Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Interesting inconsistency
a bot was credited on Google News in the London bomb scare. But the New York Times doesn't include the bot reference anymore.
Explosive Device Found in London, Police Say
New York Times, United States - 6 hours ago
The car was abandoned close to a night-spot called Tiger Tiger, television news footage showed, and police used a remote-controlled robot to approach it.
http://news.google.com/news?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&tab=wn&scoring=n&q=robot+lon...
and here's the same paragraph from New York Times (now):
Police Defuse London Car Bomb
The car was abandoned close to a night-spot called Tiger Tiger, and police said a “potential means of detonation” was defused manually by police explosives officers. News reports said one explosives officer removed a cell-phone from the car to break a potential explosive circuit. But the police declined to confirm the report. The car was later loaded onto a truck and taken away for forensic scrutiny.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/29/world/europe/29cnd-london.html?em&ex=1183262400&en=52a7663...
so what's that all about?
today marks the last business day of the month and quarter.
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On June 14, 2007, Mr. J. Francis Lavelle resigned as a director of Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) Mr. Lavelle expressed interest in the possibility of continuing his relationship with the Company in an advisory position.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1071760/000111650207001221/ecosphere8k.htm
Market Pulse:most active OTC Bulletin as of 9:12am 06/27/07 Page: 6101
name price chng % r-vol c-vol v-% high low an-hi an-lo news
---- ----- ---- --- ----- ----- --- ---- ---- ----- ----- ----
MGEN 0.0015 -- 0.0 2250 209781 7 0.00000.0000 0.07700.0013
RGRP 1.990 -- 0.0 419 1191 999 0.000 0.000 4.490 1.200 8.42
PAPO 0.0062+0.000 1.6 200 1305 999 0.00000.0000 0.03950.0055
RGBI 0.3640+0.014 4.0 150 845 999 0.00000.0000 0.71000.2300 4.26
Ecosphere Technologies Sells Two Robotic Systems to Jian Huang Engineering Pte, Ltd.
Monday April 30, 8:00 am ET
Ecosphere Increases Global Penetration with Singapore Sale
STUART, Fla., April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ESPH - News), a provider of clean air and water technology solutions, announced the sale of two additional units of the Ecosphere Remote Operating Vehicle (E-ROV) coating removal robots under its exclusive distribution agreement with Jian Huang Engineering Pte, Ltd. of Singapore. Under the terms of the previously announced five-year distribution agreement, Jian Huang will buy or sell ten robotic systems for an estimated total price of at least $4.5 million over a two year period to maintain its exclusive distributorship for Singapore. These systems, scheduled for shipment in May, follow the initial purchase of two systems in 2006.
Stephen R. Johnson, President of UltraStrip Envirobotic Solutions, a subsidiary of Ecosphere said, "We have found a valuable partnership in working with Jian Huang to equip the Singapore ship market with Ecosphere's coatings removal technology. With its recent purchase of two additional robots, Jian Huang is moving forward with its commitment to equip Singapore, one of the largest ship repair markets in the world, with the capacity to offer an environmentally safe alternative to the current toxic grit blasting coating removal process. The additional sale of our systems further serves as a proof of concept that the ship repair industry is beginning to embrace our robots, which not only hasten the speed of paint removal and allow additional work to be completed on the vessel during the process, but also prevent millions of tons of hazardous waste from going to the world's landfills and polluting the oceans."
Jack Ng, a Director of Jian Huang Engineering, said, "The E-ROV is the best paint removal equipment available in the world today and we are excited to be able to increase our capacity in the Singapore ship repair industry. Enabling improvements for air, water, and the health of our workers, the Ecosphere system is safe, highly productive, and an environmentally friendly technology that is ideally suited for our market."
The E-ROV leverages advanced robotics and patented water-jetting processes to create a closed system that safely removes toxic coatings from the world's major transporters -- cargo ships, airplanes and automobiles. Offering an efficient, safe alternative to chemical, plastic media, grit blasting and other malignant methods prevalent in the coating removal markets, the Ecosphere technology ensures the containment of toxic materials during routine removal and maintenance.
About Ecosphere Technologies:
Ecosphere Technology Inc (OTC Bulletin Board: ESPH - News) develops and commercializes water and renewable energy technologies. Since it was founded in 1998, Ecosphere's mission has been to bring clean technologies to commercial reality. Ecosphere's products have been successfully licensed and commercialized by major corporations and have been used in several large-scale and sustainable applications across industries, nations and ecosystems. Ecosphere holds an extensive patent portfolio of clean air and water technologies. For more information, please visit: www.ecospheretech.com
About Jian Huang Engineering Pte Ltd:
A part of the Jian Huang Group of companies, the parent company, Jian Huang Construction Co Pte Ltd was incorporated in 1996 in Singapore. Jian Huang Construction Co Pte Ltd has grown in the contracting business (specializing in Design and Build) in Singapore and Malaysia to $18 million turnover for 2005 to having completed over $100 million in projects to date, with a workforce of over 300, The Jian Huang Construction Co Pte Ltd has also achieved standards ISO9001:2000 for quality service assurance, ISO149001:1996 certification for environmental aspects, and OHSAS 18001:1999 for health and safety aspects. Jian Huang Engineering Pte Ltd will offer coating removal contracting services to the Singapore maritime repair industry.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"), including, but not limited to, the shipping date of the two E-ROV systems and the future purchase of the additional six systems. Additionally, words such as "seek," "intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "anticipate" and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward- looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include Ecosphere's ability to timely manufacture the E-ROVs and the distributor's ability to utilize the systems and market them in Singapore. Further information on the Company's risk factors is contained in Ecosphere's Form 10-KSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Source: Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070430/clm054.html?.v=75
eCOSPHERE REMOTE OPERATING VEHICLE (E-rOV)
Ultrastrip Envirobotic Solutions Inc (UES)
UES offers patented clean air and water technologies that leverage the power of water and robotics to remove coatings from the world’s major transporters – cargo ships, airplanes and automobiles. This is accomplished through a process that eliminates airborne pollutants, toxic chemicals and waste products that would otherwise contaminate air, marine and land-based ecosystems.
http://www.ecospheretech.com/htm/e_rov.htm
Ecosphere Technologies Sells Two Robotic Systems to Jian Huang Engineering Pte, Ltd.
Monday April 30, 8:00 am ET
Ecosphere Increases Global Penetration with Singapore Sale
STUART, Fla., April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ESPH - News), a provider of clean air and water technology solutions, announced the sale of two additional units of the Ecosphere Remote Operating Vehicle (E-ROV) coating removal robots under its exclusive distribution agreement with Jian Huang Engineering Pte, Ltd. of Singapore. Under the terms of the previously announced five-year distribution agreement, Jian Huang will buy or sell ten robotic systems for an estimated total price of at least $4.5 million over a two year period to maintain its exclusive distributorship for Singapore. These systems, scheduled for shipment in May, follow the initial purchase of two systems in 2006.
Stephen R. Johnson, President of UltraStrip Envirobotic Solutions, a subsidiary of Ecosphere said, "We have found a valuable partnership in working with Jian Huang to equip the Singapore ship market with Ecosphere's coatings removal technology. With its recent purchase of two additional robots, Jian Huang is moving forward with its commitment to equip Singapore, one of the largest ship repair markets in the world, with the capacity to offer an environmentally safe alternative to the current toxic grit blasting coating removal process. The additional sale of our systems further serves as a proof of concept that the ship repair industry is beginning to embrace our robots, which not only hasten the speed of paint removal and allow additional work to be completed on the vessel during the process, but also prevent millions of tons of hazardous waste from going to the world's landfills and polluting the oceans."
