Latest news with #Mowbray
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Zuru's Nick Mowbray says mass-market construction company building towards launch
Mowbray said it was completely revolutionising the way houses were built from start to finish. 'We're optimising everything from design, compliance, manufacturing, all the way through to assembly. 'And we're building the world's first factory that has a fully customised input in terms of design and a fully automated output.' Zuru's Dreamcatcher software allows users to create buildings to meet their specifications, which can then be turned into real-life buildings through automated manufacturing. Mowbray said Zuru had invested heavily in the new venture. While he wouldn't confirm the specific figure, he said the company had invested more into the venture than it had into its consumer packaged goods division. Zuru was developing full-scale test houses using its Dreamcatcher software every one to two weeks out of its Chinese test factory. It had purchased a 10ha factory in China, which Mowbray confirmed will be the first commercial factory for the construction business. He didn't confirm if this is Zuru's proposed mega-factory, which he has claimed will be the second or third biggest in the world. That size is necessary because it will aim to produce the equivalent of a 10,000sq m house every day. Zuru Tech has 600 hardware and software engineers working full-time on the development of its factory. Mowbray said one of the first projects will be building 12 properties to redevelop the beachfront of Malibu destroyed by wildfires last year. Software meets hardware Key to the construction is Dreamcatcher, Zuru's in-house building information modelling (BIM) software. Acquired from an Italian architectural start-up roughly six years ago, Dreamcatcher runs on Unreal Engine 5, a highly advanced computer graphics engine. Through the free platform, users can design buildings to meet their specifications, and as Mowbray explained, Zuru has embedded almost every building code in the world into it. 'You can drop a pin anywhere in the world, and it will work out the building codes for that location. It filters in all of the terrain data, and so as you're building, it adjusts automatically for hills or for flat land. 'Effectively, when you've designed your building in Dreamcatcher, it then precisely gives instructions to the factory and creates digital twins for every single part, and it's looking at those parts and calculating whether they have the right structural integrity as well.' It can simulate lighting to optimise the use of natural sunlight, as well as calculate the optimal positions for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and ventilation requirements. Pairing that software with the physical manufacturing capability has been the biggest challenge for the business. It began with a prototype factory that could create houses at a quarter of the scale in an effort to debug software and test its performance. Made up of 16 modules, including for rebar, windows, and walls, each module is designed and built from the ground up by Zuru. The business then built a full-scale test factory roughly 3ha in size, which is building a full-size building using its software every one to two weeks in China. As to why Mowbray and Zuru were so invested in China, he explained that the country has an 'immense scale of skill'. 'I think China has more engineers that graduate every year than the whole of the US. There's nowhere else in the world where you have just the sheer scale skill, particularly when it comes to manufacturing and automation and the ecosystem. 'We moved to China for manufacturing initially, but now it's incredible to watch China really innovate in so many categories and lead so many categories around the world.' The building technology will be targeted towards the mass-market, with Mowbray explaining they haven't confirmed their pricing plan, but suggested it could work based on some kind of supply and demand algorithm. Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Maryland fire deaths drop 13% in 2024, report shows
Fire deaths in Maryland dropped by 13% in 2024, according to the Annual Maryland Fire Fatality Report. The report by the Maryland State Fire Marshal gives an overview of fire-related fatalities across the state. Maryland recorded 73 deaths from fires in 2024, a 13.1% decrease from the 84 deaths in 2023. The deaths occurred across 67 fatal fires statewide. Where did most fatal fires occur? Residential fires accounted for 79% of the fatalities, with most incidents occurring in a bedroom or living space. Baltimore City reported the highest number of fire deaths with 19 fatalities in 15 fires, the same total as 2023. Baltimore County followed with 13 deaths in 13 fires, up from 11 deaths in 2023. What were the leading causes of fatal fires in 2024? Smoking materials were the leading cause of fatal fires in 2024, attributed to a total of 10 fatal fires. Transportation-related incidents resulted in eight deaths. Seven of the fatal fires were caused by electrical malfunctions, and cooking-related incidents were attributed to five fatal fires. Calvert, Dorchester, Garrett, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset and Talbot counties reported no fire deaths in 2024. Who was most at risk? Adults over 70 represented 37% of fire victims, while those aged 50 to 69 accounted for 31.5% of deaths. 60% of fatalities were men, and 40% were women. The winter months proved most dangerous, with 53% of deaths occurring during the season. Most fatal fires occurred between midnight and 8 a.m., when victims were most likely sleeping, according to the report. March was the month with the highest amount of fire fatalities The presence of smoke alarms According to the report, working smoke alarms were present in only 20 fatal fires. Nine fires occurred in homes with no alarms at all, while six additional fires involved smoke alarms that were present but not functioning. In 20 cases, investigators could not determine smoke alarm status, and 14 fires occurred in structures too damaged to assess alarm presence. "A functioning smoke alarm often marks the difference between life and death, providing early warning and critical time to escape," Acting State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray said in the report. In 2024, Maryland launched "Get Alarmed Maryland," an online portal allowing residents to request smoke alarms through the state fire marshal's office. The program includes a tracking system to collect data on installations and alarm performance. Mowbray says the data will be used to identify areas most in need of fire safety outreach.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams granted helipad approval at Auckland home despite community opposition
