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Weekly Tech Recap - № 164 - Daisy robot, Google Maps, Ikea chair assembling, Azure Sphere, zinc battery

April 20, 2018.

Daisy, the iPhone-recycling Robot

Daisy robot.

Daisy robot.

Daisy Robot. © Apple.

To mark Earth Day, Apple has introduced Daisy, a new robot that disassembles old iPhones, making it easier to re-use and recycle their parts. Housed in an Apple factory in Austin, Texas, Daisy replaces her predecessor Liam, and uses certain components from the old machine. The robot is able to take apart nine different versions of the iPhone, and can process up to 200 iPhones per hour, in contrast with Liam, who was limited to just the iPhone 6.

In addition to Daisy, Apple has also announced a temporary program called GiveBack, which allows customers to return their devices in stores or on Apple.com to be recycled. For each device that’s received until April 30th, Apple will make a donation to Conservation International, a non-profit organization that works to protect the environment, and you can receive a gift certificate if the hardware is recent (up to $315 US for a phone and $1,000 US for a desktop computer.) Unfortunately, it seems the program is only available for those in the United States.

CNET, “Apple unveils ‘Daisy’ iPhone recycling robot for Earth Day.”

 

Make a right turn after Mickey Dees

Google Maps.

Google Maps. © Google.

When giving directions, we often use landmark buildings and businesses: “You’ll be taking a left after the pharmacy,” “Take a right just after McDonalds,” “Once you get to the church, stick to the left,” etc. Google Maps has decided to test this way of doing things and users have been surprised by messages like “Turn right after the Burger King,” instead of the usual, “In 100 metres, turn right.” It’s definitely more natural and personal and seems like it would be more efficient; instead of calculating distances, you just wait for a visual landmark that’s really hard to miss. Some people have wondered if this is covert advertising paid for by fast food chains, but that’s not it, it’s just that there are so many of these kind of restaurants on North American roads. For now, it seems like only a small segment of Google Map users around New York City will be able to use it. Google has confirmed that it’s being tested.

Engadget, “Google Maps uses landmarks to provide natural-sounding directions.”

 

Assemble an Ikea chair, no swearing involved

Denso arms.

Denso arms. © Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

There are two kinds of people: those who love putting together Ikea furniture and derive a sense of pride and satisfaction from it, and those who absolutely hate it and find it a stressful, unnecessarily challenging experience. Now, thanks to Singaporean robotics researchers, we can add a third type: robots, who are very patient and don’t think (yet). As a result, you’ll need two robotic arms to assemble a Stefan pine chair ($25) in about twenty minutes, half of which is spent identifying the various pieces. It’s reassuring to know that robots, too, sometimes encounter setbacks. In the second video, it’s almost enough to make you take pity on them: the arm that drops one of those annoying little wooden pegs seems almost despondent.

IEEE Spectrum, “Robots continue attempting to master Ikea furniture assembly.”

 

Microsoft system, Linux heart

Microsoft. Mountain View, California.

Mountain View, California. © iStock.

Microsoft has introduced Azure Sphere, a new solution to create connected objects. It’s made up of three main components: microcontrollers (MCUs) which integrate Microsoft security technology (Pluton sub-system), Azure Sphere Security Service, a dedicated cloud service, and Azure Sphere OS which, interestingly, is based on the Linux kernel, a significant first for the Redmond group. Security is a big problem for IoT solutions, meaning that Microsoft’s proposal may appeal to developers of connected objects. The microcontrollers are custom designed by Microsoft Research and approved manufacturers don’t have to pay any royalties. The first Azure Sphere chip, the MediaTek MT3620, will be available soon.

Microsoft Azure, “Introducing Microsoft Azure Sphere: Secure and power the intelligent edge.”

 

Zinc and water battery promises lots of talk time, no explosions

Ore of zinc.

Sphalerite (ore of zinc). © iStock.

Researchers at the University of Maryland, with the US Army Research Laboratory and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, have unveiled a new zinc and water “aqueous zinc” battery that combines the best properties of zinc and lithium ion batteries. The result is a battery with a long life, that won’t degrade over time, and that’s also not at risk of exploding. These batteries may be used in future consumer electronics, or in extreme conditions, such as in vehicles in military operations or in deep-sea environments, where an exploding battery could have disastrous consequences.

CNET, “Super-safe zinc battery tech could rival lithium ion in phones.”