Monthly Archives: September 2020

Ad aims to keep independent offshore wind plan in mix – SouthCoastToday.com

Posted: September 18, 2020 at 1:06 am

State has debated decoupling generation, transmission

As lawmakers weigh whether to up the amount of offshore wind power Massachusetts must procure, a Wakefield-based offshore transmission company is making a push for lawmakers to also require the state to solicit bids for independent offshore wind energy transmission.

Teaming up with officials from business and development groups, Anbaric this week launched a new website and began running digital ads to call for "early action on an offshore transmission system to minimize impacts on fisheries and the environment, reduce costs, and achieve decarbonization goals."

"Massachusetts needs transmission infrastructure now that can optimize connections to the grid and efficiently serve multiple wind farms," Stephen Conant, an Anbaric partner and project manager, said. "Unless the industry addresses transmission, offshore wind projects could run into roadblocks on the grid that have caused onshore wind projects to fail and solar energy projects to suffer significant delays."

The Baker administration and Massachusetts utilities have already contracted with two developers Vineyard Wind and Mayflower Wind to generate a cumulative 1,600 megawatts of clean energy from wind farms planned for waters south of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. If both projects come to fruition as expected, state officials have said they would provide "approximately 12 percent of total Massachusetts annual energy demand."

Last year, the Department of Energy Resources floated the possibility that Massachusetts could stop soliciting clean energy generation and the transmission of that energy as a single package and instead move forward with a solicitation for a central transmission system that future generation projects would be required to tie into. Having one primary transmission system would have "the potential benefit of minimizing impacts on fisheries, optimizing the transmission grid, and reducing costs," the report concluded.

But in a letter to key lawmakers in late July, DOER said it now recommends that Massachusetts abandon the idea of getting bids for independent offshore wind energy transmission, which was met by stiff opposition from some offshore wind developers. DOER said in July that it had investigated the idea but "finds that the costs and risks of a solicitation for independent offshore wind energy transmission outweigh the potential benefits that could be captured by 1,600 MW of transmission capacity allowed under the Act, and therefore has decided not to require the Massachusetts [electric distribution companies] to pursue such a solicitation at this time."

Anbaric, which has filed a federal application to develop its own offshore wind transmission system, commissioned the Brattle Group to conduct a study of a proposed planned transmission approach to offshore wind for southern New England.

Using a planned transmission approach rather than individual generator lead lines from each offshore project would lead to a 10 percent reduction in overall transmission costs, 49 percent less undersea cable, 40 percent less energy lost in transmission and optimized utilization of each of the limited locations at which offshore wind power can be brought onto shore, the Brattle Group said its report found.

"If we wish to achieve a low-carbon economy by mid-century, then transmission is as important as generation and ought to be considered on its own terms," Eric Hines, a Tufts University structural engineer who designed the Wind Technology Testing Center in Charlestown and has advised the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center on aspects of the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, said.

Massachusetts is on a path towards requiring net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. At the end of July, the House and Senate began conference committee negotiations on major climate policy legislation including each branch's calls for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Both branches of the Legislature have also approved language requiring the executive branch and utility companies to procure even more offshore wind power than the 3,200 megawatts already in the pipeline.

The House unanimously backed an amendment to its climate bill that would boost the state's total authorization to 3,600 MW and also shorten the maximum amount of time between procurements from 24 months to 18 months. Meanwhile, the Senate unanimously adopted an amendment to its economic development bill to direct DOER to procure another 2,800 MW of offshore wind power by 2035, which would bring the state's total authorization to 6 gigawatts.

Anbaric said the procurement of 6 GW of offshore wind power "could result in as many as 15 separate cables from individual wind farms unless action is taken soon to develop transmission separately to connect the full amount of renewable energy to shore."

See original here:

Ad aims to keep independent offshore wind plan in mix - SouthCoastToday.com

Posted in Offshore | Comments Off on Ad aims to keep independent offshore wind plan in mix – SouthCoastToday.com

Amazon Products Are Reportedly Exploding and Catching Fire – Futurism

Posted: at 1:06 am

Fire Hazard

In recent years, more than 1,500 customers have reported that their Amazon-made electronics are sparking, catching fire, and even exploding.