Jack Ng, a Director of Jian Huang Engineering, said, "The E-ROV is the best paint removal equipment available in the world today and we are excited to be able to increase our capacity in the Singapore ship repair industry. Enabling improvements for air, water, and the health of our workers, the Ecosphere system is safe, highly productive, and an environmentally friendly technology that is ideally suited for our market."
The E-ROV leverages advanced robotics and patented water-jetting processes to create a closed system that safely removes toxic coatings from the world's major transporters -- cargo ships, airplanes and automobiles. Offering an efficient, safe alternative to chemical, plastic media, grit blasting and other malignant methods prevalent in the coating removal markets, the Ecosphere technology ensures the containment of toxic materials during routine removal and maintenance.
About Ecosphere Technologies:
Ecosphere Technology Inc (OTC Bulletin Board: ESPH - News) develops and commercializes water and renewable energy technologies. Since it was founded in 1998, Ecosphere's mission has been to bring clean technologies to commercial reality. Ecosphere's products have been successfully licensed and commercialized by major corporations and have been used in several large-scale and sustainable applications across industries, nations and ecosystems. Ecosphere holds an extensive patent portfolio of clean air and water technologies. For more information, please visit: www.ecospheretech.com
About Jian Huang Engineering Pte Ltd:
A part of the Jian Huang Group of companies, the parent company, Jian Huang Construction Co Pte Ltd was incorporated in 1996 in Singapore. Jian Huang Construction Co Pte Ltd has grown in the contracting business (specializing in Design and Build) in Singapore and Malaysia to $18 million turnover for 2005 to having completed over $100 million in projects to date, with a workforce of over 300, The Jian Huang Construction Co Pte Ltd has also achieved standards ISO9001:2000 for quality service assurance, ISO149001:1996 certification for environmental aspects, and OHSAS 18001:1999 for health and safety aspects. Jian Huang Engineering Pte Ltd will offer coating removal contracting services to the Singapore maritime repair industry.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"), including, but not limited to, the shipping date of the two E-ROV systems and the future purchase of the additional six systems. Additionally, words such as "seek," "intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "anticipate" and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward- looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include Ecosphere's ability to timely manufacture the E-ROVs and the distributor's ability to utilize the systems and market them in Singapore. Further information on the Company's risk factors is contained in Ecosphere's Form 10-KSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Source: Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070430/clm054.html?.v=75
no dumpage in 8 calendar days!
Taser and IRobot Team Up to Arm Robots
Thursday June 28, 3:14 pm ET
By Mark Jewell, AP Business Writer
Taser, Roomba Maker IRobot to Marry Stun Gun Technology With Military Robot
BOSTON (AP) -- RoboCops and robot soldiers got a little closer to reality Thursday as a maker of floor-cleaning automatons teamed up with a stun-gun manufacturer to arm track-wheeled 'bots for police and the Pentagon.
By adding Tasers to robots it already makes for the military, iRobot Corp. says it hopes to give soldiers and law enforcement a defensive, non-lethal tool.
But some observers fear such developments could ultimately lead to robots capable of deciding on their own when to shoot and kill.
"It's one more step in that direction," said John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.org, an Alexandria, Va.-based military research organization.
"It is not the first step in that direction, but I think at some point toward the end of the next decade, you're going to start seeing RoboCops, or a Terminator," Pike said, referring to a pair of 1980s robot-themed sci-fi films. "We may see autonomous robots capable of inflicting lethal force."
Jim Rymarcsuk, vice president for business development at Burlington, Mass.-based iRobot, said notions of armed robots acting on their own are far beyond what the company envisions for the partnership announced Thursday with Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Taser International Inc.
"Right now, we have no plans to take any robot with a lethal-weapon approach to the market," Rymarcsuk said. "For this system, and all systems we have looked at, there is a human in the loop making the decisions. This in no way is giving the robot the capability to use force on its own."
Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed. The companies said they have developed a model that will be demonstrated at a conference Taser is holding in Chicago on July 9-10. The model pairs iRobot's existing PackBot Explorer with the Taser X26 in what iRobot calls "the first robot of its kind with an on-board, integrated Taser payload."
There's no word when the system will be offered for sale, or for how much.
The system isn't entirely unprecedented. Foster-Miller Inc., a Waltham, Mass.-based rival of iRobot, already offers a version of its track-wheeled Talon robot that can be fitted with a Taser with laser-dot aiming capability.
The Taser, used by thousands of law enforcement agencies, is an electric stun gun designed to help officers subdue violent suspects without nightsticks or guns.
However, some critics contend the weapon can be deadly, particularly on suspects who use drugs or suffer from heart problems. Taser International and police counter that no weapon is risk-free, and that Tasers actually save lives by helping officers avoid more dangerous weapons.
For iRobot, its Taser-equipped system will be the first robot capable of using force to disable a person, rather than a bomb. The 17-year-old company is best known for its mobile robots for the consumer market, including the disc-shaped, carpet cleaning Roomba.
But home robots account for only 60 percent of the company's revenue. The rest comes from government and industrial customers, including the military and police.
Versions of iRobot's PackBot have disarmed roadside bombs and searched caves and buildings in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some scout dangerous areas before soldiers or emergency responders go in.
With the Taser venture, iRobot "is testing a new market, and they've found a cheap way to do it," said Alex Hamilton, an analyst with The Benchmark Co. "The PackBot works. You'll need software to make it work with the Taser, but my guess is they will be able to achieve it."
Pike at GlobalSecurity.org envisions police SWAT teams and prison guards using Taser-equipped robots to deal with hostage situations and unruly inmates. He also expects they could supplement -- or even replace -- human guards patrolling property.
"I could see rent-a-cop companies wanting to buy it, I can see corrections departments wanting to buy it, because it might be seen as a cost-effective alternative to having a human guard patrolling a perimeter," Pike said.
Pike says Taser-equipped, remote-controlled robots are still a few steps away from becoming killing machines. If that happens, the development would run counter to a robots-should-not-harm-humans principle that classic science fiction author Isaac Asimov outlined in his 1950 anthology, "I, Robot" -- the namesake of iRobot the company.
"For now, as soon as you let go of the joystick, the robot just sits there," Pike said. "So questions of moral agency don't arise -- that is to say, whose finger is on the trigger. But a little further down the road, when these ground vehicles do achieve greater autonomy, there may be no human finger on the trigger."
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070628/armed_robots.html?.v=2
iRobot and TASER Team to Deliver New Robot Capabilities for Military, Law Enforcement
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070628/20070628005694.html?.v=1
UPDATE 1-Taser, iRobot to develop new law enforcement robots
http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehybrid.aspx?storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20070628:MTFH46296_2...
Senate Panel Boosts NASA Funding
By Brian Berger - Space News Staff Writer
June 27, 2007
WASHINGTON - A U.S. Senate panel has recommended providing $17.45 billion for NASA next year, or about $150 million more than the White House requested.
The money was included in a $54.6 billion spending bill that cleared the Senate Appropriations commerce, justice, science subcommittee on June 26. The bill exceeds the White House request for the affected agencies by nearly $3.2 billion, with most of the additional money going to the Justice Department to fund local law enforcement programs.
The bill also includes $4.2 billion for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - about $400 million above the White House request. All of the additional money would go to an oceans stewardship initiative.
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), the subcommittee's chairman, said the NASA portion of the bill seeks to strike a balance between the agency's human spaceflight programs - which are fully funded - and its science and aeronautics programs.
NASA's Science Mission Directorate would get $5.66 billion, about $140 million above the request. Within that total, $1.64 billion would go to Earth science, about $130 million more than NASA is seeking.
NASA's Exploration Systems and Aeronautics Research mission directorates would be funded at their requested levels of $3.9 billion and $554 million, respectively.
Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.), the subcommittee's top Republican, said the bill includes funding for a robotic Moon lander NASA had canceled. A Senate aide said lawmakers added $50 million to NASA's Lunar Robotics and Precursor program budget so the agency can continue work on the lander, which is managed by the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.
