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Researchers have developed and deployed a new robotic telescope system designed to enhance the observation and monitoring of space debris. Utilizing a network of four 36-centimeter telescopes located at the Korla Observatory in China, the system is capable of automated and remote operation, minimizing the need for on-site personnel. The location was chosen for its favorable weather conditions, boasting over 300 observable nights annually.

The system incorporates advanced software architecture based on ZMQ communication framework, enabling efficient data transmission and control across the network. Each telescope is equipped with a high-sensitivity sCMOS camera and a mount capable of rapid and precise tracking of objects in various Earth orbits, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO). Developed with a focus on cost-effectiveness, the system aims to provide a valuable tool for space situational awareness, which is crucial for managing the growing problem of space debris.

Performance testing of the telescopes has shown promising results. Tracking accuracy has been measured at 1 to 2 arcseconds, and the system has demonstrated the capability to detect faint objects down to a magnitude of 16.6 mV under favorable conditions. Observations have successfully captured images of various space debris objects, including Starlink satellites and multiple objects in GEO. Over a one-month period, the system successfully observed and extracted data from approximately 3,300 space debris arcs.

The robotic system includes features for automated task scheduling, observation planning, and exception handling, allowing for continuous and unattended operation. This automated approach is designed to optimize observation efficiency and maximize data collection. Future development plans include expanding the network to wider geographical locations, enhancing weather condition adaptability, and improving real-time collaborative scheduling between telescopes to further boost the system’s capabilities in space debris monitoring. The research team emphasizes the system’s potential to contribute significantly to global efforts in tracking and understanding the space debris environment.

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Paris Olympics swimming events are underway, and regulations regarding swimwear are in effect to ensure fair competition. These rules prohibit certain swimsuit designs that have previously given some athletes an unfair advantage. The guidelines extend to the style and material of swimsuits and shorts.

Recently, a Dutch swimmer, Arno Kamminga, participating in the 100m breaststroke final, caught the attention of viewers due to an optical illusion created by his trunks. The design, featuring skin-toned thigh portions and a spiral pattern in white, orange, and grey, made it appear as though he was wearing very brief swimwear.

The significance of swimsuit design for performance became apparent in 2008. For the Beijing Olympics, Speedo, in collaboration with NASA, developed the LZR swimsuit, a high-tech suit designed to enhance swimmer performance. During the 2008 Games, a significant number of world records were broken, with a large portion set by athletes wearing the LZR suit. This led to concerns that technology had become too dominant in the sport.

The “super suits,” primarily made of polyurethane, were deemed to give a disproportionate advantage, especially to larger athletes. Following the 2008 Olympics, and after instances like Michael Phelps’ near failure to qualify in a race attributed to competitors using more advanced suits, World Aquatics decided to impose restrictions.

By 2010, regulations were implemented to ban swimsuits made with polyurethane, mandating textile-only fabrics. Current rules specify coverage limitations: men’s suits cannot extend above the navel or below the knee, and women’s suits cannot cover the neck, extend past the shoulders, or go below the knee.

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A new portable mouse, the M325S, is now available, designed for users who need a compact and efficient device for on-the-go work. Its small size makes it particularly suitable for individuals with smaller hands, including children, and for use in limited workspace environments. The mouse features micro-precise scrolling and a tilt wheel, aiming to provide both speed and accuracy in navigation. It is designed for ease of use and boasts compatibility with major operating systems, enabling quick setup and operation. The M325S is advertised to have a battery life of up to 18 months, potentially reducing the need for frequent battery changes, although battery life may vary depending on usage and environmental factors.

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Olympus, a name synonymous with photographic excellence, boasts a rich and enduring history that has significantly shaped the photography industry. Originally founded in 1919 as K.K. Takachiho Seisakusho, the company’s early focus was on medical optics, establishing a strong reputation in the medical field and developing products like microscopes. The name “Olympus” was initially used for a microscope, predating its application to cameras.

In the 1930s, Olympus ventured into photography, leveraging its optical expertise. Their first photographic product was the Semi-Olympus in 1936, featuring an Olympus-made Zuiko lens on a body from another Japanese company, Proud. The Semi-Olympus used 120 film and shot 6×4.5cm negatives, a popular format in Japan at the time. While sales were modest, the positive reception of the Zuiko lens was a crucial achievement for Olympus’s photographic ambitions.