Reports include poorly-made microwaves that spark and smoke when theyre turned on, USB cords that heat up and start fires, and others, CNN reports. The common thread is that they were all made by AmazonBasics rather than third-party sellers. And despite clear safety hazards, many of the products in question are still on the market.

Amazon has ended up in hot water for shoddy goods in the past, like when third-party vendors were busted selling moldy and spoiled food. But these electrical problems, which CNN reports have caused house and car fires that caused personal injuries, all stem from products made by Amazon itself.

This is more than a reliability problem, this is a potential safety problem, Michael Pecht, an engineer who evaluated the troublesome products at CNNs request, told the network.

Amazon told CNN that it responds to reports of hazardous items by pulling them from the marketplace or even changing the products themselves. Amazon indeed removed some of the dangerous items, but CNN found that dozens more that were still there.

The company also downplayed the problem. While experts told CNN that the number of customers complaining about the same fire hazards reduces the odds that the problem was user error, Amazon said that relying on customer complaints can be misleading.

READ MORE: Dozens of Amazons own products have been reported as dangerous melting, exploding or even bursting into flames. Many are still on the market [CNN]

More on Amazon: Amazon Keeps Delivering Moldy, Spoiled Food to Customers

Read more from the original source:
Amazon Products Are Reportedly Exploding and Catching Fire - Futurism

Posted in Futurism | Comments Off on Amazon Products Are Reportedly Exploding and Catching Fire – Futurism

Athena Wins HFM Global’s US Award for Best Offshore Governance Firm – Business Wire

Posted: at 1:06 am

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Athena International Management Limited (Athena) is thrilled to be awarded HFM Globals US Services Award for Best Offshore Governance Firm. These prestigious annual awards recognise excellence amongst US hedge fund service providers across the globe and are rigorously judged by an independent panel of executives at leading US investment funds. This category is the inaugural award for these highly-acclaimed industry accolades which are now in their eleventh year of celebration.

Commenting on the win, announced today at HFM Globals US Leadership Forum, Allison Nolan, Athenas Managing Director, said, In an industry where women are significantly underrepresented, we are extremely honoured that Athena, an all-female founded and all-female led directorship firm, is the first to receive this inaugural award that recognises our exceptional innovation and high-quality service to the alternative investment funds community.

Founded in 2005, Athena was the pioneer of boutique governance firms in the Cayman Islands, offering professional and truly independent directors to the alternative investment funds industry. This year marked the firms 15-year anniversary in providing propriety best-in-class governance solutions to its leading international client base, and the firm demonstrated their commitment to the jurisdiction by unveiling a brand-new logo and website in the first quarter.

This award is a testament to our continued innovation and drive to develop new solutions for our industry, said Nolan. Like many, weve had to adapt our service offering based on these challenging times and the ever-evolving legal and regulatory landscape, and we are proud of our value-add professional services and industry-wide sound practices delivered by our team of experienced independent directors.

Nolan is a frequent speaker at industry events, and is a champion for increasing diversity and inclusion within the hedge funds industry, particularly gender diversity on the board of directors of alternative fund structures. She is an active member of 100 Women in Finance and sits on the Alternative Investment Management Associations Steering Committee for Diversity and Inclusion. She recently spoke on ways hedge fund managers can promote gender diversity within the industry at this years HFM Global Leadership Forum and is writing a book on the subject of female directors and how women are transforming the hedge fund industry, which has been approved for publishing by Forbes in 2021.

To learn more about Athenas award winning fund governance solutions, visit http://www.athena.ky or follow Athena International Management Limited on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/athena-im/) to stay up-to-date with their latest news and events.

About Athena

Celebrating 15 years in 2020, Athena International Management Limited provides governance solutions to the international alternative investment community. Our experienced professionals serve as directors on the boards of hedge funds, private equity vehicles, advisory boards, fund management companies and structured finance vehicles. We have a breadth of experience in a wide variety of investment structures, including hybrid and complex structures domiciled in jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands and Delaware. Our experience sets us apart having worked in the alternative investment industry through several global economic cycles. In the ever changing legal and regulatory environment, we help our clients stay ahead of the global regulatory curve in mitigating exposure and enhancing compliance. We are committed to providing an exceptional level of service with the ultimate degree of professionalism, integrity and efficiency, utlising our in-depth knowledge, practical approach and commercial experience to facilitate a high level of client satisfaction. For more information, please visit: http://www.athena.ky.