Mikulski told reporters after the markup session that she still intends to introduce an amendment that would give NASA an additional $1 billion to help make up budget ground lost after the 2003 space shuttle Columbia accident, but has not decided when.
"The NASA amendment will come later on," she said. "We're looking at what are our best options. You have to pick your launch date."
The full Senate Appropriations Committee is due to take up the bill June 28.
A companion bill introduced in the House of Representatives June 11 provided $17.6 billion for NASA and $4 billion for NOAA. That bill is due to be taken up by the full House Appropriations Committee July 11.
http://www.space.com/news/070627_nasa_funding.html
Mar 16, 2007 - NASA Urges Closing Lunar Robotics Office
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/fran0316.xml&headline=NASA+Urges+Closin...
June 12, 2006 - Lunar Robotics Office Headed East
http://dev.space.com/spacenews/archive06/Esmd_060506.html
Neural Robotics is based in Hunstville, Al. and Mesa Robotics is in nearby Madison (and is partnered w/Raytheon in the DoD's mentor-protege MBE-WBE contractor program).
here's video of a Dec. 2006 test flight of the Neural Robotics AutoCopter w/a Mesa UGV going along for the ride:
http://www.neural-robotics.com/videos/files/a1a3ed111ad284c9eba5a6a7bf0eb378-7.html
Huntsville Times
Air robot use grows, and so does local role
Sunday, December 10, 2006
By SHELBY G. SPIRES
Times Aerospace Writer shelby.spires@htimes.com
Before the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, whenever the Army needed to fly or tread into dangerous territory, the lives of helicopter pilots or combat soldiers had to be risked.
Today, the Army is just as likely to send a robot or flying drone to do the job, and engineers in Huntsville - on Redstone Arsenal, in Cummings Research Park and at local universities - are largely responsible for developing the life-saving technology.
Controlled by a person on the ground, the unmanned air and ground robots being tested at Redstone Arsenal can drop supplies, shoot missiles, sniff out bombs and find people in buildings. By 2010, Army managers here hope that there will be as many unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, in service in Afghanistan and Iraq as there are Army helicopters, which currently number about 4,000.
The 'future' really isn't the future anymore with UAVs," said Army Maj. Gen. Jim Pillsbury, head of the Army Aviation and Missile Command on Redstone. "It's today."
At the Redstone-based Unmanned Aircraft Systems office, the Army now manages five types of UAVs, from the small hand-held Raven to the large Warrior aircraft now under advanced development. Also, a helicopter UAV variant, the Fire Scout, is being studied for future use.
The Army increasingly has been relying on the unmanned aircraft during combat. Of the more than 1.2 million flight hours the Army has racked up in Afghanistan and Iraq since February 2003, more than 146,000 hours have been flown by UAVs. Army managers say that number could grow to almost half of all Army flight hours over the next two or three years.
"Our goal is to put a machine out there before a person risks their life, and I believe in that," Pillsbury said. "Mainly, because I've been to too many memorial services."
Expanding mission
For Redstone's Unmanned Aircraft Systems office, work on today's UAVs translates to about $1.5 billion a year with almost 250 people involved in the program.
In 2006, there are about 1,870 Army UAVs, and that number is expected to grow to around 4,200 by late 2008.
Today, Army UAVs also work areas from low to high altitudes and a variety of missions. That makes us unique certainly in the American military, and probably in the world," said Army Col. Don Hazelwood, Unmanned Aircraft Systems chief.
"Our first priority is our people. When a UAV goes down it's the loss of a machine, not a person," Hazelwood said. "Nobody gets a visit saying somebody isn't coming home," Hazelwood said.
Hazelwood said the UAV could stay out longer, around nine hours in some cases versus about three for piloted aircraft "and you never send just one aircraft on a mission. You always send at least two," he said. "We only have to send one UAV ... it has no need for a buddy, or back-up, aircraft."
Army managers estimate that a helicopter can cost anywhere from around $900 to $3,000 per flight hour depending on the aircraft. A UAV ranges from $100 to $300.
The UAV mission is slated to expand from reconnaissance into attack capability. At present, UAVs use complex sensors to search forward areas for enemy troops and detect where roadside bombs have been planted.
"Now, we are working through our latest platform, the Warrior, to place weapons underneath it," said Tim Owings, deputy Unmanned Aircraft Systems manager. "That will give an Army UAV not only the ability to find (enemies) but also the capability to attack a wide range of targets."
Universities involved
Work in Madison County on unmanned vehicles isn't limited to Redstone. A University of Alabama in Huntsville group has teamed with local defense contractors on a project to further develop unmanned systems.
Called the "Flying Bassett" program, UAH is improving computer hardware, software and radio controls for unmanned air and ground vehicles.
"It's sort of like missiles or rockets have been in the past," said Dr. Gary Maddux, who oversees UAH's unmanned systems efforts. "The Army has a need. Academia and business fill that need. Unmanned vehicle work has popped up more and more around North Alabama over the past four or five years."
Maddux has about 60 students from across North Alabama, including Alabama A&M and Athens State along with UAH, who are working on combining several unmanned systems for use as one.
"We see that there is a need, not only in the military, but with public safety and homeland security for this," Maddux said.
Last week, on a UAH soccer practice field, university students, engineers and defense contractors came together to test the marriage of air and ground vehicles.
A small unmanned helicopter made by Huntsville-based Neural Robotics Inc. was placed on top of a large, tractor-like Mesa Robotics Inc. unmanned ground vehicle. The team put the ground vehicle and helicopter through its paces including speedy ground robot starts and stops and takeoffs and landings for the helicopter.
Homeland security
Army engineers want the same setup some day as part of a "Future Combat System" which will rely heavily on unmanned air and ground vehicles. That program is at least a decade off with about $15 billion in Pentagon spending needed.
The UAH team's combination runs around $500,000, and some think it can be put in the field quicker than the Army version, at least for police and firefighters.
Don Jones, vice president of Madison-based Mesa Robotics, said the UAH and Mesa combo of air and ground vehicles could be used soon for police, fire and homeland security agencies.
"This is sort of the 'poor man's' future combat system, I guess," Jones said. "Except we hope to get into use a lot sooner than the Army's version. This isn't geared for the exact same mission as the Army's either."
The goal is similar to the Army's: Keep people safe.
"Say there was a large chlorine spill or some other hazardous material," Maddux explains. "You don't want to send in (police and fire units) without knowing where the nasty stuff is.
"With a UAV or a ground robot you can go in and quickly assess where the spill is with sensors and that can keep those guys safe and much better informed."
http://www.al.com/armedforces/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1165746424121170.xml&coll=1
Countrywide execs shorted stock of their own company
Ex-Countrywide execs plead guilty to insider trading
By Gina Keating and Jonathan Stempel 1 hour, 55 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Three former Countrywide Financial Corp. (NYSE:CFC - news) executives agreed to plead guilty to charges they conducted insider trading in the mortgage lender's shares in the week leading up to a disappointing earnings report, federal prosecutors said.
Alan Cao, Quan Zhu and Jun Shi admitted to betting that Countrywide shares would decline after learning the Calabasas, California-based company's results in the third quarter of 2004 would fall short of analysts' forecasts, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.
Each defendant pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence. The case stemmed from a probe by the FBI, with the assistance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, prosecutors said.
Cao, 38, was a former vice president of financial planning; Zhu, 43, was executive vice president of portfolio risk management; and Shi, also 43, was first vice president of planning at Countrywide's banking unit, Countrywide Bank.