Following the Semi-Olympus, the company pursued in-house camera development, releasing the Semi-Olympus II with an improved body and the Standard, a rangefinder camera. However, the Standard proved too complex and costly for mass production.

Olympus’s breakthrough camera arrived in 1940 with the Olympus Six, a revamped Semi II capable of shooting square 6x6cm images. Post-World War II, in 1949, the company officially adopted the name Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. The Olympus Six was refined, and in 1948, the Olympus 35 was introduced – a compact 35mm scale focus camera, the first Japanese camera with a leaf shutter for this format, initially capturing 24x32mm images on 35mm film. These models marked Olympus’s first significant successes, establishing its reputation for quality optics and construction.

The arrival of Yoshihisa Maitani in 1956 ushered in Olympus’s golden era. Maitani, a passionate photographer, joined Olympus and brought with him innovative camera designs. His first major project was the Olympus Pen, launched in 1959. This compact and affordable half-frame 35mm camera was named for its pen-like size and became a massive hit, selling 15 million units. The Pen’s half-frame format was chosen for its economy and cine film-like proportions.

Building on the Pen’s triumph, Maitani developed the Olympus Pen F in 1963. This groundbreaking half-frame 35mm SLR was designed to be a “modernized Leica,” featuring interchangeable lenses and macro capabilities within a compact form factor. The Pen F employed a unique rotary shutter and a smaller reflex mirror system to minimize size. Despite its innovative design and positive reviews, the Pen F did not achieve widespread market dominance, partly due to the limited appeal of the half-frame format for professional use.

Undeterred, Maitani focused on creating a full-frame 35mm SLR, resulting in the legendary Olympus OM-1 in 1972. The OM-1 was revolutionary for its compact size, being the smallest and lightest full-frame SLR at the time. Equipped with a match-needle exposure meter, the OM-1 became a best-seller and defined the trend for smaller, stylish SLRs in the 1970s. The OM series expanded throughout the decade, pioneering electronic features and automatic functions, solidifying Olympus’s leading position in the photography industry.

In the late 1970s, Maitani pushed design boundaries further with the Olympus XA, released in 1979. This incredibly small 35mm rangefinder camera, constructed from ABS plastic, set records as the smallest full-frame 35mm camera ever made and a remarkably compact rangefinder overall. The XA, with its sliding lens cover and unique design, has become a design icon and a highly sought-after collectible.

As the digital revolution emerged, Olympus embraced the shift. They pioneered the Four Thirds system in the early 2000s, an open standard digital sensor format with a 2.0 crop factor, aiming to create a fully interoperable ecosystem. When full-frame digital sensors became prevalent, Olympus doubled down on its compact philosophy, introducing Micro Four Thirds in 2008 in collaboration with Panasonic. This mirrorless system maintained the Four Thirds sensor size but eliminated the optical viewfinder, enabling even smaller and lighter camera designs.

The first Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus was aptly named the Pen E-P1 in 2009, a digital homage to the original Pen series. Later, the OM-D line was introduced, echoing the iconic OM series design, targeting professional photographers with weather-sealed and robust bodies while utilizing the Micro Four Thirds system.

In 2020, Olympus made a significant announcement: the decision to exit the camera business after a century of involvement. The camera and optics division was sold and spun off as OM Digital Solutions. Citing market challenges from smartphone photography and the inability of the OM-D line to match the sales volume of major competitors, Olympus refocused its core business.

OM Digital Solutions continued the Olympus legacy, releasing the OM System OM-1 in 2022, marking the 50th anniversary of the original OM-1. This new OM-1, a high-performance, weather-sealed mirrorless camera with advanced features and a competitive price, signaled OM Digital’s commitment to carrying forward Olympus’s renowned optical heritage. The OM-5 followed, further solidifying the OM System brand. While the future trajectory of OM Digital Solutions and the Olympus legacy remains to unfold, the company’s initial steps indicate a dedication to innovation and quality, building upon a century of optical excellence.