See the original post:

Athena Wins HFM Global's US Award for Best Offshore Governance Firm - Business Wire

Posted in Offshore | Comments Off on Athena Wins HFM Global’s US Award for Best Offshore Governance Firm – Business Wire

The Mental Healthcare Crisis Coming to American Universities – Futurism

Posted: at 1:06 am

Colleges are back in session in the United States and experts arent convinced schools are ready to handle a looming mental health crisis among students.

I am so concerned, Bernadette Melnyk, the Chief Wellness Officer and Dean of the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University, told Futurism. I mean look at the statistics, prior to COVID, of mental health issues in college students. When we are getting 56 percent of students admitting that they feel things are hopeless or 46 percent of them feeling so depressed that its difficult to function? That was before COVID. What are we going to see during and following COVID?

This is a pandemic within a pandemic, Melnyk added.

Many first-year and returning college students recently left their childhood homes for the start of a new academic year. Unless their school is operating online, that means moving into a dorm room and hoping that the deadly pandemic,which is still spreading throughout the nation, doesnt come their way.

Compounding the problem, some college towns have already become COVID-19 hotspots, according to The Verge. And while managing the surge of new coronavirus cases will be a challenge, an oft-overlooked, equally-dire healthcare crisis will likely soon follow: colleges getting overwhelmed as they try to provide mental healthcare to everyone who needs it.

Unfortunately, over 600 American universities still plan to conduct classes primarily or entirely in person as of this articles publication.

These pressures dont exclusively target college students. But undergrads are in a unique position. Many are moving away from home for the first time and navigating a brand new chapter of their lives only now theyre also expected to do so during a deadly pandemic that could affect them, their friends, or their family.

In other words, the dangers of COVID-19 are likely to make an already psychologically-taxing time even worse. Research published this month in the journal JAMA Network Open found that rates of depression have tripled among American adults since the pandemic began. Just over one in four Americans between the ages 18 and 24 have contemplated suicide during the same time period. About a third of graduate students reported signs of anxiety or depression, according to Nature News. The non-profit group United Way recently released research showing how some U.S. states, including Alabama and Texas, have nearly 1,000 residents for each mental healthcare provider. The national average falls at 438.

In light of all that, Melnyk believes that many colleges are unready.

I think some [schools] have good plans, Melnyk said. But Im sure many do not, seriously.

Given the trifecta of increased need, limited access, and the costs of American healthcare, on-campus services may be the only support available to some students. But students told Futurism that in recent semesters, their schools have been woefully under-resourced for the realities of campus mental healthcare.

I tried to make an appointment in November, when I was really needing help, Libby, a recent graduate of Weber State University, told Futurism. I got a call days later from the center, and they said they would be available after winter break, and that I should try again in January. When I tried again, they said their next available appointment was in late March. I had already sought care elsewhere because I was in severe need of psychological and psychiatric evaluation. I had to take on the cost myself because it was relatively urgent and I couldnt wait that long anymore.

Others stuck around for the wait, just to get such ineffective or limited care that the whole exercise felt worthless. Another student told Futurism that she reached out to her schools counseling center because she felt suicidal, but was told she would have to wait weeks before she could make an appointment. When her session finally arrived, she was paired with a psychology graduate student who was so poorly trained that they started crying while the student described her story.

You dont have to look too hard to uncover similar horror stories of students who were unable to get the mental healthcare they needed. Unless schools have really taken steps to improve, its unlikely that theyll be able to care for everyone who needs support during the new semester.

Leandra Peloquin, a mental health case manager at San Francisco State University, handles off-campus counseling referrals for students. Peloquin was optimistic that mental healthcare providers are trying to do everything they can to help students, though she admitted that problems could arise.

I feel we are at the point in society where weve made a lot of technological advances that enable us to connect to our students in different ways. I think our students are flexible. Theyre adaptable, Peloquin said. I think that if the effective efforts are made so that students can connect, can receive the support that they need, that the university will be successful.