Donald Etra, a lawyer for Cao, said his client "fully acknowledges his responsibility," was cooperating with prosecutors, and hoped for a probation sentence. Lawyers for Zhu and Shi did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
The pleas were announced after Countrywide shares had fallen 2.6 percent on Tuesday on speculation the company might be the target of a government probe related to subprime loans, and that the FBI was raiding its headquarters.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Beong-Soo Kim would not comment on whether the U.S. Attorney's investigation has concluded, or whether other Countrywide executives are being targeted.
Laura Eimiller, a spokeswoman for the FBI's office in Los Angeles, said "the FBI is not conducting a search warrant at the office of Countrywide Financial in Calabasas."
Countrywide spokesman Rick Simon said the company was aware of rumors of raids, but was unaware of such activity and believed the rumors "unfounded." He was not immediately available to discuss the pleas.
GUILTY PLEAS
The insider trading case stemmed from an 11.5 percent decline in Countrywide shares on October 20, 2004.
Countrywide that morning had reported a 47 percent decline in quarterly profit to $582 million, or 94 cents per share, 7 cents below the average analyst forecast. The company also cut its full-year earnings outlook.
Prosecutors said Cao learned in advance of the shortfall, and told Zhu and Shi. The former executives then conducted a variety of transactions between October 14 and 19, prosecutors said. As a result, Cao realized $47,668 of illegal profits, Zhu realized $35,547, and Shi realized $19,995, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said the former executives profited by selling shares they owned, buying put options on Countrywide stock, and short-selling the stock. Cao and Zhu worked at Countrywide's headquarters, and Shi at Countrywide Bank's offices in Thousand Oaks, California, prosecutors said.
Cao and Shi last year settled related SEC civil allegations. Each returned their improper profits and paid a fine, the agency said.
Countrywide shares closed Tuesday down 96 cents at $36.31, after earlier falling to a two-month low. The shares are down 14 percent this year.
The cost to insure Countrywide debt with credit default swaps jumped about 10 basis points to 70 basis points, or $70,000 per year for five years to insure $10 million of debt.
Meanwhile, at the close, 39,172 put options and 10,229 call options had traded in Countrywide, more than four times normal daily volume, according to Track Data.
(Reporting by Karen Brettell, Doris Frankel, Gina Keating, Mary Milliken, Jonathan Stempel and Dan Whitcomb; Writing by Jonathan Stempel)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070626/bs_nm/countrywide_dc_2
he's been busy...
Naseeruddin Shah Starts Filming for Shoot on Sight in London
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Producer Aron Govil announced that Cine Boutique Entertainment (www.cineboutiqueltd.com) has started filming with Naseeruddin Shah in London for its upcoming film “Shoot On Sight”. The film directed by Jag Mundhra has prestigious star cast including Brian Cox, Greta Scacchi, Stephen Greif, Om Puri, Laila Rouaas, Sadie Frost & Mikaal Zulfikar . The filming is expected to end by mid July.
Naseeruddin Shah plays the lead role of Tariq Ali, a Muslim police officer of Scotland Yard, who's asked to hunt-down suspected suicide-bombers against the backdrop of July 7 bombings in London. Tariq's task gets complicated as an innocent Muslim is killed by the commando shooters of Scotland Yard. On the other hand, the Lahore-born Tariq - a British citizen married to an English woman with two children - is himself a suspect in the eyes of his colleagues, despite his long service in the Scotland Yard.
“Our film storyline is based on Scotland yard’s order to shot suspicious Muslim terrorists after July 7th 2005 London bombing” said Producer Aron Govil, “ that resulted in social profiling and it highlights the predicament of predominantly peace loving Muslims in face of Islamic extremism.” continued Mr. Govil.
Cine Boutique Entertainment, launched by Aron Govil, a New York based Industrialist and Jag Mundhra, a renowned L.A. based director, is a vertically integrated entertainment Media Company engaged in the business of production, marketing and distribution of quality films for global crossover audience. From Concept to Consumer (C2C), Cine Boutique creates moderate budget films which are strongly driven by concept rather than stars. The company plans to have at any point in time up to five feature films in the pipeline: one at each stage of the cycle from development to pre-production to production to post-production to release.
Shoot On Sight is expected to be released by the end of this year.
Contacts
Cine Boutique Entertainment
Aron Govil, 1-516-816-1400
agovil@cineboutiqueltd.com
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070531005...
Click here to see downloadable versions Cast for "Shoot On Sight" From left to right: Jag Mundhra, Brian Cox, Stephen Greif, Naseeruddin Shah, Aron Govil, and Greta Scacchi (Photo: Business Wire)
In Situ - a developer of long-range, unmanned, autonomous aircraft systems and sensors.
partnered with Boeing.
http://www.insitu.com/about_partners.cfm
located in NW Washington
http://maps.google.com/maps?um=1&tab=wl&hl=en&q=Bingen%2C%20Washington%20USA%2098605
June 7, 2007 - Boeing Australia Limited is awarded an AUD$20 million contract to provide ScanEagle ISR services to the Australian Army in Afghanistan. http://www.insitu.com/about_history.cfm
hi newb. did you post this?
Re: ARE WE HALTED ??????
Posted by shaker5714 on March 28, 2007 at 7:39PM
In response to Re: ARE WE HALTED ?????? by MoeMan
Patience my friend, good things come to those who wait. Just read some of the stuff that Bill Gates has predicted on the subject of Robotics. " A robot in every home". This is all in the model T stages right now. Also, in a previous post for INRA, ( IVHG ) back then, I remember someone saying that the government contracts come out in June. Soooo I'm waiting 'till June and if it doesn't happen then I guess I'll wait 'till next year.
http://www.agoracom.com/ir/innova/message/537035
no prob. guess i just don't consider stuff like "www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk" to be a mainstream media outlet, at least not of the weight of the Associated Press.
and the govt report was officially released today... looks like "spartacus" had the scoop!
considering the report was released today, and article on AP wire < 2 hrs ago, it seemed like "news."
sorry for posting "such old news."
"Iron Bob" back in the news...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070626/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/cia_family_jewels
big-time bot batteries.
June 26, 2007 07:00 AM EDT
Ultralife Batteries Awarded $1.8 Million Military Battery and Charger Contract
NEWARK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ultralife Batteries, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULBI) has received orders valued at approximately $1.8 million to supply batteries and chargers to a major defense contractor. Ultralife’s UBI-2590 lithium ion rechargeable battery and its two-bay and six-bay battery chargers will be supplied to power communications systems for an international defense organization. Deliveries have begun and are expected to be completed this month.
John D. Kavazanjian, Ultralife’s president and chief executive officer, said, “Combined with previous awards we have received, this contract further advances our sales to military prime contractors both in the U.S. and abroad, where our total systems approach – encompassing batteries, chargers, power supplies and integrated communications systems – adds value and provides us with a competitive advantage.”
Ultralife’s UBI-2590 lithium ion rechargeable battery contains two independent 15-volt sections, each with protection electronics and state-of-charge displays, enabling users to operate the battery in either 15-volt or 30-volt modes. The UBI-2590 is the most advanced battery of its type and is designed to power demanding military devices. In addition to military applications, its usage has been spread over many commercial markets including law enforcement, homeland security, scientific research, medical, surveillance and mining. Applications include military communications devices, robotics, power grid surveillance sensors, remote data collection devices, video detection systems and scientific monitoring equipment.
Ultralife’s CH0004 two-bay and CH0003 six-bay battery chargers provide a reliable and consistent recharge of two to six batteries simultaneously. The chargers auto-sense the battery type to assure the proper charging profile is used. The chargers can be both powered in the field from vehicles and generators, and in base locations. A wide range of AC and DC input voltages allows for operation from nearly any power source likely to be encountered worldwide.
About Ultralife Batteries, Inc.
