Month: September 2015

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Volkswagen Group appoints new CEO in wake of #VWgate – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

As you may have heard, Volkswagen has been experiencing the repercussions of a minor work snafu over some diesel emission test fudging, the immediate upshot of which is that a lot of Bavarian bigwigs have been given the heave-ho, including CEO Martin Winterkorn. In comes 62-year-old Porsche chief Matthias Mueller in his place, as the company struggles to recover from the scandal over its rigging of US vehicle emissions tests and save 72,000 German jobs at its famous Wolfsburg plant. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Volkswagen Group appoints new CEO in wake of #VWgate – an annotated infographic

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How to cheat at emissions tests the #VWGate way – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

As we all know by now, Volkswagen has got itself in to a little hot water (hot CO2?) with the EPA in America, with the revelation that it has been fudging the emissions tests for its diesel vehicles. How does this happen? Vehicle certification requires new car models to go for a 20-minute simulated drive on a “rolling road” while hooked up to test equipment. The car’s computer then quietly optimises the engine performance to run cleanest during the test. E&T news has been reporting on the latest VW-gate news, including the likelihood that more car manufacturers are involved in … Continue reading How to cheat at emissions tests the #VWGate way – an annotated infographic

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E&T news weekly #63 – we choose our favourite engineering and technology news stories from the week

E&T magazine

Friday September 25 2015  Dickon Ross, editor in chief Smart lighting installation to be revealed in Scotland We work on powerful computers, keep up with the world through our smartphones and drive home in cars chock full of sophisticated electronics to our homes where we interact with smart TVs and consoles. Yet we do these things with the help of lighting which has the sophisticated functionality that you can turn it on, you can turn it off again or, if you’re lucky, you can turn it up or down. For those who live and work indoors, we use lighting most … Continue reading E&T news weekly #63 – we choose our favourite engineering and technology news stories from the week

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Norway aerospace company plans test flight of hybrid rocket propulsion system – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

Norway-based aerospace company Nammo plans to conduct the first test flight in 2016 of a hybrid rocket propulsion system aimed at powering a low-cost, next-generation orbital launch system. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Norway aerospace company plans test flight of hybrid rocket propulsion system – an annotated infographic

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E&T news weekly #62 – we choose our favourite engineering and technology news stories from the week

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Friday September 18 2015  Lorna Sharpe, sub-editor Network of ‘droneports’ proposed to supply Africa This is an ambitious idea that sounds as if it could really work. Only a third of Africans live within 2km of an all-season road, but a cargo network based on unmanned aircraft would make it much easier to deliver urgent supplies such as medicines or spare parts. The plan unveiled by the eminent architect Lord Foster is to set up ‘droneports’, initially in Rwanda, built to a standard design by local people using local materials. Commercial cargo and e-commerce services would subsidise transport of medical … Continue reading E&T news weekly #62 – we choose our favourite engineering and technology news stories from the week

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#BattleofBritain 75th anniversary – key dates, fighter plane details, statistics – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, one of the most decisive clashes of World War II, when a handful of Royal Air Force pilots fought in the skies over southern England to defeat Germany’s mighty Luftwaffe squadrons and foil Adolf Hitler’s invasion plans. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading #BattleofBritain 75th anniversary – key dates, fighter plane details, statistics – an annotated infographic

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New issue of E&T now online – Countdown to the #ISS – exclusive interview with @astro_timpeake

E&T magazine

The new issue of E&T magazine is now available online: Countdown to the ISS. British astronaut Tim Peake talks to E&T about his imminent mission to the International Space Station. A visit to the Brutalist concrete high-rise in Marseilles that represents Le Corbusier‘s ‘machine for living’. How a scientific scandal laid the foundations for Argentina’s success in nuclear physics. Controversial cyborg pioneer Kevin Warwick is still fighting the corner for robotics research. And much more besides. Blast off. Continue reading New issue of E&T now online – Countdown to the #ISS – exclusive interview with @astro_timpeake

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E&T news weekly #61 – we choose our favourite engineering and technology news stories from the week

E&T magazine

Friday September 11 2015  Rebecca Northfield, assistant features editor Smartphone obsession on the rise for Brits, study reveals According to the Deloitte Mobile Consumer report, more and more Britons reach for their smartphone when they wake up and check it up to 50 times a day. I hate to admit this, but I think I am one of those people. My smartphone is ingrained into my life and it just has to be within reach, otherwise I feel I’d be missing out on something. If I’m in the living room and my phone is upstairs, I feel a wee bit … Continue reading E&T news weekly #61 – we choose our favourite engineering and technology news stories from the week

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China unveils Rainbow 5 mega killer #drone design – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

China has conducted the first test flight of its largest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to date, named CH-5 or Rainbow 5 (really?). The style and design of Rainbow 5 bears more than a passing resemblance to the US Reaper drone. Cute name, familiar design, it’s still an automated killing machine. All together now: Up above the streets and houses, Rainbow climbing high… Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading China unveils Rainbow 5 mega killer #drone design – an annotated infographic

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Starfish-killing robot to save the Great Barrier Reef – yes, you read that correctly – an annotated infographic

E&T magazine

An autonomous robot designed to search for the invasive crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) and give them a lethal injection of salt, is to be deployed on the Great Barrier Reef. COTS, which prey on coral, have destroyed up to 40 per cent of the reef over the last 30 years. Robots, salt, BAM! Take that, COTS! E&T news covered this starfish-killing robot story in more detail. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Starfish-killing robot to save the Great Barrier Reef – yes, you read that correctly – an annotated infographic