Technology & CSR

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Onshore wind and solar could provide 226GWh of electricity without impairing food production, says Friends of the Earth

Via Graham Watson

Sir Keir Starmer will announce a new state-owned firm with £8.3bn to invest in green energy.

Via Graham Watson

US and UK governments agree deal to collaborate on AI safety testing - SiliconANGLE...

Peter Steggall, APAC VP at Domo, outlines the key considerations for organizations looking to extract the true value of AI.

A new era of technological innovation is dawning for vehicle manufacturers as AI, machine learning and 5G connectivity start modernizing the production line...

The European Investment Bank (EIB) unveiled a new study today titled “Cutting plastics pollution – Financial measures for a more circular value chain”. The study analyses the inefficiencies of the plastics value chain and their solutions.

Drones and the Fourth Industrial Revolution: What's in Store?

The Future of Transportation and its Effect on the Travel Industry Technology / April 05, 2023 Since the dawn of time, the mode of transportation has been on the path of constant evolution. From people inventing circular wheels made by breaking and shaping rocks for an easy commute to people travelling in self-driven cars that take them from one place to another with the push of a few buttons, there is always something new and improved surfacing in the travel industry. And there is no doubt there are millions more new trends in transportation waiting to pop up in the future. Thanks to the power of imagination and increased rates of innovation, industry professionals are yet to stop in their pursuit of the next best thing. However, whether this innovation has a positive or negative impact on the future of transportation as well as the travel industry is always up for discussion. We have debated countless tourism trends influenced by technological advancements that either helped tour operators and other industry suppliers revamp their businesses or make different facets of the travel experience much more convenient for the travellers themselves. However, in this article, we will be having an in-depth discussion about the future of transportation and how it will impact the travel industry. Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) Let us start with the most revolutionary innovation tested and implemented in the modern-day transportation system: connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs). CAVs feature a combination of advanced sensor technology, onboard and remote processing capabilities, telecommunications systems, and top-of-the-art GPS. These vehicles can communicate with other vehicles with similar features and navigate their routes based on their surroundings without any human operator. Many reports have been seen of continuous testing of driverless vehicles being conducted on airport roads. Though currently its mass use has only been seen in airports for transferring people and their carry-ons from one terminal to another, this innovation has the potential to significantly change and elevate the way we travel on the roads between cities. But the biggest impact of this will be evident in the traffic situation. CAVs can provide a safer, less time-consuming, and more cost-efficient way of travelling without the need for a driver’s license. With the current situation of traffic jams in most cities, especially the ones that are commercial centres, like New York, Hong Kong, Chicago, etc., the popularity of CAVs for navigation will soon be on the rise. Currently, the best and most popular example of a CAV is Tesla. In 2021, China launched a fully driverless taxi for the general public called AutoX. Several countries are also working towards developing autonomous trucks. AI-Driven Naval Transport AI implementation is responsible for making the travel and tourism experience much easier and more comfortable for travellers. In the past two decades, it has been one of the main driving forces that catapulted the travel industry to its current position. And now it is also making remarkable contributions to shaping the future of all modes of transportation. And after making strides in land transport, it is now revolutionising travel through nautical routes. The plausibility of developing autonomous ships is high, as demonstrated by Norway and Finland. Their entrance into the market is anticipated in the near future. When properly implemented, by combining the weather and sea current data, advanced AI can be used to calculate the best routes and velocity of the ship. Ships these days use a smart system to store huge quantities of data, which can be used to get the best outcome. With the proper utilisation of AI technology, shipping businesses can make a significant jump into the future. Travelling on the water can be very time-consuming, high-risk, dangerous, and unpredictable. Even the slightest bit of error in calculation by a human can set the ship off track for days or weeks. Hence, AI-driven naval transports will reduce such man-made errors and increase accuracy and efficiency. Electric-powered Transports It is well known that carbon emissions from vehicles are the leading cause of the greenhouse effect. The USA alone is responsible for 28% of greenhouse