Minefield-clearing robot to be trialled for British Army front lines
It is hoped the device, called WEEVIL, will replace current mine-clearing methods that require a three-person crew to operate in hazardous areas.
The new technology can be operated via remote control by a single person from several miles away and is fitted with a mine plough to clear a safe path.
The prototype was successfully tested in Newcastle on a surrogate minefield, and the technology is now being passed to the British Army for further development.
Luke Pollard, minister for the armed forces, said: 'It won't be a moment too soon when we no longer have to send our people directly into harm's way to clear minefields.
'This kit could tackle the deadly threat of mines in the most challenging environments, while being remotely operated by our soldiers several miles away.'
The robot was developed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and Newcastle-based firm Pearson Engineering.
The Ministry of Defence said there are no current plans to provide it to Ukraine.
DSTL military adviser Major Andrew Maggs said: 'WEEVIL is the perfect combination of tried and tested technology and modern advancements.
'By enhancing existing vehicles with new capabilities, we're able to maximise their potential and give our troops a much-needed advantage, particularly in missions where time and safety are critical.'
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Los Angeles Times
12 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
California's wildfire moonshot: How new technology will defeat advancing flames
A bolt of lightning strikes deep inside a California forest in the middle of the night. The spark becomes a flame, and within seconds, a satellite dish swirling overhead picks up on the anomaly and triggers an alarm. An autonomous helicopter takes flight and zooms toward the fire, using sensors to locate the blaze and artificial intelligence to generate a plan of attack. It measures the wind speed and fire movement, communicating constantly with the unmanned helicopter behind it, and the one behind that. Once over the site, it drops a load of water and soon the flames are smoldering. Without deploying a single human, the fire never grows larger than 10 square feet. This is the future of firefighting. On a recent morning in San Bernardino, state and local fire experts gathered for a demonstration of the early iterations of this new reality. An autonomous Sikorski Black Hawk helicopter, powered by technology from Lockheed Martin and a California-based software company called Rain, is on display on the tarmac of a logistics airport in Victorville — the word 'EXPERIMENTAL' painted on its military green-black door. It's one of many new tools on the front lines of firefighting technology, which experts say is evolving rapidly as private industry and government agencies come face-to-face with a worsening global climate crisis. For many attendees, the trauma of January's firestorm in the Altadena and Pacific Palisades neighborhoods of Los Angeles remains top of mind. 'The dream is the evolution of this,' said Maxwell Brodie, Rain's chief executive. 'The dream is to be able to live in your neighborhood knowing that there is protection from catastrophic high-intensity fire, and to feel safe. And I think that if we look hard at what is likely coming over the decades ahead, there's no time to waste.' Indeed, the outlook for wildfire activity in the years and decades to come is concerning. Scientific studies and climate research models have found that the number of extreme fires could increase by as much as 30% globally by 2050. By 2100, California alone could see a 50% increase in wildfire frequency and a 77% increase in average annual acres burned, according to the state's most recent climate report. That's largely because human-caused climate change is driving up temperatures and drying out the landscape, priming it to burn, according to Kate Dargan Marquis, a senior advisor with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation who served as California's state fire marshal from 2007 to 2010. 'It's not really a controversial issue: Fires are going to increase in size, intensity and frequency across the western United States — probably globally in large measure — and it's because the atmosphere is getting hotter and drier,' Dargan Marquis said. 'That means the problem statement of wildfire is growing in front of us. The systems that we have built today, the communities that we have built today, the policies of today and the technologies of today are not going to serve us tomorrow. So we have to ramp up on all of those.' It wasn't all that long ago that firefighters were using paper maps and bag phones to navigate and respond to wildfires. Today, more than 1,100 mountaintop cameras positioned across California are already using artificial intelligence to scan the landscape for the first sign of flames and prompt crews to spring into action. NASA's Earth-observing satellites are studying landscape conditions to help better predict fires before they ignite, while a new global satellite constellation recently launched by Google is helping to detect fires faster than ever before. Much of the innovation is coming from Southern California, according to Dan Munsey, chief of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District who also chairs the technology committee of the International Fire Chiefs Assn. The goal, Munsey said, is to advance technology so that 95% of the state's fires can be limited to 10 square feet or less. It's something he likened to the moonshot — President Kennedy's goal of landing on the moon by the end of the 1960s. 'We need to be bold with our vision in order to get to that new state,' Munsey said. 