Monthly Archives: July 2010

Control of multiple quadrotor robots to cooperatively transport a payload

Every now and then we get to see a video of these quadrocopters from the University of Pennsylvania’s GRASP Lab performing new precise manoeuvres in a cooperative logic. The technology becoming mature as the time is passing and the practical use of such devices (or systems) in future is not very far – military or civilian.

Micro Autonomous Systems Technologies (MAST) is a collaboration with University of Maryland, University of Michigan, BAE Systems and Army Research Laboratories. Our vision is to develop Autonomous Multifunctional Mobile Microsystems (Am3), a networked group of small vehicles and sensors operating in dynamic, resource-constrained, adversarial environments. While individual units may be specialized, Am3 will be multifunctional because of its heterogeneity, the ability of individual units to automatically reconfigure and adapt to the environment and to human commands, and its distributed intelligence.

A perfect moment of everyday life from Cornwall Road corner (London) captured by Tina Gao.

Slice of Life by Tina Gao

The Waterloo neighborhood behind my university campus looks like a Dickensian village. There’s something quite romantic about the intersection near a popular bakery that comes alive in the afternoon, as students leave class to head for the pub, parents bring their kids home from school, and workers nip into the bakery for a few slices of lemon chiffon cake to bring back to their families.

Whatever the critics say I find this new bus design awesome. It’s beautifully done and indeed iconic.

New Routemaster

The New Bus for London is inspired by the much-loved Routemaster and will use the latest green technology when it launches in 2012.

The New Bus for London will meet London Buses’ requirements for vehicles in public service in London, including high standards of accessibility, safety and emissions abatement. In addition, it will be more durable, more fuel efficient and better ventilated. The bus will incorporate a double-deck and a platform at the rear near-side corner, so passengers will be able to get on and off easily.

… with VitaFresh Bosch fridges!