gas emissions, the majority of which are the result of vehicles burning gasoline and diesel. For years, engineers and other specialists in the transportation industry have been searching for other alternatives to traditional fuel that can ensure maximum environmental sustainability. And so comes electricity. The introduction of electric vehicles into the world transportation market became a significant turning point for the way people used to travel and its eventual effect on the environment. According to reports by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global sales of electric-powered cars increased by almost 60%, crossing the 10 million mark for the first time in 2022. The report also suggests that one in every seven passenger cars bought in 2022 around the world will be powered by electricity. And this number is expected to rise due to a couple of reasons. Now, the governments of different countries are setting stricter emission goals and making improvements in the charging infrastructure; the cost of lithium-ion batteries that are used in electric vehicles has also gone down; and the people of this generation are much more aware and conscious of environmental sustainability. Although this alternative also has some drawbacks, as it takes a lot of electricity and time to fully charge an electric vehicle. For example, the Tesla Model S can take up to 10 hours to fully charge but will last for 405 miles, while the Tesla Model Y takes around 12 hours to fully charge and will last for 336 miles. However, if you go to a charging station, it does the work faster, in just over an hour, for a comparatively smaller fee than the current fuel prices. Nowadays, the electric-powered concept is not just limited to cars and is being considered for implementation in other modes of transportation by several companies with a technological edge in the industry. For instance, Ola, an Indian ride-sharing company, previously made huge investments in e-scooters and is now selling them at a reasonable price; Daimler, a commercial vehicle manufacturing company, invested in electric truck technology; the eActros is in series production since October 2021; and much more. Effect on the Travel Industry From what we have discussed so far, we can be sure of the following possible effects of the future of transportation on the travel industry. After arriving at a new destination, you can just hire a self-driving car to take you to your desired location without needing a guide, getting lost, or even haggling with the driver. This will undoubtedly enhance your travelling experience and provide assurance of a safe and stress-free commute to any place you want. You can even hire a CAV to take you from the airport to your hotel after a long journey. Being stuck in prolonged traffic will also be a thing of the past if the number of self-driven cars keeps increasing on the streets along the same trajectory. Booking a cruise will become much more convenient for travellers with anxiety thanks to AI-driven nautical ships. There are millions of people out there who refrain from going on cruises out of fear: fear of the unpredictable sea, fear of getting lost, or fear of facing any unfortunate situation in the middle of the vast ocean. AI-driven ships will help to relieve most of these fears and bring more passengers on board. Finally, tourists can travel with peace of mind when they don’t have to worry about running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere or at a location with no gas station, refuelling after every couple of miles, the sky-high cost of fuel, or the large carbon footprint they are leaving behind. If tourists opt for electric vehicles, whether it be a car or a scooter, they can address all those concerns. To sum up, the future of transportation can only bring positive outcomes to the travel industry, which not only benefit the companies in the sector itself but also the passengers they are committed to serving. Countless developments and innovations are yet to come. Let’s look forward to them and anticipate the changes they may bring to modes of transportation and the travel industry. Tags Transportation on the Travel Industry tourism trends impact of Transportation travnet tech travel trends Add new comment Your name Subject Comment About text formats Restricted HTML You can align images (data-align="center"), but also videos, blockquotes, and so on. You can caption images (data-caption="Text"), but also videos, blockquotes, and so on.

Professor David Howey and colleagues in the Department of Engineering Science are using big data to improve battery testing – a vital step towards a clean energy future.

Before 3D printing on organ surfaces, study team tested device within artificial colon where it was able to move through small openings...

Artificial intelligence might seem futuristic, but its applications are delivering results right now...

The Austrian company AVL Racetech has developed a powerful hydrogen combustion engine. It has emerged as a result of the collaboration of engineers from AVL Racetech and the HUMDA laboratory in Hungary.

 

The innovative hydrogen combustion engine has a novelty that makes it special: a water injection system. With this addition, the power problem traditionally linked to these types of engines is solved. 

