Category: Engineers

Why are Robots Shaped like Humans?

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According to the Greek mythology, it is said that we make and imagine our inventions to always look like us. We even imagine an alien or a ghost that look like us. This can be the probable reason why we design robots that look like humans. Technology that is now making the robots intelligent is also teaching them how to be humans. As humans, we try to align our imageries and take inspirations from our environment, which also inspires us to design robots in a humanoid shape.

Many factors may govern our imagination of a human-like robot:

  • To impose the same constraints on them, as the world imposes on us.
  • The closer the design is to humans, the better it will navigate and manipulate the human world.
  • To make them interact with us as we interact with each other.

After being able to design a humanoid, we are still far from the technology that will allow these humanoids to adopt the human abilities completely. If we ever reach such a level of technology, we will give rise to a new species, for whom the human race will simply be like a cannon-fodder in military combat.

5G in Space

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The fifth generation of mobile communication is on its way to bridge the numerous gaps by its preceding technologies. Most of the network issues arise when people wish to watch 4K videos, video chat or when they want to interact with the different IoT devices.

Similar problems occur in the satellite communication mechanism. As more and more satellites are launched into the space, they face issues in transferring data. The 5G technology can easily resolve such issues.

  • 5G uses high frequency for establishing communication between different devices.
  • These frequencies are in the range of 30 to 300 GHz.

Millimeter Wave Satellite

To make the communication better, researchers from the European Space Agency (ESA) are making efforts to develop satellites that will communicate on millimeter-wave frequencies. These satellites are named as W-Cube. Some of their features are:

  • Communication devices installed in these satellites will test and use the 75 GHz frequency band.
  • The body of these satellites will be based on Reaktor’s Hello World CubeSat platform.
  • They will weigh less than 5kg.

Finland based Reaktor Space Lab and the VTT Technical Research Centre will develop these satellites. The signals transferred by them will be observed at the measurement station in Graz, Austria. This technology will provide a unique opportunity to achieve high expertise in the field of telecommunication in the space.

Innovation Engineering on its Way

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Today’s thriving engineering technologies have been surprising us constantly. And, with the changing technologies, we can still expect how things change across different technology domains and industries. Here are ten most groundbreaking innovations in engineering that gives it a new definition.

3D Printing: The computers here converts the digital image of the model into a tangible physical product. The technology can print almost anything by laying layers of materials with the help of 3D printers.

Floating Train tracks: Researchers are now working to develop steel platforms on which trains can pass. These will have flexible bearings that will let the light rail tracks stay in a line. 

 

A Roof that closes like a Camera: One of the Atlanta’s newest stadium, now has a set of eight 500 ton steel petals that unfurl 200 feet above the ground. They can shut quickly in nine minutes shielding the players and the fans from the weather outside.

 

Replicating the Robot Arms: Robotic arms can now reassemble clones for itself and is cheaper than most of its market competitors.

AquaRefining: The method uses an electrochemical system to dissolve the Lead at room temperature without smelting harmful emission which occurred in the traditional methods.

Genetic Code printing: The new Digital-to-Biological Converter is now able to print genetic code following the digital instructions.

Synthetic Spider Silk: This fabric is developed artificially using yeast and is later spun into fabric using machines. These are the renewable protein-based fibers now available as a merchandise.

Thin Rail Roller-coaster: Designers are now using durable and less amount of steel to develop the Raptor Track roller coaster which easily fit into the intended spaces and offers a highly smooth ride.

Floating Wind Farm: Scotland is now using a floating wind farm to generate power from wind. Although they are currently close to the seashore, researchers are working to install them at farther distances where the winds are strong.

Underwater Snake Bots: The technology can be stationed on the seabed to repair infrastructure damages.

Introducing 5 Books Every Engineer Should Read to Boost Their Career

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For improving your technical abilities and dealing better with peers, here are the five books that would help you to grow faster.

  1. The Design of Everyday Things – Donald A. Norman

About – Reflection on daily use objects including computers, light switches, door handles, etc.

  1. Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down – J.E. Gordon

About – Narrates principles of structural engineering and basic forces of bridges, dams, etc.

  1. Basic Machines and How They Work, Revised (1994) Edition – Naval Education and Training Program

About – Elaborates theory, design, and application of mechanical products.

  1. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future – Ashlee Vance

About – Insights about great entrepreneur, Elon Musk and his inspirational journey.

  1. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

About – Simple and easy techniques of winning people around you.

How To Present Your Mechanical Design To The Team?

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The newbies in engineering often feel underestimated due to the lack of soft skills that are required to undermine the job role. For a mechanical engineer, it is more important to present the mechanical design more efficiently than knowing only the technical details.

For those who need to present mechanical design to the peers, or the client to pitch for new business, take help of these tips and make this task a less daunting:

Understand the audience

Represent your design from the perspective of an ordinary man. The audience may not be aware of the nitty-gritty involved, and therefore, your design must be able to communicate the required use and purpose to everyone.

Public Speaking Skills

Work on the confidence level to nail the presentation in front of people. If you still feel anxiety after practicing presentation behind the curtain, remain calm during the actual presentation to go on. Remind yourself that you halfway there, and face people with a smile.

Convey Details

Prepare for the questions that the audience is going to put in front of you. There can be questions related to designs, materials and choices, manufacturing processes and much more. If you don’t have answers to the questions, don’t get nervous and avoid fumbling. Tell them that you will get back with the right answer after the meeting.

Presentation Tips

Don’t keep reading all the content from the PowerPoint and take audience towards the pointer every time. It can leave them confused or bored while listening. Prepare bullets or rough narrative to explain your ideas.

Apart from the presentation, people will judge you more by the mechanical design and not the speaking skills. So, go easy and work on the essentials before the meeting.