Ultralife is a global provider of high-energy power solutions and communications accessories for diverse applications. The company develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries, charging systems and accessories including power supplies, amplifiers, amplified speakers, equipment mounts, case equipment and integrated communication systems for markets including military, industrial and consumer portable electronics. Through its portfolio of standard products and engineered solutions, Ultralife is at the forefront of providing the next generation of power systems and accessories. Industrial, retail and government customers include General Dynamics, Philips Medical Systems, General Motors, Energizer, Kidde Safety, Lowe’s, Radio Shack and the national defense agencies of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, among others.
Ultralife’s headquarters, principal manufacturing and research facilities are in Newark, New York, near Rochester. Ultralife’s three other operating units are: Ultralife Batteries (UK) Ltd., in Abingdon, England; McDowell Research in Waco, Texas; and ABLE New Energy in Shenzhen, China. Detailed information on Ultralife is available at: www.ultralifebatteries.com.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include: worsening global economic conditions, increased competitive environment and pricing pressures, disruptions related to restructuring actions and delays. Further information on these factors and other factors that could affect Ultralife's financial results is included in Ultralife's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Note to editors: Photographs of the UBI-2590 battery, CH0004 and CH0003 chargers are available at the following links:
http://www.ultralifebatteries.com/images/lineart/hires/UBI2590_hires.jpg
http://www.ultralifebatteries.com/images/lineart/hires/WB-hires_CH0004.jpg
http://www.ultralifebatteries.com/images/lineart/hires/WB-hires_CH0003.jpg
Ultralife® is a registered trademark of Ultralife Batteries, Inc.
Contacts
Ultralife Batteries, Inc.
Pete Comerford, 315-332-7100
pcomerford@ulbi.com
or
Investor Relations:
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
Jody Burfening, 212-838-3777
jburfening@lhai.com
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070626005...
and here's a DARPA-funded bot hand:
Shadow Robot Company: Tactile sensor overview of the 24 degree-of-freedom dexterous hand.
According to Shadow's web site, "the sensor uses Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC) as the sensing medium." Each sensor has either has either 34 or 22 active tactile elements, tactels, making it nearly as sensitive as human skin. The sensors come in two shapes for either a finger tip or a thumb but they can be custom made to any shape.
The sensors were developed for a DARPA funded project at Johns Hopkins University for new prosthetics.
http://www.shadowrobot.com/tactile/overview.shtml
Japanese firm unveils artificial hand with 'air muscles'
Tue Jun 26, 7:33 AM ET
TOKYO (AFP) - A Japanese robot maker on Tuesday unveiled what it called the world's first prototype of an artificial hand with "air muscles" that can do even delicate work like picking up a raw egg.
Squse, a Kyoto-based robot and factory automation manufacturer, said it has developed a 400-gramme (14 ounce) hand with five human-sized fingers with artificial fibres that can be controlled by air pressure.
"So far, robots have an image of helping people do heavy lifting, but we aim at delicate work as a human hand can do," company president Mikio Shimizu said.
During a demonstration, the prototype hand grasped a pen and picked up a raw egg without breaking it.
The firm plans to ship some 50 prototypes to research institutes and firms, with plans to market them overseas in the near future, Shimizu said.
Air muscles may be key technology for developing new types of artificial hands in the future, said Hiroshi Yokoi, associate professor of precision engineering at the University of Tokyo.
"Compared to motor-driven ones, air muscle hands are extremely light and less noisy," Yokoi said, adding that they may be in practical use in about five years' time.
A South Korean child tries to communicate with a robotic hand at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Daejeon, 2005. A Japanese robot maker unveiled what it called the world's first prototype of an artificial hand with "air muscles" that can do even delicate work like picking up a raw egg.(AFP/File/Kim Jae Hwan)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070626/tc_afp/lifestylerobottechnology
Congressional Caucus on Robotics
Congressmen Doyle and Wamp Launch Congressional Caucus on Robotics
Wed Jun 20, 12:01 PM ET
To: SCIENCE EDITORS
Contact: Matt Dinkel, +1-202-225-2135, or Laura Condeluci, +1-202-225-3271, both for Pennsylvania Congressman Mike Doyle and Tennessee Congressman Zach Wamp
WASHINGTON, June 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Congressman Mike Doyle and Tennessee Congressman Zach Wamp today announced the formation of a bi-partisan Congressional Caucus on Robotics. The caucus will focus on key issues facing the nation's traditional industrial robotics industry as well as issues critical to growing companies, markets, and industries based on recent technological advances that enable robots to perform functions beyond traditional assembly line tasks and to operate in environments beyond the factory floor. A kick-off event is being planned for mid-September.
"Robots are now being used well beyond traditional industrial automation applications like assembling automobiles," said Congressman Mike Doyle. "Today, they are also being used to defend our nation, perform surgery, fill prescriptions, deliver supplies and materials, and even as tools to educate our children, so it is important that we create a forum by which Congress can familiarize itself with the impact this first great technology of the 21st century is likely to have on the lives of all Americans."
"The increase in the number of emerging and potential applications for robotics is astounding," added Congressman Zach Wamp. "Microsoft Corporation chairman Bill Gates has stated his belief that the robotics industry is developing in much the same way that the computer business did 30 years ago. Forming a bipartisan caucus now will enable Congress to get a better grasp on many of the challenges and issues likely to emerge and help ensure that the United States can maintain global leadership as the robotics industry undergoes considerable expansion in the coming decade."
The preliminary, proposed goals of the bipartisan Robotics Caucus will include, but are not limited to:
-- Increasing general awareness of robotics industry challenges and issues
among Members of Congress and policy analysts in the federal
government;
-- Educating Members of Congress and congressional staff on current and
future research, development, and utilization initiatives involving
robotics;
-- Serving as a forum where robotics-related policy issues can be
discussed and debated; and
-- Ensuring that our nation remains globally competitive as the robotics
industry rapidly expands and begins to exert a profound effect on the
way our citizens live their lives.
About Congressman Mike Doyle
Mike Doyle (D-PA14) is currently serving his seventh term in Congress representing the 14th District of Pennsylvania, which includes the city of Pittsburgh as well as communities in the western, southern, and eastern portions of Allegheny County. His top priorities include revitalizing communities in the 14th District through economic development and high-tech initiatives, creating jobs, preserving Social Security and Medicare, providing better public education, establishing a long-term national energy strategy, and fostering a better climate for our high-tech community.
http://www.house.gov/doyle/
Congressman Doyle serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee which is one of only four exclusive committees in the House. There he sits on the following three subcommittees: 1) Energy and Air Quality; 2) Telecommunications and the Internet; and 3) Oversight and Investigations. He also serves on the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, where he serves on the committee's Health Subcommittee.
About Congressman Zach Wamp
Known for his leadership, tenacity and energetic style, Congressman Zach Wamp (R-TN3) serves with seniority as a member of the influential House Appropriations Committee, which funds all discretionary spending by the federal government.
http://www.house.gov/wamp/
Congressman Wamp serves as the Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of Appropriations. The Subcommittee funds the operations of Congress and the Capitol, including the Capitol Police, the Library of Congress, the Capitol Visitor's Center and the budgets of all Members of Congress and House Leadership. He is also the second most senior Republican on the Energy and Water Subcommittee of Appropriations, possibly the most important subcommittee in Congress for the State of Tennessee, because it funds all Oak Ridge operations, as well as the replacement of the Chickamauga Lock on the Tennessee River.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Congressman Mike Doyle and Tennessee Congressman Zach
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20070620/pl_usnw/congressmen_doyle_and_wamp_launch_congressional_caucus....
KUKA's monster bot -- the KR 1000, world’s strongest robot
Clinton Township, Michigan — June 13, 2007 – KUKA Robotics introduced the world’s largest and strongest robot. The KUKA KR 1000 titan 6-axis robot has a payload capacity of 1000 kg and a reach of 3200 mm and is designed to handle extremely heavy lifting and manipulation applications. The robot is ideally suited for industries requiring a heavyweight robot including the building materials, automotive and foundry industries.
