role in the development of farming with their introduction of a form of GPS, in the 1990s, which showed the amount of produce that each field yielded. This system has been improved with technological advancements, and is still used by farmers to show where planting adjustments need to be made.

http://www.caseih.com

More recently, self-steering systems have been included in farming vehicles to decrease the amount of overlapping and missing areas that occurs during planting crops. This minimizes wastage and workload, yet still requires qualified drivers to operate. Finding them is becoming more difficult, as the hours can be long and tedious. Autonomous machines can be used alongside existing ones, significantly decreasing the amount of labor needed to run a farm.

As they would be remotely controlled, the tractors have been designed without a cab. The vehicles are also able to warn operators of possible threats, by stopping when there is an item that might damage them in the vicinity. The operator is alerted, and will then decide whether it should continue or change paths. The tractors are programmable, and can make their way to and from different fields. Their progress can be viewed through the mapping system, controlled by an app, or remotely accessed via ‘tractor view’ through its feed.

Developers are working on ways that the vehicles will be able to interpret external data, such as weather conditions, and use it to decide what is the best time to plant and reap crops, independent of human input. This attention to detail would save on wastage, as it would control the planting of the crops as well as weeding between rows to reduce the use of pesticides.

The tractor’s designers are currently working with farmers to test the technology. They are demonstrating the way in which its use will affect all aspects of the business, including labour and farm management. Other autonomous features will be integrated into current farm vehicles, and these can be adapted for use on small as well as large-scale farms. As the technology becomes more readily available, costs are expected to decrease and more areas will be able to use it for widespread food production. The current expectation is that this will help to decrease hunger worldwide.

The James Webb Telescope – Capturing the Creation of the Universe

The Hubble Telescope, which has spent many years in outer space collecting data, has vastly increased our understanding of the universe. The James Webb Telescope is its successor and will expand this knowledge immensely. It is the most powerful space telescope that has ever been built, with a primary mirror which is 6.5-meters in diameter. This gives it the ability to scan back over 13.5 billion years allowing us to observe the formation of the first stars and galaxies in the universe.

The telescope had been created by the combined expertise of NASA, The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The object is scheduled to be launched into outer space, on an ESA Ariane V Booster from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana in 2018. Previously, telescopes that were launched into space relied on rigid structures for their stability. The Webb is the first of its kind to be built for both stability and mobility. Its honeycomb appearance is because of its 18-segment ‘golden’ primary mirror, which will need to be folded to fit inside its carrier. When the launch is complete and the telescope safely in space, the mirror will unfold to begin its observations.

The unusual design makes testing the telescope more difficult than others before. Each of the mirror’s 18 segments measures just over 4.2 feet and weighs 88 lbs. They are made of beryllium with a plating of gold. In addition to observing the formation of the universe’s first stars and galaxies, The Webb will be searching for information about the history of our solar system and many of the others that make up our galaxy. Like all other space exploration, a major part of the project is to locate other planets that may be capable of supporting life.

Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com

The telescope is undergoing a rigorous testing process, to be ready for its journey in 2018. This is a major part of being able to ensure that it will be safe to launch and to remain in outer space. Engineers believe that it is one of the most complicated pieces of hardware ever created, and they are doing everything they can to assess its performance. Testing new equipment has its complications and in December 2016, technicians detected ‘anomalous readings’ from the telescope during a series of vibration tests.

The unusual results caused engineers to pause their tests and conduct both visual and ultrasonic examinations to ascertain their origin. They found that the telescope had no visible signs of damage, and determined the reason for the unexpected readings had been the restraints that were needed to keep the massive item in place. NASA restarted their original testing process within 2 months adapting it to reflect possible deviations. The next phase of testing will determine if The Webb Telescope can withstand vibrations in all three dimensions, as this will be very important during its universal mission.

