Lifeboat Foundation

China’s growing military prowess dominated global headlines in 2021. Beijing’s fast-paced developments — be it the innovation in hypersonic technology, indigenous aircraft, or naval power — took the world by surprise and sent the alarm bells ringing in the West.

The EurAsian Times takes a look at five big developments in China’s weapons research and development.

Chinese Manned Space Agency (CMSA) is in the process of constructing a space station, called Tiangong, in the low Earth orbit (LEO). This construction gained a major milestone in May this year when Beijing launched Tianhe, the first module of the orbiting space station.

An initial series of test flights with drones has been launched in Poland as part of the EU-funded Uspace4UAM project. The first of these trials is now underway in Rzeszów, a city of close to 200,000 people.

The test flights are being carried out by three Uspace4UAM consortium members: Dronehub, the developer of drone-in-a-box systems for automated monitoring and data collection; drone equipment and sensor supplier Honeywell; and drone software technology company Altitude Angel. About 160 flights will be carried out in the Rzeszów area during the first phase, under 3 scenarios of autonomous drones flying for public service missions. The first scenario will involve emergency aerial monitoring of accident sites, the second will take ortho-and photogrammetric photos for public institutions, and the third will replicate the transportation of automated external defibrillators for use in life-threatening situations.

“Dronehub demos within Uspace4UAM started in November 2021, and we will end in June 2022. During this time, amongst other objectives, we will check how drones react to different and rapidly changing weather conditions,” states test flight project manager Jakub Węglarz of Dronehub in a news item posted on the SESAR Joint Undertaking website. The SESAR Joint Undertaking—which is funding Uspace4UAM—is a partnership between European private and public sector institutions formed to speed up the delivery of smarter, connected, accessible and more sustainable air transport solutions through research and innovation.

Lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), also called “killer robots” or “slaughterbots” being developed by a clutch of countries, have been a topic of debate with the international military, ethics, and human rights circles raising concerns. Recent talks about a ban on these killer robots have brought them into the spotlight yet again.

What Are Killer Robots?

Continue reading “Men Vs Machine: Slaughterbots Set To Change The ‘LAWS’ Of Battlefield & Make Human Soldiers Redundant?” »

State-approved project was found to emit polluted wastewater.

HONG KONG — Shanghai Electric Power has abandoned a project that was supposed to produce clean energy in China’s Xinjiang region but instead created a new source of pollution.

While the CyberKAT starts at $1,299, you’ll need to fork out an additional $120 for the electronics kit to power it and another $80 for the optional radio. The first models are currently estimated to start shipping in January or February 2022, which means the CyberKAT will likely beat the Cybertruck to market.

The additional fittings would mean that you could build the beast yourself. What better than a good DIY project to begin the new year.

Continue reading “A Cybertruck-Inspired Remote-Controlled EV Could Help You Clear Snow” »

The testing was conducted to help solve various problems like labor shortages in the logistic industries.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Limited has just announced the successful completion of the proof-of-concept testing for its latest unmanned cargo transport vehicle. Dubbed the Kawasaki Researching Autonomic Compound to Exceed Rotorcraft (K-RACER) X1, it is an unnamed vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft with, in this case, an underslung ancillary delivery robot.

Continue reading “Kawasaki’s K-RACER Completes Testing of Its Delivery Robot” »

In a tenth of a second.

We’ve just taken another step toward comprehending enormous magnetar explosions.

For the first time, a group of international researchers was able to measure oscillations in the brightness of a magnetar during its most violent moments.

Continue reading “A Neutron Star Unleashed an Energy Equivalent to That Created by the Sun in 100,000 Years” »

Thanks to Ariane 5 rocket launching Webb on the right path.

After nearly 30 years of planning and thorough work, NASA finally got to launch its $10 billion next-generation space observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), on Christmas day. JWST is now headed on a long six-month trip until it can begin its science mission and start to conduct routine science operations.

Now, it turns out that JWST might be traveling and collecting data for much longer than initially expected. JWST was forecast to be operational for 5 to 10 years, but NASA’s latest analysis revealed that the observatory should have enough fuel to “allow support of science operations in orbit for significantly more than a 10-year science lifetime.”

Most electric pressure washers require two things tethering you to your home: a water hose and extension cord. Well, the latest Greenworks electric pressure washer ditches both of those things. While being 24V battery-powered, you’ll still get 600PSI of cleaning power. In addition to that, it has a 20-foot siphon hose that can pull its water from any fresh source, be that a bucket, lake, or something else. Right now this electric pressure washer is on sale for the first time at $144, making now a great time to pick it up. You’ll also find discounts on electric lawn mowers and much more below, as well. We also have a wide selection of Tesla, Greenworks, and other e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.

Head below for other New Green Deals that we’ve found today, more on why going electric for your yard tools like the mower on sale is important, and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Amazon is offering a deal on the new Greenworks 24V 600PSI Battery-powered Electric Pressure Washer for $143.70 shipped once you clip the on-page coupon. Down from its $159 list price at Walmart, today’s deal marks the first price drop that we’ve tracked since its release earlier this month. This electric pressure washer delivers impressive power for a battery-powered option. You’ll find 600PSI and 0.8GPM available here which is more than enough to clean your home’s siding, driveway, and car. You’ll find a 5-in-1 selectable spray nozzle with 0º, 15°, 25º, 40º, and a watering option at the ready.