“This new robot can be implemented in applications which until now required at least 2 robots, lift stations or other lifting equipment thus saving valuable floor space and increasing efficiency," said Stuart Shepherd, president of KUKA Robotics Corporation. “Its payload capacity gives production planners the speed and dynamics they previously only dreamed of.”
The KUKA KR 1000 titan 6- axis robot recently earned its place as the world’s strongest robot in the Guinness Book of Records. It has a total of nine motors, which together deliver the power of a mid-sized car. It features a robust steel base frame and a new drive concept. In axes 1 and 3, two motors feed into a single gear unit. Axis 2 is powered by two motors, each with its own gear unit. The KUKA titan can withstand a static torque of 60,000 newton meters (Nm).
KUKA Robotics Corporation, with its parent company KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg, Germany, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial robots, with an annual production volume approaching 10,000 units, and an installed base of over 80,000 units. The company’s 5 and 6 axis robots range from 3kg to 570kg payloads, and 635mm to 3700mm reach, all controlled from a common PC based controller platform. KUKA robots are utilized in a diverse range of industries including the appliance, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, foundry and plastics industries and in multiple applications including material handling, machine loading, assembly, packaging, palletizing, welding, bending, joining, and surface finishing.
http://www.automation.com/store/p1030details22627.php
Bear Stearns to lend US $3.2 billion to bail out one of its hedge funds
By The Canadian Press
Friday, June 22, 2007
NEW YORK (AP) - Bear Stearns Cos. confirmed Friday it will bail out one of its troubled hedge funds with US $3.2 billion in loans.
Bear said it stepped in to save the fund because market uncertainty made it "difficult" to unwind the fund’s assets - mostly securities backed by risky mortgage loans.
The financing will go to the Bear Stearns High-Grade Structured Credit Fund.
That unit and its sister fund, the Bear Stearns High Grade Structured Credit Enhanced Leveraged Fund, have come under pressure as the value of the loans underlying the bonds they hold fell sharply in recent months.
The two "have experienced high levels of margin calls and have had difficulty in creating necessary liquidity and working capital to continue to operate the funds," the company said in a statement.
While the loans will go to the Structured Credit fund, Bear Stearns said it is still working on a solution for the Enhanced Leveraged fund’s problems. The company "will continue to work with creditors and counterparties of the Enhanced Fund to reduce leverage in an orderly manner and improve liquidity," the statement said.
Bear had worked the past week to sell the funds’ assets to generate money to repay investors, which primarily include other Wall Street firms such as Merrill Lynch & Co. and JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Merrill seized collateral reported to be worth $850 million and auctioned the assets earlier this week.
By injecting money into the fund itself, Bear buys time to make trades to generate income, so that it can repay investors who want to get out.
"Our goal is to achieve the best possible results for the funds’ investors under the circumstances," Bear Stearns Asset Management Chief Executive Rich Marin said in a statement.
Bear Stearns shares fell $1.09 to $144.72 in midday trading.
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/CP_stories.php?id=50232
Robots to help explore Arctic ridge
By JAY LINDSAY, Associated Press Writer Fri Jun 22, 6:12 AM ET
BOSTON - The Gakkel Ridge, encased under the frozen Arctic Ocean, is steep and rocky, and scientists suspect its remote location hosts an array of undiscovered life.
Researchers hope newly developed robots will give them their first look at the mysterious ridge located between Greenland and Siberia.
Scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on Cape Cod plan to begin a 40-day expedition of the ridge on July 1. They plan to use the robots to navigate and map its terrain and sample any life found near a series of underwater hot springs.
Tim Shank, lead biologist on the international expedition, said researchers have no idea what new life at the ridge might be like.
"I almost think it's like going to Australia for the first time, knowing it's there, but not knowing what lives there," he said.
The Gakkel Ridge marks a 1,100-mile stretch from north of Greenland toward Siberia, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates continuously move away from each other.
Scientists believe new life could be discovered there because of hot springs that are created at such tectonic boundaries when ocean water comes into contact with hot magma rising from the earth's mantle.
The organisms known to exist in the Arctic basin, where the Gakkel is located, may have evolved in a unique fashion because they were mostly isolated from the life in the deep waters of other oceans for all but the last 25 million years, said Robert Reves-Sohn, the expedition's lead scientist.
The job of reaching any new organisms at the ridge falls to scientists operating three new robotic vehicles, two of which are designed to navigate untethered under the ice.
The two robots, named Puma and Jaguar, cost about $450,000 each and received significant funding from NASA because their mission is similar to what scientists hope to do in a future exploration under the ice of one of Jupiter's moons, Europa.
The robots are built to descend to about 5,000 meters and work 5 to 6 meters off the bottom, photographing and removing samples, said Hanumant Singh, the project's chief engineer.
The advances are no guarantee of success, however.
The hot springs are difficult to find in far less challenging conditions and the margin for error is thin, since the robots cannot surface through the ice and be retrieved if there are problems.
Singh said the excitement of finding new organisms and understanding the geology in the Arctic outweighs any risks to the robots.
"Even though we know there's a strong probability, or there's a reasonable probability of losing a vehicle, it's still worth it," he said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070622/ap_on_sc/arctic_new_life_1
ABB Ltd: A Powerful Play on China
Posted on Jun 21st, 2007 with stocks: ABB
Winston Kotzan submits: In the first quarter of 2007, the China Energy Council reported that China’s electricity consumption has jumped nearly 15% from a year ago. As China’s power consumption grows, the government has been pouring billions of dollars into infrastructure upgrades for the nation’s power grid.
ABB Growth in Power Grids
I believe the best play for power grid development in China and other emerging markets is ABB Ltd (ABB). This Swiss company nearly doubled its stock price since last year, and it may still have a long way to go. In 2006 the order backlog increased 41% and net income grew 75%.
ABB’s strongest growing segments have been its power systems and products divisions. China’s need for power infrastructure seems to have helped, as the percentage of revenue from Asia has been accelerating in the past several years.
ABB's Got Guanxi
Why ABB, and not its competitors Siemens (SI) or Areva (ARVCF.PK) you ask? Upon closer look, ABB seems much better positioned in China because of the guanxi. They have won some critical contracts, such as a transformer upgrade in Beijing for the 2008 Olympics. During my recent visit to China, I also learned that ABB installed all the robotics systems for a recently opened Daimler-Chrysler manufacturing plant in Beijing.
Building rapport with local businesses and government officials is critical to succeeding in China. ABB seems to have done so, and its latest set of contracts should help strengthen those relationships.
Disclosure: The author has a long position in ABB/
ABB 1-yr chart
http://china.seekingalpha.com/article/39041
ASI wins EOD user interface development contract
Autonomous Solutions, Inc. Awarded Contract to Develop an Immersive User Interface with Advanced Manipulator Controls for Next Generation EOD Applications
LOGAN, Utah, June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Autonomous Solutions, Inc., (ASI),
a designer and manufacturer of unmanned vehicle systems, software, and
components for industrial and military clients, today announced it has been
awarded a two-year development contract from the Naval Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) in Indian Head, MD, to develop
an advanced 3D visualization and tactile feedback system that will improve
the ability of EOD technicians to use robotic manipulators when handling
and manipulating suspicious objects in the field. NAVEODTECHDIV is the
Joint Service activity supporting all armed services for Explosive Ordnance
Disposal (EOD).
The system will be deployable on both the next generation EOD robots
and as a retrofit package for currently deployed platforms such as the
Talon(R) and Packbot(R). The system will use 3D sensing to immerse the user
in the most realistic representation of the environment possible. This
visualization, along with advanced manipulator control capabilities, will
enable the user to quickly and intuitively address the threat. This is in
contrast with the current method of using purely two dimensional data from
cameras mounted on the robots, which results in a loss of depth perception
making object handling difficult for bomb techs and robot operators.
