Tag Archives: eurocontrol

Homemade Chinese Robots: Raw Video

Self-taught Chinese inventor Wu Yulu has a passion for tinkering, which has brought him and his robots worldwide fame and a slot at the World Expo in Shanghai. Wu, who is to present a handful of bespoke robots specifically for the Expo along with dozens of his old favourites, says he is proud to represent his own brand of Chinese pioneering spirit at the international event. “My advantage is that I am not really cultured and I am just a farmer. But I was invited to go to the Expo and present my creations. Even though it was just me who was invited, I represent all of China's farmers. I think this is something very glorious,” said Wu. Born to a family of farmers, Wu was never interested in taking up the family trade, preferring to fill his farm in Mawu village on the outskirts of Beijing with over 40 home-made whirring, ticking and talking inventions, that he refers to as his 'sons'. Wu and his automatons have become a local success, they have appeared in countless local and international TV shows and news articles. But he is all too familiar with minor catastrophes, ranging from an exploding battery that left him with concussion to managing to burn down the family home. Wu says his inventions have brought him confidence, once shy and reserved Wu no longer hides away from the limelight and is happy to discuss his peculiar knack for creating hopping, bowing and swinging toys. “By using one mechanical engine I can make them do various complex movements. As for mechanical engines, they only revolve. So the point is how do you create many intricate movements through the simple revolutions of a mechanical engine,” he said. Wu has high hopes for the Expo, he dreams of robots that can help disabled people, work in the kitchen and even give massages, which he says are all possible if he can find a suitable backer willing to support an eccentric inventor. added by: ctv

Europe flights ‘set to resume’

European officials say they hope to resume half the flights grounded by a volcanic ash cloud over the continent amid increasing pressure from airlines to lift air travel restrictions. With EU transport ministers set to hold emergency talks by video conference on Monday, Siim Kallas, the EU transport commissioner, said he hoped 50 per cent of European airspace would be risk-free on Monday, adding that “we cannot wait until the ash flows just disappear”. Diego Lopez Garrido, the Spanish secretary of state for European affairs, said “forecasts are that half of the flights planned [in Europe] could take place tomorrow [Monday]”. But he cautioned that “it will be difficult”, telling reporters after a meeting at Eurocontrol “that's why we have to co-ordinate”. added by: BRAVATRAVELS

Volcanic Ash Grounds More European Flights and Travel Updates

Travellers face a second day of flight cancellations Friday after an ash cloud from a volcano in Iceland forced European aviation officials to ground planes and close airspace. The ash cloud, which limits visibility and can damage a plane’s engine, will affect flights for “at least the next 24 hours,” the air traffic control body Eurocontrol said Friday. > > Read Travel Updates Volcanic Ash Grounds More European Flights and Travel Updates is a post from: Daily World Buzz Continue reading