Helipad approved for Auckland property owned by Mowbray and Williams Auckland Council has approved a resource consent application for a private helipad at the residential property of business executive Anna Mowbray and former All Black Ali Williams, despite significant opposition from the surrounding community. The decision, issued by three independent hearing commissioners, follows a public submission process and a multi-day hearing. According to the commissioners' findings, the helicopter pad, located on Rawene Avenue, may be used for a maximum of two flights per day or ten per month. The decision stated that helicopter use is considered a permitted activity under the Auckland Unitary Plan in residential zones, provided it complies with applicable standards. Also read: Jeffrey Epstein's star-studded contact list unveiled: Justice Department's released files reveal big celeb by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like When the Camera Clicked at the Worst Possible Time Read More 'The use of a helicopter for property access in the Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP) residential zones is a permitted activity, being an activity that is inherently associated with residential land use,' the decision read. 'We find that the noise effects that would be generated by helicopter take-offs and landings would not be unreasonable and would not diminish the amenity values of this residential zone to any material degree.' The commissioners noted that the average period during which helicopter noise would be audible to neighbors is approximately three minutes and 20 seconds per flight, or roughly 33 minutes per month assuming maximum usage. Sleep disturbances are expected to be avoided due to restrictions on hours of operation. Majority of submissions opposed helipad at Mowbray-Williams property The application drew 1,397 written submissions from the public, of which 1,227, approximately 87 per cent, opposed the helipad. Only 108 submissions supported the application, while 12 were neutral, according to Auckland Council records. Live Events During a five-day public hearing held at Auckland Town Hall in May, the appointed panel heard evidence from legal representatives of Mowbray and Williams, expert witnesses, and members of the public. The group Quiet Sky Waitematā was among those opposing the application, citing concerns about noise, privacy, and neighborhood character. Some nearby residents also presented individual objections. Also read: Former New Zealand rugby player Wairangi Koopu faces serious drug charges Despite this opposition, the commissioners determined the proposal met regulatory requirements and the conditions imposed would mitigate potential adverse effects. The helipad approval sets a notable precedent for helicopter use in residential zones under the current Auckland Unitary Plan framework, balancing private access with public concerns.
National Observer
16-06-2025
- Politics
- National Observer
CF-18 jets intercepted plane violating restricted air space above G7 site in Alberta
Canadian fighter jets were deployed to intercept a private, civilian plane that violated restricted airspace above Kananaskis, Alta., where G7 leaders are gathering for meetings. RCMP say in a news release that the fixed-wing Canadian aircraft entered the restricted area shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday, and NORAD's Canadian region deployed CF-18 Hornet fighter jets to intercept it. The release says that after multiple steps were taken to gain the pilot's attention, "final warning measures" were used to contact the pilot and have them safely land under their own power. Const. Lauren Mowbray says those measures involved the jets firing warning flares, and the plane was met on the ground by the RCMP and their partners. The release doesn't say where the plane originated or where it landed, noting the matter remains under investigation. It says two NOTAMs, or Notices to Airmen, of temporary air restrictions over Calgary and Kananaskis have been in place since Saturday morning and will continue until noon Tuesday. "It is every pilot's responsibility to ensure that there are no restrictions in the air space they intend to fly," the release stated, noting that further information wouldn't be provided at this time. "These incidents take away resources that could be utilized in police work and securing the summit site." Mowbray did not have any information on whether the pilot is facing charges. Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting G7 leaders from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Italy, in Kananaskis, southwest of Calgary in the Rocky Mountains. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are also set to attend.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Canadian F-18 Hornet fighter jets intercept civilian plane violating airspace during G7 Summit
Canadian fighter jets intercepted a civilian plane violating restricted airspace above Kananaskis, Alberta, where G7 leaders are meeting on Sunday, June 15, 2025. NORAD 's Canadian region deployed CF-18 Hornet fighter jets to intercept the plane. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) launched investigation after the pilot was contacted using "final warning measures" and safely landed. The incident occurred despite existing air restrictions and is now under investigation, raising concerns about resource allocation during the summit. RCMP reported the fixed-wing Canadian aircraft entered the restricted area shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday. Multiple steps were taken to gain the pilot's attention. 'Final warning measures' were used to contact the pilot and have them safely land under their own power. Const. Lauren Mowbray stated those measures involved the jets firing warning flares. The plane was met on the ground by the RCMP and their partners. Live Events 'It is every pilot's responsibility to ensure that there are no restrictions in the air space they intend to fly,' the release stated. 'These incidents take away resources that could be utilized in police work and securing the summit site.' Mowbray did not have any information on whether the pilot is facing charges. The release doesn't specify the plane's origin or landing location. Two NOTAMs, or Notices to Airmen, of temporary air restrictions over Calgary and Kananaskis have been in place since Saturday (June 14) morning. The restrictions will continue until noon Tuesday (June 17). Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting G7 leaders from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Italy, in Kananaskis, southwest of Calgary in the Rocky Mountains. Some leaders of non-member countries, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are also set to attend.