"I'm thrilled that we have been awarded a significant development
contract with a government organization that has had such an influential
role in saving lives in Iraq," says Mel Torrie, CEO of Autonomous
Solutions. "This provides us with the opportunity to leverage a
considerable amount of the technology we have developed in 3D and advanced
manipulator controls for our Mobius(TM) software. Mobius(TM) has been
developed in our industrial division for tasks like semi-autonomous backhoe
operation in construction and mining as well as agricultural and other
commercial markets. I'm excited that we will be able to leverage this
technology for military applications that save lives."
The ultimate goal of this program is to allow users in dangerous
situations to quickly and accurately deal with potentially hazardous items
so they can exit the area as soon as possible. Integrating these new
capabilities onto the bomb disposal robots through ASI's JAUS standard
communication interface will enable rapid fielding of these potentially
life saving capabilities.
About Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
Autonomous Solutions is a market leader in vehicle automation,
autonomous operations, and JAUS implementation. ASI designs, programs, and
manufactures unmanned vehicles for a variety of military and commercial
applications. ASI is one of the largest privately held robotics-focused
companies in the world -- employing world class computer, electrical, and
mechanical engineers and support staff.
SOURCE Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-20-2007/0004612386&...
International Robot and Vision Show - Joseph Fernando on the Microsoft Robotics Studio Blog
The International Robot and Vision Show, initially launched in 1976, occurs every two years drawing in a large customer base looking for new robotic products and solutions within the industrial setting. This year there were over 6000 attendees viewing products showcased by over 160 exhibitors in technological categories of Robotics, Machine Vision, and Motion Control. Beyond these technological areas Emerging Robotics Pavilion showcased technologies that could be applied to industrial and non-industrial settings alike. Microsoft Robotics Studio was showcased in this Pavilion as well as presented at the New Product Presentation Theater. You can find the slide deck I used for this presentation here.
At this event BrainTech, Coroware and RoboRealm demoed the usage of Microsoft Robotics Studio and their Technology Library contributions in the areas of Vision and Robotics.
In the pictures below RoboRealm is has leveraged Microsoft Robotic Studio and their technological libraries to realize a vision base obstacle avoidance algorithm. The mobile platform utilized is a Surveyor (MSRS Partner) SRV-1.
http://blogs.msdn.com/msroboticsstudio/archive/2007/06/21/international-robot-and-vision-show.aspx
O/S up another 865K since May 22nd when it was 89,404,430.
RIA June 2007 newsletter
http://www.roboticsonline.com/public/articles/Jun07_early.htm
yeah, that's the ticket!
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=20465230
Major Defense Contractors Choose Mobius(TM) for JAUS Command and Control of Unmanned Systems
LOGAN, Utah, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Autonomous Solutions, Inc. announced today that they have recently finalized contracts with three major defense organizations: BAE Systems from Santa Clara, CA; CACI International from Washington D.C., and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NWSC) from Panama City, Fla.
All three groups have purchased licenses of Mobius(TM) -- ASI's premier JAUS compliant command and control system for unmanned vehicles. Mobius(TM) software along with ASI's optional Mobi(TM) (Handheld Operator Control Unit) will be used by these groups as a control system for a variety of unmanned vehicles including the iRobot Packbot, the Foster Miller Talon, the Mesa Robotics Matilda, and other undisclosed medium and large unmanned vehicle platforms.
Mobius(TM) is an easy to use software interface for controlling and monitoring multiple unmanned vehicle systems using the JAUS protocol. It includes a robust set of patented mission planning and execution tools currently in use in a variety of applications including: Military, Mining, Agriculture, Material Handling, Surveillance, and others. Mobius(TM) provides 2D and 3D tools for managing and visualizing unmanned vehicles and the environment in which they act. Mobius(TM) also includes powerful features such as area coverage algorithms, safety perimeters, multiple vehicle choreography and customizable actions. Mobius(TM) is based on a modular architecture that provides flexibility for integrating with systems with varying levels of autonomy. Mobius(TM) dynamically adjusts to the vehicle's level of intelligence allowing for gradients of autonomy from tele-operation to full autonomous control.
For more information on Mobius(TM) please contact:
Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
1946 South 1600 West
Young Ward, UT 84339
Telephone: 435.755.2980
Facsimile: 435.752.0541
About Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
Autonomous Solutions, Inc. provides a complete suite of JAUS compatible building blocks for unmanned systems to military and commercial customers throughout the world. These building blocks are comprised of modular hardware, software, and robotic platforms. This approach enables partners to easily integrate their existing technology with ASI's building blocks to meet the requirements of their target application. ASI's deployment of these patented blocks has earned them recognition as world leaders in the robotics industry.
CONTACT: Autonomous Solutions, Inc., +1-435-755-2980, or fax, +1-435-752-0541
Disclaimer: Information contained on this page is provided by companies featured through PR Newswire. PR Newswire, WorldNow and this Station cannot confirm the accuracy of this information and make no warranties or representations in connection therewith.
http://www.cbstv2.com/global/story.asp?s=5038778&ClientType=Printable
no ticker symbol found, but this is in that PR.
This press release contains information about management’s view of Alion’s future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of risk factors and uncertainties discussed in documents periodically filed by Alion with the SEC. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.
more re Alion Science & Technology + "MULE"
Alion Builds and Demonstrates Robotic “Mule” for Battlefield Use
Technology solutions provider supports the Army’s PEO STRI in developing workhorse vehicle
MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alion Science and Technology, an employee-owned technology solutions company, has designed, developed and successfully demonstrated an autonomous robotic vehicle with the capability to carry over 1,000 pounds of combat and medical gear across the battlefield.
Under an $850,000 Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) product contract, Alion’s Micro Analysis & Design (MA&D) Operation provided program management, system design, development, human systems integration and test and evaluation functions for the self-mobile trailer (SMT). The vehicle, which can travel at a speed of up to 28 mph, features a hybrid electric design, enabling it to enter danger zones silently. It also features a top-mounted rack system for cargo restraint. The rack system reconfigures in the field into two man-sized stretchers.
“I consider the SMT concept demonstration to be a huge success as it provided a means to evaluate the performance and operational utility of the SMT prototype vehicle,” said Sal Strano, project director with the Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), headquartered in Orlando, Fl. “Based on the results of the demo, I feel that the SMT proved that it could enhance a military operator’s ability to carry a combat load, improve endurance in the field, and increase situational awareness.”
The self-mobile trailer is adaptable and can be configured for seated personnel, MEDEVAC and cargo transport. It is just as flexible in the missions it can perform, which include: expediting the recovery of parachute payload bundles deployed with troops; acting as a look out on reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisitions missions; assisting combat controller missions by providing laser ranging, surveying and target designation capabilities; and providing expeditionary power to support operations in any area of interest as well as auxiliary power for medical equipment and power tools.
“This vehicle features a very innovative design. It is the result of a strong human factors approach to meet the needs of the soldiers,” said Rod Riddick, Alion Senior Vice President and Manager of the Integration Solutions Group. “The vehicle is capable of nearly silent operation with extremely low visible, thermal, acoustic and radar signatures. It is highly mobile, capable of autonomously trailing a foot patrol over challenging terrain and fording small rivers.”
General Dynamics Robotics Systems, of Westminster, Md., was a subcontractor under Alion on the project.