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CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA – Apple has unveiled Apple Vision Pro, a revolutionary spatial computer, marking the tech giant’s entry into a new era of computing. The device seamlessly blends digital content with the user’s physical surroundings, allowing for an immersive experience while maintaining connection with the real world.

Apple Vision Pro introduces spatial computing, offering an infinite canvas for applications that transcends traditional display limitations. Users navigate a three-dimensional interface through natural and intuitive inputs – their eyes, hands, and voice. Powering this experience is visionOS, the world’s first spatial operating system, designed to make digital content feel physically present in the user’s space.

According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, this announcement signifies “a new era for computing,” comparing its impact to the Mac and iPhone in personal and mobile computing respectively. He emphasized Vision Pro as a product years in the making, built on decades of Apple innovation and featuring groundbreaking technology.

Mike Rockwell, Apple’s VP of the Technology Development Group, highlighted the extensive invention required across nearly every aspect of the system, resulting in a compact, wearable, and advanced personal electronics device.

Apple Vision Pro aims to redefine personal computing by transforming how users interact with applications, memories, entertainment, and communication. It provides a vast, adaptable workspace for both professional and personal use, allowing applications to exist side-by-side at any scale, supporting external keyboards and trackpads, and enabling wireless Mac integration for a large 4K display experience.

Entertainment is significantly enhanced with dual ultra-high-resolution displays that create a movie theater-like experience with a 100-foot wide screen and spatial audio. Users can enjoy regular and 3D movies, immersive 180-degree videos with spatial audio, and a selection of spatial games, along with over 100 Apple Arcade games on resizable screens with immersive audio and game controller support.

The device introduces “Environments,” dynamic landscapes that expand beyond physical room dimensions, aiding focus and reducing distractions. A Digital Crown allows users to control the level of immersion within these environments.

Memory capture and reliving are reimagined with Apple’s first 3D camera, recording spatial photos and videos with Spatial Audio. Users can revisit memories in a life-size scale with rich detail and color, and panoramic iPhone photos wrap around the user for a truly immersive effect.

FaceTime becomes spatial on Vision Pro, positioning call participants in life-size tiles around the user’s room, with Spatial Audio making it sound like voices originate from their positions. Vision Pro users are represented as Personas, digital avatars reflecting real-time facial and hand movements, enabling shared activities like watching movies or collaborating on presentations.

A new App Store tailored for Vision Pro will offer apps and content, alongside compatibility with hundreds of thousands of existing iPhone and iPad applications that seamlessly integrate with the new input system. Developers are encouraged to create novel spatial computing experiences utilizing visionOS.

visionOS, built upon macOS, iOS, and iPadOS foundations, is designed for the low-latency demands of spatial computing. Its 3D interface responds to natural lighting and shadows, aiding depth perception. Navigation is achieved via eye tracking, hand gestures, and voice commands.

Apple Vision Pro incorporates EyeSight, a feature that renders the device transparent when someone approaches, showing the user’s eyes. It also provides visual cues to others about the user’s focus when immersed in applications or environments.

The device’s design emphasizes both performance and wearability. It features a laminated glass front, an aluminum alloy frame, a customizable modular fit with a soft textile Light Seal, and adjustable, breathable headbands.

Technologically, Vision Pro packs 23 million pixels into two postage stamp-sized micro-OLED displays, offering wide color and high dynamic range. Custom catadioptric lenses ensure clarity, and ZEISS Optical Inserts will be available for users requiring vision correction. Spatial Audio is central, creating soundscapes that adapt to the environment and user’s head geometry.

A high-performance eye tracking system uses high-speed cameras and LEDs for precise input. The device is powered by a unique dual-chip system: M2 for standalone performance, and the new R1 chip for real-time processing of sensor inputs, streaming images to displays within 12 milliseconds. It offers all-day use when plugged in and up to two hours on battery.

Privacy and security are paramount, with Optic ID, a new iris-based authentication system, securing the device. Optic ID data is encrypted and device-bound. Eye tracking data is kept private and not shared, and sensor data is processed at the system level, limiting app access to surroundings. EyeSight includes a visual indicator for spatial photo or video capture.