'People look at it and say you're crazy, but you need a little bit of craziness because we're going to keep on burning down the Palisades and Altadena. We need to change the way we're doing business.' Such changes must include a top-down reconsideration of infrastructure, budgets and training, he said, which should occur in conjunction with the launch of satellite dishes, autonomous helicopters and drones, AI-powered cameras and other new tools. 'The only effective way to keep our communities safe is to embrace technology and innovation,' Munsey said. As advanced as they may seem, the current tools are only scratching the surface of what's possible, according to Kirk McKinzie, a 35-year fire service veteran who studies and consults on fire service technologies. Think augmented reality helmets that will allow firefighters to create a 3-D image of a burning building in real time — including mapping exits, locating people in need of assistance and alerting crews ahead of a smoke explosion or structure collapse with time to spare. Smart fire trucks outfitted with sensors, cameras and radars will allow teams to get to blazes faster, and smart nozzles will monitor the flow of their hoses and alert in advance of water supply issues. Firefighters, too, will don uniforms with intelligent fabrics that will allow commanders to monitor their heart rates and other physiology metrics to spot a crew member in distress. Such tools won't come cheap. Cost estimates for future technology are speculative and difficult to come by — its hard to say, for example, what a smart fire truck will cost in 2050 — but AI-powered rigs and autonomous helicopters will probably run fire departments millions of dollars. But the real savings will come from prevented fires, McKinzie said. The estimated damage from L.A.'s firestorm alone is more than $250 billion. Although these tools and solutions are not yet pervasive in the industry, there is growing acceptance that they must be considered, McKinzie and others say. 'The question is, how do we get there, with due digital safeguards, yet swiftly?' He painted a picture of Los Angeles as a smart city — in which electric fire and EMT aircraft zip across the sky, utility grids detect ignition sources instantly, and houses can even douse themselves in fire retardant or gel ahead of advancing flames. Robots, too, will be used to fight fire in high-risk situations — as was already done in 2019 when a firefighting robot named Colossus, developed by the firm Shark Robotics, battled flames searing through Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Indeed, much of this technology is already in development or in existence from companies such as Verizon and AT&T and technology firms such as Pivotal, ERIS, Magic Leap, Qwake and FLAIM, which are pioneering personal response aircraft, augmented reality software, heads-up displays and thermal imaging devices, among other smart tools for firefighters. One project in development from the Department of Homeland Security and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is known as AUDREY, or the Assistant for Understanding Data through Reasoning, Extraction and Synthesis, which will use AI to track fire crews as they move through an environment using head-mounted displays or mobile devices, collecting data to guide them through flames and monitor for danger. 'I'd like to think that the industry can take a step forward with technology,' McKinzie said. 'Whether that is an expanded early response, whether it's an early notification to citizens to preserve property and life, or an intelligent grid to inform infrastructure entities responsible for water supplies of a pending shortage, it is a multi-factor equation.' In fact, finding water is also an issue that experts hope to soon resolve. During the Palisades fire, crews reported that scores of fire hydrants ran dry or suffered from low pressure, while a reservoir in the area sat empty as the fire burned. One group tackling this problem is Wildfire Water Solutions, a startup that brings water directly to the scene of a fire through a system of mobile pumps, pipes and tanks, saving crews valuable time that is often spent transporting water tenders and securing their own supplies. The system can deliver a continuous flow of more than 150,000 gallons of water per hour up to 50 miles away from its source, according to Chief Executive Mike Echols. It can even desalinate water quickly, which means ocean water could potentially be used to fight a blaze like the Palisades fire in the future. Such a system could have made a 'huge difference' in January, Echols said. 'I'm not going to say anything can prevent an act of nature like that, but just think about having a continuous water supply network to disperse wherever it's needed.' Another forward-looking firm, Frontline Wildfire Defense, has created a sprinkler system that uses fire-tracking technology to detect blazes near a home. Once triggered, the system saturates the house and property with water and firefighting foam, 'creating an environment that is too wet to burn,' according to the company. It's not only private industry that is building L.A.'s firefighting future. Government officials also understand the growing urgency of the situation. Proposed federal legislation known as the 'Fix Our Forests Act,' which is currently working its way through Congress, calls for the development of a suite of a high-tech products among its plans for managing forests and reducing wildfire threats, including AI and augmented reality tools, infrared-equipped low-Earth orbit satellites, and quantum computing applications. The bill has passed the House and is pending in the Senate. Meanwhile, a state assembly bill, AB 270, would direct the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to establish a pilot program to assess the viability of incorporating autonomous firefighting helicopters in the state. The agency in 2023 opened its own Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development, which is dedicated to investigating new tools for emergency response, including ways to enhance firefighters' situational awareness and to use AI to power drones, data collection and post-fire analyses. 