Hasta La Gadget!

The combination of smoke from marsh fires and dense morning fog caused the crashes, authorities said Monday.

Figure, a burgeoning robotics company, has introduced its Figure 01 humanoid robot and demonstrated its ability to walk on two legs in a public setting for the first time.

Over the past year, Figure has experienced rapid growth, expanding to a team of 60 employees with expertise spanning various engineering domains, including AI, controls, embedded software, electrical, mechanical, actuator design, battery technology, integration, and testing. In May 2023, the company secured a $70 million funding round and managed to develop the robot in just over 12 months.

The Figure 01 robot showcases a polished metal exterior, a departure from the simulated versions seen in earlier illustrations. It’s worth noting that the product’s finish may undergo further refinements before its release. Notably, the robot features articulated joints with rotary motors, and it incorporates a backpack to house its battery.

A quick breakdown of the degrees of freedom (DoF) in this robot includes 7 DoF in the arms, 3 DoF in the waist, 6 DoF in the legs, ankles, and feet, 0 DoF in the head, and 6 DoF in the hands, amounting to a total of 41 DoF. The hands are equipped with four fingers and an opposable thumb, and the phalanges have a simplified two-bar design. The foot and ankle employ a straightforward articulating platform.

One remarkable achievement is the rapid development of dynamic bipedal walking within a year, touted as one of the swiftest turnarounds in humanoid robotics history. Figure 01 employs torque-controlled walking, guiding the robot by specifying torque at its joints rather than dictating its speed or direction. This approach enhances the robot’s adaptability to real-world scenarios, particularly when interacting with people and performing business-related tasks.

The robot receives high-level commands regarding its movement speed, subsequently autonomously managing aspects like balance, foot placement, and hand movement to maintain stability amid external disruptions or changes in ground elevation. The Figure team has also been working on “whole body reasoning,” incorporating natural arm swinging and achieving torso and pelvis motion by regulating angular momentum, rather than following predetermined paths.

Additionally, Figure is concurrently developing manipulation capabilities for the robot’s arms, hands, and fingers, which will run independently from the walking and navigation aspects. The company’s construction of a demonstration warehouse at its Sunnyvale headquarters indicates that Figure 01’s primary market opportunity upon its 2024 release is expected to be in logistics and warehousing.

Figure Unveils Dynamic Bipedal Walking Robot

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“We are overwhelmed with the love and support from everyone,” the famed gymnast’s daughter said Monday.

In the fight against climate change and abnormal weather patterns resulting from global warming, solar power emerges as a critical and effective solution. Among solar technologies, perovskite solar cells have gained substantial attention due to their thin, lightweight, and flexible nature. Toshiba’s recent breakthrough in developing the world’s most efficient perovskite solar cells prompts us to explore how this innovation can contribute to a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable society.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is vital to combat global warming’s impact on weather patterns. Solar power, particularly perovskite solar cells, offers a compelling solution due to their thin, lightweight, and flexible design.

Addressing Societal Challenges: Global Warming and Climate Anomalies

Worldwide, nations, businesses, and organizations are making earnest efforts to achieve sustainable development goals by actively reducing carbon emissions. The United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP26) underscored the urgency of consistent and reinforced efforts to ensure a sustainable society in the coming months and years. This urgency transcends geopolitics, manifesting on societal and corporate levels.

As decarbonization initiatives progress, the transition from carbon-emitting energy sources to renewables becomes increasingly important. While renewable energy accounted for 29% of global electricity generation in 2020, over 70% of electricity generation still originates from non-renewable sources. Accelerating the transition to renewable energy is crucial to achieving carbon neutrality.

Mr. Isao Takasu, Fellow at Toshiba Corporation’s Research and Development Center, Nano Materials & Frontier Research Laboratory, Transducer Technology Laboratory.

Rise of Solar Power

Solar power generation primarily relies on harnessing solar energy, and its contribution to the global energy mix is rapidly growing. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates nearly a 25% year-over-year growth in new solar capacity installations worldwide in 2022.

Despite this progress, more advancements are needed. The IEA notes that “further efforts are required to reach net-zero emissions by 2030.” Therefore, expanding solar power utilization is vital to achieving carbon neutrality.

Perovskite solar cells are applicable not only in urban areas but also in rural areas.

Utilizing Solar Cell Modules for Various Applications

Polymer film-based perovskite solar cells offer a promising alternative to crystalline silicon cells — Being thinner, lighter, and more flexible, they can be installed in areas where traditional silicon cells are impractical, including rooftops or office windows. This innovation is particularly promising for urban areas, where land is scarce and efficient energy utilization is essential.

The benefits of polymer film-based perovskite solar cells, along with Toshiba’s technology, could pave the way for the large-scale adoption of solar power — For instance, by installing these cells in an area equivalent to the roof space of buildings in Tokyo, power generation could meet about two-thirds of the annual energy consumption of typical households. This technology extends beyond urban areas and holds potential for various sectors, including manufacturing and agriculture.

Challenges Ahead: Efficiency and Durability

Before this technology can be commercialized, there are challenges to overcome. Further improvements in conversion efficiency and durability are required. Toshiba aims to resolve these issues over the next three years to bring perovskite solar cells to the market by 2025. Additionally, cost-effectiveness will be crucial for market acceptance.

Toshiba aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% across its entire value chain by 2030. The company is actively committed to developing innovative technologies, such as polymer film-based perovskite solar cells, to contribute to a circular economy and the global transition to solar power. Toshiba believes that this dedication will lead to a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable society where people can live comfortably.

Perovskite Solar Cells: Transforming Solar Power

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The Moon’s crater-covered countenance was previously thought to be a youthful 4.42 billion years old, give or take about 10 million years. But now, samples of crystals taken from the rocky satellite half a century ago indicate that the Moon is about 40 million years older than we knew.

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