She says that she expects mental healthcare to go smoothly at first this year, but that theres the possibility the counseling center gets so many appointment requests that some students will have to wait, even though they always reserve space for any urgent crises.

I think that it can be a struggle, right? Peloquin told Futurism. Just thinking about universities we, for example, we dont have a waitlist right now. Now as the semester gets deeper and deeper in were looking later in the semester we could perhaps have a waitlist if were at capacity. So it really depends on what the need is.

The challenges that university counselors are about to face only amplify existing problems with how mental healthcare is offered. Melnyk has made a career talking to college presidents, counseling centers, and anyone else who could change the system about how the current paradigms focus on crisis management is a major disservice to students.

First of all, we have got to recognize all the findings from research that show that when our students are struggling with mental health issues, their performance, their engagement, is going to be a lot worse, Melnyk said. What universities dont typically do is help their students from the get-go.

Basically, in order for a student to get the counseling they need, they must first suffer, then recognize that they need help, and then make and wait for an appointment. Its no surprise, then, that two of three students who face mental health issues on campus ultimately leave school early.

We live in such a sick healthcare system, Melnyk said. We really do. And weve got to flip that paradigm to wellcare and prevention, which would be so much more beneficial to the population our health outcomes, our academic outcomes, and cost.

But college students, especially first-years, are more likely to face these challenges without the social support network of close friends or family just by virtue of being on campus and away from home, perhaps for the first time.

Holding school entirely online comes with its own set of challenges. Take the University of North Carolina, which was declared a clusterfuck by its own student newspaper. UNC attempted to open in-person and immediately caused a COVID-19 outbreak before pivoting to online education.

Futurism contacted Dr. Allen OBarr, a psychiatrist who serves as director of the UNC counseling center, before the school shut down. By the time we got in touch, UNC had already gone online and OBarr was relieved about it.

Im really glad that we did it, he said. Its safer for all even though I suspect that it will have big financial implications.

Across the board, universities have adapted to the pandemic by offering mental healthcare and counseling remotely, through private video or phone calls. Unfortunately, even then, students can get left behind.

Doctors are licensed to practice at the state level. For telehealth purposes, that means that the practitioner and the patient must be in the same state to have a session without running afoul of the law. So even if a schools counseling center is up and running and has adequately prepared to offer teletherapy, students who live out of state arent allowed to access it.

OBarr told Futurism that he and his team at UNC need to evaluate the laws on a state-by-state basis to see if theyre allowed to help students. At San Francisco State, Peloquin says she and a colleague put together a written guide and, if needed, can hop on the phone to help out-of-state students seek out mental health resources in their area.

Melnyk points to the steps shes taken at Ohio State as a model for the nation. Namely, she says, schools must preemptively promote wellness and preventative care rather than playing whack-a-mole with emergencies.

From freshman year early teach evidence-based techniques that we know are protective against mental health disorders, Melnyk recommends. Like mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral skills building. I look at this as mental resiliency, right? Equipping ourselves with those resiliency skills that we know are protective factors against mental health disorders.

And, in that regard, Melnyk says that students need to step up as best they can.

We cant place this 100 percent on universities. Our students have to take responsibility for their mental health too. They need to make their mental health a priority. They have to engage in healthy habits that we know are good for mental and physical health.

If theres any sort of upshot to all of this, experts tell Futurism, its that we as a society might learn from our mistakes and build a mental healthcare system thats better, more accessible, and more compassionate.

This pandemic has been a great tragedy for many people and it seems it will continue to be for a while, OBarr told Futurism. There is no disregarding the suffering. That said, I believe that it has caused us to sit still long enough to see inequities in our national and global system that privileged individuals could afford to overlook in the pre-pandemic world.

I truly believe that we have a chance to emerge as a better nation and global society if we can find a way to all work together on this, he added.

Melnyk is encouraged that more schools are looking for Chief Wellness Officers or asking her to share her expertise, but these changes especially the paradigm shift she advocates for can take years to implement when faced with institutional barriers and persistent stigmas that surround mental healthcare.

But we have an urgent situation here going on, Melnyk said. Weve got so much research to show that when students dont have good mental health, by golly, their grades arent going to be good. Theyre not going to show up to class, theyre going to slip.