Apple Vision Pro will start at $3,499 (US) and will be available early next year initially in the U.S., with broader availability planned for later in the year. Apple Stores will offer personalized fitting experiences.

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Software bloat, electric vehicle infrastructure challenges, and advancements in data storage and power electronics were among the topics discussed in a recent episode of the podcast “Fixing The Future,” featuring IEEE Spectrum’s Editor in Chief Harry Goldstein and Senior Editor Stephen Cass.

The conversation began with an analysis of a guest post by Bert Hubert on software bloat, titled “Why Bloat Is Still Software’s Biggest Vulnerability.” Goldstein noted the piece resonated with readers because software’s ubiquity means system failures are commonplace, akin to bad weather. Cass pointed out that software bloat isn’t limited to large government projects or airlines, and it’s affecting everyday software, even for simple tasks like opening a garage door, due to reliance on frameworks and dependencies that pull in millions of lines of code unknowingly. Goldstein and Cass dismissed the idea that AI-driven code generation would solve this, suggesting AI merely reflects current bloated programming practices. Cass argued for potential regulatory measures to encourage leaner software, particularly through cybersecurity requirements and mandated standards, mentioning the White House’s push towards memory-safe languages as an example of governmental influence on programming choices.

The discussion then shifted to electric vehicles (EVs), prompted by Apple’s decision to close its EV division. Referencing IEEE Spectrum’s contributing editor Bob Charette’s work, Cass emphasized that EV infrastructure presents a greater challenge than the vehicles themselves. He pointed to an example in Ireland where newly purchased electric buses couldn’t be used due to a lack of charging stations planning and permissions. This highlighted the interdependence of systems and the potential for disconnects in complex projects. Goldstein and Cass touched upon the complexities of transitioning to EVs, emphasizing the need for grid revamps to support renewable energy sources rather than relying on coal-fired power for electric car charging, referencing an earlier Spectrum article detailing this issue.

Personal computing and independence from centralized systems was another point raised by Cass, advocating for machines and software that can operate autonomously, without constant network reliance or large dependency downloads like Docker images. He argued that the complexity and dependency chains hinder the principles of open-source software, making modifications and project integration difficult.

Goldstein then steered the conversation towards new technological advancements, mentioning an article about optical disc technology for “endless storage”. Cass highlighted researchers in Shanghai who are developing a new optical disk technology utilizing a novel dye-doped photoresist material. This material allows for data storage at four different wavelengths, overcoming traditional optical density limits. This innovation could lead to high-capacity storage, potentially holding petabits of data on a DVD-sized disc and enabling faster data transfer than current internet speeds, possibly through physical shipment of these high-density disks.

Finally, the discussion moved to power electronics and the use of aluminum nitride in power transistors, as reported by IEEE Spectrum’s Glenn Zorpette. Cass explained the growing importance of power electronics in handling higher voltages and currents efficiently, contrasting it with traditional transistor development focused on minimizing power consumption in logic circuits. He highlighted gallium nitride’s recent commercial success in making power adapters smaller and more efficient and suggested aluminum nitride is a step further, enabling even higher voltage and current handling. This has implications for grid efficiency, especially with intermittent renewable energy sources, requiring smarter grids capable of managing fluctuating power. Goldstein added that utilities’ profit motives might be hindering US grid expansion, referencing an article by Harvard scholar Ari Peskoe. Peskoe argues that insufficient transmission line construction is driving up electricity prices, reducing grid reliability, and impeding renewable energy deployment due to embedded industry interests and regulatory hurdles. Cass agreed, pointing to the political challenges and utilities’ tendency to prefer captive monopoly markets, even though grid improvements are needed for resilience, reliability, and renewable energy integration. Both concluded that grid modernization is crucial, especially in the face of climate change, despite political and logistical challenges related to transmission line construction and cost distribution.

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The rapid progress in graphics processing units (GPUs), initially spurred by artificial intelligence advancements, is now significantly accelerating innovations in the field of optics and photonics. These powerful processors are enabling researchers to drastically reduce the time required for complex simulations essential in designing photonic devices used in a wide array of technologies, from internet infrastructure and data centers to cameras, virtual reality headsets, and displays.

