The Morning After: Drones that can charge on power lines

Battery life always limits a drone’s ability to perform tasks and get anywhere. So why not let it slurp from nearby power lines? (Well, there are reasons.)  Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark attached a gripper system to a Tarot 650 Sport drone, which they customized with an electric quadcopter propulsion system and an autopilot module. An inductive charger pulls current from the power line, enabling it to recharge five times over two hours during tests. The benefit here is that power lines already exist (duh), but there is the real concern that a drone could damage a line and knock out electricity for thousands. — Mat Smith The biggest stories you might have missed DJI’s RS4 gimbals make it easier to balance heavy cameras and accessories Apple Vision Pro, two months later Kobo’s new ereaders include its first with color displays ​​You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! The owner of WordPress has bought Beeper, that brazen messaging app It challenged Apple and lost almost immediately. WordPress and Tumblr owner Automattic has bought Beeper, the maker of the Beeper Mini app, which challenged Apple with iMessage tricks on Android phones, late last year. Although it ultimately lost its only USP when Apple blocked the exploit — mere days later — the incident gave the DOJ more ammunition in its antitrust suit against Apple. Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that Automattic paid $125 million. It’s a lot of money, especially when Automattic already owns a messaging app, Texts. No, I hadn’t heard of it either. Continue reading. Starlink terminals are reportedly being used by Russian forces in Ukraine There’s a thriving black market for satellite-based internet providers. Reuters According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Russian forces in Ukraine are using Starlink satellite internet terminals to coordinate attacks in eastern Ukraine and Crimea as well as to control drones and other forms of military tech. The Starlink hardware is reaching Russian forces via a complex network of black-market sellers. After reports in February that Russian forces were using Starlink, US House Democrats demanded Musk act, noting Russian military use of the tech is “potentially in violation of US sanctions and export controls.” Starlink can disable individual terminals. Continue reading. Congress looks into blocking piracy sites in the US The Motion Picture Association will work with politicians. The Motion Picture Association chair and CEO Charles Rivkin has revealed a plan to make “sailing the digital seas,” so streaming or downloading pirated content, harder. Rivkin said the association is going to work with Congress to establish and enforce site-blocking legislation in the United States. He added that almost 60 countries use site-blocking as a tool against piracy. Continue reading. You can now lie down while using a Meta Quest 3 headset Finally. Shh, relax… And strap two screens to your face. Relaaaaax.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-drones-that-can-charge-on-power-lines-111517677.html?src=rss

Apr 10, 2024 - 17:30
 0
The Morning After: Drones that can charge on power lines

Battery life always limits a drone’s ability to perform tasks and get anywhere. So why not let it slurp from nearby power lines? (Well, there are reasons.) 

Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark attached a gripper system to a Tarot 650 Sport drone, which they customized with an electric quadcopter propulsion system and an autopilot module. An inductive charger pulls current from the power line, enabling it to recharge five times over two hours during tests. The benefit here is that power lines already exist (duh), but there is the real concern that a drone could damage a line and knock out electricity for thousands.

— Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

DJI’s RS4 gimbals make it easier to balance heavy cameras and accessories

Apple Vision Pro, two months later

Kobo’s new ereaders include its first with color displays

​​You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

The owner of WordPress has bought Beeper, that brazen messaging app

It challenged Apple and lost almost immediately.

WordPress and Tumblr owner Automattic has bought Beeper, the maker of the Beeper Mini app, which challenged Apple with iMessage tricks on Android phones, late last year. Although it ultimately lost its only USP when Apple blocked the exploit — mere days later — the incident gave the DOJ more ammunition in its antitrust suit against Apple. Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that Automattic paid $125 million. It’s a lot of money, especially when Automattic already owns a messaging app, Texts. No, I hadn’t heard of it either.

Continue reading.

Starlink terminals are reportedly being used by Russian forces in Ukraine

There’s a thriving black market for satellite-based internet providers.

TMA
Reuters

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Russian forces in Ukraine are using Starlink satellite internet terminals to coordinate attacks in eastern Ukraine and Crimea as well as to control drones and other forms of military tech. The Starlink hardware is reaching Russian forces via a complex network of black-market sellers. After reports in February that Russian forces were using Starlink, US House Democrats demanded Musk act, noting Russian military use of the tech is “potentially in violation of US sanctions and export controls.” Starlink can disable individual terminals.

Continue reading.

Congress looks into blocking piracy sites in the US

The Motion Picture Association will work with politicians.

The Motion Picture Association chair and CEO Charles Rivkin has revealed a plan to make “sailing the digital seas,” so streaming or downloading pirated content, harder. Rivkin said the association is going to work with Congress to establish and enforce site-blocking legislation in the United States. He added that almost 60 countries use site-blocking as a tool against piracy.

Continue reading.

You can now lie down while using a Meta Quest 3 headset

Finally.

Shh, relax… And strap two screens to your face.

Relaaaaax.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-drones-that-can-charge-on-power-lines-111517677.html?src=rss

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Viral News Code whisperer by profession, narrative alchemist by passion. With 6 years of tech expertise under my belt, I bring a unique blend of logic and imagination to ViralNews360. Expect everything from tech explainers that melt your brain (but not your circuits) to heartwarming tales that tug at your heartstrings. Come on in, the virtual coffee's always brewing!