JTW Digest, April 17, 2024

Author

Eldar Syzdykov
April 17, 2024

Seed-Sowing Robot Developed to Reduce Labor in Rice Farming

A company in collaboration with Nobeoka City has unveiled a new seed-sowing robot, called "Raicho No. 1," aimed at reducing labor in rice cultivation. The key points are:

1. The robot can sow over 1 kg of rice seeds into rice fields using remote control or automated control, addressing issues with previous drone-based seeding methods that required skilled personnel.

2. In the future, multiple robots will be able to work together to sow seeds over a wider area of rice fields. The company also plans to incorporate weed suppression machines into the system.

3. The goal is to create a "light-hearted" style of agriculture where people can easily participate, even as a side job. The company is also developing robots for plowing rice fields.

4. The new seed-sowing robot is part of the company's efforts to develop a labor-saving and sustainable rice cultivation system.

The release of this seed-sowing robot demonstrates the ongoing technological advancements in agriculture aimed at reducing the labor burden and making rice farming more accessible.

ABLIC, Toshiba Digital, and ifLink Develop Affordable Water Leak Detection Solution with Battery-Less Sensors

ABLIC, Toshiba Digital Solutions, and the ifLink Open Community have developed a new water leak detection system that leverages battery-less sensors and smartphone-based monitoring. The key points are:

1. The system combines ABLIC's "CLEAN-Boost" technology, which generates electricity from water absorption, with an IoT application that runs on a smartphone.

2. The "Travel detection type water leak detection solution" uses ribbon-shaped sensors attached to pipes, walls, and floors that generate a Bluetooth signal when they detect water leaks.

3. The smartphone-based system is easier to implement than conventional stationary receiver-based systems, with an initial cost that can be less than half the conventional methods.

4. The sensor units are available for a fee, but the wireless tags and the ifLink licensing fees are provided free of charge during the initial trial period.

5. The collaboration between ABLIC's battery-less sensor technology and Toshiba's ifLink platform allows them to leverage their respective strengths to create an affordable and accessible water leak detection solution.

This new water leak detection system demonstrates how the integration of emerging technologies can lead to more cost-effective and user-friendly solutions for building maintenance and management.

Nagasaki University and INFLUX Develop Underwater Drone "Aqualemona" for Accurate 3D Mapping of Seaweed Beds, Boosting Blue Carbon Potential

Nagasaki University's Marine Future Innovation Institute and Graduate School of Engineering have collaborated with INFLUX, a renewable energy infrastructure company, to develop a next-generation underwater drone called "Aqualemona." The key points are:

1. Aqualemona is equipped with features like stereo cameras, distance measurement using sound waves, and planar control using optical flow technology, allowing it to create highly accurate 3D maps of seaweed beds unaffected by tidal currents.

2. This capability enables precise measurement of the height and volume of seaweed, which is crucial for accurately calculating the amount of CO2 absorbed by seaweed (blue carbon).

3. The improved precision in measuring blue carbon has significant implications for the blue carbon credit market, as it can accelerate the development of sustainable marine businesses and regional revitalization.

4. The successful 3D mapping of seaweed beds using Aqualemona is seen as a major step forward in seaweed research, seabed surveys, and the conservation of marine ecosystems.

5. The collaboration between Nagasaki University and INFLUX aims to further develop advanced underwater robots and contribute to improving the environment surrounding the fishing industry, which has been increasingly challenging in recent years.

This innovative underwater drone technology represents a significant advancement in the ability to quantify and protect blue carbon, with the potential to drive the growth of the blue economy.

Ability Develops Hydrogen-Powered Electric Assist Bicycle with Easily Replaceable Cartridges

Ability, a venture company headquartered in Nagoya, has developed a prototype electric assist bicycle that generates electricity using hydrogen. The key features are:

1. The bicycle uses a fuel cell battery, with the electricity generated from hydrogen supplied by replaceable "hydrogen cartridges."

2. The hydrogen cartridges can be replaced as easily as standard dry cell batteries, without the need for high-pressure storage.

3. On a single hydrogen cartridge, the bicycle can achieve a cruising range of approximately 50 km.

4. The ease of use of the hydrogen cartridges is cited as the biggest advantage, allowing anyone to use the system anytime and anywhere.

5. The company aims to quickly implement this technology in society and accelerate its business development.

This hydrogen-powered electric bicycle represents an innovative approach to providing clean, easily accessible power for personal mobility. The simple cartridge replacement system could make hydrogen-based transportation more user-friendly and widesprea7.