I dont know that people really understand that to the degree they need to understand that.

If you are experiencing suicidal ideation and need help, please call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HELLO to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

See the original post here:
The Mental Healthcare Crisis Coming to American Universities - Futurism

Posted in Futurism | Comments Off on The Mental Healthcare Crisis Coming to American Universities – Futurism

Fugro Wins Offshore India Survey – Rigzone

Posted: at 1:06 am

Fugro reported that it has won a three-year contract from India-based Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Limited (ONGC) to provide integrated survey services. In a written statement emailed to Rigzone, the geo-data firm added the award marks the fourth such contract it has won from ONGC in a row.

Being awarded this multi-year contract for the fourth consecutive time demonstrates the value Fugro has brought to Indian offshore and our clients, remarked Remmelt de Jong, Fugros marine site characterization director in the Middle East and India. We are especially proud of the strong relationship we have forged with ONGC and we intend to maintain the exemplary health and safety record we achieved in the three previous contracts, with no major downtime or zero lost time incidents over the last nine years.

Fugro pointed out that work is underway on the most recent contract, which calls for infield development on Indias east and west coasts. The award recipient noted that survey services include:

The Fugro Mapper geophysical survey vessel is mobilized to perform the surveys in up to 328 feet (100 meters) of water, Fugro also stated. The firm added geo-data results from the engineering surveys will yield seabed and subsea insights that will help ONGC to develop offshore infrastructure.

To contact the author, email mveazey@rigzone.com.

Excerpt from:

Fugro Wins Offshore India Survey - Rigzone

Posted in Offshore | Comments Off on Fugro Wins Offshore India Survey – Rigzone

The Drilldown: NL Confederation Building thronged by offshore-oil workers – iPolitics.ca

Posted: at 1:06 am

The Lead

Hundreds of workers from the oil and gas sector, led by Unifor, crowded Newfoundland and Labradors Confederation Building on Thursday afternoon to demand support for the industry.

The provinces offshore oil and gas association, known as Noia, has spent months lobbying the government for a solution for the floundering industry, as COVID-19 and a global price war have sunk oil prices.

The trickle-down affects more than 20,000 people in this province, if the federal and provincial governments dont act as soon as they can, said Dave Mercer, president of Unifor local 2121.

Mercer said financial help cant come soon enough, and that waiting two to six months isnt an option.

Our members are hurting, said Charlene Johnson, CEO of Noia. Job losses are in the thousands, company closures have occurred, and, right now, I am having a difficult time feeling optimistic about the future of the offshore, but also of Newfoundland and Labrador.CBC News reports.

Internationally

Syria continues to struggle with gasoline shortages after the U.S. imposed a series of sanctions on the country last June. Under the sanctions, foreign companies are prohibited from trading with Syria, which has hurt many of the countrys imports.

The tightening of the American siege, and their barring of imports from arriving, forced us to reduce distribution of gasoline by 35 per cent, said Bassam Touma, Syrias oil minister.

Oil production collapsed after the country lost most of its oilfields to the Syrian Kurds, whom the U.S. support. The Kurds continue to sell some of the oil to Syria. Making things worse for the country, its largest refinery is undergoing maintenance work thats expected to last another 10 days. Once completed, the countrys capacity will rise by 25 per cent.

Private vehicles have been limited to a supply of 30 litres of gasoline every four days, and drivers must wait in line at gas stations for several hours, according to residents. Reuters reports.

Meanwhile, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies will be holding a video conference today to discuss members compliance with cuts to output. No changes are expected to the current reduction target of 7.7 million barrels per day. However, the panel is expected to push members, including the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Nigeria, to commit to larger cuts to output to make up for overproduction.

Reuters has more.

On Thursday at 7:58 a.m., West Texas Intermediate was trading at US$39.87 and Brent Crude was going for US$42.02.

In Canada

The Yukon government revealed a new climate strategy at the start of the week. Its goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent in the next decade. The plan will include intensity targets for mining companies to encourage efficiencies within their processes.

This new approach skirts the issues, according to the Yukon Conservation Society, because instead of encouraging an overall reduction in emissions, it suggests that mines merely need to become more efficient. Mining analyst Lewis Rifkind said these efficiency targets may not reduce overall emissions, because efficient mines can still turn out a significant quantity of emissions.

