Automatic Fire Extinguishing Robot

Background History

As the robotics continues rapid growth in all industries, their use to extinguish fires emerges as a feasible option. Even in the age where technology has impacted almost every profession, firefighting continues to be one of the most dangerous jobs. On a daily basis, they risk their lives to save the lives of others. Robots could solve this problem and limit the number of deaths from fires.

How It Works

The usage of the robot depends on its application.

Autonomous - Numerous sensors check for certain atmospheric factors like smoke and temperature. One a certain threshold is reached, the robot is deployed to fight the fire using either water or a carbon dioxide nitrogen blend (used in typical fire extinguishers).

Human-deployed - A human (typically a firefighter) deploys the robot in a situation where either the scene is unsafe for human entrance, or where extra assistance is required. These robots cost less as they require fewer sensors than the autonomous fire extinguishing robot.

Impacts/Future Growth

As fires become more dangerous due to the increased popularity of dangerous flammable material like natural gas, the solution of robotic fire extinguishers becomes more viable. The recent growth of the robotics industry means that the technology is not far from wide-spread use. 

Pros

• Autonomous robots able to sense fire without human interaction
• Human-deployed able to assist firefighters in dangerous situations

Cons

• Sensors and other features of robot result in a large cost
• Technology if not fully developed yet

Works Cited

Rastogi, Neha. “Automatic Fire Extinguishing Robot Without Manual Control.” Autonomous Fire Extinguisher Robot | EngineersGarage, 22 Aug. 2017, www.engineersgarage.com/contribution/automatic-fire-extinguishing-robot-without-manual-control.

Richardson, Robert, et al. “Automated Fire Fighting Robot.” School of Engineering, 2013, engineering.tcnj.edu/2013/02/26/automated-fire-fighting-robot/.

Sampath, Swetha. “Automatic Fire Extinguisher Robot.” IEEE Conference Publication, 26 Nov. 2011, ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6145964.

Multimedia

https://www.elprocus.com/projects-on-fire-fighting-robotic-vehicle/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP9XPk00sIE

https://www.engineersgarage.com/contribution/automatic-fire-extinguishing-robot-without-manual-control

Noise-Canceling Devices

Background History

Trains, cars, and airplanes: how great they are for transportation, and how bad they are for a quality listening experience. Whether its some older music or the newest podcasts, earbuds and headphones are used by the masses. The problem occurs when outside noises interfere with the audio, creating a poor user experience. That's where noise canceling devices come into play. They use innovative technology to limit outside noises and focus on the desired audio.

How it Works

A small microphone is placed on the outside of the headphone or earbud, which listening to the external sound. Noise-canceling circuitry then creates a replica of the wave and sents it out of the headphones, limiting the majority of the noise. Sometimes the circuitry can catch parts of audio being transmitted inside the headphones, which can take away from the user experience.

Impacts/Future Outlook

As headphones continue to grow in popularity, so does the market of noise-canceling devices. Consumers are willing to pay a heftier price to get the quality of noise reduction. As the technology is further developed, it can be expected for the quality of noise reduction to improve closer to a noise-less device, and one that is dramatically less in cost.

Pros

• Limits outside noise from the ears of the user

Cons

• Cost more than typical headphones/earbuds
• Use battery (typical headphones/earbuds rely on phone/device power)
• Lower quality devices can lower the quality of sound coming from the device

Works Cited

Harris, William. “How Noise-Canceling Headphones Work.” HowStuffWorks, HowStuffWorks, 15 Feb. 2007, electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/audio-music/noise-canceling-headphone3.htm.

“How Do Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones Work?” How Do Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones Work? || Audio-Technica US, www.audio-technica.com/cms/features/b3ef06fca462fcad/index.html.

“How Do Noise Cancelling Headphones Work: A Simple Explanation of the Physics of Sound.” Phiaton, 14 July 2018, phiaton.com/how-do-noise-cancelling-headphones-work-a-simple-explanation-of-the-physics-of-sound/.

Multimedia

https://www.jbl.com/dw/image/v2/AAUJ_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/SitesmasterCatalog_Harmandefault/dw43c164ca/JBL%20Everest_Elite_750NC_Blue_Hero_1605x1605px.jpgsw=270&sh=330&sm=fit&sfrm=png

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7D_pnaexG0

https://i.amz.mshcdn.com/7vwPyyifJVhNC_SEwtOJdsHpPcI=/fit-in/1200x9600/http%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F11%2Factive-noise-cancellation.jpg

Self-driving Cars For Rural Areas

Background History

As self-driving cars begin to become reality with each coming year, new challenges also begin to emerge. These issues include safety, equity, environmental impacts, and other problems that slow their fast-paced emergence. Among these challenges include rural areas, which are not electronically mapped for self-driving cars.

How It Works

Typical self-driving cars are based of pre-made maps specifically designed for autonomous vehicles. These maps are perfect for highly populated cities where high traffic areas can be tracked to make small changes to each element in the map. Although these may seem perfect, they are far from it as they are very tedious to make and are not cost effective. That's when a group MIT researches decided to set off to conquer the challenge of a descriptive map-less self-driving vehicle. They used numerous sensor to collect data in order to not have to rely on a map.

Impacts/Future Growth

As the area of self-driving cars continues to rapidly grow, expect the area of rural autonomous vehicles to also succeed. The technology can allow drivers to do other tasks with their time instead of driving. 

Pros

• Can help drivers save time
• Can help prevent crashes
• Can be used in other applications (autonomous tractors, airplanes, and drones)

Cons

• Not yet fully developed
• Sensors add extra cost to cars
• Can in some cases be less safer than a human driver

Works Cited

CSAIL, Rachel Gordon |. “Self-Driving Cars for Country Roads.” MIT News, 7 May 2018, news.mit.edu/2018/self-driving-cars-for-country-roads-mit-csail-0507.

Hawkins, Andrew J. “MIT Built a Self-Driving Car That Can Navigate Unmapped Country Roads.” The Verge, The Verge, 13 May 2018, www.theverge.com/2018/5/13/17340494/mit-self-driving-car-unmapped-country-rural-road.

“Self-Driving Cars Explained.” Union of Concerned Scientists, www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/how-self-driving-cars-work#.W7f4ZWhKhPY.

Multimedia

https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2018/01/paul-priestman-priestmangoode-autonomous-vehicles-self-driving-cars-exacerbate-congestion-drones-transport-virtual-reality_dezeen_2364_hero_0-852x479.jpg

https://www.machinedesign.com/motion-control/saved-sensor-vehicle-awareness-self-driving-age

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toSVe-duN_E