All posts tagged: delivery

Amazon’s Delivery Drones Are Crashing, and We Finally Know Why

Amazon’s Delivery Drones Are Crashing, and We Finally Know Why

Published by José

Amazon, the multi-trillion dollar e-commerce monolith, seemingly cheaped out on on a key feature installed on its six-propeller delivery drones. Predictably, this backfired almost immediately. On a (lightly) rainy December day at the company’s testing range in Oregon, not one but two Prime Air drones suddenly stopped spinning their propellers mid-flight and plummeted some 200 feet to the ground. The crashes, which destroyed both aircraft, happened within minutes of each other.  And now, Bloomberg reports, we know why. According to documents from the National Transportation Safety Board, bad readings from the drones’ onboard lidar sensors led the drones to believe they had already landed. Their software, thinking it was on solid ground, cluelessly cut off power to the propellers. But that’s not all. After Amazon decided to remove them, the drones no longer had backup sensors that were equipped on older versions. And these probably would’ve prevented the drones from shutting down, per Bloomberg‘s sources. Amazon denies this line of thinking. “Bloomberg’s reporting is misleading,” an Amazon spokesperson told the newspaper. “Statements that assume that …

Pretend you planned ahead with Mother’s Day rose delivery

Pretend you planned ahead with $20 Mother’s Day rose delivery

Published by skeptic

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more › You meant to find something completely original. You meant to do it early. And yet, it’s already less than a week before Mother’s Day, and you don’t have anything lined up. But, here’s some good news: There’s still time to get Mom something thoughtful and timeless: flowers. Think it’s cliché? You’re thinking of the wrong word; it’s traditional, and for good reason. While flowers may not be something practical or anything she necessarily asks for, that’s the whole point. And if you’re on a tight schedule or budget, Mother’s Day flower delivery is an even sweeter option. We have a limited-time offer that’ll get you a voucher through Rose Farmers for $19.97, normally $69.99 (shipping fees not included). Here’s how to make Mom’s day Purchasing your Rose Farmers voucher through us won’t get your Mom’s flowers on their way—you have to actually redeem your unique code on their website for them to ship. But don’t worry, the process is easier than it sounds, …

Tiny crystals offer long-lasting drug delivery without the pain

Tiny crystals offer long-lasting drug delivery without the pain

Published by skeptic

Injections are rarely enjoyable, but frequent doses can become particularly burdensome. Scientists have now developed a new drug delivery system that uses tiny crystals to significantly reduce how often you’ll need injections. By creating a “drug depot” under the skin, these crystals slowly release medication, potentially lasting months or even years with just one shot. Researchers from MIT have designed this crystal-based injectable method to overcome some major limitations of current treatments. Traditional injections, especially those required for contraception or chronic illnesses, must be repeated often. Current long-term injections available in clinics usually last only about three months and often involve large, uncomfortable needles. The new method, however, allows for easy injections through smaller needles while providing stable and prolonged drug release. a, Schematic of the self-injection procedure. b, An image of different needle gauges ranging from 18 G to 28 G, compared against a grain of rice. c, Schematic of subcutaneous environment highlighting the solvent-exchange-driven self-aggregation of microcrystals into a compacted implant. Illustrations in a and c by Virginia E. Fulford, Alar Illustration. (CREDIT: Nature Chemical …

Workhorse electric delivery vans arrive in Canada this spring

Workhorse electric delivery vans arrive in Canada this spring

Published by skeptic

Following approval from Transport Canada, EV startup Workhorse will be bringing the W56 and W750 model electric delivery vans to commercial truck dealers in Canada as early as this spring. Workhorse first showed its W56 medium-duty electric truck at Indiana’s Work Truck Week in 2023, and has sold the trucks to logistics and delivery companies like FedEx and Pride Group – which ordered more than six thousand of the electric vans in 2021, and continues to expand its fleet. “This is a major step forward for Workhorse,” says Josh Anderson, Workhorse’s chief technology officer in a press statement. “Pre-clearance from Transport Canada opens up a large new market for our products throughout Canada, including with fleets that operate across borders in North America.” As part of the approval process, Workhorse completed its registration as a foreign manufacturer under Transport Canada’s Appendix G clearance program. Transport Canada confirmed the vans’ compliance with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) for both vehicles – but it remains to be seen if and how the latest tariff-driven trade war between the …

NYC is handing out free, safer electric bikes to delivery workers

NYC is handing out free, safer electric bikes to delivery workers

Published by skeptic

New York City’s Department of Transportation has a novel idea for helping get the most common uncertified e-bikes off the city’s streets: let their riders swap them for a safer UL-compliant electric bike for free. The program targets delivery workers on e-bikes, who are the backbone of the city’s critical food and parcel delivery services. Millions of people rely on such workers for timely deliveries, yet the low wages and brutal conditions of the job have forced many riders to seek out low-cost electric bicycles to perform the work—exactly the kind of e-bikes that are least likely to have received safety certifications. The NYC DOT has already begun accepting applications for the new E-Bike Trade-In Program, which is open to delivery workers with non-compliant electric bicycles as well as the often-seen electric scooters/mopeds that don’t really qualify as e-bikes, despite their ubiquitous use in the industry. Interestingly, the program even accepts gasoline-powered mopeds that are not able to be legally registered with the DMV, including those that lack VINs. In exchange for trading in a …