 

Port Fuel Injection or PFI inserts traditional water into the engine’s air intake system, preventing premature ignition that could damage the components and achieves stoichiometric combustion. Translated, this means that the resulting air-fuel ratios are more or less fixed. 

 

The result of this exhaustive work has been a two-liter hydrogen engine that produces 410 hp and 500 Newton-meters of torque between 3,000 and 4,000 revolutions per minute, achieving a specific power density of approximately 205 hp per liter (150 kW per liter). 

See the whole article here: 
https://www.ecoticias.com/en/water-engine-first-time/674/ 

 

AVL press release on testing the motor: 
https://www.avl.com/en-de/press/press-release/410-hp-2-liter-displacement-prototype-h2-ice-race-engine-avl 

Via Sepp Hasslberger

Independent Advisor Solar says there were 189,826 MCS-certified solar installations in the United Kingdom last year, up 37.5% year on year. The researchers have also identified the 10 regions with the most solar panels installations to date.

Sales of regular hybrids are up 19.5 per cent while plug-in hybrids rose 10.7%; even diesels are up 9 per cent...

The development of energy-efficient, versatile, and easy-to-install air-air heat pumps is expected to boost market growth to $58.7 B by 2033, with a CAGR of 5%...

London’s smart city progress creates a virtuous circle in which connectivity improvements promotes more business growth.

These five CPGs have introduced sustainable packaging alternatives and solutions for some of their most popular products.

EVs have experienced the biggest drop in interest of the fuel types among buyers currently planning their next purchase.JudgeService has reported that twe...

