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Untethered: Wireless Power Transmission Will Make Robots Hard to Stop

posted by Fnord666 on Wednesday April 11 2018, @10:42AM   Printer-friendly
from the judgement-day-is-coming dept.

MrPlow writes:

Submitted via IRC for AndyTheAbsurd

A new device allows robots used in warehouses and third-party logistics (3PL) facilities to draw power or recharge batteries wirelessly while in operation.

The technology could have a big impact on the capabilities of mobile industrial robots, potentially freeing them from limitations imposed by modern batteries.

Waypoint Robotics, which makes custom mobile robots for the supply chain industry, unveiled its EnZone Wireless Charging Dock at this year's MODEX, the largest supply chain expo in North & South America and the hottest ticket in town this week for the mobile robotics industry.

The underlying technology for the wireless charging system comes from partner WiBotic, which makes plug-and-play devices for the wireless transmission of power to robotic platforms.

Last year, WiBotic made a splash with a wireless charging pad it claims can keep drones in the air indefinitely. That capability could prove indispensable if drone delivery takes off the way many analysts believe it will.

Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/untethered-wireless-power-transmission-will-make-robots-hard-to-stop/

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  • (Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Wednesday April 11 2018, @09:23PM (5 children)

    by JoeMerchant (3937) on Wednesday April 11 2018, @09:23PM (#665559)

    That's the weird twist in Altered Carbon: clones are still expensive, but everyone can afford a stack?

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  • (Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Wednesday April 11 2018, @10:53PM (4 children)

    by LoRdTAW (3755) on Wednesday April 11 2018, @10:53PM (#665606) Journal

    I thought the same thing.


    It's never explained. And in some ways, it's better off staying that way unless there is a pretty plausible explanation (the story is a little rough as it is). The main theme is the gross class gap it created as the rich can live on forever attaining a god like status while losing their humanity. The poor get whatever sleeves are leftover, even to the point where a sleeve dead child is given the body of an old woman even though she is only five. She was shown crying and confused in her new decrepit body while her very upset mother complained to an overworked and uncaring nurse who retorted "It's the only sleeve you can afford." It could have become cheap over time or was made mandatory, possibly for nefarious purposes alluding to slavery (as in Takeshi's situation). Or perhaps it was "give away the razor, gouge for the blades" type thing.

    The concept is pretty interesting and the show itself is an intense, fun watch. Glad Netflix is pulling out all the stops with shows like this and Ash vs Evil Dead. The ending was pretty good as it ties up the story while throwing open the door for the next season, if there is one. The bomb she dropped on Takeshi, revealing that she backed up Quellcrist was her ace in the hole. But nope, fuck that, no cliffhanger. But I will say this, I don't think his sister is real-dead. Two possibilities: he didn't blow out her stack and somehow saved it before the crash (he knew he had a clone so dying wasn't a big deal for him). If not, I'm thinking there's a clone or secret backup somewhere. If she doesn't come back and he really blew her stack out, then props to the writers for not playing into predictable cliches. Though it remains to be seen how he is going to find Quellcrist's backup without his sister's knowledge of where she hid her stack.

    • (Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Wednesday April 11 2018, @11:09PM (3 children)

      by JoeMerchant (3937) on Wednesday April 11 2018, @11:09PM (#665615)

      Well, with backups and double+ sleeves, they've got basically infinite reboot capability in the story department.

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      • (Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Thursday April 12 2018, @12:03AM (2 children)

        by LoRdTAW (3755) on Thursday April 12 2018, @12:03AM (#665639) Journal

        It's the gift that keeps on giving. And given how the concept lends itself to a USB stick, the concept maps nicely to today's tech world.

        • (Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Thursday April 12 2018, @12:33AM (1 child)

          by JoeMerchant (3937) on Thursday April 12 2018, @12:33AM (#665660)

          The rebooting in Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom felt a lot more natural to me, less contrived to drive story. I mean, sure, it's more exciting to contemplate "real death," but... anyone who can afford a sleeve can certainly afford a USB stick to back up from, and the idea that with multiple worlds and blink-casting from one to the other that a single piece of malware could wipe out all backups... c'mon.

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          • (Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Thursday April 12 2018, @02:35AM

            by LoRdTAW (3755) on Thursday April 12 2018, @02:35AM (#665716) Journal

            Yea, like I said, It's rough around the edges. But still a fun watch. If there is a second season, I'm hoping for some better writing.