There are 1 million industrial robots around the world (as of Dec 2008), and Japan has the highest density with 295 robots for every 10,000 manufacturing workers.
Singapore and Korea are second and third respectively on the chart, but significantly behind Japan in numbers [illustration by Mike Vella; more on IEEE]
The Beijing National Aquatics Centre, popularly known as the Water Cube, will host the swimming, diving and synchronised swimming events during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Engineers in China are using a giant cutter to torn down buildings that are damaged by the Sichuan earthquake in May 2008.
The hydraulic machinery could apply a maximum of 300 tonnes of force, which is enough to cut through most buildings’ pillars and structure. It can only be used to dismantle buildings with max 8-9 floors because of its limited arm-reach.
India’s Tata Motors has unveiled the world’s cheapest car on January 10th at New Delhi. The vehicle, called the Tata Nano, will sell for 100,000 rupees (USD2,500).
Company chairman Ratan Tata said that Nano is “a safe, affordable and all weather transport; a people’s car designed to meet all safety standards and emissions laws and accessible to all.”
Some environmentalist, as expected, are concerned that the car will lead to more air pollution from traffic congestions. Sounds true, but who are us to deny others the leisure to own their cars when we are driving one of our own? I bet that most of those environmental critics are car owners too.