Autonomous Vehicles, News How autonomous vehicles are revolutionising slow, off-highway environments Share this page Autonomous vehicles have the potential to revolutionise industrial environments, bringing newfound levels of efficiency and productivity. From construction sites to ports, autonomous trucks are dramatically improving operational and environmental efficiencies with faster delivery times and reduced costs in both fuel expenses and labour costs. As companies continue to embrace this technology, what can be expected from autonomous vehicle workflow performance? In this blog post we will explore how process automation is aiding worker safety while spurring innovation within the industry as well as answering common questions about automated processes such as: What are some of the benefits associated with autonomously controlled vehicles working in slower environments? How does human input help enhance safe operations? We’ll take a closer look at these topics and more so that you can get all the information necessary for making informed decisions about integrating autonomous vehicle systems into your business! Overview of the autonomous vehicle industry – what are autonomous vehicles and how have they been developed over time The autonomous vehicle industry has experienced significant growth over the years. Autonomous vehicles are self-driving cars, trucks, and yard tractors that use advanced technology to control themselves. They are designed to reduce human error on the road, which is responsible for most accidents. The development of autonomous vehicles started in the 1920s, when researchers began exploring the possibility of using “radio control” to operate cars remotely. Since then, numerous advancements have been made in the industry, with autonomous trucks and yard tractors making significant strides. These vehicles are aimed at efficiently handling heavy loads over long distances and in complex and dynamic environments. With ongoing research and development, the autonomous vehicle industry is set to revolutionise the way we commute and transport goods. How can autonomous vehicles be used in slow, off-highway environments such as logistics, ports, mining, agriculture, and forestry operations The advancements in autonomous vehicle technology have paved the way for exciting applications, especially in industries such as logistics, ports, mining, agriculture, and forestry operations. Integrating autonomous vehicles in these slow, off-highway environments can provide significant benefits. With the use of this technology, mining companies can increase efficiency and safety in their operations, while agriculture and forestry companies can achieve better yields and improve worker safety. With improved navigation, these autonomous vehicles can work around the clock without the need for human operators, significantly reducing operational costs. As the technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for autonomous vehicles in these industries are endless, offering a glimpse into a more sustainable and efficient future. Benefits of using autonomous vehicles in these environments – increased productivity, improved safety, and potential cost savings Autonomous vehicles are revolutionising several industries, from transportation to logistics. The use of these vehicles is becoming increasingly popular due to their significant benefits, which include increased productivity, improved safety, and potential cost savings. By implementing autonomous vehicles, companies can streamline their operations by reducing the need for human intervention and therefore increasing efficiency. Additionally, the safety benefits of autonomous vehicles cannot be overstated. Without the need for a human driver, the risk of accidents caused by human error is eliminated. Finally, the potential cost savings come from the reduction of labor costs associated with traditional driving jobs. Overall, the introduction of autonomous vehicles in various sectors has the potential to transform the way we do business and live our lives. Examples of successful implementations of autonomous vehicles in off-highway industries In recent years, autonomous vehicles have been making waves in off-highway industries. Under the umbrella of projects 5G CAL and V-CAL, led by the North East Automotive Alliance, StreetDrone implemented its autonomous technology into a 40-tonne yard tractor to deliver parts from the operator’s sites to the Nissan car plant in Sunderland. Its abilities to work around the clock and improve safety on the job have been game changers. This has allowed for Vantec’s operations to run smoothly and efficiently, as well as keeping their workers out of harm’s way. Nissan is currently benefiting from the driverless technology, which ensures parts are being delivered 24/7 and the car plant production line never stops. This is just an example of how autonomous vehicles can provide benefits in a variety of industries beyond just consumer transportation. Challenges associated with the use of autonomous vehicles in off-highway applications The rise of autonomous vehicles has revolutionised the way people think about transportation. However, most discussions on this topic focus on highway use cases and overlook the potential challenges faced in off-highway applications. Off-road environments, such as distribution centres, construction sites, ports or mining locations, pose unique challenges to autonomous vehicles that need to be addressed. These challenges include navigating junctions, barriers, traffic lights or through uneven terrain, dealing with unpredictable weather conditions, and managing the heavy-duty equipment involved in these tasks. By addressing these challenges, we can unlock the full potential of autonomous vehicles in off-highway applications and create a more efficient and safer future for logistics, construction, and mining industries. What is the future for autonomous vehicles in off-highway industries As technology continues to advance, there is no doubt that the future of autonomous vehicles in off-highway industries is bright. These industries, which include logistics, mining, agriculture, and construction, among others, are poised to benefit greatly from the use of autonomous vehicles. With the ability to work around the clock without rest, these vehicles can greatly increase productivity and efficiency. Not only that, but they can also improve safety by performing tasks that are too dangerous for human operators. However, there are still many hurdles to clear before we see widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles in these industries. These include regulatory issues, technical challenges, and, of course, the cost of the technology. Nonetheless, the potential benefits are significant enough that it seems inevitable that autonomous vehicles will play a major role in the future of off-highway industries. All in all, autonomous vehicles are revolutionising the way slow, off-highway work is done. They can be used to increase productivity, improve safety, and potentially save costs. Successful implementations of autonomous vehicles in logistics, mining, agriculture, and forestry operations have shown how versatile and capable these machines can be. Of course, there are challenges associated with their use, such as navigational capabilities and finding ways to integrate them into existing workflows. Nevertheless, autonomous vehicles offer many promising benefits that could help these industries become safer and more efficient. With further development of the technology and a deeper understanding of its potential applications, future developments may make more jobs viable in off-highway industries while improving the speed and accuracy of tasks performed. PrevPreviousHow autonomous trucks are transforming the container shipping industry PrevPrevious About the Author Larisa Giurea Related Posts How to select the right automation technology for your distribution centre Read More » Overview of automation in distribution centres Read More » StreetDrone and Restore launch a new partnership ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week Read More » Follow Us

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it's a present reality that is reshaping our world. With the potential to automate an estimated 800 million jobs by 2030, AI is poised to revolutionize various industries.

Eight diverse National Grid-led projects have been given the green light to progress to the first ‘discovery’ phase of Ofgem’s SIF programme.

Hydrogen as a potential alternative to natural gas, coal or oil burned in heavy industry or shipping is seen as key to reducing emissions in industries in which electrification is not practical. Hydrogen is often described by color and many in the industry call it a "rainbow renewable" but the...

A new recycling facility in Sydney is aiming to turn up to 4000 tonnes of beverage cartons each year into boards for walls and floors.