University of Tokyo’s DRAGON Lab developed the world’s first flapping-wing drone capable of safe human contact, inspired by a falcon.

The bird-like drone uses soft, flexible wings instead of propellers, making it quieter and safer for close interaction.

It responds to simple hand gestures: bent arm signals “stay,” extended arm means “approach and land.”

Eight motion-capture cameras track user movements, enabling precise flight planning that maintains 0.3-meter chest distance and approaches from predictable angles.
The drone’s sophisticated algorithm adjusts velocity based on human motion perception, potentially enabling package delivery and accessibility applications in crowded urban environments.

© Fossbytes

#drone #tech #bird #japan

University of Tokyo’s DRAGON Lab developed the world’s first flapping-wing drone capable of safe human contact, inspired by a falcon.

The bird-like drone uses soft, flexible wings instead of propellers, making it quieter and safer for close interaction.

It responds to simple hand gestures: bent arm signals “stay,” extended arm means “approach and land.”

Eight motion-capture cameras track user movements, enabling precise flight planning that maintains 0.3-meter chest distance and approaches from predictable angles.
The drone’s sophisticated algorithm adjusts velocity based on human motion perception, potentially enabling package delivery and accessibility applications in crowded urban environments.

#Tokyo #WSJ #Subway
Japan’s train system is ranked the most efficient in the world, according to Statista. The United States is tied with Azerbaijan for 11th best. Part of this is because Japan’s railway system has more points of connection allowing for easier commutes. A New York City subway ride often features a transfer before reaching your final destination.

Why does the MTA operate at a loss while Tokyo Metro is profitable? WSJ explains how Japan’s transportation system got so far ahead and runs so smoothly.

Deep in the mountainous region of Gifu Prefecture, Japan has unveiled a stunning engineering achievement: a concrete bridge that repairs itself — no human workers needed. At first glance, it looks like any other bridge. But inside its foundation lies a living secret.

Scientists from the University of Tokyo embedded microscopic bacteria into the concrete mix. When cracks appear — even hairline fractures — moisture and oxygen activate these dormant microbes. The bacteria then produce limestone, sealing the cracks from the inside out. No machines. No manual patchwork. Just living concrete at work.

This breakthrough is more than impressive — it’s lifesaving. In Japan, where earthquakes frequently damage infrastructure, tiny cracks can lead to catastrophic failures over time. But now, this bridge senses damage and begins healing in real-time, sometimes within just 24 hours of a rupture.

Over a six-month test, engineers tracked dozens of fractures forming and then vanishing — sealed by biological action, not cement. The bacteria can stay dormant for up to 200 years, meaning the bridge could maintain itself longer than any human-built one in history.

Imagine cities where roads, tunnels, and skyscrapers quietly repair themselves every night — no closures, no traffic, no danger. This isn’t just futuristic thinking. It’s already real, and Japan is leading the way.