Watch: Amazon Uses Huge Diesel Generator To Charge Electric Delivery Van Fleet

Watch: Amazon Uses Huge Diesel Generator To Charge Electric Delivery Van Fleet

Published by skeptic

Amazon closed out 2024 with more than 20,000 electric delivery vans manufactured by Rivian in its fleet nationwide. The e-commerce giant highlights on its website that the electric vans are part of its “urgent” climate change initiative to “remove carbon emissions from transportation systems.”  However, Amazon faces mounting criticism for gaslighting the public about its net zero goals and actual operational fleet practices.  Take, for instance, Amazon’s website. Within the Sustainability section, the company laid out its approach to fight so-called global warming:  “To reach this target, we’re also expanding the use of zero-emission transportation such as electric delivery vans, cargo e-bikes, and on-foot deliveries, and we engage in industry initiatives to remove carbon emissions from transportation systems like ocean shipping, aviation, and trucking. We’re also using innovative construction techniques and building materials to make our fulfillment centers, data centers, offices, and physical retail locations more sustainable.”  Amazon’s climate pledge on its website.  While the company promotes its electric delivery vans as part of its effort to save the planet from a fiery demise—an end-of-world scenario Al Gore has inaccurately predicted …

Wiltshire defence equipment manufacturer secures £14m delivery order

Wiltshire defence equipment manufacturer secures £14m delivery order

Published by skeptic

Avon Technologies, the Melksham-based manufacturer of military helmets, gas masks and respiratory protection for fire, military and law enforcement, has received a delivery order worth more than £14 million ($18 million) from the the USA’s Defense Logistics Agency. This order is under the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Integrated Head Protection System (NG IHPS) helmet IDIQ framework contract, originally awarded in September 2021. Avon’s Jos Sclater, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We continue to see good levels of demand for Team Wendy’s head protection systems from the US DOD demonstrating our leading ballistic shell and traumatic brain injury mitigation technology and long-term contract positions. We look forward to continuing our support to the U.S. Military with this vital, lifesaving, protection equipment.” Source link

Self-Driving Waymo Cab Smashes Into Delivery Robot

Self-Driving Waymo Cab Smashes Into Delivery Robot

Published by José

The machines are fighting. Friendly Fire A video shared on social media appears to depict the prelude to an inter-robot-species conflict. The belligerents? A Waymo robotaxi and a Serve Robotics delivery robot, according to TechCrunch. The footage, taken in Los Angeles from a dashcam, shows the Serve robot puttering along a crosswalk at night before stopping in front of a curb on the opposite side of the street, taking a moment to adjust itself so it can roll up the small ramp to get onto the sidewalk. Then a Waymo cab comes careening around the corner, T-boning the delivery bot right as it was making its final push. The fates, it seems, were feeling cruel that day. Curb Stomp Or were they? As it turns out, the impact wasn’t too severe. The Waymo cab, to its credit, hit the brakes immediately and avoided knocking the poor little thing over. And moments later, while the robotaxi is still in a daze, the Serve robot drives away like nothing happened. Maybe it was fleeing guiltily. According to …

Today’s the Last Day to Order From Apple for December 24th Delivery in the U.S.

Today’s the Last Day to Order From Apple for December 24th Delivery in the U.S.

Published by skeptic

If you haven’t wrapped up your holiday shopping, Apple is still offering free two-day delivery for many products from its online store. Orders placed for in-stock items before 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time tonight will deliver by December 24. Orders placed after that time may not make it. iPhone 16 models, new Macs, iPads, HomePods, AirTags, the Apple TV 4K, Apple Watches, AirPods, and many accessories from both Apple and third-party companies are eligible for free two-day delivery in the United States. Last year, after the two-day delivery window expired, Apple offered a free two-hour courier delivery option for select products, but courier delivery is only available in certain areas, and on a more limited number of products. Courier delivery typically costs $9. Apple is offering extended holiday returns right now, and devices purchased between November 8, 2024 and December 25, 2024 can be returned through January 8, 2025. Popular Stories 20 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.2 Apple released iOS 18.2 in the second week of December, bringing the second round of …

Teacher development: Government to review delivery

Teacher development: Government to review delivery

Published by skeptic

Sheffield Hallam University appointed to review and develop a ‘theory of change’ Sheffield Hallam University appointed to review and develop a ‘theory of change’ More from this theme Recent articles The government has commissioned Sheffield Hallam University to review and develop a “theory of change” for teacher development delivered by teaching school hubs (TSHs). Details of what this might entail, or the context behind it, are sparse. But Richard Gill, chair of the Teaching School Hubs Council, a sector body set up to oversee the network, described it as an evaluation of the teaching school hub programme. Some 87 teaching school hubs are accredited to deliver training and development including the early career framework and national professional qualifications. Richard Gill The Department for Education said the project will build on the existing evaluations already completed into the ECF and NPQs. The DfE has awarded the university a £38,797 contract for work until March next year. It will involve engaging with a range of stakeholders. James Noble-Rogers, executive director of the Universities Council for the Education …