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March 17, 2004 - Volume V, Issue 10 (Published almost every week) |
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| In this Issue | Our Sponsor | ||
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From One Techie to Another
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2004 Machine Safeguarding Guide with CD-ROM
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Featured Article
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RFID – a significant technology with far-reaching implications
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News Headlines
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Tools, Demos & Literature
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Product Showcase
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DPAC Technologies 802.11b Wireless Modules
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Job Opportunities
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Resources & Training
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Auctions & Classifieds
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On a Humorous Note...
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Automationtechies' Services |
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From One Techie to Another |
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The DARPA Grand Challenge was held on Saturday, March 13th. The challenge was this...the first autonomous vehicle to complete the 142 mile route (across the desert from Barstow to Primm, NV) in less than 10 hours would receive a cash prize of $1 million. Fifteen teams were selected after a week-long qualification, inspection and demonstration (QID) event at California Speedway that tested the ability of the vehicles’ systems to traverse the course safely in addition to being able to autonomously navigate and avoid obstacles. The course included well-traveled utility roads, switch-backs, severe elevation changes, blind turns and sheer drops. Approximately three hours before the start of the event, participants were given a CD containing the latitude and longitude of approximately 2000 waypoints, and speed limits for various legs of the route.
Unfortunately, not one of the fifteen robotic ground vehicles even completed the course. Obviously, it would have been very cool to see one of these vehicles cross the finish line. Disappointing? Not really. This was the first time anything like this had been tried. What a great experience for the fifteen teams involved! I understand that DARPA will be sponsoring the same challenge again next year.
So, who is DARPA? DARPA is the central research and development organization for the U.S. Department of Defense. The Agency manages and directs basic and applied research and development projects for the Department of Defense. DARPA pursues research and technology where the risk and payoff are both very high and where success may provide dramatic advances for traditional military roles and missions. The US Department of Defense has an ultimate goal to develop autonomous trucks, tanks and reconnaissance vehicles that can be used in battlefield situations.
What's inside? Did you know that many of the vehicles were equipped with some of the same industrial automation and control products that you may use in your own applications? In fact, three teams were sponsored by National Instruments and used NI LabVIEW software, along with NI PXI, Compact FieldPoint I/O and Compact Vision System (CVS) hardware. Read more about NI's involvement. SICK was also well represented by several teams using their LMS (Laser Measurement System) sensors. The sensor was a key component of the navigation systems by generating simplified 3D images of the immediate terrain in front of the vehicle. I even saw a report on NBC nightly news showing many vehicles with the SICK sensor mounted front and center. Read more about SICK's involvement. I'm sure there must have been other familiar suppliers involved with this challenge, but these were two that came across my desk.
For more information on the DARPA Grand Challenge, here are a few links: Enjoy the rest of this e-news!
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Featured Article |
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RFID – a significant technology with far-reaching implications Invented in 1969, but only now becoming commercially and technologically viable, RFID technology is growing by leaps and bounds. RFID tags will soon be built into everything, allowing each individual item to be tracked and traced. The implications are startling.Read full article by Jim Pinto.
Other articles written by Jim Pinto
Other articles and white papers on various automation topics Other application stories using various automation products
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Automation & Process Control News |
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News Headlines - Automation, Process Control & Instrumentation News
Hear all about it! We publish industry news on our site as soon as we hear about it. Check out our Daily News Headlines page frequently to stay up-to-date on the industry events. Here are news headlines since our last e-news. Use the following links to read the complete news release:
These are just a few of the news items published on our website. Our Automation News section provides you up-to-date news of what is happening with product and services suppliers in the industry. Users can search for releases by company or by date. View Daily News Headlines Here. Send your automation news releases to press@automationtechies.com. Please provide press releases in electronic format (pictures can be provided in .JPG or .GIF format).
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| Application Tools, Guides, Demos & Literature | |||
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PLC Data Collection Software
Request an Evaluation Copy of DataPort
More Information on WebDock's DataPort Other available application tools. Other available demo software. Other available product catalogs.
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Product Showcase |
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DPAC Technologies 802.11b Wireless Modules Airborne™ is a line of highly integrated 802.11b modules offered by DPAC Technologies®. The wireless module includes a radio, base-band processor, application processor and software for a truly “drop-in” web-enabled WiFi solution.
More Information on Airborne Wireless Modules
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New Jobs Posted on Automationtechies.com Here's a list of new job opportunities posted on Automationtechies.com since our last newsletter:
To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function.
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Resources & Training |
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Browse for training courses, seminars, web-seminars and workshops offered by various training organizations, product manufacturers and suppliers in industrial automation, process control and instrumentation. For information on specific training courses and seminars, please use the following links: IndustryDeck is an electronic card deck offered by Next Communications introducing some of the latest new products for your automation and process control applications.
As a valued Automationtechies.com member, we would like to extend the opportunity to receive leading industry publications. Browse from the list of titles and be sure to check back often for new titles.
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Automation Auctions |
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eBay hosts over 4000 auctions for industrial automation and control products. From PLCs to sensors and from motor controls to robotics...Now you can browse new, used and surplus automation and control products right from Automationtechies.com. We added a new page in the "Classifieds" section of our web site called eBay Listings.
Use the links below to browse auctions and classified ads by product category: |
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On a Humorous Note... |
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Automationtechies' Services |
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Automationtechies.com Advertising Opportunities - Generate leads and promote your company and products with one of the fastest growing industrial automation and control communities on the web. Review our Media Kit or Contact Rick Zabel.
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Contract Recruiting, Employer of Record Services - Need engineers, programmers, or technicians, but can't hire full-time employees? Consider contract employees! Let us handle your administrative headaches including Employer of Record, payroll, and other functions. Find a Contract Employee
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I hope you enjoyed this e-news update!
Rick Zabel Vice President 6455 City West Parkway Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Phone: 952-563-5444 Fax: 952-563-5449
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