'At the end of the day, we either keep pace with technology, or technology advances past us,' said Cal Fire Chief Joe Tyler. But while technology continues to advance, some say there must also be an evolution of the ways in which Californians think about fire. For years, the majority of the state's residents and firefighting agencies have operated under an ethos that all fire is bad — ignoring Indigenous burning practices and the fact that fire has been a natural part of California's landscape since long before humans ever arrived. By keeping fire out of the state's wildlands altogether, California has grown thick with branches, brush and understory that are now acting as fuel for the state's ever-larger blazes. 'We have some challenges in front of us recognizing that there is a need for fire in many landscapes,' said Dargan Marquis, the former state fire marshal, who also spent 30 years as a firefighter and chief. In addition to advancing new firefighting technology, 'how do we also, at the same time, hold in our heads and in our strategies and in our goals that fire is beneficial?' Though much of present progress is by necessity focused on extinguishing flames, she hopes that in the years ahead, experts and technology will also find ways to incorporate as much 'good fire' as possible. 'We can see a pathway to moving our technology, our fire service, our social acceptance and our entire wildfire perspective through an understanding — an arc of change — where fires become manageable events and then eventually, in 50 years, we can see them as valuable opportunities,' she said. There are other kinks to work out as well. In San Bernardino, officials had to cancel their scheduled demonstration of Rain's autonomous Black Hawk helicopter due to 80 mph wind that day. Brodie, Rain's chief executive, was disappointed but not deterred. Wind is a huge factor in many fires — including the Palisades and Eaton fires — and sending autonomous aircraft in when it's too dangerous for humans to fly is among his goals. 'The thing that keeps me up at night, and gets me up in the morning, is moving faster in advancing these technologies that we have — that are already here — so that we can start moving faster towards this future,' Brodie said. He noted that the combination of satellite constellations, smart grid data, early detection cameras and pre-positioned autonomous resources 'just make sense, and the economics pencil out.' 'This is the special moment we are in now,' he said. 'There's no reason why we can't do this.'
Time Business News
10 hours ago
- Time Business News
How Electronics Contract Manufacturer Partnerships Power Mission-Critical Applications: An Inside Look at Contract Manufacturing
In today's rapidly evolving technology landscape, over 70% of electronics companies rely on specialized partners to bring their products to market efficiently and cost-effectively. Electronics contract manufacturing has become the backbone of modern innovation, enabling everything from life-saving medical devices to mission-critical aerospace systems. Whether you're an engineering professional evaluating manufacturing options or a decision-maker exploring cost optimization strategies, understanding the intricacies of contract manufacturing can significantly impact your project's success. This comprehensive guide explores how electronics contract manufacturer partnerships work, what makes them essential for today's competitive markets, and how to leverage these relationships for maximum project success. The Basics: What is Electronics Contract Manufacturing? Electronics contract manufacturing represents a strategic partnership where specialized facilities handle the production, assembly, and testing of electronic products on behalf of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Think of it as having access to a fully equipped electronics factory without the massive capital investment—complete with engineering expertise, quality systems, and production capabilities. At its core, an electronics contract manufacturer serves as an extension of your engineering team. These partners bring together advanced manufacturing equipment, skilled technicians, and proven processes to transform your designs into finished products. The relationship goes far beyond simple assembly work, encompassing everything from initial design support to final product delivery. Contract manufacturing services typically include custom cable assemblies, wire harness manufacturing, box build assemblies, and precision connector solutions. This comprehensive approach allows companies to focus on their core competencies—innovation and market development—while leveraging specialized manufacturing expertise. The Manufacturing Process Behind Contract Electronics Production Design and Engineering Collaboration The contract manufacturing process begins long before production starts. Leading electronics contract manufacturer partners provide engineering support during the design phase, helping optimize products for manufacturability while maintaining performance specifications. This collaborative approach identifies potential issues early, reducing costly redesigns and accelerating time-to-market. Engineering teams work closely with clients to review designs, recommend materials, and suggest manufacturing-friendly modifications. This partnership approach ensures that custom cable assemblies and other components meet both technical requirements and production realities. Dual-Facility Manufacturing Strategy Modern contract manufacturing often employs a dual-facility approach, combining domestic and offshore capabilities to optimize cost and delivery. US-based facilities handle prototyping, engineering changes, and time-sensitive