Experts call for international ban on autonomous weapons
Over 100 roboticists and artificial intelligence experts have called for an international ban on lethal autonomous weapons systems. The call – made at the start of the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI 2017) in Melbourne – has been endorsed in a letter signed by the founders of 116 robotics and AI companies who are concerned about their technologies being repurposed to into autonomous weapons that select and engage targets without human intervention. Read more...
Sports car firm agrees £30m driverless vehicle deal with South Korea
UK sportscar manufacturer, Westfield has secured a deal worth up to £30m to export self-driving vehicles to South Korea. South Korea has ordered five of the autonomous electric pods for initial testing, with a further option on 195 – image courtesy of Westfield Sportscars. A South Korean province has ordered five of the electric driverless pods for initial testing, with a further option on 195. The project could provide millions of pounds worth of business for UK companies, including the Dudley-based Westfield Sportscars. Read more...
Brexit drives demand for UK suppliers
A survey of supply chain managers showed that Brexit concerns mean 37% of procurement professionals in the manufacturing sector are looking for UK suppliers. The survey carried out for the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) asked 2,111 supply chain managers from around the world about their views and reactions towards Brexit. The survey included 904 UK businesses with European supply chains and 117 European businesses with UK supply chains. Read more...
IET sets out to clarify the complex energy sector with new paper
The IET has published a new energy insight briefing that explores the key developments taking place across the sector, the factors that are enabling these changes and how the UK energy sector can be fit for purpose. 'An Overview of Britain’s Changing Energy Sector’ gives a run through of the main energy sectors, divided into three categories – electricity, combustible substances and heat carrying substances – with each section summarising their evolution over time, their key characteristics today and providing a forward outlook. Read more...
Scientists want to make plastics in space from recycled human waste
Astronauts could turn their bodily waste into useful plastics on long-distance space journeys, say scientists. “If astronauts are going to make journeys that span several years, we'll need to find a way to reuse and recycle everything they bring with them,” said Mark A. Blenner, an assistant professor at Clemson University, South Carolina. He and his team are studying ways of repurposing waste molecules from breathing, eating and using materials, and converting them into products the astronauts might need, such as polyesters and nutrients. Read more...
Engineering company to invest £2.5m in Hykeham move and expansion
Specialist laser-cutting, computerised machining and folding firm Lincoln Precision Engineering has become the first company to take space at Discovery Park in North Hykeham, investing around £2.5 million in the move and new equipment. The relocation to the park on Whisby Road is expected to pave the way for a number of new jobs, joining the firm’s 25 employees.Some £1.5 million is being spent on the move to purpose-built premises on the new business park, where it will also install new laser and folding equipment. Read more...