🤖 China's human-like robot, Chernobyl disaster, Belgium's energy island

The era of humanoid robots seems to flourish, with new models being developed and trained at exceptional speeds. Another Chinese firm making advanced strides in this realm is Astribot.

In a video released by the firm, its humanoid S1 is seen doing household tasks at an unprecedented pace, which marks a significant advancement for a robot. For more on S1, don’t miss out on today’s Must-Read.

🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on jobs.interestingengineering.com:

> Satellite Communications Engineer SME ($130,509 - $178,000 a year)
> Engineer ($120,000 - $130,000 a year)

🎙 New podcast  Redefining astronomy with smart telescopes

Reading Time: 4 mins

Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? Subscribe here.

MUST READ

🤖 China’s S1 robot impresses with its ‘human-like’ speed and precision

Astribot’s website claims it started operation in 2022 and took a year to develop its first humanoid robot, S1. The company claims that S1 is an advanced product “closest to human operating performance.”

Utilizing imitation learning, the S1 robot can execute a myriad of intricate tasks beneficial to humans, mirroring the operational speed and adaptability of adults. Astribot claims that the S1 is currently undergoing rigorous testing with large models and is slated for commercial release in 2024.

A video depicts the demonstrated speed of S1, which is truly impressive. The pace is adept enough to smoothly pull a tablecloth from beneath a stack of wine glasses without causing them to topple.

☢️ Radioactive Chernobyl is a wildlife haven after 38 years of nuclear disaster

The explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant 38 years ago yesterday (April 26) marked a terrible tragedy in human history. The toxic clouds that spread over Soviet territory exposed approximately 8.4 million people to nuclear radiation.

Over 250,000 people developed cancer, and approximately 100,000 cases ended up being fatal. Beyond the damage incurred by human beings that pervades to this day, the Chernobyl disaster wreaked havoc across the landscape by causing extensive damage to crops, plants, and infrastructure.

Radioecologists have taken sites that required human evacuation, such as Chernobyl, as unique opportunities to study what happens when humans move out of these landscapes. Though the area saw an incredible loss of humans, ecologists were stunned to find that wildlife had taken over.

🏝️ Video: Belgium starts building World’s first artificial energy island

Since September 2023, a team of 300 workers has been diligently constructing caissons in Flushing, the Netherlands. These watertight structures, crucial for the development of Princess Elisabeth Island—the world's first artificial energy island—take three months each to complete.

The facility is 28 miles (45 kilometers) from the Belgian coast. Engineers will use an estimated 2.3 million cubic meters of sand to create the artificial energy islands, and the caissons being built will form the outer walls of the islands.

The facility will function as a maritime energy hub, managing both high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and alternating current (HVAC) to supply power to the Princess Elisabeth Zone. It will also act as a model for future hybrid interconnectors, facilitating energy transfers between countries and linking to emerging wind farms in the North Sea.

Love what you're reading, but too many emails? Sign up to IE+ to get Blueprint Weekly, our exclusive weekly premium newsletter that gives all the insights you love in a more digestible weekly format– plus, enjoy an Ad-Free experience on our website. Try IE+ today for just $1 in the first month. Subscribe here

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR

Two Forbes 30U30 Founders Transforming Mental Wellness

Forbes 30 Under 30 winners founded Aura to solve the $100B problem - mental wellbeing. 

Aura has quickly grown to 8 million users & 100k+ paying subscribers, and attracted investments from legendary Silicon Valley VCs & executives from Spotify, Facebook, and Apple. 

The best part? You can invest now before the opportunity ends in a few days.

HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY

SCIENCE

> A research team has devised a new electrochemical process that makes recovering carbon dioxide from the carbon capture process less energy-intensive and more economical. (More)

> NASA’s Curiosity rover landed on Mars in 2012. Since then, it has detected methane on Mars on several occasions. Specifically, it detected the gas near its landing site within the Gale Crater. (More)

> Scientists have identified a novel imaging technology that allows them to “see” inside a single living cancer cell and observe how it interacts with its surroundings. (More)

ENERGY

> Danish company Hyme Energy has launched the world’s first energy storage project using molten hydroxide salt to store green energy. The project is called Molten Salt Storage – MOSS. (More)

> Sonnedix has started construction of the largest solar plant in its 300MW UK portfolio. Located in County Durham, the Cowley Complex will consist of three connected 60MW, 43MW, and 17MW sites. (More)

> Ultralight perovskite solar cells with a power of up to 44 W/g and enhanced stability have been developed for integration into drones, enabling energy-autonomous flight. (More)

INNOVATION

> Norwegian technology company Kongsberg has announced the successful sea trials for its large commercial autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), the HUGIN Endurance. (More)

> Rice University students have made a breakthrough in underwater robotics by creating a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that utilizes water-splitting fuel cells for buoyancy control. (More)

> All it takes is a little water and salt for a human brain to run — a most basic formula that works. If one can figure out the math, they should be able to reproduce it artificially. (More)

VIDEO

> Discover the innovative HiCOP method, turning plastic waste into valuable crude oil, leading the charge toward a cleaner, greener future! (More)

> The KleinVision AirCar took its first passenger after years of air testing. The AirCar was certified as an aircraft in 2022 - but is it a viable road vehicle? (More)

> Surgeons have used advanced technology to complete the first face-and-eye transplant. 3D-printed cutting guides were used to access the donor's orbital socket. (More)

IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS

In yesterday’s quiz, we asked, Which of these four bottles would be the most difficult to dent if shaken?

The answer is: A

Ready for more brainy challenges? Gear up for future IE quizzes by following us on Instagram and Facebook! 

FROM THE WEB

> Meet Saheed Adepoju, computer engineer who invented INYE, Africa’s first tablet computer

> Former Tesla engineer alarmed as large piece falls off Cybertruck

> Robotic nerve 'cuffs' could help treat a range of neurological conditions

> Exclusive: UAE planning second nuclear power plant, sources say

> Hydrogen could be used for nearly everything. It probably shouldn’t be

> Methane-measuring satellite could help slow global warming