Sci-Tech Innovation: Robots Compete in Mock Disaster-Response Scenarios at Eurathlon

Roboticists are vying in Europe this week to prove their superiority at blasting device disposal and other unsafe jobs, but the teams are not comprised of infantry or emergency response staff. Instead, unmanned autonomous vehicles and their human operators have accumulated in Berchtesgaden, Germany at the first ever Eurathlon, a affray and conference conceived to impel discovery in intelligent robots that perform jobs that are too risky for humans.

The five mock disaster-response scenarios are motivated by the requiring conclusions and needs of the 2011 Fukushima catastrophe. In supplement to blasting device removal, teams can furthermore compete in scenarios checking reconnaissance and surveillance in built-up organisations, wireless manipulation, seek and rescue in a smoke-filled underground area, and autonomous navigation. Some of the jobs are seemingly amateur or mundane, for demonstration, wireless manipulation for handling hazardous material needs the robot to examine containers, close faucets, and move objects, yet these easy jobs are wholeheartedly critical in an autonomous mission.

Vehicles can contend in three distinct classifications, founded on their level of autonomy and can be supported by the vehicle’s isolated operator and an on-site technical assistant, with human aid acquiring a tally deduction. Some trials are widespread all through all the scenarios and comprise real-life obstacles for UAVs: reduced lightweight, shut doors, need of GPS signal underground, identification of objects of interest, tough terrain, and navigating stairs and obstacles in motion.

groups were step-by-step granted more signs as to what a scenario would entail, including images of equipment, positions, and obstacles. For example, in the blasting device disposal scenario, groups were suggested that their vehicle would need find bombs in three positions: concealed down a stairway and interior something needing an X-ray; interred out-of-doors and needing cutting into; and inside a luggage locker and potentially booby-trapped.

Winners have been very resolute already for some of the scenarios. Though groups weren’t needed to contend in every happening, two German-based robots put in multiple events: PackBot EOD 510 comprising the firm ELP and telemax from the firm telerob.

Germany at the first ever Eurathlon, a affray and conference conceived to impel discovery in intelligent robots that present tasks that are too dodgy for humans.

Eurathlon is open to investigators, commerce professionals, and end users with the goal of carrying connection about the conceive constraints of each group.The affray has been held concurrently with workshops and displays, and ends tomorrow, September 27. Next year the affray is set to focus on ocean founded vehicles, and a combined land, ocean and air happening is planned for 2015.

From: Science & Technology World

SharePoint 2007 Database Migration process

My client was in a position where the entire SharePoint database needed to migrate to a new server or a larger drive. The system drive  was completely full. We had to come up with a solution to move all the data and minimize and potential data loss.

The first step is to use SQL management studio to ensure you have a good back up of all your databases. Once this is done you can easily restore database if need be.

Additionally, to ensure no users are trying to access SharePoint databases, stop all Windows SharePoint services using run  and service.msc. Also all of the application pools should be stopped along with SharePoint web sites in Internet Information Services.

The next step that has to be completed prior to moving databases, taking databases off line and detaching prior to any move sequence. Open SQL management studio and select the database you need to take off line.  (You want to make sure no users are on SharePoint).  Right click database and select detach and drop.

The last step is to physically move the database to a larger drive or another SQL server. This can be accomplished by copying data or restoring to new location.  Repeat step by attaching databases and restarting all SharePoint services and Internet Information Services web site.  Project complete along with happy client.

Wild Ride Technology Forrest

We are now in fall of 2012 and getting close to snow boarding season. I have been giving some thought to getting some new snow boarding gear!  The other night I went out to dinner with the family and did some shopping in the South Shore mall.

We went to North-face to check out snowboarding pants and video cameras. I always thought North-face gear was nice but  kind of expensive. I checked out the snowboarding pants and they seem reasonably priced around $250.   I checked out the Go-pro  video camera and think there pretty cool. After browsing for a little while, we decided to leave. 

While outside the store, I notice the increasingly popular bar code on the entrance window.  I promptly down load Bakodo bar code reader  from App store and  scanned the bar code. I then down loaded The North Face mobile application to my Iphone. I can now easily review all the snow boarding pants, check price,  and user reviews.

I find it amazing how far technology has come.  I plan on purchasing some cool new snow boarding pants and a mobile camera to document my Wild Ride through the technology Forrest. Make each run your best!