🎻 World’s largest cargo drone, cello-playing robot, amateurs discover 950-year-old British treasure

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Chinese aviation startup Air White Whale has recently unveiled its first unmanned transport aircraft, W5000, which the company claims is also the world’s largest cargo drone.

The W5000 made its public debut at an event held by the company recently in Changzhou, Jiangsu province.

The twin-turboprop cargo drone was unveiled by Hu Zhendong, the chairman and CEO of the Beijing-based startup. Dive deeper into this Must-Read.

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🏗️ World’s largest cargo drone with 5-ton payload capacity unveiled in China

According to the company's website, the W5000 is a twin-turboprop cargo drone with a maximum takeoff weight of 10.8 metric tons, a payload capacity of 5 tons, and an interior cargo space of over 2295 cubic feet (65 cubic meters).

It is an unmanned, efficient, and low-cost common cargo platform developed by Air White Whale (Beijing) Technology for air logistics. The cargo drone has a wingspan of over 74 feet (22.7 meters), a length of 75 feet (22.9 meters), and a height of 24 feet (7.5 meters).

W5000 adopts an upper monoplane, rectangular fuselage, and low HTP design. Each of the left and right wings is equipped with a turboprop engine. It equips the forward three-point retractable landing gear and the main landing gear is arranged on the fuselage, which can take off and land at general aviation airports.

🎻 Robot plays cello with unmatched perfection, makes history with Swedish orchestra

Robotics is driving innovations across various sectors nowadays. A new robot has entered the music arena to transform it. In a recent video, the robot was spotted playing the cello.

The industrial robotic arms with 3D-printed parts were performed with the members of the orchestra in Sweden.

Developed by researcher and composer Fredrik Gran, the robot didn’t rely on AI tools to play cello. Instead, it was programmed using composer Jacob Muhlrad’s musical score, which was specially written for the robot.

💰 Largest treasure in British history: Amateurs discover 950-year-old coin hoard

A remarkable discovery of 2,584 silver coins, dating from the turbulent period of the Norman Conquest of England, has become the most valuable treasure find ever in British history.

Unearthed in 2019 by a group of amateur metal detectorists in the Chew Valley area of Somerset, the hoard has been acquired by the South West Heritage Trust for $5.5 million (£4.3 million), with substantial funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The find, which encapsulates a crucial moment in English history, will be displayed at the British Museum from November before making its way to museums across the UK, culminating in a permanent home at the Museum of Somerset.

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