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Autonomous trams, asteroid landers and crawling robots: 10 best stories of the week

Professional Engineering

A novel tiny, soft robot with caterpillar-like legs which is adaptable to adverse environments and can carry heavy loads was developed (Credit: City University of Hong Kong)
A novel tiny, soft robot with caterpillar-like legs which is adaptable to adverse environments and can carry heavy loads was developed (Credit: City University of Hong Kong)

We live in hectic times, and engineering is a driving force behind the rapid change we constantly see.

During the constant weekly bombardment of news and information, even the most stunning breakthrough can slip by unnoticed apart from by a diligent few. To that end, here's our first weekly round-up of the best engineering stories from around the web.

Autonomous tram hits the tracks

The Guardian

Driverless cars have taken the most attention in the field of self-driving transport, but they are far from the only system ripe for autonomy. Siemens thinks public transport could be another promising route, and launched the world's first autonomous tram in Potsdam, Germany.

Asteroid explorers send a postcard

New Scientist

Recent years have brought dazzling new images of far-flung reaches of the Solar System, including photos of Saturn and Pluto. This week Japan's twin Minerva-II rovers went a step further, beaming back time-lapse video from the surface of asteroid Ryugu. The mission will study and collect samples from the rock.

Elon Musk under pressure

BBC

The ambitious and eccentric Tesla CEO faces a lawsuit filed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission over his "funding secured" Tweet.

Take-off time for flying cars?

Wired

After a century of failed concepts and half-baked designs, flying cars could finally be on the verge of leaving the tarmac. More than 100 leaders from "well-known high-tech companies" recently met to discuss the path forwards.

Printing money with additive manufacturing and ceramics

Professional Engineering

3D-printing of ceramics could leap to become a market worth more than $3bn in 10 years – so what is holding the technology back? Dr Tom Wasley from the Manufacturing Technology Centre urged the industry to learn lessons from metal printing.

A ray of sunlight for off-grid living

The Verge

Energy storage remains the single biggest issue for renewable power. As governments, energy companies and citizens around the world embrace decentralised energy networks, any solution is welcome – this combination of solar cell and battery could be particularly useful in rural areas.

Going underground with modular robots

The Engineer

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency – Darpa for short – is a world leader in innovative engineering. The $2m Subterranean Challenge has seen an entry from Carnegie Mellon University, involving modular robots to autonomously search tunnels, caves and other underground structures.

From books to rocket engines for Jeff Bezos

Ars Technica

Rocket manufacturer United Launch Alliance has selected the BE-4 rocket engine from the Amazon boss's Blue Origin company for its Vulcan Centaur vehicle.

Automation threat to Northern Powerhouse

E&T

A study by the Centre for Social Justice found that increased automation in skilled and semi-skilled roles could hit deprived towns in the north of England the hardest.

Robotic caterpillar could deliver drugs

New Atlas

Engineers are constantly inspired by nature, and the fantastic diversity of the insect kingdom offers many useful templates. Caterpillars were the latest insects to inspire researchers, providing the basis for this internal medicine delivery robot.


Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
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