One big mine could ruin everything, if it goes to a fossil-fuel-generated electrical supply, Rifkind said. CBC News has more.

In other news, Frog Lake Cree Nation has signed a letter of intent to join the Western Indigenous Pipeline Group (WIPG), which was created to promote Indigenous groups and their goal of buying a majority stake in the Trans Mountain pipeline.

The WIPG is made up of 66 Indigenous title- and rights-holding nations, who are all affected by either the Trans Mountain pipeline or the lines expansion project. The Calgary Herald has more.

Canadian Crude Index was trading at US$28.13 and Western Canadian Select had risen by 7.68 per cent or US$2.33 and was going for US$32.66 this morning at 7:58 a.m.

Noteworthy

This story was last updated on Sept. 17 at 3:41 p.m.

More from iPolitics

Read the rest here:

The Drilldown: NL Confederation Building thronged by offshore-oil workers - iPolitics.ca

Posted in Offshore | Comments Off on The Drilldown: NL Confederation Building thronged by offshore-oil workers – iPolitics.ca

NOIA Reveals Offshore Safety Award Winners – Rigzone

Posted: at 1:06 am

The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) reported Wednesday that its Safety in Seas (SIS) award recipients for 2020 are Danos and Oceaneering (NYSE: OII).

An independent panel of judges from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and an industry safety consultant evaluated the award-winning entries, NOIA noted in a written statement emailed to Rigzone. The organization, which has held the SIS competition since 1978, pointed out that Danos won the SIS Safety Practice Award and Oceaneering the SIS Culture of Safety Award. Thirteen companies submitted 14 applications for the two SIS award categories, NOIA added.

The congratulations to Oceaneering and Danos is well-earned, remarked NOIA President Erik Milito. Safety is a core value of the offshore industry, and Oceaneering and Danos exemplify this dedication to keeping workers and the environment safe.

According to NOIA, the Safety Practice Award highlights specific technologies, approaches, methods or projects with direct and demonstrable impacts on improving safety. In contrast, the Culture of Safety Award honors overall organizational immersion in and commitment to safety, which has resulted in remarkable, measurable and sustained safety performance over a prolonged period of time, added NOIA.

We are honored to have won NOIAs 2020 Safety Practice Award for our Liberty E-ROV resident subsea vehicle, commented Oceaneering President and CEO Rod Larson. The Liberty vehicle is remote controlled from shore, which means ROV pilots and other related personnel do not need to be physically present at offshore installations, taking workers out of harms way. The vehicles battery-operated power supply coupled with its ability to conduct missions without a dedicated vessel ensures that the industry can further reduce its environmental footprint.

NOIA pointed out that Danos garnered the Culture of Safety Award for implementing behavior-based safety programs and innovations. The organization explained that Danos has used virtual reality to enhance worker training and augmented reality to improve work processes. In addition, it stated that Danos employees recorded a Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 0.11 a company best while logging a record 8.9 million man-hours 35 percent greater than the previous high.

We have been developing our safety program and culture for 73 years, said Danos Owner Executive Paul Danos. While our company has grown, and our service offerings have evolved, one thing that has remained constant is putting people and their safety first. Our safety team is second to none, but every Danos employee plays a role in contributing to our safety culture on a daily basis.

To contact the author, email mveazey@rigzone.com.

Here is the original post:

NOIA Reveals Offshore Safety Award Winners - Rigzone

Posted in Offshore | Comments Off on NOIA Reveals Offshore Safety Award Winners – Rigzone

Stores In Japan Are Stocking Shelves With Remote-Controlled Robots – Futurism

Posted: at 1:06 am

Robot Underlords

Two major convenience store franchises in Japan are testing out robots capable of stocking shelves using two creepy hands with three fingers each, CNN reports.

The seven-foot is called Model-T, named after the Ford automobile that triggered a car revolution in the early 1900s, and was developed by Japanese startup Telexistence. During a pilot program, it was controlled by a pilot in an office miles away.

It is able to grasp, or pick and place, objects of several different shapes and sizes into different locations, Matt Komatsu, head of business development and operations at Telexistence, told CNN.