production, while offshore operations manage high-volume manufacturing runs. This strategy provides several advantages: rapid prototyping capabilities, flexibility for engineering changes, cost optimization for large volumes, and reduced supply chain risks. The key lies in seamlessly integrating both facilities to maintain quality standards and communication throughout the production process. Advanced Assembly Processes Contract manufacturing encompasses various assembly approaches, each suited to different product requirements. Wire harness manufacturing involves precision routing, connector attachment, and comprehensive testing to ensure signal integrity. Box build assemblies integrate multiple components into complete systems, requiring careful planning and quality control at each stage. For specialized applications, turnkey manufacturing services provide complete solutions from component sourcing through final testing. This comprehensive approach streamlines vendor management while ensuring consistent quality across all assembly processes. Custom Solutions and Engineering Excellence Tailored Assembly Approaches Every electronic application presents unique challenges requiring customized solutions. Medical device applications demand biocompatible materials and FDA compliance, while aerospace systems require AS9100D certification and extreme reliability standards. Industrial applications focus on durability and harsh environment performance. Successful electronics contract manufacturer partnerships adapt their processes to meet these diverse requirements. Custom cable assembly solutions might incorporate specialized materials for high-temperature applications, while precision electronics manufacturing ensures consistent performance across thousands of units. Material Selection and Quality Standards Material selection significantly impacts product performance, especially in demanding applications. Contract manufacturers maintain extensive material libraries, including various conductor types, insulation materials, and connector options. This expertise helps optimize designs for specific environmental conditions and performance requirements. Quality standards vary by industry, but leading contract manufacturers maintain multiple certifications to serve diverse markets. ISO 9001 provides foundational quality management, while AS9100D addresses aerospace-specific requirements. ITAR compliance enables defense application support, ensuring comprehensive capability across critical industries. Quality Assurance and Industry Standards Certification and Compliance Framework Quality assurance in electronics contract manufacturing extends far beyond basic testing. Comprehensive quality systems encompass design controls, process validation, and continuous improvement protocols. These systems ensure consistent results whether producing single prototypes or thousands of production units. Industry certifications provide third-party validation of quality capabilities. ISO 9001 establishes fundamental quality management principles, while industry-specific standards like AS9100D address additional requirements for aerospace applications. Medical device manufacturing requires FDA compliance and biocompatibility testing protocols. Testing Protocols and Validation Rigorous testing protocols validate both individual components and complete assemblies. Cable assembly testing includes continuity verification, insulation resistance measurement, and environmental stress screening. Box build testing encompasses functional verification, burn-in protocols, and final system integration validation. Advanced testing capabilities often include automated test equipment for high-volume production, environmental testing chambers for temperature and humidity stress, vibration testing for mechanical durability, and electromagnetic compatibility verification for regulatory compliance. Industry Applications and Market Impact Aerospace and Defense Applications Aerospace cable assembly solutions demand exceptional reliability under extreme conditions. Temperature ranges from -55°C to +200°C, vibration resistance, and electromagnetic interference shielding represent standard requirements. Mission-critical applications require additional validation through accelerated life testing and failure mode analysis. Defense applications add security considerations through ITAR compliance and domestic manufacturing requirements. These projects often involve low-volume, high-complexity assemblies requiring extensive documentation and traceability protocols. Medical Device Manufacturing Medical device cable assemblies must meet stringent biocompatibility and sterilization requirements. Materials selection considers long-term implantation safety, while manufacturing processes ensure sterile packaging and handling. FDA compliance requires comprehensive design controls and change management protocols. Contract manufacturing for medical applications often involves specialized materials like biocompatible polymers, precious metal plating for corrosion resistance, and unique connector configurations for specific medical procedures. Industrial and Energy Applications Industrial applications emphasize durability and environmental resistance. Wire harness and cable assembly solutions for energy applications must withstand temperature extremes, chemical exposure, and mechanical stress. Renewable energy applications add requirements for UV resistance and long-term outdoor exposure. High-voltage applications require specialized insulation materials and safety protocols. Contract manufacturers serving these markets maintain expertise in high-voltage design principles and testing procedures. Partnership Approach and Future Trends Strategic Manufacturing Partnerships Successful contract manufacturing relationships extend beyond simple vendor arrangements to become strategic partnerships. These relationships