About Alion Science and Technology
Alion Science and Technology (pronounced: ah-LYE-un) is an employee-owned technology solutions company delivering technical expertise and operational support to the Department of Defense, civilian government agencies and commercial customers. Building on 70 years of R&D and engineering experience, Alion brings innovation and insight to multiple business areas: defense operations; modeling & simulation; wireless communication; industrial technology; chemical, biological, nuclear & environmental sciences; information technology; and naval architecture and marine engineering. Based in McLean, Virginia, Alion has 3500 employee-owners at major offices, customer sites and laboratories worldwide. For more information, call 877.771.6252 or visit Alion online at www.alionscience.com.
This press release contains information about management’s view of Alion’s future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of risk factors and uncertainties discussed in documents periodically filed by Alion with the SEC. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.
Contacts
Alion Science and Technology
Peter J. Jacobs, 703-269-3473
pjacobs@alionscience.com
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070618005...
IMO the Brainerd PR era is probably over...
don't see any logical reason to not include them as PR/Media contacts in today's release unless they are no longer handling PR duties.
http://www.marketwire.com/2.0/release.do?id=741314
however, they're still listed as clients.
http://www.braincomm.com/clients_iq.php
really?
here's what you claimed back then:
Posted by: HarryOsbornJr
In reply to: Rocketstocks who wrote msg# 5036
Date:3/2/2007 2:28:51 PM
Post #of 8135
In hope your right! Believe me, I still have all my shares. Minus a little pocket money.
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?Message_id=17556970
and here's what you claimed before the settlement PR was released:
Posted by: HarryOsbornJr
In reply to: chunga1 who wrote msg# 3619
Date:2/27/2007 8:38:09 PM
Post #of 8101
The word I got was the Settlement was Substantial.
Main Entry: sub·stan·tial
Function: adjective
Pronunciation: s&b-'stan(t)-sh&l
1 a : consisting of or relating to substance b : not imaginary or illusory : REAL , TRUE c : IMPORTANT , ESSENTIAL
2 : ample to satisfy and nourish : FULL <a substantial meal>
3 a : possessed of means : WELL -to-do b : considerable in quantity : significantly great <earned a substantial wage>
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?Message_id=17451252
and here's what you conveniently claim now:
Posted by: HarryOsbornJr
In reply to: SPIN who wrote msg# 8134
Date:6/10/2007 4:44:47 PM
Post #of 8136
It indicates that you should have sold 90% of this on the settlement news , like I did!
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=20334347
please tell us what you think that data indicates...
FYI - otcbb/otc/daily/recap/Fri Jun 08 16:01:07 EDT 2007
From $0.01 – 1.00 that have traded minimum 10,000 shares
Symbols Company Name % Change $ Change Vol. Last Price
IHITF International Hi-Tech Industries Inc. -50.00
-0.0500
397,846 0.0500
DMOI DIAMOND I INC|ACTIVE -42.86
-0.0090
5,547,187 0.0120
LSGH LSGH -40.00
-0.0100
565,500 0.0150
NRMG NRMG -37.50
-0.0090
79,024 0.0150
PWSV PWSV -33.33
-0.2500
58,800 0.5000
APVLF Apiva Venturers Ltd. -33.33
-0.0050
27,000 0.0100
SIII STRATEGIC INTERNET|ACTIVE -32.00
-0.0800
29,800 0.1700
TRDQ TRDQ -28.13
-0.0045
90,900 0.0115
CYKN CyberKinetics Neurotechnology Systems Inc -26.92
-0.1400
385,093 0.3800
URST URST -26.88
-0.2500
569,375 0.6800
IQMC IQMC -25.71
-0.0450
583,312 0.1300
SWMX SWMX -25.00
-0.0600
134,750 0.1800
RLLKF RLLKF -25.00
-0.0300
10,000 0.0900
FFBU FFBU -25.00
-0.0050
60,000 0.0150
MRES MRES -24.24
-0.0800
59,500 0.2500
FHHI FHHI -23.53
-0.0400
13,200 0.1300
NXHZ NXHZ -23.08
-0.0600
23,665 0.2000
INRA INRA -23.08
-0.0180
268,775 0.0600
IVTH IVTH -22.56
-0.0044
143,900 0.0151
AGGX AGGX -22.50
-0.0900
15,120 0.3100
http://66.201.236.134/export/n_letter/gen/Microcap_Recap_Report_08_Jun_2007.html
more t trades
t 0.075 50000 OBB 16:01:30
t 0.075 20000 OBB 16:01:21
t 0.075 35000 OBB 16:01:00
t 0.06 1000 OBB 16:00:47
almost the lowest closing price ever, btw...
SPhinX battles over $263 mln in Refco bankruptcy
Thu Jun 7, 2007 5:29PM EDT
By Shurna Robbins
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, June 7 (Reuters) - A year and a half after the abrupt collapse of commodities broker Refco Inc. (RFXCQ.PK: Quote, Profile, Research, a battle still rages over a $263 million settlement deal that plaintiffs are now trying to reverse.
The chief litigant is the SPhinX Funds, a group of Cayman-registered hedge funds which were valued at $2 billion when Refco's failure pushed them into bankruptcy.
The settlement deal has already been approved by a U.S. bankruptcy court, but the $263 million remains frozen while SPhinX liquidators appeal the agreement by SPhinX's former directors and lawyers, claiming it was never legal.
"The money for the investment portfolios should have been placed in segregated accounts under Cayman Companies Law," said Kenneth Krys, the Cayman-appointed liquidator for SPhinX. "Instead, Refco combined these moneys with its own, leaving those funds vulnerable to all Refco's creditors when it became insolvent."
Refco attorneys declined to comment on the case. But in court filings they contend the original settlement was above board. Using the bankruptcy court as a "one-stop forum empowered to do justice to all comers under the guise of equity" abuses the system, they said.
Hedge funds are investment pools for sophisticated investors with high-risk tolerance. But experts say that it is unlikely investors could have anticipated the alleged fraud and collusion in another company's failure - raising the stakes for more due diligence within this lightly regulated industry.
Refco collapsed in October 2005 when its former CEO, Phillip Bennett, was accused of hiding $430 million in fraudulent loans. Just two days after the fraud disclosure and five days before Refco filed for bankruptcy, SPhinX's investment manager transferred $312 million from Refco to SPhinX accounts before those funds could be secured for general creditor distribution.
Over the next several weeks, tens of millions of dollars were redeemed before Refco filed a preference action seeking to get the $312 million back.
The lawyers and directors for SPhinX would eventually agree to give back $263 million to Refco and waive all future claims in what the liquidators now say was an illegal deal.
But outraged with the terms, SPhinX investors hired their own attorneys and launched an appeal, claiming the SPhinX directors, attorneys and other Refco-affiliated persons shut them out of meaningful negotiations.
Among the issues SPhinX investors raise against Refco and its affiliates is that it exploited a ten-week delay between the $312 million transfer and filing the preference action so unidentified investors could redeem $110 million of SPhinX funds at other investors' expense.
Those primary beneficiaries were former Refco CEO Bennett and Austrian bank, BAWAG, which helped set up the fraudulent loans that brought down Refco.
Raising another conflict of interest is a SPhinX director involved in the settlement, who allegedly set up offshore companies in Anguilla to help Bennett and BAWAG hide Refco's fraudulent loans.
"This case is rather unusual for a liquidator to come into court proceedings and discover the party entering into a settlement agreement was effectively entering into an illegal agreement, because the hedge funds were set up as [Cayman] SPCs," said attorney Gary Lee of Morrison & Foerster, who represents the SPhinX liquidator.
Based on a cellular model, SPCs are not separate legal entities; but a hallmark is the assets of one cell cannot be used to pay for the liabilities of another. To pay off the settlement, money was taken out of several cells' accounts to pay the liability of other cells, breaking the basis of an SPC.
If the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan upholds the original settlement this month, the $263 million will be paid out to all remaining Refco creditors, effectively shutting out SPhinX investors.
http://www.reuters.com/article/mergersNews/idUSN0726208620070607