Hypersonic Missiles – The Future of Air Force Warfare

Controlling air space, attacking and monitoring from the skies are a major part of the way the military protects the country. Warfare changes constantly and with it the need to develop new tactics for both attack and defence. During the 1960s & 70s the United States Air Force began researching and experimenting with hypersonic technology. The project was abandoned, but there has recently been a general restoration of interest. Due to the large time gap, there is a lot of research that needs to be done to catch up with where the technology has expanded and the methods by which it can now be used.

Hypersonic flights would be beneficial because they would be able to reach anywhere in the world within an hour. The military is looking at this possibility as one of the end results of developing the hypersonic technology. To get here, however, they realize that baby steps need to be taken. This would start within a decade by making it possible to launch hypersonic missiles. Prototypes should be ready by 2020, after which they will work on developing hypersonic drones, which will be able to move faster than the speed of sound.

The experiments that the Air Force have performed include 4 flights of a hypersonic cruise missile, X-51. The flights have had a 50% success rate, which has been the best way for researchers to determine what needs to be improved with the technology, and what is working well.  They have taken these observations, made improvements and believe that they are now closer than ever to creating a functioning hypersonic engine.

Once the engine has been perfected, they will use it to guide missiles and subsequently apply the technology to armed drones and surveillance systems. Within several years, the US Air Force hopes to expand this hypersonic technology for use in manned fighters, and other aircrafts. There is currently a need for several overseas military bases, to allow the country to have worldwide access within a given amount of time. Hypersonic aircrafts would eliminate the need for these floating bases, while still being able to facilitate military personnel reaching their desired destination within an hour.

Many other countries are also working on developing the same type of hypersonic technology, both through government and private means. This includes Russia and China, who have reported hypersonic programs that are being conducted by their military. Like all warfare technology, hypersonic engines would need to be controlled and approved before widespread use. There is also the need to ensure that employing the technology will be an improvement in the overall system, and US officials continue to take this into consideration as they develop their prototypes.

Virtual Reality – 5 Future Uses

Although virtual reality is not a new concept, there have still been many improvements made to this gaming ‘tool’ so that it can now be used for a wider range of tasks. An increase in technology has made using virtual reality both more affordable and adaptable. Companies are continuously researching and discovering ways in which it can improve their products and/or our lives, and many of them plan to expand its uses soon. These include:

  1. Scrutinizing Space

Even though many of us are interested in the vast expanse of the universe, it is unlikely that we will be able to physically explore it within our lifetime. Virtual reality apps and equipment is being designed to allow us to expand our horizons, through knowledge that scientists have accumulated over time. Researchers already use similar equipment to learn more about outer space from images captured by drones and sent back to earth.

  1. Enhanced Experiences

Some people are afflicted with physical, or other, disabilities which prevent them from being able to do many of the things that most of us take for granted. Virtual reality can incorporate all our senses and provide a realistic experience, such as walking for the first time, and thus enhance their lives. The same method can be used to allow people to experience a dream vacation, an extreme sport or fulfill any other desires which may be physically unachievable at the time.

  1. Medical Marvels

Virtual reality is already being used in the medical field to help people recover from brain injuries, by simulating scenarios that promote healing. Many virtual reality games also increase focus and stimulate the regrowth of healthy brain cells. Researchers are planning to expand these techniques to create positive scenarios that will encourage mentally ill patients to begin their recovery. Many medical personnel believe that much of our physical healing can also be controlled by our brain, and by using virtual reality to show the person themselves in a healthy state they may recuperate at a quicker pace.

  1. Training Techniques

There are many occupations in which employees must go through extensive training before they are ready to begin doing their job. Several of these involve keeping others safe, including surgeons and pilots. Virtual reality helps to give them training, and practice, thus preventing any life-threatening incidents from taking place. This method of training is expanding to include everyday activities, such as preparing a meal or changing a diaper, and other less dangerous jobs.

  1. Expanding Entertainment

The film industry is always looking for ways to enhance movie-goers experiences. Some of the recent ways that films have become more gripping and interactive are by stepping up the 3D experience to 4D, which incorporates more of the senses. The same virtual reality techniques which are used in gaming are being manipulated in order to further enhance the theatre.