involve shared engineering resources, joint problem-solving initiatives, and collaborative product development efforts. Long-term partnerships enable continuous improvement through process optimization, cost reduction initiatives, and technology advancement collaboration. Regular business reviews assess performance metrics, identify improvement opportunities, and align future capacity planning with customer growth projections. Emerging Technologies and Automation The future of electronics contract manufacturing involves increasing automation and advanced technologies. Automated wire processing equipment improves consistency and reduces labor costs, while robotic assembly systems handle complex box build requirements with precision and repeatability. Industry 4.0 technologies provide real-time production monitoring, predictive maintenance capabilities, and enhanced quality tracking. These advances enable greater efficiency, improved quality control, and reduced production costs across all manufacturing processes. Market Evolution and Customer Collaboration Market trends toward miniaturization, increased functionality, and faster development cycles drive evolution in contract manufacturing capabilities. Customers increasingly value partners who provide comprehensive engineering support, rapid prototyping capabilities, and flexible production scaling. Geographic diversification continues expanding as companies seek supply chain resilience and cost optimization. Leading contract manufacturers develop global capabilities while maintaining local engineering support and customer service excellence. Conclusion Electronics contract manufacturing has evolved from simple assembly services to comprehensive partnerships that enable innovation and market success. Understanding the manufacturing process, quality requirements, and partnership benefits helps companies make informed decisions about their production strategies. The most successful projects combine technical expertise with strategic partnership approaches, leveraging specialized capabilities to achieve optimal results. As technology continues advancing and markets become increasingly competitive, these manufacturing partnerships will play even more critical roles in bringing innovative products to market efficiently and cost-effectively. For companies evaluating manufacturing options, the key lies in finding partners who understand your specific requirements, maintain appropriate certifications, and demonstrate commitment to long-term collaboration. The right electronics contract manufacturer becomes an extension of your team, contributing engineering expertise and manufacturing excellence to drive project success. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
NYPD buying $389K Wall-E style bomb robot for emergency service operations
The NYPD is shelling out nearly $400,000 for a remote controlled Wall-E look-alike robot that can roll into danger — so cops don't have to. The PackBot 525 — built by Brooklyn-based defense company FLIR — will be deployed by the department's Emergency Service Unit, The Post has learned. 'This one has a crazy mechanical arm,' a police source said. 'They can pick up weapons. Let's say a suspect is barricaded with a knife. You communicate through the robot. Advertisement 4 The NYPD's new PackBot 525 can be deployed ahead of cops to inspect suspicious packages and clear dangerous rooms. Teledyne FLIR 'It can open a door and pick up the knife or a gun.' The city is shelling out about $390,000 for the super high-tech helper, which cops will control remotely. Advertisement The robot will be ESU's first response in bomb threat situations, letting police move and inspect suspicious packages from a safe distance, the source said. While it can't actually use a weapon, in a barricade it can clear rooms, relay video and audio and 'protects the officers,' the source added. The bot is equipped with HD cameras, improved lighting, a laser range finder and can lift up to 44 pounds, according to the manufacturer. It can be used for bomb disposal, surveillance, scouting and detecting or handling hazardous materials and radiation, and stows neatly in a vehicle — even fitting in a standard-sized car's trunk, the company's website claims. 4 ESU officers will control the PackBot remotely, using its HD cameras and improved lighting to scout scenes in real time. Teledyne FLIR Advertisement 'The new robot will allow our ESU officers to gain better command and control at the scene of an incident,' an NYPD spokesperson said. 'The robot can be used to navigate obstructions in a room and scan for persons in need of help.' The NYPD has been steadily adding mechanical muscle to its ranks over the last few years. In 2023, it brought back DigiDog — a 70-pound robotic canine that can be sent into dangerous situations — after shelving an earlier version that critics called dystopian. 4 The Wall-E lookalike — a $389,940 bot — can also detect hazardous materials and radiation without putting officers in harm's way. ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement The PackBot is 'almost like DigiDog but a little more advanced,' the NYPD source said, and better suited for handling hostage situations. 'ESU really wants this,' the source added. The department piloted a 400-pound Autonomous Security Robot in Times Square that same year, but scrapped it after just four months — in part because it needed a cop chaperone and couldn't climb stairs. 4 The PackBot 525's compact design allows it to stow neatly in a police vehicle, even fitting in a standard car trunk. Teledyne FLIR And in 2024, it bought 14 'throw bots' that can be tossed into active scenes to beam back live video and audio. FLIR, an acronym for Forward-Looking Infrared, specializes in thermal imaging cameras and sensors and became part of California-based defense and electronics giant Teledyne Technologies in 2021.