That makes it more nimble and mobile than the robots used by Walmart to scan shelves for inventory, according to its inventors.

The goal is to allow a single human to work at multiple stores, a solution for possible labor shortages. Japan also has a rapidly aging population with fewer able-bodied people ready to take on such jobs.

The Model T is controlled by a human wearing a virtual reality headset and special gloves. A microphone and headphones even allow for communication with nearby shoppers.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic ended up accelerating development of the Model T as such a technology could end up reducing human-to-human contact. According to CNN, Telexistence saw an uptick in interest over the last couple of months.

READ MORE: Seven-foot robots are stacking shelves in Tokyo convenience stores [CNN]

More on robotic workers: Walmart Employees Hate Their New Robot Coworkers

More:
Stores In Japan Are Stocking Shelves With Remote-Controlled Robots - Futurism

Posted in Futurism | Comments Off on Stores In Japan Are Stocking Shelves With Remote-Controlled Robots – Futurism

Fast-rescue craft fire onboard offshore vessel being investigated – The Journal Pioneer

Posted: at 1:06 am

Equinor Canada Ltd. reported Wednesday a fire had occurred earlier that morning on the fast-rescue craft onboard the vessel Siem Diamond, which was on standby at the time to theTransocean Barents in Newfoundlands offshore.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (CNLOPB) stated in a news release that all personnel safely mustered and there were no injuries, and all personnel were accounted for. The fire team quickly extinguished the fire, but the fast-rescue craft received extensive damage.

There were no reports of other damage or impairments to the vessel.

As the fast-rescue craft on the standby vesselSiem Diamondwas unavailable for use, all planned helicopter flights and other non-critical operations on board theTransocean Barentswere temporarily suspended. A replacement standby vessel was deployed to the rig location and has assumed standby duties.

TheTransocean Barentshas resumed operations.

The CNLOPB is monitoring Equinors investigation of the incident.

telegram@thetelegram.com

Read the original:

Fast-rescue craft fire onboard offshore vessel being investigated - The Journal Pioneer

Posted in Offshore | Comments Off on Fast-rescue craft fire onboard offshore vessel being investigated – The Journal Pioneer

Bay Area Air Quality Improves, Thanks to Offshore System – NBC Bay Area

Posted: at 1:06 am

People in the Bay Area were likely breathing a litter easier Wednesday morning as air quality improved thanks to an offshore weather system pushing wildfire smoke out of the region.

Experts, however, continue to be leery of more smoke possibly entering the Bay Area. The one caveat, according to the National Weather Service, will be near the Dolan Fire in Big Sur, where southwest winds aloft will continue to push smoke towards Salinas, into the South Bay and portions of the East Bay.

But most of that smoke should remain aloft, the weather service said.

Karis Forecast: Warm with Blue Skies Meteorologist Kari Hall has an update on the improving air quality and a warm day ahead.

There was visibly less smoke and at times some blue sky in parts of the region Tuesday thanks to increased winds, and by Wednesday morning, air quality levels were in the green across most of the region.

The improving conditions Tuesday inspired Sue Sellers to take a bike ride in Campbell.

"Compared to last week, its so much better," she said. "Last week was just gruesome."

While air quality readings are inching closer to the green or "Good" range, Kaiser Permanente pulmonologist Dr. Thomas Dailey said the current conditions still pose a risk to people's health.

"So where a few days ago exercising outdoors would have been maybe the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, today exercising outdoors would be similar to smoking a half a pack of cigarettes a day," he said. "Its still a problem."

Dailey said people shouldn't work out outdoors Tuesday and Wednesday, which will be the 30th consecutive Spare the Air alert day in the Bay Area.

"It compounds the issue that day after day after day we're exposed to this terrible air quality," he said. "These are particulates that get into our lungs and cause inflammation in our lungs. It tends to exacerbate preexisting lung conditions."

When air quality readings return to the "Good" range is when people can open their windows and go outside for extended periods of time, Dailey said.

Go here to read the rest:

Bay Area Air Quality Improves, Thanks to Offshore System - NBC Bay Area

Posted in Offshore | Comments Off on Bay Area Air Quality Improves, Thanks to Offshore System – NBC Bay Area