Professor Zongfu Yu from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his colleagues highlight this development in a recent article in Optics and Photonics News. Yu explains that the enhanced processing capabilities of GPUs are transforming photonics research in a way similar to how they revolutionized AI. Previously, researchers designing photonic circuits would be limited to only a few simulations, each taking days to complete, to verify their designs. Now, with GPU-powered simulations that run in minutes, researchers can iteratively test and refine designs much more rapidly, leading to optimized performance and entirely new design possibilities.

This acceleration is a direct benefit of the massive investments in GPU technology driven by the AI boom. Photonics researchers are leveraging these advancements to tackle previously intractable engineering challenges and develop cutting-edge devices. Looking ahead, Yu and his team are working on utilizing GPUs for automated design optimization of optical and photonic devices, further streamlining the design process and shifting from intuition-based design to computer-guided innovation. Yu believes this GPU-driven approach could extend to other engineering disciplines that rely on complex simulations, such as fluid dynamics and structural engineering, ushering in a new era of generative product design across various fields.

The research involved contributions from Professor Shanhui Fan of Stanford University, Momchil Minkov from Flexcompute, Inc., and Peng Su and Ben Lee from Nvidia.

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New designs for Saudi Arabia’s ambitious project, The Line, have intensified speculation about the completion of the £1 trillion city. Concept images recently released for the futuristic linear metropolis, part of the Neom urban development, have been met with confusion and skepticism, appearing more akin to optical illusions rather than practical urban planning.

These latest visuals, which include features like a ship navigating through the city, have sparked criticism online, with many questioning the feasibility of the designs. The images depict two lengthy mirrored skyscrapers intended to encase The Line, reflecting the sky, desert, and surrounding waters. Critics point out that this mirrored facade could create an illusion of invisibility, potentially causing navigation hazards, particularly for marine traffic approaching the planned marina. The purpose and accessibility of this marina in the envisioned futuristic city are also unclear.

These design concerns are the latest in a series of challenges facing The Line since its inception. Environmental analysts have previously warned about the project’s potential impact on migratory birds. The massive mirrored structures and planned wind turbines atop the skyscrapers are predicted to pose a significant danger to birds migrating between Europe and Africa, a route that traverses Saudi Arabia. Experts, including Professor William Sutherland from Cambridge University, have highlighted the serious risk of bird fatalities from collisions with the towering, mirrored surfaces.

Beyond design and environmental worries, technological and financial feasibility remain significant hurdles. Skeptics question the practicality of technologies proposed for the city, which are currently undeveloped or require substantial investment. While marketed as a sustainable, green urban environment, The Line has also drawn criticism from environmental researchers raising concerns about its overall ecological impact.

Originally estimated to cost £1.2 trillion, some reports now suggest the final cost could reach $2 trillion. Due to these escalating costs and difficulties attracting foreign investment, along with Saudi Arabia’s economic sensitivities to oil price fluctuations, the project’s scale is reportedly being dramatically reduced. Initial plans envisioned a 106-mile-long city hosting 1.5 million residents by 2030, served by advanced AI and robotics. However, current reports indicate a significant downsize, with The Line now projected to be a mere 2.4km in length, accommodating only 300,000 residents by the original target year.

Experts suggest this scale-down reflects challenges in securing foreign investment and the broader economic realities facing Saudi Arabia. Earlier aerial images revealed the vast scale of excavation work already underway, with a 105-mile-long chasm carved into the landscape. Despite this visible groundwork, recent images of the construction site show a largely bare desert, raising further questions about the project’s progress against its ambitious timeline.

Human rights concerns also continue to cast a shadow over Neom and The Line. Reports of forced evictions and human rights abuses against local tribes, particularly the Huwaitat tribe, who are being displaced to make way for the project, have drawn strong criticism. It is reported that thousands face eviction, and some have been imprisoned or even sentenced to death for resisting displacement, leading campaigners to decry that Neom is being “built on Saudi blood.” Human rights organizations emphasize that any dissent or perceived obstruction to the Crown Prince’s vision can lead to severe repercussions, including imprisonment or execution.

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